Aug. 21, 2019

The newly formed Sioux Empire Leadership Council is bringing together public officials and business leaders in an effort to solve shared community challenges.

“It’s not an official governing body, but it’s to promote collaboration and partnership across the entities to create a better community,” said Erin Srstka, the community projects director at the USD Sanford School of Medicine who is providing staff support for the group.

The council held its first meeting today at the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Initial issues that could be tackled include a community triage center and a housing clinic.

“They want a forum and a space to discuss systemic challenges and coordinate activities as it makes sense,” Srstka said.

The chair is Andy Patterson, president of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. The vice chair is Dr. Dave Kapaska, serving as interim CEO of the chamber.

Members include Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken; Rick Kiley, representing the Sioux Falls City Council; Cindy Heiberger, representing the Minnehaha County Commission; Jim Schmidt, representing the Lincoln County Commission; Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead; Lincoln County Sheriff Steven Swenson; Presiding Circuit Judge Robin Houwman; Cynthia Mickelson, representing the Sioux Falls School District; Dave Flicek, representing Avera Health; and Paul Hanson, representing Sanford Health.

The group also plans to take applications for a citizen representative. The application will be posted at siouxfalls.com.

While many represent the areas of public health and safety, discussions won’t be limited to those areas, Srstka said.

“They wanted to keep it open to be able to address whatever comes across – it could be economic development or something different,” she said.

Srstka and a research associate will support the group thanks to grant funding and a contribution from Minnehaha County.

The meetings are open to the public and are expected to be held quarterly.