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Record of Proceedings

Spearfish City Council Regular Session – November 3, 2025

City Council — Monday, November 3, 2025
BodySpearfish, South Dakota
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, November 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 56:03

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

2:33

That's a big commitment.

Speaker 2

2:36

She's played basketball since she's been in third grade.

Speaker 1

2:42

Yeah, it's hard when they make those decisions.

3:19

Good evening, everyone.

3:20

Welcome to tonight's city council meeting.

3:22

I'll go ahead and call our meetings meeting to order.

3:25

Um

Unassigned speaker

3:26

at

Speaker 1

3:26

this point, uh, we'll go ahead with our roll call.

3:28

Michelle, when you're ready, go ahead, please.

3:34

Here.

Speaker 3

3:35

Jacobs, here, Clarenbeek.

Speaker 1

3:37

Here.

Speaker 3

3:38

Myers.

Speaker 1

3:39

Here.

Speaker 3

3:39

Rat.

Speaker 1

3:42

Okay, items three and four.

3:44

We have our item three is our invocation.

3:46

Uh, you're welcome to participate, but not required.

3:49

So uh then we'll we'll stand for that, and then we'll also stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

3:54

So with that, I'd like you to rise and Scott Horgan is gonna pray for us today for today's invocation of tonight's meeting.

4:01

So, Scott, when you're ready.

Speaker 4

4:18

I'm gonna read from a devotional from Billy Graham today.

4:20

Um, it says the family is the most important institution in the world.

4:24

It was God's idea in the first place.

4:26

It was not the intent invention of sociologists or economists or the government bureaucrats who decided it would make society operate more smoothly.

4:46

These last a lifetime.

4:48

If they aren't formed correctly, that too will result in patterns, even bad patterns that last a lifetime if God doesn't intervene.

4:57

Let's bow our heads if you choose.

5:00

Thank you so much for this opportunity to be here.

5:02

Lord, I pray for unity within this group.

5:04

I pray that the decisions that we make here, um, we know it just comes from from dads, from moms, from husbands, from wives.

5:12

Um, where we're just common people, and we trust that you intervene with us to lead us in making great decisions.

5:19

Thank you.

5:20

That Jesus is our source of joy, he's our source of kindness, and that example is given to us through his um through his example you give us in your word.

Unassigned speaker

5:29

Lord,

Speaker 4

5:30

we pray and thank you for this evening.

5:31

Pray you bless it in Jesus' name.

5:33

Amen.

Unassigned speaker

5:34

Okay,

Speaker 1

5:34

thank you thank you, Scott.

5:35

No, go ahead with Pledge of Allegiance.

5:38

I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America to the Republic of which it stands.

5:46

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

5:54

Okay, our our agenda is the next item, and we do have one item that um we had through um that was on the agenda when it went out last week.

6:04

We need to make an amendment.

6:06

So we need a motion to remove item 19 executive session, because this is not needed at this meeting.

6:11

So is there a motion to make that change, please?

Speaker 5

6:14

So move

Speaker 1

6:14

second.

6:15

We have a motion and a second, all in favor.

6:18

Aye.

6:19

Opposed, that carries.

6:21

Then we need a motion to approve the agenda as amended, please.

Speaker 2

6:24

Move to move to approve agenda as amended.

Speaker 1

6:27

Second.

6:28

We have a motion and a second.

6:29

All in favor.

6:32

Opposed, that carries.

