Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Windy and (maybe) wet
This week, the city is in the very early stages of reviewing public parking fees – you'll learn about the broader effort behind that. Plus, the Smithsonian is teaming up with Levitt at the Falls. And don't miss a whole bunch of Super Simplified stories and events this week.
And now, news:
CITY
Why the city is looking at downtown public parking fees
Simplified: The City Council is looking to do a full review of all fees the city charges, from pool passes to utilities to business licenses, as part of a new effort to more consistently review and raise fees. One of the first items on the docket? Downtown public parking.
Why it matters
- Right now, the city doesn't have a process for regularly raising fees – or even regularly reviewing them. That means some fees in the city haven't been adjusted for decades.
- A new effort aims to get all city fees on a four-year review cycle, and as part of that, the city is also looking to simplify how it issues and collects fees, the guiding philosophies behind the fees and whether some fees even need to be in place.
- The initial discussion on fees started last year when the city looked at "recalibrating" its budget in anticipation of lower property tax revenue, but Finance Director Shawn Pritchett cautioned councilors in thinking raising fees could help fill budget gaps in a meaningful way.
"If we walk into this thinking that fees are somehow going to help mitigate or completely blunt some of the impacts we’ve seen from property tax growth caps, we really need to set that intent aside," Pritchett said.
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COMMUNITY
Levitt, Smithsonian partner to celebrate Native American culture
Simplified: The fourth annual "All My Relatives" Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ Festival was selected to participate in The Smithsonian "Festival of Festivals" as part of the institution's celebration of American culture and recognizing the country's 250th anniversary.
Why it matters
- This isn't the first time the Smithsonian has partnered with the Levitt at the Falls. The two institutions partnered up in 2022 for the Innoskate events in both Pine Ridge and Sioux Falls. And, prior to that, Levitt at the Falls President and CEO Nancy Halverson had worked with the Smithsonian on an Innoskate project at her previous role in South Carolina.
- For nearly 60 years, the annual Folklife festival was held in Washington, D.C., but this year, the Smithsonian is taking it on the road. Nationally, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage selected approximately 40 festivals – including All My Relatives – to participate in the broader effort to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.
- Halverson's continued relationship with the folks at the Smithsonian helped spur the collaboration with the All My Relatives festival, which initially started in 2023 in partnership with South Dakota State University to recognize and celebrate Native American excellence.
"When a national organization like the Smithsonian rings your doorbell, that's a really big deal," Halverson said. "It validates what you're doing, and you just get to play at a higher level. It elevates and expands the mission, which is a really exciting thing."
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TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Here's our peers. Sioux Falls City Councilors on Tuesday approved a consistent list of peer cities to use as benchmarks when comparing Sioux Falls in various city presentations. Those cities include: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Overland Park, Kan.; and Rapid City.
- They did the mash. Downtown Sioux Falls announced the winners of the Mash Madness competition, which had an estimated economic impact of nearly $300,000. Perch's Banana Pudding Matcha won in the non-alcoholic category, and Altered Species Brewing Co. was the craft beer champion with "Courting Dance." Ironwood Steakhouse's Emerald Old Fashioned won the cocktail competition.
- Meet the folks mapping out the future of school facilities. The Sioux Falls School Board on Monday announced the people who will make up the 2026 Facilities Task Force. The last time the district put a task force together to look at facilities, it resulted in a historic $180 million bond and the construction of Jefferson High School, Ben Reifel Middle School and Marcella LeBeau Elementary, among other improvements.
- The big focus this year is on replacing Whittier Middle School, a more than 100-year-old building. Task force co-chairs include ClickRain CEO Natalie Eisenberg, Realtor Tony Erickson and Micki Lundin, director of marketing with Avera. The first meeting is tonight at 5:30 at the Instructional Planning Center, and all meetings are open to the public.
- Here's the full list of task force members:
More Super Simplified Stories
- Parks board changes. As part of an effort to standardized city boards and commissions, the parks board will now meet at Carnegie Town Hall, meaning all meetings will be recorded, according to information presented to the council by Councilor Rich Merkouris Tuesday afternoon. The overarching goal is accessibility and civic engagement. Find more background here.
- Veterans Memorial stalemate. Lincoln County Commissioners rejected a design proposal from Stockwell Engineering for a memorial recognizing veterans in front of the new Lincoln County Justice Center – citing "sticker shock" at the $285,000 price tag. Commissioners said they do want to move forward with a memorial – just not the scale of the one presented.
- Stockwell's David Locke said there are options to minimize cost – including taking out benches and not using colored concrete. The next steps will be to look at a potential pared-down version of the memorial, though Commissioner Douglas Putnam said he'd vote against it even if someone offered to pay for the whole thing, citing concerns about the ongoing maintenance costs.
- Here's a look at the design that was rejected:
EVENTS
Stuff to do: April 8-14
- See some kitties.* Saturday marks the the inaugural Sioux Purr Cats event at the Sioux Falls Convention center. This family-friendly festival brings together cat lovers of all ages for a day filled with education, entertainment, and most importantly, the chance to meet adorable cats and kittens looking for their perfect match. Details here.
- See some theatre.* The Premiere Playhouse's mainstage production of the musical "Hairspray" kicks off April 17. You can't stop the beat with this Tony-winning musical that’s as irresistible as it is inspiring. Big hair, big dreams, and even bigger heart — "Hairspray" is a feel-good triumph for all. Snag your tickets here.
- Buy some books. Reach Literacy is hosting its spring bag sale Friday and Saturday. For $25, you can get a tote and all the books you can fit inside. Details and hours here.
- Eat some pancakes. It's the 69th Annual Sioux Falls Lions Pancake Days next week at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. For $12 (or $10 if you get tickets in advance) you can get all-you-can-eat pancakes, and kids 6 and under eat free. Details here.
- Support some little makers. Wild Peach & Co. is hosting a kid maker market on Saturday afternoon. Kids can set up a booth for $25 and sell their homemade items. Details here.
- Learn about some trees. Sioux Falls Science Pub is back at Severance Brewing on Tuesday, and this time the topic is the urban forest landscape in Sioux Falls. Join Sam Kezar, owner of Aspen Arboriculture Solutions and registered consulting arborist for a discussion of what to know about trees, preventing disease and emerald ash borers. Details here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
How schools are hoping to pay teachers more despite budget cuts
The Sioux Falls School Board this week looked at options to pay teachers more and maintain smaller class sizes all while grappling with proposed $2 million budget cuts. Here’s how it’s shaking out so far.
Megan Raposa
What’s the latest on public art in Sioux Falls?
The city’s 10-year arts and culture plan is nearing completion, and in the meantime, there are a number of opportunities coming up for both artists and the broader community to participate in events, calls for art submissions or to simply enjoy the art that’s already out there.
Megan Raposa
Millennials, it’s time to think about cancer screening
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month may have just ended, but as Millennials age (who me?), it’s important to note medical recommendations for a number of different types of cancer. Here’s what you need to know.
Megan Raposa
Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
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