Rapid City Council Meeting Summary - January 20, 2026

The Rapid City City Council convened on January 20, 2026, to review committee updates, hear public testimony regarding homelessness and sustainability, and address key agenda items including rezoning, business improvement districts, and a pivotal vote on authorizing a backyard hen ordinance. The meeting featured robust public engagement and significant debate among council members regarding economic impacts, enforcement, and community priorities, culminating in a directive for staff to draft an ordinance legalizing backyard chickens.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 2 through 21 by unanimous voice vote, following a motion by Councilmember Temang with a second by Councilmember Roberts.
• Approved items 28 through 32 (Consent Public Hearing items) by unanimous voice vote, following a motion by Councilmember Roberts with a second by Councilmember Bieberdorf.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anthony Wright (South Dakota School of Mines Student Association): Expressed support for campus-community engagement initiatives, specifically highlighting the recent Destination District/ Liberty Land TIFF forum and the upcoming Student Higher Education Day (SHED) as positive civic education efforts.
• Jean Kessloff (Historic Rapid City): Expressed strong opposition to the lack of protection for historic neon signs, stating that restoring them has become cost prohibitive. She argued these signs are culturally significant artifacts and criticized the city for previously losing a Western art collection gifted by Joan Croc due to administrative oversight.
• Ron Bunnell (Chapel Valley Resident): Expressed serious concern regarding the safety and evacuation logistics for the approximately 645 homes in Chapel Valley following the 2013 Atlas Blizzard. He noted the lack of an alternative exit route and announced the formation of a community task force to develop an evacuation plan, seeking council awareness and support.
• Michael Lucas (Retired Marine & Resident): Expressed full support for the public school board by stating the current school system performance is a " dumpster fire," citing Central High School's 66% graduation rate and 27% math proficiency. He expressed opposition to the current superintendent's lack of experience with large urban districts and called for stronger Native American leadership within the district.
• Dale Nicola (Resident): Expressed appreciation for the city's weed removal work but expressed strong concern regarding broken sidewalks that fail ADA compliance. He threatened legal action to force the city to rectify sidewalk hazards to avoid liability.
• Greg Stilton (Rushmore Real Estate Group): Expressed opposition to the creation of the Mount Rushmore Road Business Improvement District, noting that the committee established to manage it lacked standing under state statute and that property owners had already submitted a petition to protest the district.
• Kathy Thrash, Dan Millally, Darla Drew, David Holland, and Jerry Owens: Expressed unanimous support for the backyard hen ordinance. They argued that the community desires local food production, that other South Dakota cities successfully manage chickens, and that a revised ordinance has addressed previous concerns regarding noise, smell, disease, and Humane Society coordination.
• Callie Meyer (Councilmember via phone): Expressed support based on constituent communication, noting a ratio of approximately 30:1 in favor of chickens versus opposition.
• Councilmembers Stroman, Evans, and Roberts: Expressed general support based on constituent correspondence, with Councilmember Evans noting a 20-to-1 ratio in favor.
• Councilmember Pettigrew: Expressed skepticism and opposition to the council passing the ordinance directly, stating that the issue should be decided via a citizen ballot initiative. He also expressed concern regarding the financial savings of chicken ownership and the burden on code enforcement.
• Councilmember Maher: Expressed strong opposition, citing negative experiences with neighbor maintenance, concerns regarding cats preying on chickens, and the difficulty of disposing of aging pet chickens.

Discussion Items

• Sustainability Committee Annual Update: Committee members presented a report highlighting community-driven initiatives including Master Food Preserver training, collaborations with local food experts, and the Earth Day Expo. They emphasized a shift toward addressing community demands for local food supply and sustainable growth.
• Mount Rushmore Road Business Improvement District: The City Attorney confirmed that sufficient property owner signatures were received to protest the district under state statute. Consequently, the Council terminated the hearing and dissolved the proposed district without creating it.
• Backyard Hen Ordinance (Item 27): Councilmember Temang moved to direct staff to draft an ordinance legalizing backyard chickens. The discussion highlighted a shift in public sentiment toward support, likely driven by rising food costs. Councilmember Pettigrew and Councilmember Maher voiced concerns regarding enforcement protocols and economic viability for residents. Councilmember Meyer and Councilmember Roberts expressed support contingent on property line setbacks. The Mayor expressed a conditional willingness to sign the ordinance provided robust neighbor protections are in place, citing food security and supply chain concerns from recent years.
• Economic Efficiency & Travel: Councilmember Pettigrew urged all city departments to critically review and justify travel expenditures and conference attendance in response to difficult economic times, suggesting virtual alternatives.

Key Outcomes

• Rezoning Approvals: Approved the rezoning of property at 5055 South Highway 79 from Public District to Heavy Industrial District (Item 22) and property north of Cloud Peak Drive from No Use to Low Density Residential (Item 23).
• Subdivision Approvals: Approved preliminary subdivision plans for Sojin Edition (Item 25) and Rapid Creek (Item 26).
• District Termination: Terminated the public hearing and failed to create the Mount Rushmore Road Business Improvement District due to the successful protest petition (Item 24).
• Backyard Hen Ordinance Direct: Passed a roll call vote of 6-4 (Stroman: No, Pettigrew: No, Bieberdorf: No, Temang: Aye, Evans: Aye, Meyer: Aye, Lehman: No, Maher: Aye, Roberts: No) to direct city staff to craft an ordinance legalizing the keeping of chickens on residentially zoned properties. The ordinance currently under review includes a 10-foot property line setback requirement proposed by Councilmember Cris, though Councilmember Pettigrew and Councilmember Maher noted significant enforcement and economic concerns that will remain in the deliberation phase.
• Annexation: Approved the petition for annexation for property north of Cloud Peak Drive (Item 33).
• Bills Approved: Approved the bill list totaling $80,062.27 for Main Street Square/Visit Rapid City and a remaining bill total of $12,822.368.
• Meeting Adjournment: The meeting was officially adjourned at the conclusion of the bill list.