OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Rapid City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026: Backyard Hens Ordinance Passes, TIF District Approved, and Volunteer Week Proclamation

City CouncilTuesday, April 21, 2026
BodyRapid City, South Dakota
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
4:33

Good evening, and welcome to the City Council meeting for Monday, April Twentieth, twenty twenty six.

5:00

Meyer.

5:00

We have a quorum.

5:02

Thank you.

5:02

Next, we'll have an invocation by Marsha Balsley, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

5:06

If you're able and willing, would you please rise?

5:09

Right now.

5:17

Oh, Lord Jesus Christ, powerful Holy Spirit, precious, amazing, wonderful Father God, who has come to you now.

5:26

We urge right now, we ask you right now for petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving to be made right now for all people.

5:36

More than even is in this building right now, God, we pray for the we pray for the state of South Dakota, we pray for the United States, we pray for the nations, Lord.

5:46

We pray that they would know you in your powerful, wonderful sacrificial love.

5:52

Jesus.

5:53

You say in your word we do not have because we do not ask you.

6:00

Lord, men strong in faith and in prayer, subdued kingdoms.

6:04

They wrought righteousness, they obtained promises, they stopped the mouths of lions, they quenched the power of fire.

6:10

They escaped the edge of the sword from weakness, were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight, the armies of the aliens.

6:19

You choose, God, to work through Adam, to co-labor with man.

6:23

You work through the prayers of your people who are made in your image to labor and rule in the garden, to struggle together.

6:32

We have sinned and done wrong, Lord.

6:34

We have each gone to our own way.

6:36

We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.

6:39

We have refused to listen to your servants, the prophets who spoke in your authority.

6:44

We pray now that out of your glorious riches, you would strengthen us with power through your spirit in our inner beings.

6:52

We pray that we would be filled with that spirit that we would encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

7:01

Father, we pray that we would be continually filled with the knowledge of your perfect will through all wisdom and understanding, the will that the Spirit gives.

7:10

That your majestic name would fill the earth as your glory is higher than the heavens.

7:15

Teach your people, Lord, your children and your infants, your church, your body of uh believers to tell of your strength and silence your enemies and all who oppose you.

7:27

Give your people wisdom, clarity, and discernment in complex times.

7:31

Help us to desire what truly matters, not what is easiest or safe safest.

7:36

Grant courage to your people to live for Christ without fear.

7:40

Lord, we release the outcome of this meeting and this prayer into your hands.

7:45

Shape us into a people who trust you completely.

7:48

We declare, Lord, that our hope is not in preservation, comfort, and control, but in you.

7:53

Be magnified in your people, Lord.

7:56

Strengthen your body.

7:58

Thank you, Jesus.

8:03

I pledge allegiance to the line of the United States of America.

8:08

And to every body for our which stands.

8:11

One nation under God.

8:19

Thank you.

8:20

Next, we'll entertain a motion to adopt the agenda.

8:24

Motion by Temang.

8:25

Second by Lehman.

8:26

All in favor?

8:28

Any opposed?

8:30

Motion carries.

8:31

Uh next, we're going to have a proclamation for National Volunteer Week, so I'm going to go right around here to the podium and we'll get that rolling.

9:10

We have Brad here from Helpline 211, great organization.

9:14

Uh you know, if you never know where to go, just start there and they'll help you get to where you need to go.

9:18

But uh, we're so grateful for our volunteers in our community because our volunteers are really what make us make it happen.

9:24

Uh it shows ownership in our community, it makes things better, and I'm proud to read this proclamation tonight.

9:30

Whereas every community member can affect positive change with any volunteer action, no matter how big or small.

9:37

Whereas South Dakota ranks among the top six states for formal volunteering, with more than 37% of South Dakotans volunteering through organizations, and over 57% providing some form of assistance to neighbors.

9:50

Whereas thousands of volunteers working in the Rapid City community utilize their time and talent daily to make a real difference in the lives of children, adults, and of course the elderly.

10:00

Whereas Helpline Center plays a crucial role as a volunteer center in organizing community-wide response efforts by dispatching volunteers and connecting them to service opportunities and organizations.

10:11

And whereas major volunteer organizations such as West River, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, United Way of the Black Hills, Senior Companions of South Dakota, and numerous others provide valuable service to the community.

10:23

And whereas volunteers can connect with local community service opportunities through hundreds of local nonprofits and giving of oneself and service to others empowers the giver and their recipient.

10:34

And whereas the month of April is set aside to honor volunteers with recognition events and tributes, acknowledging those who step up and provide their time and talent to help their communities and citizens.

10:43

Now therefore I, Jason Solomon, mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota, to hereby proclaim April 19th through the 25th of 2026 as National Volunteer Week.

10:53

We'll sign this, make it official.

10:57

All right, Brad, here you go.

10:58

Let's take a picture and I'll give you a chance to say a few words.

11:12

Well, those who know me know that I'm never at a lack of words, but I don't have anything prepared, so that's a good sigh for everybody.

11:18

We just want to say thank you very much.

11:20

Um see this awesome guy twice in the same week.

11:24

We just celebrated uh the Spirit of Volunteerism Awards Breakfast, where he came and supported on behalf of the city every month.

11:30

We get to make grown grown uh adults cry because we surprise them with the volunteer of the month, which he helped support and sign.

11:39

So uh you as a city do way more than you than you know, and he represents us very well as as we encourage and support volunteerism in a number of ways.

11:48

So thank you for this, and thank you for your support and encourage somebody to help somebody out.

11:54

Thank you.

12:26

All right, folks, now it's time for general public comment, a time for members of the public to discuss or express concerns to the council on any issue not on the agenda.

