[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6292054,"mediaKeyId","2528164-f5fe8e989ba28287409b1eebd7dc7238","parentId",2528164,"title","Sioux Falls council approves lease and fenced barrier at lot adjacent to Bishop Dudley House after weeks of debate","audioSeconds",6602,"startMs",371000,"endMs",6973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528164-f5fe8e989ba28287409b1eebd7dc7238&start=371&end=6973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528164-f5fe8e989ba28287409b1eebd7dc7238/thumbnail_371000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6292054/Sioux-Falls/Minnehaha-County/South-Dakota/Sioux-Falls-council-approves-lease-and-fenced-barrier-at-lot-adjacent-to-Bishop-Dudley-House-after-weeks-of-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292054-7e6427652520c8a521a180fc7d38dde5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185476&Signature=MMzH9zHxNrQvoiJULb290C1N-AmU9iXzLxG4RKFR~18AbL~-Qf6GVXBK9WvzmNIv6FFrRBX4LqLqlz7gm4m8SbkR0WmvTtsIXystE~oEjza18aeusw-8NtcLENPXDi17dHi0hguYV4fVAKEfFaP~VLg0Jtwe-SkdyzgA42dt4VkARdaa7017DDgpe7V1gCptU38-MF5VRXSKyKj7fyVfI0YIgSkk8s42XVMLGq8U1BRXGte3UBbMXxg02z3dzzidOK-bj1LUkxivvc2bFzYWrC6KxxhyWd3p0cFZhfgSQn~1SnDmdQUq9~CqE6UqDgMGEMKGnF87DSs5NeeX6WvY3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sioux Falls, SD","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Sioux Falls City Council voted 8-0 on March 4 to approve an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter a lease with Saint Joseph Catholic Housing Inc. for the parking lot north of the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and to allow installation of a fenced barrier on that lot.

City planning and shelter staff framed the measure as a public-safety action tied to long-running problems at the site. \"This part of the lease is really about public safety,\" said Jeff Beckhoff, Planning and Development Services, who summarized the city’s position and the housing investments the council has backed in recent years. Chief John Ting of the Sioux Falls Police Department said the fence would let officers \"respond quicker rather than having to wait for an owner designee of the diocese\" and that a physical barrier can deter the ease of congregating that has driven repeated emergency calls.

Why it matters: The lot has been the focus of repeated police, fire and EMS calls and public concern about assaults and disorder, while the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and other service providers operate nearby. Supporters said the barrier is a narrowly targeted tool to reduce immediate safety problems at that location and to make it easier for outreach teams and law enforcement to intervene.

What city staff presented: Beckhoff and Michelle Treasure, the city’s Homelessness Services Coordinator, described ongoing outreach and shelter services coordinated with partner agencies. Treasure said the city maintains a street-outreach contract that provides 40 hours per week of outreach in the downtown corridor, and that outreach teams work in coordination with Southeastern Behavioral Health, the VA, Union Gospel Mission and other providers.

Chief Ting told the council that the lot is a longtime congregation point and \"as the years and attempts have kind of gone through, even some enforcement efforts, the calls for service continue to rise. Last year, 2,700 calls for service ... were within the immediate vicinity of that,\" many involving \"assaultive or destructive behavior.\" He said the fence is not a complete solution but an element of a broader approach that must include services and enforcement.

Public comment: More than two dozen residents, service providers and business owners addressed the council during an extended public-comment period. Speakers against the fence argued it would simply displace people to nearby neighborhoods, harm people already connected to services at Bishop Dudley, and divert money from long-term housing and supportive services. Physician Bob Santella urged expanded supportive housing, saying \"the unhoused will just move congregate elsewhere across the street into the Whittier neighborhood\" and urged investments in \"long term housing with supportive services.\"

Bishop Dudley staff: \"The fence is not going around the Bishop Dudley House,\" said Madeline Shields, Executive Director of Bishop Dudley Hospitality House. Shields described the shelter’s operations—\"We have 100 beds for individuals ... our tracker was at 114\"—and said the shelter takes people in during the day and has case managers, but that some people choose to remain outside. She described frequent trash and donations left on the lot, fights and illegal drug use she said occur on the site, and the operational burdens on shelter staff.

Costs and concerns: Multiple speakers referenced the proposed cost of the barrier as about $70,000 and opposed using city funds for the work; others suggested that the diocese or private donors should pay. Opponents repeatedly called for greater investment in Housing First and in longer-term supportive housing, citing models from other cities and research showing long-term cost savings from permanent housing plus services.

Council debate and rationale: Council members described the decision as difficult but said it was one element of a larger strategy. Supporters emphasized both short-term safety gains and the city’s parallel investments in housing and outreach. Councilor Sale, who moved approval, summarized recent local housing investments and said the fence addresses an immediate crime problem while continuing other housing initiatives. Several councilors said they expected the city to monitor outcomes and reassess if the measure does not reduce neighborhood calls for service.

Formal action: Motion by Councilor Sale, second by Councilor Spellerberg, to approve the ordinance authorizing a lease and fenced barrier for the lot adjacent to Bishop Dudley Hospitality House. Vote: 8-0 (Councilors Sigourney, Sale, Spellerberg, Thomason, Barranco, Bassey, Cole and McCouris voted yes). The item had been deferred from the Feb. 18 meeting.

What remains unresolved: Commenters and some council members said the fence will not solve chronic homelessness and urged more funding and policy changes for long-term supportive housing, day-use facilities, public restrooms, shade and other services. City staff said outreach and collaborative efforts with county and nonprofit partners will continue and that the city will monitor calls for service in the neighborhood.

