'Keep our foot on the gas': Mayor asks public to continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines

Mayor Paul Lundberg wants to see people on the sidewalks, whether it be walking, running or riding a bike.

But he’s also asking those same people to keep their distance in the process and follow the recommended COVID-19 protocols.

“Getting out, exercising, going for walks are all good things, healthy and appropriate things to do,” says Lundberg, who is wrapping up his first full year in his mayoral role. “But we have to remember the other things: Wash your hands, wear a mask in public, stay at home when you can. I’m all for that.”

Lundberg even followed his own advice by leading last week’s city council meeting from his home via Zoom technology. Alderman Tim Jorgenson also attended virtually, while their council peers and city staff were spread out in the Council Chambers.

Lundberg is confident that the town’s majority are adhering to the guidelines, but he does fear for the well-being of the public amid the yet rampant coronavirus.

“I fear a huge outbreak and whatnot, it’s always on my mind,” Lundberg shares. “I just want the best for our citizens, so we have to continue to do our mitigation efforts.” 

Like many residents, Lundberg and City Hall administrators also wonder how many Brandon residents have been infected and if any businesses are dealing with it internally. 

“We do not get specifics nor can we get that information,” he said. “It’s on a county-wide basis. We’re trying to be as transparent as we possibly can. We have been on the phone begging the Department of Health and the governor’s office, but they cannot release that information to us.”

That doesn’t seem to be the case in neighboring Sioux Falls, however, with the daily newspaper and three television stations announcing COVID-19 infections at specific businesses on a frequent basis.

“Our people are reading the Argus Leader and they are seeing those specifics and that information is not available to us,” Lundberg said. “But it’s the same frustrations for all of the smaller towns around Sioux Falls, the Garretsons, the Dell Rapids, they all have the same frustrations.”

Despite the unknown, Lundberg gives the Brandon community, as a whole, a top grade, an “A”.

“I think we’re doing a tremendous job as a community, mitigating as much as we can,” he said. “But we have to keep our foot on the gas; we can’t let up. It’s hard. I get it. It’s beautiful outside right now, but we have to keep our foot on the gas and get to the finish line. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we have a couple of laps to go yet.”

Lundberg is in contact daily with City Hall, talking with City Administrator Bryan Read and Finance Officer Christina Smith for updates.

“Each and every day there is a minimum of two conference calls that I sit in on with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Education,” he said. “It’s important to get information, and the more we get, the better off we are. With that being said, you get done with those conference calls, and they are very stressful, because generally, it’s bad news.”

Appointed as the city’s COVID-19 liaison, Lundber said Officer Anthony Lingen continues to check in and assist local business owners.

“As you know, we had some outbreak at Gates, and he was up there and working with the general manager, and they were very appreciative of that,” Lundberg said. “He’s been huge for us, just a Godsend, and I think the community has accepted it and responded to him, meaning our businesses.”

Despite Lingen’s efforts to assist businesses in keeping employees safe and their doors open, it’s clearly evident the city will realize a significant dip in sales tax. The extent of that impact, however, remains to be seen in the months to come.

“It’s definitely going to have a financial impact on city of Brandon. Three million of our revenue is derived from our sales tax and another 3 million from property tax,” Lundberg explains. “How it will affect us, it’s too early to tell. The numbers lag so much, almost two months behind.”

A small bonus, he adds, is that the city is not as dependent on sales tax as other communities.

“That’s a small plus,” he said.

City administrators have also directed staff to “hold the line as much as possible.”

“We’re not doing a lot of hiring for seasonal staff, the bare minimum,” he said.

As for the municipal election, Lundberg believes it was a wise decision to delay the election to June 16, the same day as the local school board election, if warranted. That date, Lundberg said, eliminates voter confusion.

“It gets really muddled when you try to combine with the county. There are so many issues going on and the separation of two towns, it was wise for us to combine,” he said.

He encourages voters to take advantage of absentee voting.

“The State of South Dakota sent out absentee ballot requests to everyone,” he notes.

From his years of experience overseeing school board and bond elections, Lundberg said a large volume of absentee ballots can be added work, but he calls that work “a good thing.”

While COVID-19 has slowed down the pace of everyday life for most, project contractors are clicking at a fast pace on phase one of the core area reconstruction.

“It’s going very, very well,” Lundberg says. “Contractors are giving us reports that they are way ahead of schedule. It’s amazing what a little dry weather can do for construction, and we, at City Hall and myself, are very, very pleased.”

In addition, Holly Boulevard reopened to traffic after paving was completed to the bridge, and H&W is completing the underground interceptor project (sewer line) that was continued from last fall. That is the project that has Main Avenue closed in front of City Hall and Dogwood Street in between Brandon Lumber and the Double D Saloon.

“They’ve gotten right on it and put us at the forefront,” Lundberg said.

To keep residents in the know, the city provides updates on its Facebook page, city website and Textedly. 

“I think we’ve disseminated information out on those social media avenues pretty well,” Lundberg said. 

“I’m not one to inundate anyone with information, but I do like to send out important information.”