12:34

Action would not be taken at the meeting on any issue not on the agenda, except by placement on the agenda by unanimous vote of the council members present.

12:41

I have a number of speaker request forms, some are for later on in the meeting, but for these general public comments, I got a few here.

12:47

We'll begin with Chet Ellsworth.

12:56

Evening, Chad Ellsworth.

12:57

I'm here in uh support of uh Kathy Howard and the pushback that she's getting uh from uh Jason Green and Marty Jackley on doing her job.

13:11

Uh I kind of want to cite uh a Office of Bar Council overview that uh kind of sets the framework of what I would like to say.

13:21

The American legal system and the attorney-client relationship are founded on trust.

13:27

Although few attorneys ever betray that trust, when a breach occurs, damage to the individuals and the entire system may result.

13:37

Of course, if it's intent, if the intent is to destroy the entire system, then we're we're talking about treasonous activity.

13:47

So, how can you fault Taffy for doing her job when faced with recent events?

13:53

Accountability on missing money and other events right here in Rapid City.

14:00

Uh the intent to censure and and uh leads to misprison of treason, of censorship, and the things that we don't want.

14:10

And I am fully in support of Taffy, and I know some of the folks that have come here in the last few weeks are uh questioning her abilities, and I fully support her.

14:21

Thank you.

14:22

All right, next up, uh Andrea Lee.

14:29

Andrea, thank you for sharing how to pronounce your name.

14:32

I'm sure you get that, I get it.

14:34

Yeah, well, you said that last time too.

14:37

I know.

14:38

So you're welcome.

14:39

I always just appreciate little things.

14:40

Go ahead.

14:41

I'm sorry.

14:42

Um, I just want to come here.

14:44

I learned some interesting news on Friday that the men's mission, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but the men's mission is closed for cleaning and renovating from May 5th through the 24th.

14:57

I just found that out Friday.

15:00

So with making some calls today, I also found out that the women's and children's shelter or home is closed the entire month of May.

15:09

So I guess I'm just really concerned.

15:11

It's like, so then where are the homeless supposed to go?

15:14

I don't know if anything's been implemented.

15:16

Who might even know that?

15:17

So it started to get implemented.

15:20

Um, I did hear that some of the ladies from the women's shelter, they've already got those mainly figured out, but I don't know who at the men's mission has for resources out there to get them someplace to live at least during that time.

15:38

Um I did call the men's mission and spoke with someone.

15:42

I won't name any names, but they I asked them where are they supposed to go?

15:47

They says, well, um, see here.

15:49

Let me make sure I got my note.

15:50

Wait, maybe care campus will pick up the slack.

15:56

So I call care campus, and they know nothing about it and was very pleased to know they were volunteered.

16:03

So then I made some other calls, and so at this point, I believe the church response is still going to be available, but I don't know about anything else.

16:12

So I guess I just wanted to bring it to your attention that it's kind of ridiculous that something wasn't implemented to have a space for the homeless, especially during a renovation, which I know is deeply needed there.

16:26

But like I said, I just where are they gonna go?

16:30

So I had to say, thank you.

16:32

Thanks for bringing that up.

16:33

Thank you.

16:34

Next up, Angelo uh Sherald.

16:41

Well, I guess I better get used to this because I'm gonna be showing up quite a bit.

16:48

So there seems to be an issue with some city ordinances, and uh there's a lot of starry decisions already, because here in South Dakota, we have a thing, it's called maintaining your property, maintaining your land, and I've been cutting wood and burning fires and taking care of my land in this state for over 40 years.

17:16

What's what we do in the spring?

17:19

Because cleanliness is guiding this.

17:22

So I happen to have some issues this winter with this big wild windstorm that just showed up.

17:29

Two of them actually.

17:30

And uh luckily I cut some of my tree last year, otherwise it would have fallen down and probably would have killed a bunch of people.

17:36

But luckily, the strong part stood.

17:40

But I trimmed it down and I kept trimming and kept trimming and I built up a pretty big stack of wood.

17:48

Okay, well, come Easter.

17:51

As always, the weather was just right, nice and cold, no wind.

17:58

Uh for three days.

17:59

It would have been perfect.

18:00

Perfect to go ahead and just have a nice little fire, all within the ohrdinances of a three-foot fire ring.

18:09

Doesn't have to be a fancy menard's one.

18:12

Three-foot fire ring, two feet high, under no tree, on gravel or rock, concrete.

18:20

Um, yeah, uh, pretty much not near any structure.

18:27

Now that's where you guys seem to have a problem.

18:32

Is you got a ton of properties on Airbnb and all these other places where people have their fire pit like five feet away from the structure.

18:41

So if you're gonna if you're gonna trump state law of 10 foot from structure, and you're gonna arrest people for class four felonies because here in Rapid City it's 25 feet, which just got passed.

18:52

Well, you're gonna have a big problem.

18:54

You're gonna have a treason.

18:56

It ends up being well, that's a whole nother thing of uh targeting people and uh maybe because you don't like the way they uh uh talk or like the way they look or uh like who they voted for.

19:09

Well, too bad.

19:12

So you might want to start getting that uh little ordinance thing you got going and figure out how you're gonna land this crash plane because it's already crashed.

19:22

This is just I honestly I was trying to sell my properties and get out of here and go sit on a beach somewhere, but always just keep coming back to South Dakota.

19:33

Well, maybe it's good I'm gonna stay.

19:40

Okay, that will conclude general public comment, and we will move on to non-public hearing items two through 26.

19:46

I have no speaker request forms for those items.

19:49

Oh, excuse me, we're opening the public comment for items two through 23.

19:52

I have no speaker request forms for those items, so we will close the public comment and move on to consent items two through 23.

20:00

Would any council members like to pull any items for separate consideration?

20:03

Councilor Lehman.

