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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Rapid City Council Meeting on November 3, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, November 3, 2026

BodyRapid City, South Dakota

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, November 3, 2026

StatusNEW · FILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

2:02

Good evening and welcome to the city council meeting for Monday, November 2nd, 2026.

2:08

We will begin with a roll call and determination of quorum.

Speaker 2

2:12

Lehman.

2:14

Maher.

2:15

Roberts?

2:16

Stroman?

2:18

Armstrong.

2:19

Cris?

2:20

Here.

2:20

Bieberdoor.

2:21

Tamang.

2:22

Evans.

2:23

Meyer.

2:24

Here.

2:24

We have a quorum.

Speaker 1

2:25

Uh, thank you.

2:26

Next we'll have an invocation by Pastor David Canan, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:30

If you are able and willing, would you please rise?

Speaker 3

2:34

Let's pray.

2:36

God, we want to first thank you for the rain.

2:39

We need it.

2:40

Thank you, Lord.

2:40

Thank you for this time we get to look at all the stuff that we get to resolve.

2:44

I pray that you'll give wisdom and discernment to the leaders.

2:46

Lord, help us to be the city that you've uh wanted us to be.

2:49

So whatever problems arise, Lord, whatever is out there, uh give foresight, uh, give understanding, uh, give opportunity and give resources, Lord.

2:57

But we just pray that you'll bless the city, bless this meeting, and may you be glorified.

3:01

Amen.

Speaker 4

3:09

And to the Republic for which it stands.

3:12

One nation, your God, and it's all liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 1

3:20

Thank you.

3:21

Before we move on to the adoption of the agenda, a couple of notes from me.

3:24

Uh first of all, tomorrow is election day.

3:26

Encourage everybody to get out and vote.

3:29

Uh also it's been a it's been a hectic week uh for public safety as it is each and every week with our police and fire, and we have amazing city staff all throughout the city, but I want to just uh send a special thank you to our police department this week.

3:45

Um a lot of heavy situations, but the responsiveness, the quick action, uh and resolution has been outstanding as always.

3:53

Uh Chief Hedrick, on behalf of the city council and myself, uh please uh give a thank you uh to your folks in the police department.

4:01

We're so grateful for what they do each and every day.

4:03

They go to work not knowing what's going to happen, and of course we pray for their safety returning home each and every night.

4:09

And so we don't take that for granted in Rapid City.

4:11

I encourage our citizens when you see uh a police officer or law enforcement officer anywhere, thank them.

4:18

Uh show gratitude.

4:20

Um they serve us the public, but they do it.

4:23

You know, it's it's a it's a tough job.

4:26

And uh but they do it willfully uh and with excellence, and we are very very grateful for them and everyone who serves the city, and so um appreciate that and appreciate you giving me an opportunity here to give a little shout out.

4:40

Uh so with that, I will um look for a motion to adopt the agenda.

Unassigned speaker

4:52

Okay,

Speaker 1

4:52

we got a motion by uh was it C Chris and a second by T Mang to adopt the agenda.

4:58

All in favor?

Unassigned speaker

5:00

Any opposed?

Speaker 1

5:01

The motion is adopted.

5:02

Well, I get to talk again because we have mayor's items with item one.

5:06

Uh we will confirm the appointment of Scott Anderson as director of the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Department and authorize mayor and finance director to sign the employment contract.

5:16

Um first I'll entertain a motion.

5:20

Okay, we got a motion by Roberts with a second by Meyer to confirm the appointment.

5:25

All in favor?

5:27

Any opposed?

5:28

That motion is confirmed.

5:29

I want to say this real quick before we move on to item two.

5:32

Uh Scott has served the city uh with dedication and excellence for many years.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Engagement█████████████████████████████29%

Zoning And Land Use████████████████████████████28%

Procedural██████████████14%

Personnel Matters██████████10%

Zoning Regulations█████5%

Cannabis Regulation█████5%

Parks and Recreation███3%

Water And Wastewater Management███3%

Technology and Innovation███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Rapid City Council Meeting on November 3, 2026

The Rapid City Council convened for its regular meeting on November 3, 2026, addressing administrative appointments, procedural rule changes, and a complex video lottery licensing request. Public comment periods were dominated by criticism of data center development and concerns over the council's decision to move general public comment to the end of the agenda.

