STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis City Council met Monday night for their first meeting in March.
Among the topics on a rather light agenda were standing committee assignments and approval of the 2025 Professional Services Agreement with SEDC.
The standing committee appointments follow the recent seating of new council members Alex Usera and Mark Chaplin.
As a result, adjustments to committee members were necessary to ensure balance representation and compliance with South Dakota open meeting laws.
The council currently consists of seven members, making a quorum four members. To ensure compliance with open meeting laws, no more than three council members may be present in any meeting or discussion concerning city business outside of properly noticed public meetings.
The council discussed the availability and desired placement of council members on the Legal and Finance, Infrastructure Advisory and Rally & Events Committees.
Adjustments were made to accommodate the newly seated members while maintaining compliance with open meeting regulations.
The council Monday night also approved the Professional Service Agreement with Sturgis Economic Development Corporation.
The mission statement of the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation “actively pursues
economic development by assisting expanding or new business, industry and housing in Sturgis
and Meade County.” SEDC is the only local organization with this full-time focus.
As has been done for several years, the City and the SEDC negotiated a Scope of Services for the
upcoming 2025 calendar year. There are several changes from the 2024 professional services
contract being proposed for the 2025 agreement, specifically the additions of paragraphs F – H.
The SEDC’s Board reviewed the agreement at their last meeting. There was a concern with
paragraph H below that was reworked to make it clear that the City is the lead for the development
process, and that SEDC is in a key supporting role. The SEDC Board reviews the attached
agreement at their next board meeting.
Under this contract, the SEDC will provide the following services:
A. Consultant must seek economic development, expansion, growth and retention in
retail, residential, and industrial development in this order in the Sturgis
community.
B. Consultant must designate a representative to take an active part in the Downtown
Sturgis Foundation and Downtown Business Improvement District.
C. Consultant must conduct visitation outreach and retention campaign with
community retail tax producers and employers.
D. Consultant must be a catalyst for growth in retail, residential, and industrial growth.
E. Consultant will be one of the primary economic development advocates for the City
and advise the City as to the opportunities for all types of development as well as
threats to our economy.
F. The consultant will collaborate with the city in gathering relevant information and
data to support the city’s development or update of the Comprehensive Plan.
G. The consultant will collaborate with the City to develop a TIF application and process
appropriate for development in Sturgis, ensuring alignment with local goals,
regulations and developer’s timeline.
H. The consultant will assist the City Planner to streamline and expedite the planning
and permitting process ensuring that projects maintain momentum through the
city’s process. This role includes assisting the city in reviewing and making process
improvement recommendations that enhances efficiency and timeliness of the
development review and decision-making process.