20:04

Thank you, Mayor.

20:05

Item 14.

20:09

Okay.

20:10

Any other items?

20:11

Otherwise, I'll entertain a motion to approve items two through 23 with the exception of 14.

20:17

Motion by Maher with a second by Cris.

20:19

All in favor?

20:20

Any opposed?

20:21

Motion carries.

20:22

Item 14.

20:23

Approve resolution number 2026-024, a resolution levying assessment for abatement of nuisances.

20:30

And believe counselor Layman's pulling this for Finance Director Daniel Ainsley.

20:34

Thank you, Mr.

20:35

Mayor.

20:36

Tax ID 74797 Gamma Epsilon Corporation paid their assessment a few hours ago, so I'd ask that that would be removed and the rest would be proceeded with.

20:48

So move.

20:50

Good for them.

20:50

That's good.

20:51

Thank you.

20:51

We got a motion by Councillor Lehman with a second by Strowman.

20:59

Any opposed?

21:00

Motion carries.

21:02

That takes us to non-consent items 23 through 26, and we will open the public comment for items 23 through 26.

21:09

I have a number of speaker request forms regarding hens.

21:12

As a reminder, we got three minutes.

21:16

What I'm going to do is say a name and then I'm going to call the name that's on deck so you can be ready to go.

21:20

We can just crank right through this.

21:22

First up, David Holland, followed by Hendrix Jones.

21:33

Oh, excuse me.

21:34

Excuse me.

21:36

Before you speak.

21:42

No, we're okay.

21:44

Sorry, my council members were questioning me.

21:47

Sometimes they're right, but not this time.

21:49

All right.

21:50

We are going with public comment.

21:51

David, you're up first, followed by Hendrix Jones.

21:55

Well, I'm gonna keep this short tonight.

21:57

I know you've all heard uh enough from me about this issue.

22:00

Um, but I'm part of the group that uh has spent a lot of time doing a lot of research, talking to a lot of other communities about uh what Backyard Hands has meant in their communities.

22:09

They've had very few issues, um, and we expect the same here in Rapid City.

22:13

More than two dozen communities in South Dakota already allow them.

22:16

Um they are pets with benefits, they uh provide quality local supply of eggs, and they also teach kids responsibility about what their food comes from.

22:25

And I'm just gonna be available if you guys have any questions.

22:28

Um we basically researched every ordinance there is in a three-state area, so if there's any questions about that, let me know.

22:35

Thank you.

22:35

Thank you, David.

22:36

Uh Hendrix, you're up next, followed by Kemberley Wallace.

22:39

Hello, I am Hendrix Isaiah Jones.

22:42

I um am a 15-year-old, I mean 16, sorry, just turned 16, and I'm here uh because my teacher, uh April Malik, and for my human services class, brought me in here.

22:54

And I think it was maybe a month or two ago there was a YCC meeting, and David uh informed every single YCC many uh member and everybody present at the meeting of the chickens, and there are so many benefits.

23:07

There are so many benefits, and really I stand as a firm advocate for chickens in Rabbit City.

23:14

I mean, I've done a little bit of research beforehand.

23:16

Aberdeen, Sturgis, lead.

23:19

There are six cities, excluding Rapid City, because technically we do it, but it's outside of city limits that allow chickens.

23:27

Why shouldn't we?

23:29

We as a people of this country have staying in this country, and we have made progress.

23:35

And you know what that progress has been inhibited by stigma.

23:40

Chickens have plenty of stigma, and yet there are so many benefits.

23:44

The pros outweigh the cons.

23:46

They really aren't that stinky if they're taken care of, and David has uh accounted for that with his plenty of regulation.

23:53

There are, of course, the eggs.

23:54

There are courts make of course make great pets and can be very docile if made into chicks, uh, if they're bought as chicks beforehand.

24:03

And ultimately, they can be a great lesson for the youth and adults.

24:09

I see why there is no such reason why we shouldn't have chickens in Rapid City.

24:15

I mean, should do we discriminate against cats or dogs or hamsters or gerbils.

24:22

We do not.

24:23

We do not stand in discrimination of all those pets.

24:27

And yet we discriminate against chickens because of stigma, because they're stinky, because they have disease, because they're loud.

24:34

But all of that simply isn't true.

24:36

So we need to break the stigma, break the status quo, and we need chickens for Rapid City.

24:42

Thank you.

24:44

Thank you.

24:44

Well, you're the internet famous.

24:47

Kemberley Wallace, followed by Nick Schmidt.

24:50

Uh I mean, obviously we have a 16-year-old here talking about.

24:53

I know, it's great.

24:54

Is there much more I can say to that?

24:56

Not much.

25:00

It's funny as volunteer coordinator, uh volunteer week, because I was a volunteer coordinator in this community for eight years.

25:04

Starting out with Habitat for Humanity and then working with Feeding South Dakota.

25:08

So I recognize when people in this community come together to make a difference.

25:14

And that's really what I want to say about Rapid City Hens.

25:17

I think we've said all the facts we can say about chickens, but I do want to take the minute to say if you are thinking about opposing this, I want you to remember are the people calling you putting the same amount of effort that Rapid City hens is.

25:31

Are they like Dave Holland?

25:33

Are they calling everyone?

25:34

Are they checking with other ordinances?

25:36

Is it just an opinion or are they backing it up with their actions?

25:40

Um I really appreciate everyone taking the time for this.

25:44

Um and I hope you consider approving it tonight.

25:47

Thank you.

25:48

Thank you.

25:48

Uh Nick, you're up next, followed by April Malik.

25:53

Good evening, council.

25:54

My name is Nick Schmidt.

25:56

I am a veterinarian here in Rapid City, and I urge the council to pass this ordinance.

