Each of the following appointed city boards, committees and commissions has position(s) eligible for new appointment:
Board of AdjustmentNumber of positions: 3Position currently held by: Dave Rusten, Jim Pederson and Jason Hoffelt
Term Length: 3 yearsResidency Requirement: Required or reside within Joint Jurisdictional Area
Purpose: The Board of Adjustment has the authority to act on variances or special exceptions to the zoning ordinance. Four of the five members must vote in the affirmative for a motion to pass.
Board of HealthNumber of positions: 4
Position currently held by: Dr. Merritt Warren, Jesse Ronning, Bob McGrath and Roberta WagnerTerm Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: County required (2 may live outside Brookings city limits, but must reside in Brookings county)Purpose: The purpose of the Board of Health is to provide a general supervision of the health of the city with full powers to take all steps and measures necessary to promote the cleanliness and healthfulness and to prevent and arrest the spread of any contagious or infectious diseases and harmful environmental conditions, and to quarantine any person or evacuate any area contaminated by such condition or disease. In addition, the Board is to provide public education for the need of all phases of an integrated solid waste management system;
o Establish a comprehensive realistic solid waste plan for the city.o Develop a financial policy that would be used for raising funds required to build and operate an integrated solid waste program.
o Develop and promote pilot programs for recycling and collection of household hazardous waste and reducing solid waste.
Brookings Committee for People who have DisabilitiesNumber of positions: 2
Position currently held by: Matt Simet and Kathy Heylens Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Required for 7 membersPurpose: The Brookings Committee for People who have Disabilities strives to advocate for the rights of people who have disabilities in our community. Throughout the year, specific events are held to bring awareness and information to our citizens. Technical assistance is provided to the business community, private individuals, governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. This is a service not provided by any other entity in Brookings. The goals of this service are to improve the quality of life for people who have disabilities through enhancing the knowledge base of entities in the community; and to further serve as a community-based advocacy group enhancing the ability of local entities to comply with Federal Civil Rights legislation.
Brookings Health System Board of TrusteesNumber of positions: 2 Position currently held by: Al Baker and Julie Whaley
Term Length: 3 yearsResidency Requirement: Must be a resident of Brookings County
Purpose: The Brookings Health System Board of Trustees is an administrative board responsible for the planning, operation and evaluation of all hospital and nursing home programs, services and related organizational activities consistent with the City Charter, Ordinance and facility by laws. (Formerly called the “Brookings Hospital Board”.)
Business Improvement District #1 BoardNumber of positions: 2
Position currently held by: Tari Waterman & Jill Kosbau Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Not RequiredPurpose: The Business Improvement District #1 Board is responsible to prepare a plan of improvements for a district and provide improvement recommendations to the City Council. The boundaries of Business Improvement District #1 are defined as non-contiguous properties to include all hotels/motels with 25 or more rooms situated within the corporate limits of the city of Brookings.
Historic Preservation CommissionNumber of positions: 3 Position currently held by: Dennis Willert, Thomas Agostini and Leah Brink
Term Length: 3 yearsResidency Requirement: Required
Purpose: The purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission is to allow the city to engage in a comprehensive program of historic preservation to promote the inspiration, pleasure and enrichment of the citizens of Brookings through identification, documentation, preservation, promotion, and development of the city’s historic resources.
Human Rights CommitteeNumber of positions: 3
Positions currently held by: Steve Bayer, George Hamer and 1 vacancy Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Not requiredPurpose: The Human Rights Committee has the power to investigate alleging discrimination. Other programs include:
• The study of the existence, character, causes and extent of discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, property rights, education and public services. • Advise and provide a forum for those subjected to unfair and discriminatory practices in the City and County.
• Advise City officials concerning issues of discrimination. • Conducting educational programs and disseminates information to further the committee’s policy to eliminate discrimination in the city.
Library BoardNumber of positions: 2 Position currently held by: Lawrence Rogers and Gloria Thvedt
Term Length: 3 yearsResidency Requirement: Required
Purpose: The Library Board is responsible for the appointment of the Librarian, the conduct of business and development of policies for the Brookings Public Library materials, the governance of the library and the use of the public library services and materials.
Planning CommissionNumber of positions: 3
Position currently held by: Greg Fargen, Wayne Avery and Kristi Tornquist Term Length: 5 years
Residency Requirement: RequiredPurpose: The City Planning Commission is responsible for the city comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city, including areas outside the boundaries of the city and within the planning jurisdiction.
Sustainability CouncilNumber of positions: 3 Position currently held by: Betty Beer, Donna Hess and Arika Sanders
Term Length: 3 yearsResidency Requirement: Required for Majority
Purpose: The purpose of the Sustainability Council is to investigate, propose, educate, communicate, and advocate investment strategies and policies that will improve our future qualities of life while still meeting the needs of the present.
Swiftel Center Advisory CommitteeNumber of positions: 2
Position currently held by: Teri Ronning and Rob Peterson Term Length: 3 years
Residency Requirement: Not requiredPurpose: The Swiftel Center Advisory Committee shall act only in an advisory capacity to the city council, however it shall, in particular, advise the city concerning marketing, operational issues and management of the Swiftel Center, and in particular, shall advise and assist the city in the performance of contracts between the City of Brookings and County of Brookings, and between the City of Brookings and the firm managing the Swiftel Center and which concern the Swiftel Center.
Traffic Safety CommitteeNumber of positions: 4 Position currently held by: Tony Sonnenburg (City Chief of Police designee), Brian Lueders (School Superintendent designee), John Howard (Citizen-at-large) and Mike Fossum (Citizen-at-large)
Term Length: 3 yearsResidency Requirement: The majority of the members shall be residents of the city.
Purpose: The Traffic Safety Committee will develop and implement coordinated traffic safety programs that meet local needs; acting in an advisory capacity to the City Manager, City Engineer and the City Council as a whole in the coordination of traffic safety activities of the official agencies and departments of the City of Brookings; establishing safety priorities for the City; reviewing and approving project applications for funding; serving in a liaison capacity between the City of Brookings and the South Dakota Highway Safety Program in developing the State Highway Safety Program and in meeting the National Highway Safety Program Standards; promoting public acceptance of official programs proposed or instigated by the City; fostering public knowledge and support of traffic law enforcement and traffic engineering problems; cooperating with city schools in promoting educational traffic safety aids; educating the public in traffic safety; and generally aiding the overall reduction of traffic accidents, injuries and deaths on the city streets.
Applications for Appointment are available at the link below, or at City Hall, 520 3rd Street, Suite 230, or by calling (605) 692-6281. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk no later than Friday, November 1, 2013.