6:33

Item six is our public comment time frame.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Arts And Culture███████████11%
Cannabis Regulation███████████11%
Land Development██████████10%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Public Safety██████6%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Tax Increment Financing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Spearfish City Council Regular Session – November 3, 2025

The Spearfish City Council met at 5:30 PM on Monday, November 3, 2025, in City Council Chambers. Council members present: Hafner, Hourigan, Jacobs, Klarenbeek, Myers; absent: Rath. Mayor Senden presided. The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, and numerous approvals covering real estate, cannabis licensing, liquor licenses, fees, infrastructure contracts, and an appointment. The meeting adjourned at 6:22 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of the October 15 study session and October 20 regular session.
  • Noted added/adjusted wages: Ashlynn Jensen (Front Desk & Concessions Coordinator, interim, $30.43/hr), Sam Funk (Police Detective promotion, $38.01/hr), Bryan Robb (Police Officer new hire, $31.97/hr). No action required.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jeremy Smith (287 Evans Lane) updated council on completed mural projects at Evans Park (Rocket Ship Park) and the City Campground, encouraging formation of a mural committee. He also expressed opposition to the preliminary plat for False Bottom Addition in TIF 8, arguing the development conflicts with comprehensive plan, future land use map, and Colorado Boulevard study (which recommends roundabout later). He requested tabling of the plat to reassess alignment with community values.
  • Heath Johnson, Executive Director of The Matthews Opera House and Arts Center, presented a grant request for the Back Exit Stairwell Reconstruction project, citing safety issues and deferred maintenance. He noted $50,000 raised through community events and a $70,000 contractor quote.
  • Emmett Reistroffer, Director of Government Relations for Genesis Farms, expressed excitement about opening the company’s 13th South Dakota cannabis dispensary at the same location, emphasizing local ownership and community partnership.

Discussion Items

  • VFW Buddy Poppy Day Proclamation: Mayor Senden proclaimed November 11, 2025, as VFW Buddy Poppy Day. VFW representative Dave accepted and noted poppy sales at Millstone and Perkins on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Matthew's Opera House Grant: Council approved a $35,500 matching grant and waiver of building permit fees for the stairwell reconstruction, funded from Hospitality Tax. Vote: 5-0 (roll call).
  • Real Estate Purchase Agreement & Resolution 2025-55: Approved sale of ten lots in Sky Ridge Subdivision to Hills View Homes via SEDC. Council member Klarenbeek requested an update on construction progress; City Administrator Falcon noted approximately 50 homes built this year, with systematic development westward. Resolution 2025-55 authorized transfer of lots from City to SEDC. Both items passed unanimously.
  • Cannabis Establishment License (Genesis Farms): Public hearing opened and closed with no opposition. Approved application for license at 320 26th Street, Suite 5, due to ownership transfer. Vote: 5-0 (roll call).
  • 2026 Liquor and Wine License Renewals: Approved renewal for all existing businesses on the list, with some paperwork pending. Unanimous.
  • Resolution 2025-56: Approved resolution supporting Elkhorn Ridge Apartments’ application for financial assistance from South Dakota Housing and Development Authority for multifamily housing near Peaceful Pines. The developer seeks funding before potential program changes. Unanimous.
  • Bid Opening for Liquor Licenses: Set bid opening for January 20, 2026, at 1:30 PM for two off-sale licenses (minimum $100,000 each) and one on-sale license (minimum $300,000, reduced from $500,000). Unanimous.
  • Second Reading of Ordinance 1405: Approved revisions to City Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Vote: 5-0 (roll call).
  • Resolution 2025-54: Set new fees effective December 1, 2025, primarily for water park/outdoor programming (~9-12% increase) and one library card fee ($30 to $35). Includes scholarship program for low-income families. Unanimous.
  • Skate Park Construction Amendment & Certificate of Completion: Approved first amendment adding three-year warranty (from October 1, 2025) at no cost due to quality issues. Also approved certificate of completion and $0 final change order. Unanimous.
  • Preliminary Plat – False Bottom Addition: Approved preliminary plat for Lots 2-6 of Tract R (5 lots, 4-11 acres each, zoned heavy industrial) within TIF 8. City intends to sell two lots and retain one for fire department. Unanimous.
  • Airport Terminal Building Change Order #2: Approved net increase of $14,708.97 for building code adjustments. Vote: 5-0 (roll call).
  • Pavement Condition Survey: Approved IMS proposal for data collection and management report, $64,807.69, budgeted for 2026. Last survey in 2019. Vote: 5-0 (roll call).
  • Joint Powers Agreements: Approved with SD DOT for weather cameras at Black Hills Airport (~$10,800 from state grant) and for $1,000 funding for Black Hills Flyin event. Both unanimous.
  • Fire Training Center Grading Change Order #1: Approved net increase of $1,470.00 for erosion control adjustments. Vote: 5-0 (roll call).
  • Bill List and Salary/Expenses: Approved bill list totaling $4,119,372.27 (including three bond payments) and salary expense/bank/credit card fees for October 2025 (total $1,510,846.04). Both approved via roll call, 5-0.
  • Appointment: Appointed Toby Bordewyk to Planning Commission to fill Greg Kruskamp’s term, expiring December 31, 2027. Unanimous.