26:00

Uh, working at a veterinary clinic, I see how people care about their pets and their animals.

26:04

At my clinic and several others in town, we see more than just cats and dogs.

26:09

We see the lizards, snakes, rats, rabbits.

26:11

I think you mentioned hamsters, um, and even chickens occasionally.

26:15

Regardless of the species, the people that come in with these animals, they have a high care for their animals.

26:20

They they really care about them, they're willing to put in the effort for them.

26:24

Um our clinic has already had discussions about further staff training for chicken health, should this ordinance be passed.

26:32

Uh, my wife and I, she's also a veterinarian.

26:35

We moved out here from Elk Point, South Dakota, where at the time, a few years ago, chickens are allowed with very, very few rules.

26:43

Um, I reached out to the police chief earlier this morning, and he said he used to get calls every day because there were just no rules, um, and it was about the chickens.

26:52

Since then, they have most of the calls that he would get were chickens in the streets because they didn't they weren't required to be in any coops or anything like that, or noise because of roosters were allowed.

27:02

Um since we've left, those ordinances have been passed and changed, so now they can't have roosters and now they have to be in a coop.

27:09

He says he rarely gets any calls.

27:12

Uh he says the occasional call that he does get is um a dog getting into the coop, and this ordinance has already made this these coups predator proof, so that shouldn't be an issue, and that's more of a dog owner problem than the chicken problem.

27:26

Um I also want to reiterate the other people's comments on the matter of the importance of local sustainability as well as the importance for kids' growth and responsibility, and I'd love to be able to raise my kids with a little bit of a little bit of in-town work as well, and that's really what we push for.

27:42

So please vote yes and and approve this moving forward.

27:45

Thank you.

27:46

Thank you.

27:47

April's up next, followed by uh Laura P.

27:50

P.

27:51

Pinning.

27:52

Pine.

27:53

You'll tell you'll correct me when you get up there.

27:54

All right, April.

27:56

Hi, yep.

27:56

Hello, my name is April Malik.

27:58

I am a teacher of culinary arts and intro to human services at the high school level.

28:02

Um, first of all, thank you all for your time.

28:04

Thank you to everyone that has done so much work on this uh issue.

28:09

I'm speaking, of course, in to promote the for your passage of the ordinance for the hens.

28:16

Um as we know, food sovereignty and food security is a big topic uh all over the world and in the United States as well.

28:25

Um the raising of hens in the back in a backyard in a town will only help invite lower income people to be able to teach their young a little bit about raising their own uh food, ideally also growing food in gardens, urban egg and urban farming.

28:45

At one point was gonna be um, I don't know where it stands right now, but the USDA was gonna um supplement it or help with that.

28:52

I don't know where the grants are now, but it is a trend in the United States, and including restaurants trying to produce more of their own ingredients.

29:01

Um I just wanted to say, as an educator, um, you always looking, we always look for activities and topics that are grounding and centering and connecting to the natural processes outside of our man-made ones, um, is known to be very beneficial um connecting with the um cycles out there.

29:24

I would say mental health.

29:25

I don't have all the data, but um it is very popular right now um in the restaurant industry.

29:31

So thank you for your time, and I hope you pass this.

29:33

All right, Laura, you're up next, followed by Julie.

29:36

Oh boy, Julie.

29:37

You know what?

29:38

Julie asked.

29:38

Yeah, really.

29:40

She'll you also should tell me how that's pronounced when it's your time.

29:43

And and Laura Peening is correct.

29:45

All right.

29:45

That was a right on.

29:46

Good.

29:47

Um I've been here four times.

29:49

I still think you should approve hens, and everybody said all the right things.

29:53

So please thank you.

29:55

Duly noted, thank you.

29:56

Julie, you're up next, followed by Kathy Thrash.

30:00

Thank you, Mayor and Council members.

30:01

I've been here before too.

30:03

I think one of the things I'd like to highlight tonight is really just the access to healthy food.

30:08

We know that in 2020, um, during COVID, we had shortages of food.

30:14

We know that we've had shortages of eggs due to bird flu and disease.

30:20

Um in South Dakota, we have a number of chicken producers.

30:25

Um in 2015, one of those chicken producers, because of bird flu lost 1.3 million hens.

30:32

That would have equated to half of the eggs produced in the entire state just two years ago.

30:38

There are no large-scale producers in western South Dakota.

30:43

Um, passing this ordinance will allow people to generate a bit more food security by having hens and eggs.

30:51

Again, there are lots of other benefits.

30:53

We also know that we have issues with food cost and with the current current issues with fuel.

31:00

There are countries, there was an article in the New York Times today that indicated some countries now have food that's rotting in the fields because not only can't they afford to pay for fuel, they also simply don't have access to it.

31:14

We are in a precarious situation, and I think providing our citizens a chance for a bit more of food security is really important.

31:23

And in closing, I would just urge each council member to be a good egg and vote yes tonight.

31:29

The citizens of Rapid City deserve the same rights that dozens of communities across the state provide.

31:34

The ability to place eggs from our own hens in our own baskets on our own tables and in the baskets and on the tables of our neighbors.

31:43

There may be a few citizens who are cackling and crowing about backyard hens, but ordinances with far fewer restrictions have worked with minimal issue in many, many communities across South Dakota.

31:57

Um please give the ordinance a chance, and if council finds it isn't working, council has the opportunity to amend it in the future.

32:05

Thank you.

32:05

Julie, before you leave, would you for the record state your full name?

32:08

Yes, Julie Smorgowitz.

32:10

Think of Smorgasboard.

32:12

Gotcha.

32:12

All right.

32:13

Kathy, you're up next, followed by uh Jillian Kozmala.

32:19

Thank you, everyone, Kathy Thrash, um, citizen member of the Sustainability Committee.

