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2026-10-06 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official approved minutes (meeting ID 4349) and the posted agenda. The council video is embedded in the city's agenda portal and has no caption transcript, so the minutes are the only detailed record.

  • Called to order at 6:00 PM with Mayor Christine Erickson presiding; all council members present except James Oppenheimer. Adjourned at 7:06 PM (Sigette moved, Spellerberg seconded, voice vote 7-0).
  • Consent agenda approved 6-0 on a roll call (Merkouris moved, Sigette seconded); Sara Pankonin was excused from the meeting and the vote under City Ordinance 30.017. Minutes of the September 15 council and informational meetings and the September 29 informational meeting were on the consent list, along with contracts over $100K (memorandum of October 2), one-day liquor licenses, 16 property tax abatements and hearing dates of October 20 for five license items.
  • Agenda amended (Merkouris moved, Sigette seconded, 7-0 voice vote) to hear the two appointments, Items 56 and 57, first; the regular agenda was then approved as amended, 7-0.
  • Thomas Greco confirmed as Director of Planning and Development Services, 7-0.
  • Sara Combs appointed Chief Administrative Officer, 7-0.
  • Nine Lewis Drugs package liquor licenses and one retail wine license (Napolitano to Breadico) approved as a block, 5-1, with Pankonin voting no and Zak Okuwe excused.
  • Three rezonings adopted on second reading, each 7-0: Ordinance 78-26, 79-26 and 80-26.
  • Willow Ridge Addition preliminary plan approved (Resolution 110-26, 7-0).
  • Resolution 111-26 moving four 2026 and 2027 council meetings approved, 7-0.
  • First reading of the Chapter 37 taxation ordinance; second reading set for October 14, 7-0.
  • Late in the meeting Pankonin moved to reconsider Item 4 (the consent agenda); the voice vote to reconsider passed 7-0. The minutes say only that Item 4 was reconsidered and "see item for action taken"; the result is not recorded in the text.
  • Public input covered data center moratoriums and the need for more education on data centers, the "Gemini" project, flock cameras (including their ability to record video), several projects around the city, and the Whittier Neighborhood and police activity. No action was taken.

Appointments

Liquor license transfers

  • Sanford Medical Center Liquor License Transfers: Items 37 through 49 (nine Lewis Drugs package licenses to Sanford Medical Center, a retail wine license to Breadico LLC, and Augustana University Association one-day licenses at the Midco Arena for the 2026-27 hockey season, a block party on October 10 and an alumni event on October 24). Basye moved, Spellerberg seconded. Roll call 5-1: Thomason, Basye, Merkouris, Sigette, Spellerberg yes; Pankonin no; Okuwe excused under Ordinance 30.017.

Rezonings and plat

Taxation ordinance

  • Taxation Code Amendment: first reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 37 (Taxation), sponsored by the Mayor. Spellerberg moved and Basye seconded setting second reading for Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Roll call 7-0.

Rescheduled council meetings

  • Council Meeting Date Changes: Resolution 111-26 (sponsors Merkouris and Sigette; moved by Merkouris, seconded by Thomason), roll call 7-0. Moves the November 17, 2026 meeting to Monday, November 16 (NLC City Summit), February 2, 2027 to Monday, February 1 (Municipal Government Day in Pierre), August 3, 2027 to Wednesday, August 4 (National Night Out) and October 13, 2027 to Wednesday, October 14 (Chamber of Commerce annual meeting).

Public input

  • Speakers asked for data center moratoriums and more education on data centers, asked about the "Gemini" project, and raised flock cameras and their video recording ability; see Flock Cameras. Other comments touched on projects in the city and police activity in the Whittier Neighborhood. The minutes name no speakers.

Other items

  • Invocation by Mr. Jerry Fogg of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Mayor Erickson granted Assistant City Clerk Tamara Jorgensen a point of personal privilege for a birthday greeting.
  • Notice of transfer of appropriations on the memorandum of August 31, 2026 (Item 58) was received; no new business.
  • The abatements concurred with the Minnehaha County Commission's recommendation: five for an addition placed on the wrong parcel (about $30,500 in value each, corrected for 2027; one stated amount was $451.51 for 2021 taxes) and eleven for disabled veteran exemptions under SDCL 10-4-40 and 10-4-41, ranging from $657.47 to $2,602.74 per year.
  • Hearing dates of October 20 set for a new Olson Oil malt beverage license, a Steel District Restaurants malt beverage license, the Casa Del Rey to El Agave and Pho Thai to TBM Partners liquor license transfers, and a St Mary Catholic Church one-day license.

Votes and attendance

Present: Thomason, Basye, Merkouris, Pankonin, Okuwe, Sigette, Spellerberg and Mayor Christine Erickson. Absent: Oppenheimer. Clerk of record: Jermery J. Washington (resolutions attested); minutes signed by Tamara Jorgensen, Assistant City Clerk.

Sources

Video

Watch the video