Key Outcomes

  • Proclaimed November 11, 2025, as VFW Buddy Poppy Day.
  • Approved $35,500 matching grant and permit fee waiver for Matthew’s Opera House stairwell.
  • Authorized sale and transfer of ten Sky Ridge lots to Hills View Homes.
  • Granted cannabis establishment license to Genesis Farms at 320 26th Street, Suite 5.
  • Renewed all 2026 liquor/wine licenses.
  • Supported Elkhorn Ridge Apartments’ housing finance application.
  • Set January 20, 2026, bid opening for liquor licenses (off-sale minimum $100,000; on-sale $300,000).
  • Adopted Ordinance 1405 (personnel policies) and Resolution 2025-54 (fee schedule).
  • Approved skate park warranty amendment, certificate of completion, and final change order.
  • Approved preliminary plat for False Bottom Addition (TIF 8).
  • Approved various infrastructure contracts, change orders, and agreements as detailed above.
  • Approved bills and October salary/credit card expenses.
  • Appointed Toby Bordewyk to Planning Commission.
  • Future: Planning Commission to hear presentation from Clarion on development regulation analysis on November 18, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

That's a big commitment. She's played basketball since she's been in third grade. Yeah, it's hard when they make those decisions. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to tonight's city council meeting. I'll go ahead and call our meetings meeting to order. Um at this point, uh, we'll go ahead with our roll call. Michelle, when you're ready, go ahead, please. Here. Jacobs, here, Clarenbeek. Here. Myers. Here. Rat. Okay, items three and four. We have our item three is our invocation. Uh, you're welcome to participate, but not required. So uh then we'll we'll stand for that, and then we'll also stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. So with that, I'd like you to rise and Scott Horgan is gonna pray for us today for today's invocation of tonight's meeting. So, Scott, when you're ready. I'm gonna read from a devotional from Billy Graham today. Um, it says the family is the most important institution in the world. It was God's idea in the first place. It was not the intent invention of sociologists or economists or the government bureaucrats who decided it would make society operate more smoothly. These last a lifetime. If they aren't formed correctly, that too will result in patterns, even bad patterns that last a lifetime if God doesn't intervene. Let's bow our heads if you choose. Thank you so much for this opportunity to be here. Lord, I pray for unity within this group. I pray that the decisions that we make here, um, we know it just comes from from dads, from moms, from husbands, from wives. Um, where we're just common people, and we trust that you intervene with us to lead us in making great decisions. Thank you. That Jesus is our source of joy, he's our source of kindness, and that example is given to us through his um through his example you give us in your word. Lord, we pray and thank you for this evening. Pray you bless it in Jesus' name. Amen. Okay, thank you thank you, Scott. No, go ahead with Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America to the Republic of which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay, our our agenda is the next item, and we do have one item that um we had through um that was on the agenda when it went out last week. We need to make an amendment. So we need a motion to remove item 19 executive session, because this is not needed at this meeting. So is there a motion to make that change, please? So move second.

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