32:25

National Volunteer Week and Cleanup Week and Earth Day, like what a perfect time to pass this ordinance.

32:31

Thank you all for your effort that you have done for all of it.

32:34

I think you've looked at this 19 ways and back, forward, and all of the things, and I think it's very well written now, and I would appreciate a couple um points.

32:45

Um just just that it would show your forward movement and your leadership, especially during this time for a sustainable local, reliable food source.

32:55

Um, and I don't know about you, but my fight or flight, pardon the pun response is about fried chicken, right?

33:04

Because um every time the news pops up and then markets and the weather and all the things, it just can create a sense of I can't control what's going on.

33:12

Well, we can control what's going on in our backyard.

33:15

We can fix it, we can change it, and this allows a lot of us to have that opportunity to have that sustainable local food source.

33:23

Um last thing I will mention too is it's easy to um imagine the worst case scenario, but it's why can't we equally put the effort into imagining the best case scenario?

33:35

So thank you for having a look at this again.

33:37

I hope you pass this ordinance.

33:39

Thank you.

33:40

Thank you.

33:41

Uh Jillian, you're up next, followed by Andrew.

33:43

And Andrew, I can't read your last name, so if you're here.

33:47

All right, my name is uh Jillian Gosmala.

33:49

This is my very first city council meeting as a longtime resident of Rapid City.

33:54

But this is also the first thing I've given two hoots about, or two clucks if we're going off the puns.

33:59

Overall, I do believe chickens are a great thing for our community.

34:02

Even they would just consume the vegetable scraps from my kitchen and my garden and lessen the burden on our landfill.

34:09

Obviously, there's many myths about them that have been reputed.

34:12

I haven't been able to hear hear all of David's arguments because I am a waitress full-time, and this is costing me about 20% of my paycheck this week to be here.

34:21

So, chickens, they eat ticks and mosquitoes.

34:25

They easily contribute to a lack of disease, such as Lyme disease, such as West Nile virus, rather than perpetuating more disease, like they're known as a myth.

34:38

Um, they're also not noisy without roosters, obviously.

34:41

There are so many dogs in my neighborhood.

34:44

You will not be able to tell who has chickens in the neighborhood because every time you walk by, the dogs will let you know they are there.

34:51

Obviously, chickens won't get out and start breeding with other chickens because they'll all be hens, unlike the cats and dogs that get taken in by the humane society.

35:00

You also won't have to worry about being attacked by a wild chicken if they get out.

35:06

And overall, they're just such a great thing.

35:08

We want to know where our food comes from.

35:10

South Dakota is built on a can-do spirit.

35:13

Rapid City is built on a can-do spirit.

35:15

Who else would put faces on a mountain than us, right?

35:20

We can do these things because we do them together, and because we desire to improve each other as a whole, as a community.

35:28

And I appreciate your consideration of our you know of this ordinance that we are all so passionate about.

35:33

I had a great conversation with Mr.

35:35

Evans back in January about this on the phone.

35:37

I left a hopefully kind voicemail with Lindsay to around the same time because I knew I would not be able to be at the council meetings, but this ordinance has had my whole family's support and many of my friends who can't easily make it to a 630 meeting just for the last four months.

35:56

So thank you so much for all of your time and consideration and wisdom in this matter.

36:00

Julian, thank you for sacrificing to be here tonight.

36:03

Uh Andrew from Box Elder, are you here?

36:05

Andrew from Box Elder.

36:08

I can't quite read the last.

36:14

Cobb, okay, okay.

36:16

Thank you.

36:18

And that'll be followed by Dana Foreman.

36:21

Thank you for letting me talk.

36:23

I live between Box Elder and New Underwood, and I have a hen house that's capable of holding about six or seven hundred birds.

36:32

Um currently I have about 90 birds every from everything from Guinea Falls to Pfall.

36:39

Roosters and hands and hands are by far by far the quietest.

36:43

I won't go into the benefits of hens, because the previous speakers have covered that well.

36:51

Um I did provide the Facebook group, Rapid City hands my contact information to give out to the Humane Society in the event that there's escapees.

37:02

Hopefully that will alleviate some concerns.

37:06

Um thank you.

37:08

All right, and Dana Foreman.

37:11

Uh Dana's here for item 25.

37:19

But you're welcome to talk about chickens if you like.

37:21

Oh, did you want to say or are you just here for questions?

37:25

Um for 25.

37:26

Okay.

37:26

Uh we are here for 25.

37:28

We're done with 24, we're on to 25, I'm sorry.

37:31

Um Dana Foreman with uh DGR Engineering 910 Fifth Street, and uh here to discuss item number 25, which is the uh the county TIFF, and um here primarily for questions for the agenda item, but I just wanted to also express that uh this project is unique in terms of it's a large development, and with that there's arterial roads on three sides of the development, which makes it unique, and those those items really have a lot of um need a lot of TIFF support with it, where um we're looking at turning lanes on Catron and signal improvements and a roundabout, um, and then those arterial roads of Black Hills Boulevard and Fifth Street, and then some major drainage items within that development and and really for the developer um looking for your support of that TIFF where it's needed to make make the development viable and um as somebody that lives in ward one.

38:33

I'm excited for a development of this sort being uh multi-use and um looking for your support, and um if there's any questions when during that agenda item, I'll be here to answer those.

38:45

Great, thank you, Dana.

38:46

Well, that concludes our comment period.

38:49

So we will close public comment and move on to item 24, the second reading and recommendation of ordinance number 6713, an ordinance authorizing the keeping of hens on certain residential properties in the city.

39:05

Okay, we got a motion by Tamane with a second by Secrets to approve.

39:09

Any comments, questions?

39:12

All right.

