Rapid City Council Meeting - September 9, 2026

The Rapid City Council met on September 9, 2026, to address a consent calendar, public comments, several land-use items, and a controversial ordinance creating a reasonable accommodation procedure. Key actions included restoring $100,000 to the mayor's office budget, approving a supplemental appropriation for a police station remodel, and passing Ordinance 6726 after a failed amendment to add neighbor notification.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2 through 47 were approved with the exception of Item 30, which was pulled for separate consideration.
• Item 30: Approved a first amendment to the facilities management agreement with Sports Facilities Management LLC. Director Ainsley explained the amendment expands the firm's role during design and construction, saving the city an estimated $659,000 to $900,000 compared to hiring a separate owner's representative. Council members expressed initial surprise but ultimately supported the change.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William Wagner (constitutional advocate) opposed surveillance cameras (Flock safety), arguing they violate South Dakota law and the state constitution. He cited South Dakota Codified Law 31-18-2, 32-14-9, 23A-35-4.3, and 55-7-3, and noted that Aberdeen and Codington County have rejected similar systems. He urged the council to reject the surveillance network.
• Tammy Hopp (Rapid City Disability Awareness and Accessibility Committee / Black Hills Works Foundation) spoke in favor of Ordinance 6726, stating it provides a clear administrative process for reasonable accommodation requests without requiring public disclosure of private information. She thanked city staff for their work.
• Barbara Horton (Red Rock Estates HOA) opposed Ordinance 6726, citing a letter from attorney Richard Huffman. She argued that the ordinance would deprive residents of notice and the ability to enforce property covenants, and that Oxford Houses should not be treated as single-family residences but as businesses requiring council approval.

Discussion Items

• Personal Privilege: Councilor Strowman thanked workers and first responders, noting the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11. The mayor announced a ceremony on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 8 a.m. at the base of M Hill.
• Item 48: Second reading of Ordinance 6747 – supplemental appropriation of $1,280,319 for the North Police Station remodel. Councilor Armstrong noted the bid came in $500,000 under budget. Approved unanimously.
• Item 49: First reading of the FY2027 appropriation ordinance. Councilor Bieberdorf moved to restore $100,000 to the mayor's office budget (chief of staff position), arguing the budget was already the lowest in five years ($890,61). After debate, the motion passed 9-1 (Strowman opposed). Councilor Armstrong raised potential additions (SCBA equipment for fire department, HR professional services, airport project manager). A motion to add $125,000 for an airport principal project manager was withdrawn; the first reading as amended (including the $100,000 restoration) was approved 7-2 (Strowman and Armstrong opposed).
• Item 50: Preliminary subdivision plan for Black Hills Industrial Center. Approved with stipulations.
• Item 51: Preliminary subdivision plan for Shepherd Hill South Subdivision. Councilor Seacris raised concerns about traffic congestion on Diamond Ridge Boulevard due to construction. Director Fisher noted mitigation measures (speed monitors) and that the future East Anamosa connection (designed, construction fall 2026) and the Homestead to Valley Drive project (months away) will provide relief. Approved with stipulations.
• Item 62: Rezoning from General Commercial to General Agricultural at 136 Krebs Drive. Approved.
• Item 63: Second reading of Ordinance 6726 (reasonable accommodation procedure). Councilor Tamang abstained. Councilor Strowman made a substitute motion to add neighbor notification and a conditional use permit (CUP) process. Councilor Evans expressed concern about ADA litigation risk; Deputy City Attorney Kinsley Groot explained that similar uses (e.g., vacation rentals, daycares) do not require CUPs and that adding such requirements could invite discrimination lawsuits. The substitute motion failed (2 ayes, 8 noes, 1 abstention). The original motion then passed (8 ayes, 2 noes – Maher and Strowman opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 6747 (supplemental appropriation for police station) passed unanimously.
• FY2027 budget first reading approved with restoration of $100,000 to mayor's office (motion 9-1; final vote 7-2). Airport position discussion tabled for later supplemental.
• Ordinance 6726 (reasonable accommodation) passed after a failed amendment (substitute motion failed 2-8-1; original passed 8-2).
• Preliminary subdivision plans (items 50, 51, 62) approved with stipulations.
• Bills approved: Main Street Square and Visit Rapid City ($192,125.40) with one abstention; remaining bills ($16,884,467.17) with one opposition.