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Council approves first reading to rezone parcel, green-lights routine municipal measures
Summary
The council approved the first reading of ordinance 7 46 to rezone a property (vote 3–2) and passed multiple routine items, including new golf-course rates, a $5,000-per-year software subscription to reduce tee-time no-shows, acceptance of a transit agreement with SD DOT and several contract-related approvals; the meeting closed with a motion to enter executive session on contractual matters.
At a regular meeting, the City Council approved the first reading of ordinance 7 46, a rezoning measure, and moved forward a package of municipal items including golf-course rates, a software subscription for tee-time confirmations, and a transit agreement with the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
Speaker 3 moved to approve the rezone on first reading, saying the vote "is the first step and, it gives us some time" to examine alternative locations and noting the measure had been reviewed by planning and zoning. The council took a roll call; Fish, Johnson and Cole were recorded as "Aye," Marceau recorded "No," and Council Member Lawrence had been excused earlier; the tally was announced as 3 to 2 in favor. Speaker 3 emphasized approval at first reading "doesn't necessarily mean that the tower is gonna be under construction tomorrow" and described the vote as allowing additional review before a second reading.
In other business, the council:
- Set golf-course rates and authorized sale of 2026 season passes beginning Nov. 1, after a brief discussion about whether prorated late-season passes would be offered.
- Waived the upstairs rental fee for the food pantry's Nov. 21 fundraiser, noting the council has approved this in prior years.
- Approved Dakota Floors for planned facility flooring work after comparing quotes, and agreed it was within the existing budget to add two kitchen areas without returning for a separate approval because the total remains under $100,000.
- Approved a software subscription intended to reduce golf-course tee-time no-shows. Speaker 6 described the problem, saying, "we're at just under 6,000 no shows" for individual tee times and explained the vendor would onboard for about $5,000 a year and provide text confirmations, modification/cancellation options and waitlist notifications. The vendor materials cited examples of courses recapturing more than $100,000 in revenue; the council voted to adopt the subscription.
- Approved an agreement with the American Red Cross to use its swim-lesson curriculum at the municipal pool and authorized the annual staff Christmas party, not to exceed $5,000 for food, gifts and prizes, to be held Dec. 5.
- Accepted the transit coordination plan required by the South Dakota DOT and approved a related transit agreement. Speaker 4 said ROCS applied for about $135,000 and was awarded nearly $101,000, creating a budget shortfall of $34,167 for 2026; he noted that shortfalls are common and suggested the council could consider raising ride fees (currently $2 per ride). Speaker 2 added that "it's a wonderful service that Brandon offers." The council moved and approved the agreement.
- Approved contract-related items including a slurry-seal project first change order (a decrease described as "just under 695,000") and pay application number 1 (final); and authorized advertising and bidding for the Rushmore area construction project with a bid letting planned for Dec. 4 and council action on the low bidder on Dec. 15.
Before adjourning to closed session, Speaker 2 said there was no new business and the council voted to enter executive session to discuss contractual matters.
Votes at a glance: ordinance 7 46 (first reading) — approved 3–2; ordinance 7 45 (second reading) — approved on second reading (vote recorded in meeting); golf rates — approved; food pantry rental waiver — approved; flooring contract award — approved; software subscription for tee-time confirmations — approved ($5,000 annual onboarding); American Red Cross swim agreement — approved; staff Christmas party — authorized not to exceed $5,000; transit coordination plan and SD DOT agreement — approved (noted $34,167 budget shortfall); slurry seal change order (decrease ~695,000) — approved; pay application #1 final — approved; Rushmore area bid authorization — approved; motion to enter executive session on contractual matters — approved.
The council left open that several items (the rezone, bid awards and contract details) will return for further review or final action at future meetings.
