Sioux Falls City Council advances downtown assessment change
A proposal would add seven multifamily and 14 industrial properties to the downtown business district assessment, with a second reading scheduled for October 14.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — first reading, teach-out plan and discontinuation of future, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The Sioux Falls City Council heard that more property owners could help pay for shared downtown services, from trash removal to graffiti cleanup.
The downtown assessment could soon reach properties it once excluded. The Sioux Falls City Council gave a first reading to a proposal that would remove exemptions for seven multifamily properties used only as residences and 14 industrial properties in the business improvement district. The Sioux Falls City Council did not approve the change this week. It voted 7-0 to schedule a second reading for October 14, 2026.
City planning staff told the Sioux Falls City Council that affected property owners received letters in July and September. The Downtown Sioux Falls Business Improvement District board unanimously recommended the change, and notice of the hearing was published for two weeks. A representative of the downtown organization described services supported by the assessment, including trash removal, graffiti cleanup and hospitality. The representative said a five-person team removed nearly 250,000 pounds of trash in 2025.
The proposal would bring 21 more properties into the assessment. The downtown organization’s representative described both support and objections from property owners, including complaints about trash, human waste and homelessness. Staff told the Sioux Falls City Council that, if adopted, the amended rules would apply in the 2027 assessment year. For now, the exemptions remain in place. The October 14 hearing and second reading give the Sioux Falls City Council its next opportunity to consider the change.
Teach-Out Plan and Discontinuation of Future Enrollment — LPN and RN Programs at Huron Community Campus (HRMC clinical site)
The Southeast Technical College Board voted to stop enrolling new students in the nursing programs at a community campus outside Sioux Falls. Its approved teach-out plan covers licensed practical nursing and registered nursing programs, including clinical rotations at a regional medical center. Current students can continue their coursework and clinical training rather than lose the program before finishing.
The college president told the Southeast Technical College Board that the site, which opened in 2018, has graduated 40 nurses. Enrollment, however, has remained below the 24 students per term needed to cover operating costs. The president said the recommendation followed a review of enrollment trends and the programs’ long-term finances.
Students who began this fall can remain on a part-time track and finish in December 2027 if they stay on schedule. The president told the Southeast Technical College Board that the college will continue classes, clinical experiences, advising and student support through then. Students who need to adjust their plans may be able to take online courses or finish in Sioux Falls. The vote ends future enrollment at the site, not instruction for students already there.
Sioux Falls City Council hears data center requests
During public input, the Sioux Falls City Council heard residents request a temporary pause on large data centers while the city develops oversight rules. Speakers also disagreed over license plate cameras, citing either surveillance risks or crime prevention. The Sioux Falls City Council took no action during the comment period.
Residents asked for a pause before large data center projects proceed under rules they consider incomplete.
Sioux Falls City Council reviews parking changes
At an informational meeting, the Sioux Falls City Council heard proposed changes to downtown parking fees, fines and enforcement hours. Parking staff proposed raising some meter rates and lowering hourly rates at two off-street facilities. The proposals were presented for discussion, not a vote.
The proposals could change what drivers pay for downtown spaces and how long meters are enforced.
Sioux Falls City Council approves subdivision plan
The Sioux Falls City Council voted 7-0 to approve a preliminary plan for a 3.9-acre residential subdivision. The proposal calls for roughly 12 single-family lots. No public comments or council questions were recorded before the vote.
The approval allows planning for roughly 12 new single-family lots to proceed.
Southeast Technical College Board approves systems renewal
The Southeast Technical College Board approved a consent agenda that included a five-year renewal for campus payment and card systems. Staff said Voluminia LLC’s systems handle online tuition payments, student and employee cards, vending purchases and printing.
The renewal keeps the systems students and employees use to pay bills and access campus services.
- Sioux Falls City Council (Informational Meeting). A representative of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. spoke in support of data-driven improvements to the public parking system, emphasized downtown parking capacity, and urged stronger wayfinding and signage to make parking easier to find and use.
- Sioux Falls City Council. During general public input, residents urged a temporary moratorium on large data centers and creation of oversight/task force processes, debated ALPR/Flock cameras (opposition citing surveillance concerns and support citing crime prevention), and raised concerns about City compliance with rules and project processes. No council action was taken during this comment period.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
SIOUX FALLS had 21 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEDepartment of Corrections Partnership Update — Prison Education Programs (Welding and Diesel/Heavy Equipment). Staff presented an update on prison education partnerships with the Department of Corrections and other partners, including welding outcomes and plans to launch a diesel/heavy equipment program. The board acknowledged the report after discussion and questions.
- GOVERNANCELiquor license transfers and special 1-day liquor licenses (Lewis Drugs/Sanford Medical Center; Augustana University Association/Midco Arena). The council considered multiple liquor license transfer items for Lewis Drugs Incorporated to Sanford Medical Center at several addresses, plus special 1-day liquor licenses for Augustana University Association at Midco Arena for hockey games, a block party, and an alumni event. After public comment and questions, the council approved the items as a block; one council member recused.
- GOVERNANCEFirst Reading — Southeast Tech Policies and Regulations (SDC Policy 1017: Public Concerns/Complaints Personnel). The board approved the first reading of SDC Policy 1017 regarding public concerns/complaints personnel, reflecting substantial revisions including formatting and added notice language for complaints made toward the president; the policy will return next month for second reading.
- GOVERNANCECommittee Reports — Siouxland Heritage Museum Board. A councilor reported on the Siouxland Heritage Museum Board, highlighting upcoming events and noting that the museum clock is working and being used by the public.
- GOVERNANCECouncilor Remarks — Technology Upgrades and Public Feedback. A councilor remarked on recent technology upgrades in the council chambers, asked the public to report any issues, and expressed hope that YouTube live streaming would improve accessibility.
- GOVERNANCERescheduling/postponing City business events and meeting dates for 2026–2027. The council considered a standard annual resolution adjusting council meeting and informational meeting dates due to scheduling conflicts, including changes in November and three dates the next year. After brief public comment, the resolution passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Sioux Falls School District Policy Revisions/Withdrawals (multiple policies). The board approved a set of Sioux Falls School District policy revisions and withdrawals, including cleanup of a drug-free workplace policy and withdrawal of several obsolete or no-longer-applicable policies.
- GOVERNANCEPresident’s Report — Strategic Plan Goal 3 Update (Employee Capacity and Organizational Culture). The president introduced an update on strategic plan Goal 3. Colette Schwarz presented year-one work and year-two priorities focused on trust, retention, onboarding, and operational consistency, and the board acknowledged the report after questions.
- GOVERNANCENotice: transfer appropriations memorandum dated August 31, 2026. The council noted a transfer appropriations memorandum dated August 31, 2026. No substantive discussion or vote was recorded.
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