Consent Calendar

The agenda was adopted, and Items 3-37 were approved with the exception of Items 10 (tabled), 14, 18, 21, and 29 which were pulled for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

James Bailata, identifying himself as an investigative journalist, alleged corruption regarding Main Street Square and TIF funds, suggesting embezzlement and prior restraint of the press. He called for the creation of a state Office of Inspector General.
Shannon Caperton thanked the city for ensuring polling access in District 32 and for addressing e-bike path issues.
William Wagner strongly criticized the resolution moving public comment to the end of the agenda, calling it an "intentional barrier". He also opposed data center developments on water rights grounds, citing the Public Trust Doctrine.
Xander Hunter requested a balanced presentation on the negative environmental effects of data centers, specifically water usage in cooling, and called for a public vote or moratorium.
Kurt Polkart argued the change in order of business undermines the spirit of open meetings law and the principle of public rule.
Sean Clausen, owner of Break Room Billiards, appealed for the council's help to secure a video lottery license, detailing his investments in the community and business.

Discussion Items

Parks and Recreation Director Appointment: Scott Anderson was confirmed unanimously and sworn in as Director. Mayor Solomon praised his 17 years of city service.
Item 14 (Sidewalk Variance): The council debated a variance to waive sidewalk installation on Pioneer Drive. Councilor Maher supported the waiver, arguing the street lacked existing sidewalks. Councilor Temang opposed, advocating for consistent pedestrian infrastructure. The motion to approve the waiver passed 7-3.
Item 18 (Employee Discipline Policy): Councilor Armstrong sought clarification on the updated policy, specifically regarding departmental authority. HR Director Amber Cornella confirmed the policy clarifies existing procedures and that directors retain final authority. The policy was approved 9-1.
Item 21 (Order of Business): Resolution 2026-084, which moves general public comment to the end of the meeting, was approved 7-3. Supporters argued it improved efficiency for agenda items; opponents viewed it as a barrier to public participation.
Item 29 (Main Street Square Funding): $500,000 was approved from the infrastructure contingency fund for 2027 improvements. Councilor Meyer abstained.
Item 44 (Video Lottery License Allocation): The council addressed a unique request from Break Room Billiards. Finance Director Daniel Ainsley and City Attorney Carla Cushman explained that the requested transfer of a video lottery license from a liquor license is prohibited by state law. Instead, the council voted unanimously to allocate one of the city's four available video lottery licenses to the business, bypassing the standard lottery process.

Key Outcomes

Appointments: Scott Anderson was confirmed as Parks and Recreation Director.
Policy Changes: The employee discipline policy was updated. The meeting order of business was revised to move general public comment to the end.
Zoning & Variances: A sidewalk variance on Pioneer Drive was approved (7-3). Rezoning requests were approved for properties on Garden Lane, Homestead Street/Elkville Road, Campbell Street, and Valley Drive.
Finance & Contracts: $500,000 was allocated for Main Street Square. A $6,131,686.58 supplemental appropriation and a $15,123,151.58 bill list were approved.
Alcohol Licensing: A video lottery license was allocated to Break Room Billiards outside of the standard lottery draw. The 2027 alcohol beverage license renewals were approved.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the city council meeting for Monday, November 2nd, 2026. We will begin with a roll call and determination of quorum. Lehman. Maher. Roberts? Stroman? Armstrong. Cris? Here. Bieberdoor. Tamang. Evans. Meyer. Here. We have a quorum. Uh, thank you. Next we'll have an invocation by Pastor David Canan, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. If you are able and willing, would you please rise? Let's pray. God, we want to first thank you for the rain. We need it. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for this time we get to look at all the stuff that we get to resolve. I pray that you'll give wisdom and discernment to the leaders. Lord, help us to be the city that you've uh wanted us to be. So whatever problems arise, Lord, whatever is out there, uh give foresight, uh, give understanding, uh, give opportunity and give resources, Lord. But we just pray that you'll bless the city, bless this meeting, and may you be glorified. Amen. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, your God, and it's all liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Before we move on to the adoption of the agenda, a couple of notes from me. Uh first of all, tomorrow is election day. Encourage everybody to get out and vote. Uh also it's been a it's been a hectic week uh for public safety as it is each and every week with our police and fire, and we have amazing city staff all throughout the city, but I want to just uh send a special thank you to our police department this week. Um a lot of heavy situations, but the responsiveness, the quick action, uh and resolution has been outstanding as always. Uh Chief Hedrick, on behalf of the city council and myself, uh please uh give a thank you uh to your folks in the police department. We're so grateful for what they do each and every day. They go to work not knowing what's going to happen, and of course we pray for their safety returning home each and every night. And so we don't take that for granted in Rapid City. I encourage our citizens when you see uh a police officer or law enforcement officer anywhere, thank them. Uh show gratitude. Um they serve us the public, but they do it. You know, it's it's a it's a tough job. And uh but they do it willfully uh and with excellence, and we are very very grateful for them and everyone who serves the city, and so um appreciate that and appreciate you giving me an opportunity here to give a little shout out. Uh so with that, I will um look for a motion to adopt the agenda. Okay, we got a motion by uh was it C Chris and a second by T Mang to adopt the agenda. All in favor? Any opposed?

