This week in Brookings: July 13–19

The City Council met Tuesday, July 14, for its regular meeting, where most business moved through without much debate. Council approved its consent agenda, including drainage fee abatement of $132.72 for a parcel listed as Dakota Service Property (Parcel #40490-00100-000-00). A Brookings Municipal Utility Board update was given during ex-officio reports, while the Brookings Health Systems Board of Trustees report was not presented this time.

Public safety coordination was on the table Thursday, July 16, when the East Central Communications Council, which oversees the area's emergency dispatch center (PSAP, or public safety answering point), met to review quarterly numbers. The board noted the dispatch center is now fully staffed following a recent academy graduate joining the team. Members also discussed a proposal for radio system consulting services, clarified what counts as an allowable dispatch-center expense, and reviewed emergency siren testing for system reliability. Notably, a recent power outage led the City of Volga to route its calls through the shared dispatch center, which significantly increased call volume and strained operations during and after the event -- a reminder of how connected the region's emergency response really is.

Also Thursday, the Library Board held its regular meeting, covering routine business including a financial report, the librarian's report, a review of library policy, and an update on Hoopla funding, the library's digital lending service. The board's next meeting is set for August 13 at noon in the Historical Room. The Brookings County Housing & Redevelopment Commission and the Utility Board (meeting Friday, July 17) also held sessions this week.

On the community side, the library kept busy with programming for kids and teens. Wednesday, July 15, brought three rounds of a cooking program for elementary-aged children -- at 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. -- where kids stirred together simple treats; children age 7 and under needed a grownup helper. That same evening at 5:00 p.m., teens gathered for a workshop making a pressed flower candle jar.

Thursday, July 16, offered more for young readers and crafters. The Tween the Pages Book Club, for kids heading into grades 4 and 5, met at 4:30 p.m. to discuss this month's pick, "All the Best Dogs" by Emily Jenkins, over pizza; copies are available at the circulation desk, and a second session is offered each month for those who can't make this date. Later, an intermediate embroidery class, "Embroidery: Leveling Up," was offered twice -- at 6:00 p.m. and again at 11:00 p.m. -- for those age 13 and up with some prior stitching experience, with materials provided.

Residents looking to get involved can attend any of the public meetings, most of which include an open forum for public comment, or drop by the library's ongoing kids' and teens' programs throughout the week.