Ending: The council’s approval allows the city and the diocese to proceed under the lease terms presented to the council; staff said they will continue coordinated outreach and enforcement efforts and report back on results. The debate underscored competing views among residents and service providers about whether to prioritize immediate public-safety measures or larger investments aimed at reducing homelessness over time.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting 03/04/2025 Sioux Falls","oneSentenceSummary","The Sioux Falls City Council voted 8-0 on March 4 to authorize a lease with Saint Joseph Catholic Housing Inc. and allow a fenced barrier at the parking lot north of the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, a measure councilors and police said aims to reduce disorder at a long-troubled site.","taxTitle","Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota","taxId",2746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6292049,"Sioux Falls council: votes at a glance — licenses, rezonings, exhibition-driving ordinance set for second reading, TIF dissolved",6785,268000,7053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2528164-f5fe8e989ba28287409b1eebd7dc7238&start=268&end=7053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2528164-f5fe8e989ba28287409b1eebd7dc7238/thumbnail_268000.jpg","/articles/6292049/Sioux-Falls/Minnehaha-County/South-Dakota/Sioux-Falls-council-votes-at-a-glance-licenses-rezonings-exhibition-driving-ordinance-set-for-second-reading-TIF-dissolved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6292049-f3640b39d3ce4a77955199e4ee3264e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185476&Signature=Ct9c~3smMwkFEdb87-SDFCS~lUk~HAvoi4vXNQbsTw2UuvILQdBnQ9pgvfvZAY0nu6m2LOKwzINvvDMGU5DcEIKa-lfd3HuKFWKXCorkjpEKdJ05kDbztcW~~YQ4tmDiJ7~az2CN3gVuLfyZsmDjT05UflodCROG06-EdLifziFf~WbThdiFl3hff7TqsBDvDhwaRovK6myBYDjgqaMBZJIYyhvonW3uvUa5wFVZJ4cjSBl8c9sW4LU8FOVtgFo419ztWm09cotNGl0N6PoNLZ30l8kwLPZoq7P69NDtv6b2XXcDfDxbxfl2ZFMtlx9o1of1hXXYYsnEzNL0Ez5tuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sioux Falls City Council on March 4 approved a series of consent and regular-agenda items, including business licenses, two rezoning ordinances and a resolution dissolving a downtown tax-increment financing (TIF) district. The council also introduced an amendment to city code to permit restricted exhibition-driving events on private property and set a second reading for March 11.

Key votes and outcomes

- Consent and regular agenda approvals: The council approved the consent agenda and the regular agenda by recorded roll calls; both motions passed 8-0.

- Licenses (Items 102–106): The council approved new retail beverage and wine licenses and a special one-day license. The City Attorney’s licensing staff reported the applications met legal requirements. Motion: Councilor Thomason moved, Councilor Sale seconded. Vote: 8-0.

- Rezoning — Item 108 (I-1 Light Industrial to I-2 Heavy Industrial): Approved on second reading. The site is south of East 60th Street North between North Benson Avenue and I-229, approximately 50 acres for future heavy industrial use. Planning recommended approval 7-0. Motion: Councilor Bacy moved, Councilor Spellerberg seconded. Vote: 8-0.

- Rezoning — Item 109 (various residential districts to CN Conservation): Approved on second reading. The city-sponsored rezoning at 30th and Veterans Parkway will convert roughly 8 acres to a conservation district for a public stormwater drainage area. Motion: Councilor Branco moved, Councilor Bacy seconded. Vote: 8-0.

- Exhibition-driving ordinance (Item 110): Councilors introduced an amendment to chapters of the municipal code to allow restricted exhibition-driving events (e.g., organized autocross or closed-course motorcycle demonstrations) on private off-road lots under a permit process administered by police; the council set a second reading for March 11, 2025. Sponsors: Councilors Spellerberg and Ciel. The police traffic supervisor and representatives of local car clubs briefed the council on safety protocols used for sanctioned events.

- TIF district dissolution (Item 111): The council adopted a resolution dissolving Tax Increment Financing District No. 12 in downtown Sioux Falls. Staff said the district, created in 2011 to support rehabilitation and street improvements, had met its project obligations and achieved payback earlier than originally projected—about 13 years instead of the full 20-year projection. Motion: Councilor Cole moved, seconded by Councilor Barranco. Vote: 8-0.

- Appointments (Item 112) and other routine items: The council gave consent to an appointment to the Electrical Board of Appeals and Examiners (Barrett Wood) and approved a notice of transfer of appropriations. Motions passed by voice/roll call where recorded.

What city staff said: Planning staff (Kristen Bennett) described the rezoning properties and the rationale for the conservation district; Dustin Powers summarized the TIF dissolution; Sergeant Travis Olson (Traffic Section Supervisor) explained the public-safety rationale for creating a permit process that allows sanctioned private exhibition-driving events with safety inspections and course controls.

Why it matters: The rezoning votes clear the way for industrial development and for a public stormwater facility; the TIF dissolution returns tax increment revenue to taxing entities following project completion. The exhibition-driving ordinance creates a process for sanctioned vehicle-sport events on private properties where public streets would otherwise be used unsafely.

Next steps: The exhibition-driving ordinance was scheduled for second reading and adoption consideration on March 11, 2025. Staff will execute administrative steps for approvals, and Planning/Police will implement permit procedures and monitoring as required by the amended code.","At its March 4 meeting the council approved routine licenses and zoning changes, sent an exhibition-driving ordinance to second reading, and dissolved a downtown TIF district; most items passed with unanimous council votes.","actionData","errors"]

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Sioux Falls council approves lease and fenced barrier at lot adjacent to Bishop Dudley House after weeks of debate

Sioux Falls council: votes at a glance — licenses, rezonings, exhibition-driving ordinance set for second reading, TIF dissolved