39:13

Uh because we have two people calling in, I need to do a roll call vote uh to make sure that Mr.

39:20

Roberts and Pettigrew, their vote is accounted for.

39:22

So with that, Heidi, can you take a roll call, please?

39:27

Pedigrew.

39:30

No.

39:31

Cris?

39:32

Yes.

39:33

Bieberdorf.

39:34

Yes.

39:35

Teming.

39:36

Evans.

39:38

Meyer.

39:40

Lehman.

39:40

No.

39:42

Maher.

39:43

Yes.

39:44

Roberts.

39:46

No.

39:47

Stroman.

39:49

No.

39:50

Motion passes six to four.

39:52

Okay.

39:58

Okay.

40:00

Well, we got we gotta calm the chicken joy down as Councillor Temang would say.

40:05

Thank you all.

40:07

And good work, everybody.

40:08

Item 25.

40:09

Approve resolution number 2026-031.

40:12

The creation by Pennington County of a tax increment financing district, TIFF number eight, TIFF district, excuse me, number eight, within the city of Rapid City pursuant to SDCL 11-9-8.

40:26

And we will begin with Councillor Maher.

40:29

Uh thank you, Mayor.

40:30

I'd like I'd like to make a motion to approve this resolution.

40:34

If I could keep the get a second, I would keep the floor.

40:38

Okay, we got a motion by Maher with a second by Layman.

40:41

The floor is yours.

40:42

I hopefully the members of the council have had the opportunity to meet the developer.

40:45

He was in town last week.

40:47

I met with him.

40:48

The plans are pretty amazing for this area.

40:51

Putting in uh you know, widening putting in Fifth Street and um Black Hills Boulevard on the south side of the uh Catron.

41:01

It's gonna be a tremendous development.

41:02

It opens up future development, so we don't have to go to Box Elder or Piedmont.

41:09

So this would produce uh some great retail space for that side of town, which today we don't have retail space other than the Walmart.

41:18

But this would be a great development for that part of town.

41:21

The developers very strong, they're from Omaha, they they have big plans for Rapid City, and I just uh think we should turn this over to the county uh with a strong strong support from the city council.

41:33

Thank you.

41:35

Thank you.

41:36

Any other comments or questions?

41:40

Otherwise, we'll entertain a motion to approve again.

41:42

We will do a roll call vote uh because of councillor Pettigrew and Roberts being on the line.

41:48

Um Heidi, let's go to a roll call, please.

41:50

The motion on the floor is to approve.

41:53

Meyer Evans Tamang Bieberdorf.

42:00

Aye, C Chris, Penigru.

42:05

No.

42:06

Strowman, aye, Roberts, yeah.

42:12

Maher?

42:13

Yes.

42:14

Lehman.

42:15

Yes.

42:16

Motion passes nine to one.

42:17

Okay, thank you.

42:18

Uh now uh moving on to item 26.

42:22

Uh approve the attached list of 2026 or excuse me, 2026 and 2027, malt beverage and South Dakota Farm Wine Renewals upon approval from Rapid City Police Department and Rapid City Fire Department.

42:36

I don't have anything from them.

42:38

So we'll got a motion by Layman with a second by Evans to approve item 26.

42:43

All in favor?

42:44

Aye.

42:45

Any opposed?

42:46

Aye.

42:47

All right, thanks, John.

42:48

Motion carries.

42:49

Uh public hearing items 27 through 30.

42:52

We will open the public hearing for items 27 through 30.

42:55

I have uh one uh speaker request forms and will Vanderlyn.

43:01

He says he's available for to answer any questions.

43:04

Will are you here?

43:05

Okay, it you don't have to speak right now, but you're just here for questions.

43:08

Okay, so that's for item 30, folks.

43:10

So we have we'll here for item 30.

43:13

Uh so we will close the public hearing for items 27 through 30 and move on to non-consent public hearing items 27 through 30.

43:21

Item 27.

43:23

Uh second reading of ordinance number six seven zero one, an ordinance amending section 17.06 of the Rap City Municipal Code, a request by renter associates LLC for S7 LLC for rezoning requests from no use this no use district to low density residential district one for property generally described as being located at 3050 Jolly Lane got a motion by C Chris and a second by Leyman.

43:50

All in favor?

43:51

Aye.

43:52

Any opposed?

43:53

Motion carry.

43:54

Thank you.

43:56

I need to let give them a chance to talk, don't I?

43:58

All right, item 28.

44:00

Second reading of ordinance number 6710 and ordinance amending section 17.06 of the Rapid City Municipal Code.

44:07

A request by renter associates, LLC for S7 LLC for rezoning request from no use district to general commercial district for property generally described as being located at 3050 Jolly Lane.

44:20

Motion by C Chris with a second by Tamang.

44:22

All in favor?

44:23

Aye.

44:25

Aye.

44:26

Any opposed?

44:28

Motion carries.

44:29

Item 29, second reading of ordinance number 6711, an ordinance amending section 17.06 of the Rap City Municipal Code.

44:37

A request by Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying Inc.

44:40

for BH Capital LLC for rezoning request from General Agricultural District to Low Density Residential District 2 for property journey describes as being located at south of the intersection of Cadillac Drive and Diamond Ridge Boulevard.

44:56

Motion by Temang with a second by Layman to approve.

44:59

All in favor?

45:02

Any opposed?

45:04

Motion carries.

45:05

Item thirty.

45:06

A second reading of ordinance number six seven one two and ordinance amending section seventeen point zero six of the Rap City Municipal Code.

45:13

A request by V four properties, LLC for rezoning requests from general commercial district to light industrial district.

45:20

For property generally described as being located at two five two six Marlin Drive.

45:26

Motion by layman with a second by Tamang.

45:29

All in favor?

