In the agenda review, we will be covering the explosive growth in Meth and Heroin seizures last year and that the Pavilion apparently negotiating a contract with the city to run (I assume) the Orpheum.
Also, there was a behind the scenes announcement at city hall that Matt Tobias was named as the Assistant Director of the Planning Department. Matt was the head of code enforcement before his promotion.
Council Informational Meeting, 4 PM
The presentation on crime stats show that there has been an enormous growth in Meth and Heroin seizures from 2017-18. We can point a lot of fingers, but let me make it very clear, the number one problem is criminals, gangs and drug traffickers. As you can see, Meth labs are no longer an issue in Sioux Falls that is because it is cheaper to buy the drugs then to make them locally. As I said, it’s hard to point fingers, but our law enforcement needs to get serious, not on addicts but on DEALERS! Our last mayor was in complete denial of the meth problem, so was the former police chief. It’s time the city takes this seriously.
There are also presentations on equalization in Lincoln County (which has been on a steamroller trend to raise property taxes). And another presentation on recycling education.
Council Land Use Committee Meeting, 4:30 PM (Following informational)
Future Land Use and Growth Tier Map Updates
Regular Council Meeting, 7 PM
Item #6, Approval of Contracts, Pavilion legal counsel for agreements;
City Hall says they are exploring a contract with the Pavilion to run the Orpheum, even though SMG has already said their contract ends in July and the Events Center Campus study Book Club said they were looking at it, yet the council is being asked to approve an outside counsel contract negotiator. So which is it Paul? Head City Attorney, Kooistra said Tuesday at the city council meeting that the attorney’s office is short staffed and that they were looking to hire a contract attorney. I wonder why they let their civil rights/ADA attorney go if they were so short staffed? I also wonder if the city should be allowing the Pavilion to run another public facility when they are participating in CENSORSHIP – More to come on that one.
Item #18, 2nd Reading, naming rights for hospitality deck at Levitt. So while the public owns the land and the Levitt, the Levitt will be taking in sponsorship money for a private hospitality deck. While this is probably needed to raise money for the organization, last Tuesday at the council meeting, there was no real good excuse to NOT allow BYOB. Their first argument is that the Levitt is part of Falls Park. Not quite. While there is a sidewalk connecting Levitt to Falls Park, it is NOT Falls Park. Was the Pitts salvage yard part of Falls Park when it sat there? No. They say they cannot allow people to bring their own beer because it is a part of Falls Park which doesn’t allow alcohol. Yet, if they have a special one-day license (which the Levitt will do) they can allow them to sell the alcohol. While they were making the argument, you could tell they knew is was BS. Mayor TenHaken tried to shut down the conversation.
Items #20-30, 1st Readings, International Building Code updates.
Item #32, Resolution. The council finally gets to vote on the Falls Overlook Cafe contract, now that it is pre-packaged for them with a nice bow on top. Read the contract, it’s one heck of a deal for the contractor, the city, not so much. But hey, we will have ice cream at Falls Park!
Item #33, Resolution, demolition approval of the Raven building on 6th and Phillips. Yeah! More parking lots 🙁
Item #34, Resolution to Appoint Citizen Board members. For the 3rd mayor in a row I have been denied to serve on the Visual Arts Commission. This doesn’t surprise me. Radical change and ideas scare the hell out of people. I will commend current board members for arguing my case, who will remain nameless. Thank you.
MORE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS TO COME.
