Rapid City Council Meeting - August 4, 2026

The Rapid City Council met on August 4, 2026, beginning with a ceremony welcoming a delegation from Nico City, Japan, including student translators. The council then heard general public comments on transportation barriers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and corporate favoritism, followed by votes on multiple consent items, zoning changes, and a downtown business improvement district assessment. An executive session was held for a cybersecurity update.

Opening Ceremony

• Mayor and council welcomed a delegation from Nico City, Japan, including students Sama Mimi, Rico, Ayaka Hukada, and Kara Hori. The mayor presented each guest with a challenge coin as a token of friendship.

General Public Comment

• Lee Strubinger (John T. Vucurevich Foundation) presented the report "It's Literally Limiting," summarizing that transportation insecurity is a major employment and economic barrier in Rapid City. He noted that with a 1.7% unemployment rate, many people who want to work cannot due to transportation issues. He expressed that the Rapid Transit System is vital but limited to 6 am to 6 pm hours, and committed to continuing the conversation.
• Mark Thallacher requested a change to the city council agenda format: adding a note beside the Pledge of Allegiance (similar to the invocation) stating participation is welcome but not required. He argued that the words "under God" were added in 1954 during the Cold War and are not original to the pledge.
• William Wagner accused the city administration of corporate favoritism, specifically criticizing the use of tax increment financing (TIF) to subsidize infrastructure for a data center, contrary to South Dakota's data center law. He also cited the Chapel Lane Bridge weight restrictions as an example of neglected public safety infrastructure while corporate projects are prioritized.
• James Bialata made multiple allegations against city officials and employees, including claims that city staff were terminated after he reported them, that police officers (Sergeant Hunt and Sergeant Alexander) mishandled public duties, and that city council members held secret meetings in violation of open meetings laws.

Council Discussion & Decisions

Consent Calendar Items 2-22

• The council approved items 2-22 with the exception of items 11, 12, and 13, which were pulled for separate discussion.
• Items 11-13 (Sidewalk Variances): Public Works Director Mike Tice explained that for all three locations, sidewalks were impractical due to lack of curb/gutter, roadside ditches, no existing sidewalks in the area, and highway or industrial contexts. Councilor Temay questioned the precedent of granting variances and asked about a fee-in-lieu program. City Attorney Carla Cushman noted that the city is researching such a program (led by Kinsley Groot) and that the council retains authority to order sidewalks later. All three variances were approved unanimously.

Consent Items 23-31

• Public Comment on Items 25-29: Mark Millar questioned rezoning several properties from industrial/business park to general agricultural district, arguing it allows landowners to hold property at lower tax rates while the city funds development on other agricultural land. Community Development Director Vicky Fisher clarified that the properties are owned by Jim Bailey, who intends to keep them as green space, and that county taxation is based on use, not zoning. Councilor Meyer confirmed the tax impact is negligible. Items 23-31 were approved with the following notable votes:
  • Item 30 (Rezoning to mining district): Approved with two no votes (Armstrong and Evans).

Public Hearing Items 32-38

• Public Comment on Item 36: James Bialata urged the council to table or remove Item 36 (downtown Business Improvement District assessment), alleging that the Visit Rapid City board held illegal private meetings, targeted churches for taxation, and suppressed advertising of a religious festival. He referenced minutes from past meetings.
• Item 36: Councilor Meyer abstained. The resolution levying assessments for the Downtown Business Improvement District 2026 was approved with one no vote (Bieberdorf) and one abstention (Meyer).

Items 37-38

• Item 37 (Rezoning from cement plant to Low Density Residential 1): Approved unanimously. Vicky Fisher explained the property was formerly owned by the state as part of the cement plant, and the new zoning aligns with the surrounding area.
• Item 38 (Right-of-way vacation at 3415 5th Street): Approved unanimously.

Executive Session

• The council entered executive session for a cybersecurity update under SDCL 1-25-2-6 and 2-7. They returned without staff direction.

Bill List

• Finance Director Daniel Ainsley presented bills for Main Street Square and Visit Rapid City totaling $229,327.96. The bill list was approved with one abstention (Meyer).

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned following approval of the remaining items.

Key Outcomes

• Approved three sidewalk variances with explanation of impracticality (Items 11-13).
• Approved multiple rezoning requests, including several to general agricultural district with planned development designations.
• Approved downtown BID assessment (Item 36) with one no and one abstention.
• Approved rezoning from state-owned cement plant land to residential (Item 37).
• Approved right-of-way vacation (Item 38).
• Held executive session for cybersecurity update.
• Approved bill list of $229,327.96 for Main Street Square and Visit Rapid City.