45:31

I me opposed?

45:34

Motion carries.

45:35

All right.

45:36

We have need for an executive session to discuss the qualifications, competence, performance, character, or fitness of any public officer and employee, or prospective public officer or employee.

45:46

Employee in accordance to SDCL one-two five dash two one.

45:50

Do we have a motion to go into the executive session?

45:54

All right.

45:55

Motion by layman.

45:58

Second by Bieberdorf.

46:00

All in favor?

46:02

Any opposed?

46:03

We're right.

46:03

We're in executive session.

46:04

Thanks, everyone.

46:22

All right, guys, I'm gonna end the call.

46:31

Okay.

46:33

Oh, I gotta get my dream.

46:35

I think you don't know what this is about.

46:37

I think it's about this.

48:06

Yeah, it's just on the right hand.

48:10

Oh yeah.

48:16

Okay, perfect.

48:18

Yeah, I'll just be okay.

48:25

Yeah, that'd be very important.

48:26

Yeah, right.

49:03

Um defenders offering here, right?

49:15

Oh, we're not quite more than you'll find some resources.

49:47

Oh, yeah, you call it.

49:49

Yeah.

49:50

I don't have any of this one.

50:02

This shouldn't be a good thing.

50:24

Where are we at?

50:39

Yeah, shoot it.

50:46

Yeah, we're gonna have to start with timer documentation too.

51:00

Oh six.

51:08

We're going back to the start, whatever.

51:25

All of the victims is a great floor and all the data.

51:33

Uh wild.

51:34

Oh, yeah.

51:39

So I like something that would be uh drop up on the past very happy.

52:00

But anyway, I don't know why.

52:06

So we always have heard that people were supposed to then include it.

52:14

So then they had church efficients.

52:16

And they forgot to look at the words.

52:23

So uh John Paul.

52:27

Oh, there was a little bit for the Calcutta.

52:36

Well Catholic light.

52:37

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

52:39

So I heard the greatest is a joke every day to have anything not a fancy ball.

52:57

Uh eight hours.

53:14

No, I got a chat.

53:15

Yeah.

53:25

So I find out how you pay with nothing but meaning, right?

53:34

I don't know how you do it, but just number two, but yeah, it's already good.

53:38

That's why I call it games.

53:42

I think somewhere through all these applications.

53:47

I think it's sixteen.

54:01

Oh yeah.

54:07

Except we all can have some.

54:13

So apparently there was uh sweetly channel that we can provide some people.

54:25

Yeah, but ran as well.

54:31

It's no different than saying a card.

54:33

No, it shouldn't run it.

54:36

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

54:38

I don't know.

54:41

Well that that's the word they know the fact that the record six minutes over there.

54:48

So it's can't communicate six minutes.

54:53

I write on the back on the buttons.

55:43

Thank you.

55:43

I'll entertain a motion to come out of executive session.

55:51

Any opposed?

55:52

We're out of executive session.

55:54

Uh now we're moving on to the bill list.

55:57

Uh with item thirty one, and we're gonna go to finance director Daniel Ainsley.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████37%
Animal Welfare█████████████████████████████████33%
Community Engagement████████8%
Homelessness██████6%
Miscellaneous██████6%
Zoning And Land Use████4%
Public Engagement██2%
Public Safety██2%
Economic Development██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Rapid City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Rapid City Council met on the evening of April 20, 2026, continuing into the early hours of April 21, 2026. The meeting included a proclamation for National Volunteer Week, public comment on various issues, approval of a backyard hens ordinance (second reading), creation of a tax increment financing district, and several rezoning items. Notable votes included a 6-4 approval of the hens ordinance and a 9-1 approval of the TIF district.

Proclamation

  • National Volunteer Week: Mayor Jason Solomon proclaimed April 19–25, 2026, as National Volunteer Week. Brad from Helpline 211 accepted the proclamation, noting that South Dakota ranks among the top six states for formal volunteering, with over 37% of South Dakotans volunteering through organizations and over 57% providing assistance to neighbors.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 2 through 23 were approved as a consent agenda, with the exception of Item 14. Item 14 (Resolution 2026-024, levying assessment for nuisance abatement) was pulled by Councillor Lehman because the property owner (Gamma Epsilon Corporation, Tax ID 74797) had paid the assessment earlier that day. The council then voted to remove that item and approve the rest.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Chet Ellsworth expressed support for Kathy Howard (referred to as "Taffy") in her role, criticizing efforts to censure her and citing concerns about accountability and missing money. He argued that opposing her job performance could constitute treasonous activity.
  • Andrea Lee raised concerns about the closure of the men's mission (May 5–24) and the women's and children's shelter (entire month of May) for cleaning and renovations. She noted that the church response may still be available but questioned where homeless individuals would go, as Care Campus was unaware of being volunteered to fill the gap.
  • Angelo Sherald criticized city ordinances regarding fire pits, stating that state law allows a 10-foot setback from structures, but Rapid City recently passed a 25-foot requirement. He alleged targeting and threatened legal challenges.
  • Public Comment on Backyard Hens (Item 24): Multiple speakers urged the council to pass the ordinance allowing hens on residential properties:
    • David Holland (spokesperson for Rapid City Hens) reported that more than two dozen South Dakota communities already allow hens and that they have had few issues. He offered to answer questions about ordinances in a three-state area.
    • Hendrix Isaiah Jones (age 16) spoke as a student advocate, citing benefits such as eggs, educational value, and breaking stigma. He noted that cities like Aberdeen, Sturgis, and Lead allow hens, and argued that chickens are not inherently dirty or loud.
    • Kemberley Wallace (former volunteer coordinator) emphasized the community effort behind the proposal and urged council to consider the dedication of proponents.
    • Nick Schmidt (veterinarian) stated that his clinic and others are prepared to treat chickens, and that with proper ordinances (no roosters, predator-proof coops) complaints are minimal, as seen in Elk Point.
    • April Malik (culinary arts teacher) supported the ordinance for food sovereignty and security, and noted that urban farming and egg production can benefit lower-income families.
    • Laura Peening (briefly reiterated support).
    • Julie Smorgowitz highlighted food security concerns, referencing egg shortages due to bird flu and the lack of large-scale egg producers in western South Dakota. She urged the council to be "good eggs" and pass the ordinance.
    • Kathy Thrash (Sustainability Committee member) called the timing perfect (National Volunteer Week, Cleanup Week, Earth Day) and asked the council to imagine the best-case scenario.
    • Jillian Gosmala (first-time attendee) dispelled myths about chickens (noise, disease), noting that they eat ticks and mosquitoes, and that dogs are far more disruptive. She emphasized the "can-do spirit" of Rapid City.
  • Public Comment on TIF District (Item 25): Dana Foreman (DGR Engineering) spoke in support of the Pennington County TIF District #8, noting the development includes arterial roads, turning lanes, signal improvements, and a roundabout. He stated the TIF support is needed to make the multi-use development viable.

