Council tables bid authorization for Bluff-area drainage work after residents raise concerns over tree removal at Van Buskirk Park

Brandon City Council on a motion voted to table authorization to bid on the Bluff Area Drainage Improvements, including work at Van Buskirk Park, after residents pressed the council for more notice and details about tree removal, permitting and construction timing.

Residents who live adjacent to the park told the council they were surprised to learn the project plan calls for clearing many trees inside the park and the channel. Todd Tagitz, who said he lives in The Bluffs neighborhood, said neighbors “have not really had an opportunity to give any input” and asked the council to delay the work. Aaron Schneider said the trees along Heritage provide the only privacy for nearby homes and asked for more discussion rather than a quick construction plan. Roger Elk, who said he is a research geographer and longtime U.S. Geological Survey employee, said historic USGS topographic maps show the waterways as streams and asked whether the city had secured required state permits. Elk told the council, “I think you are required to get a permit from Department of Natural Resources in South Dakota to do major riparian modifications.”

City staff said the project team did hold a public meeting on Aug. 28 and sent letters to about 35 adjacent landowners; staff reported about 15–17 people signed the meeting attendance sheet. Tammy (city staff) told the council the city typically sends invitations only to property owners adjacent to a drainage way and that this site is larger and more complex than some prior maintenance projects. Tammy explained the planned work would remove accumulated silt, regrade channels, and reseed with native grasses and a pollinator mix similar to the work done in the Westview drainage project. She said the project is being planned in phases and that replanting of trees is still under discussion: “There is no plan to replant any trees and whether that needs to be a park board decision or whatnot. I’ll leave that up to you guys.”

Tammy also said the city is pursuing a Corps of Engineers 404 general permit for the work and that staff does not expect endangered-species issues to block permit approval. City staff said the developer for part of the corridor (identified in the discussion as Brandon Bluffs LLC) will be responsible for cleaning and shaping the section that runs through the new development; the city’s scope covers the section up toward Heritage. Staff noted some upstream properties have reported basement water intrusion or pump use, and that the city has an ongoing maintenance liability: a city attorney or staff member summarized a recent Watertown court case to say municipalities can be held liable for damages when a drainage way that should be maintained becomes obstructed and causes flooding.

Speakers asked about safety during construction; staff said construction likely would not begin until November or December and that the city would close the park and post barricades while equipment is on site. Several residents urged a broader neighborhood meeting so more Bluffs-area residents could see plans and ask questions. Council members agreed to delay the bidding step to give staff and the engineering firm more time to present options and improve outreach.

On the delay motion, the council voted to table authorization to bid until the council’s Sept. 15 meeting; the motion carried. The council asked staff to schedule a walk-through of the drainage corridor, invite broader Bluffs-area participation and provide additional materials about planting, phasing, permits and safety measures before returning the item to the agenda.

The council did not adopt a construction plan or approve tree removals at the meeting; discussion and outreach will continue before any contract is awarded.