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com

Rapid City Council Meeting on November 3, 2026

Consent Calendar

The agenda was adopted, and Items 3-37 were approved with the exception of Items 10 (tabled), 14, 18, 21, and 29 which were pulled for separate consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

James Bailata, identifying himself as an investigative journalist, alleged corruption regarding Main Street Square and TIF funds, suggesting embezzlement and prior restraint of the press. He called for the creation of a state Office of Inspector General.

Shannon Caperton thanked the city for ensuring polling access in District 32 and for addressing e-bike path issues.

William Wagner strongly criticized the resolution moving public comment to the end of the agenda, calling it an "intentional barrier". He also opposed data center developments on water rights grounds, citing the Public Trust Doctrine.

Xander Hunter requested a balanced presentation on the negative environmental effects of data centers, specifically water usage in cooling, and called for a public vote or moratorium.

Kurt Polkart argued the change in order of business undermines the spirit of open meetings law and the principle of public rule.

Sean Clausen, owner of Break Room Billiards, appealed for the council's help to secure a video lottery license, detailing his investments in the community and business.

Discussion Items

Parks and Recreation Director Appointment: Scott Anderson was confirmed unanimously and sworn in as Director. Mayor Solomon praised his 17 years of city service.

Item 14 (Sidewalk Variance): The council debated a variance to waive sidewalk installation on Pioneer Drive. Councilor Maher supported the waiver, arguing the street lacked existing sidewalks. Councilor Temang opposed, advocating for consistent pedestrian infrastructure. The motion to approve the waiver passed 7-3.

Item 18 (Employee Discipline Policy): Councilor Armstrong sought clarification on the updated policy, specifically regarding departmental authority. HR Director Amber Cornella confirmed the policy clarifies existing procedures and that directors retain final authority. The policy was approved 9-1.

Item 21 (Order of Business): Resolution 2026-084, which moves general public comment to the end of the meeting, was approved 7-3. Supporters argued it improved efficiency for agenda items; opponents viewed it as a barrier to public participation.

Item 29 (Main Street Square Funding): $500,000 was approved from the infrastructure contingency fund for 2027 improvements. Councilor Meyer abstained.

Item 44 (Video Lottery License Allocation): The council addressed a unique request from Break Room Billiards. Finance Director Daniel Ainsley and City Attorney Carla Cushman explained that the requested transfer of a video lottery license from a liquor license is prohibited by state law. Instead, the council voted unanimously to allocate one of the city's four available video lottery licenses to the business, bypassing the standard lottery process.

Key Outcomes

Appointments: Scott Anderson was confirmed as Parks and Recreation Director.

Policy Changes: The employee discipline policy was updated. The meeting order of business was revised to move general public comment to the end.

Zoning & Variances: A sidewalk variance on Pioneer Drive was approved (7-3). Rezoning requests were approved for properties on Garden Lane, Homestead Street/Elkville Road, Campbell Street, and Valley Drive.

Finance & Contracts: $500,000 was allocated for Main Street Square. A $6,131,686.58 supplemental appropriation and a $15,123,151.58 bill list were approved.

Alcohol Licensing: A video lottery license was allocated to Break Room Billiards outside of the standard lottery draw. The 2027 alcohol beverage license renewals were approved.

Meeting Transcript