Discussion Items

  • Item 24: Second Reading of Ordinance 6713 (Backyard Hens): The council discussed and voted on the ordinance. Councillor Lehman voted no; others expressed support. The motion passed 6-4. (Roll call: Cris, Bieberdorf, Teming, Evans, Meyer, Maher voted yes; Pettigrew, Lehman, Roberts, Stroman voted no.)
  • Item 25: Resolution 2026-031 (Pennington County TIF District #8): Councillor Maher moved approval, noting the developer from Omaha has strong plans for the area, including widening Fifth Street and Black Hills Boulevard, and that the development will provide retail space and open up future development. The motion passed 9-1, with only Councillor Pettigrew opposed.
  • Item 26: Malt Beverage and Farm Wine Renewals: Approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing Items 27–30: All rezoning requests were approved unanimously without discussion:
    • Item 27: Rezone 3050 Jolly Lane from No Use to Low Density Residential District 1.
    • Item 28: Same property to General Commercial District.
    • Item 29: South of Cadillac Drive and Diamond Ridge Boulevard from General Agricultural to Low Density Residential District 2.
    • Item 30: 2526 Marlin Drive from General Commercial to Light Industrial District.

Executive Session

  • The council moved into executive session to discuss the qualifications, competence, performance, character, or fitness of a public officer or employee, pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2.1. The motion passed unanimously. After returning, the meeting moved to the bill list.

Key Outcomes

  • Backyard Hens Ordinance (Ordinance 6713) passed 6-4, authorizing the keeping of hens on certain residential properties in Rapid City.
  • Pennington County TIF District #8 (Resolution 2026-031) approved 9-1, supporting a large multi-use development with infrastructure improvements.
  • Liquor license renewals for 2026 and 2027 approved subject to police and fire department approval.
  • Four rezoning requests approved (Items 27-30) as second readings.
  • Item 14 (nuisance assessment) removed from consent agenda after payment was made.
  • Executive session held regarding personnel matters; no action reported after returning.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, and welcome to the City Council meeting for Monday, April Twentieth, twenty twenty six. Meyer. We have a quorum. Thank you. Next, we'll have an invocation by Marsha Balsley, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. If you're able and willing, would you please rise? Right now. Oh, Lord Jesus Christ, powerful Holy Spirit, precious, amazing, wonderful Father God, who has come to you now. We urge right now, we ask you right now for petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving to be made right now for all people. More than even is in this building right now, God, we pray for the we pray for the state of South Dakota, we pray for the United States, we pray for the nations, Lord. We pray that they would know you in your powerful, wonderful sacrificial love. Jesus. You say in your word we do not have because we do not ask you. Lord, men strong in faith and in prayer, subdued kingdoms. They wrought righteousness, they obtained promises, they stopped the mouths of lions, they quenched the power of fire. They escaped the edge of the sword from weakness, were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight, the armies of the aliens. You choose, God, to work through Adam, to co-labor with man. You work through the prayers of your people who are made in your image to labor and rule in the garden, to struggle together. We have sinned and done wrong, Lord. We have each gone to our own way. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to your servants, the prophets who spoke in your authority. We pray now that out of your glorious riches, you would strengthen us with power through your spirit in our inner beings. We pray that we would be filled with that spirit that we would encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Father, we pray that we would be continually filled with the knowledge of your perfect will through all wisdom and understanding, the will that the Spirit gives. That your majestic name would fill the earth as your glory is higher than the heavens. Teach your people, Lord, your children and your infants, your church, your body of uh believers to tell of your strength and silence your enemies and all who oppose you. Give your people wisdom, clarity, and discernment in complex times. Help us to desire what truly matters, not what is easiest or safe safest. Grant courage to your people to live for Christ without fear. Lord, we release the outcome of this meeting and this prayer into your hands. Shape us into a people who trust you completely. We declare, Lord, that our hope is not in preservation, comfort, and control, but in you. Be magnified in your people, Lord. Strengthen your body. Thank you, Jesus. I pledge allegiance to the line of the United States of America. And to every body for our which stands. One nation under God. Thank you. Next, we'll entertain a motion to adopt the agenda. Motion by Temang. Second by Lehman. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh next, we're going to have a proclamation for National Volunteer Week, so I'm going to go right around here to the podium and we'll get that rolling. We have Brad here from Helpline 211, great organization. Uh you know, if you never know where to go, just start there and they'll help you get to where you need to go. But uh, we're so grateful for our volunteers in our community because our volunteers are really what make us make it happen.

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