Register file photo: The Brookings City Council has OK’ed entering into an agreement with the South Dakota Department of Transportation for a new Interstate 29 interchange at 20th Street South and 214th Street, shown above.

Council partners with SDDOT on I-29 interchange at 20th Street South

BROOKINGS – The Brookings City Council approved entering an agreement with the South Dakota Department of Transportation so the DOT can help the city meet the deadlines for the BUILD grant to construct the 20th Street South interchange on Interstate 29. 

The council on Tuesday also approved the purchase and loan agreement for a 2020 fire engine; authorized spending $2.8 million from the 2019 bond to cover the construction of Bob Shelden field; and recognized the winners of the Martin Luther King Day art and essay contests.

Councilor Nick Wendell was present by phone. Councilor Holly Tilton Byrne was absent.

20th St. S. interchange

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant was awarded by the United States Department of Transportation to the city of Brookings last fall to help fund a new interchange at 20th Street South and Interstate 29.

The council approved authorizing the city manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the SDDOT.

“The project has specific deadlines that are required by the grant,” said City Engineer Jackie Lanning.

The BUILD grant funds must be obligated by Sept. 15, 2021, and expended by Sept. 30, 2026. The anticipated bid date is September 2021, and the anticipated construction schedule will occur in 2022, according to the agenda attachment.

“To meet all these timelines, the DOT has helped us with a schedule,” Lanning said.

“The city has requested the state to function as the administrator for the project along with the Federal Highway Administration, and the DOT has experience in administering federal projects including the environmental review, right of way, and then the interchange design,” Lanning said.

The SDDOT financial system is also approved to use the FMIS system, which would expedite the approval of the advance construction for the grant, she added. 

Under first readings, Lanning explained the ordinance authorizing a supplemental appropriation to amend the 2020 budget to create the project account for the BUILD grant. 

“We’re very excited about this project,” she said.

Lanning said the ordinance will amend the 2020 budget for the following changes: Create the project account for the 20th Street South BUILD Project; amend revenue line items for the 20th Street South BUILD Project; and amend expenditure line items for the 20th Street South BUILD Project. 

The budget for the project, as outlined in the grant application, has the BUILD grant at $18.6 million; city’s share is $2 million; county’s share is $2 million; and private donor share is $669,407, for a total of $23,347,037, she said.

The city will be responsible for the 20% match for the project, which will be split between the city/county and private donors, according to an agenda attachment. This budget is being created for the city, county and private donor share of the project. 

The proposed budget amendment includes the figures from the project budget outlined in the grant application, Lanning said. The engineering design for the project includes engineer’s cost estimates at 30%, 60%, and 95% intervals to aid in budgeting. She said she plans to have discussions with the city council and county commission at each of those points to update both entities on the costs at those times.

The public hearing for the ordinance is set for Feb. 11.

New fire engine

Brookings Fire Chief Darrell Hartmann asked the council to purchase a 2020 fire engine from Toyne, Inc., of Breda, Iowa, represented by Allegiant Emergency Services in Sioux Falls, for $540,243 through Sourcewell. 

“Staff worked with Sourcewell to provide the lowest and best source,” according to a memo by Hartmann attached to the agenda. 

“Sourcewell exists to help government, education and nonprofits work more efficiently by providing a wide range of cooperative contracts while complying with competitive bid process requirements. Their contracts are designed to help fulfill purchasing needs while making the buying process more efficient. All vendor agreements are the result of formal bids or negotiated contracts for equipment, products and services,” according to Hartmann’s memo.

The replacement of an aging fire apparatus is critical, according to an agenda attachment. This is the first year of a multi-year replacement of major equipment. 

The apparatus costs $605,243; there is a trade-in value/discount of $65,000, for the total of $540,243, according to Hartmann’s memo.

“A fire engine replacement should occur every 18 years to effectively reduce maintenance costs and breakdowns. The Brookings Fire Department budgeted to replace a 2001 fire engine in the 2020 Capital Improvement Plan. … Within the next 10 years, five engine trucks, one rescue truck and one platform truck will need to be replaced,” according to the attachment.

“The 2020 approved capital improvement plan (CIP) contains this budgeted item for $150,000. This is the first payment of a six-year term with internal financing from the Solid Waste Fund.”

Chief Financial Officer Erick Rangel explained the interfund loan from the Landfill Fund to the Fire Department. 

The loan will be for six years, at an annual interest rate of 1.55% for the full amount of $540,243.

The city has $150,000 for the first installment, he added. 

Taking out a loan in this way was the best option, Rangel said.

The council approved the interfund loan.

Shelden field

Rangel explained the adjustments to the 2020 budget to draw $2.8 million from the 2019 bond to cover the Shelden construction project.

Last year, a resolution was adopted authorizing the 2019 Series, $7.1 million bond to fund the Larson Ice Arena, Bob Shelden and additional infrastructure upgrades. The current Bob Shelden Field Complex was originally constructed in 1968 and some updates have been made over the years. The facility is located at 621 Medary Ave., adjacent to the Brookings High School campus.

Updates include the field lighting, spectator experience, parking area, and playing field.

The project schedule has been coordinated and approved with the Friends of Baseball Association and is slated for construction from April to November 2020. 

Future council action for awarding bids will determine the final cost of the project. It is anticipated that the award of bids will take place in February, according to the attachment.

Contact Jodelle Greiner at [email protected].