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Record of Proceedings

Spearfish City Council Regular Session December 1, 2025

City Council — Monday, December 1, 2025
BodySpearfish, South Dakota
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, December 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:27:39

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

0:23

Okay,

Speaker 1

0:24

we'll call our meeting to order tonight.

0:26

Welcome everyone and welcome those that are online.

0:29

And I think we probably have several students too.

0:32

Welcome.

0:34

So let's do uh roll call, Michelle.

Speaker 2

0:38

Mayor Senden.

Speaker 3

0:39

Here.

Speaker 2

0:41

Hafner here.

Unassigned speaker

0:43

Her

Speaker 2

0:44

again.

Speaker 4

0:45

Here.

Speaker 2

0:46

Jacobs.

0:49

Clarenbeek?

Unassigned speaker

0:50

Here.

Speaker 2

0:51

Myers.

0:51

Here.

0:52

Rath.

Speaker 1

1:02

Okay.

1:03

First thing we'll do is um we'll invite uh all of you for to rise for invocation and pledge of allegiance.

1:11

And tonight we have uh assistant pastor Jeff Garza from Grace Fellowship Church.

Speaker 5

1:22

Let's pray together.

Unassigned speaker

1:24

Oh

Speaker 5

1:25

Lord, we come before you with gratitude this Thanksgiving and Christmas season

Unassigned speaker

1:30

for

Speaker 5

1:30

the blessings you have poured upon our city of spearfish.

Unassigned speaker

1:33

And

Speaker 5

1:33

we thank you for the life that you have given us and for our beautiful community and for the privilege of serving our neighbors as you have called us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Unassigned speaker

1:44

Or

Speaker 5

1:45

tonight we want to pray for our mayor, God, and especially for his granddaughter Nora.

1:49

We pray for her healing and for a quick recovery, oh God.

Unassigned speaker

1:55

And

Speaker 5

1:55

we also want to pray for our city officials and council members.

1:59

God give them wisdom and clarity as they make decisions that are affect our community as a whole, from the very young to our eldest seniors.

2:10

Guide them and direct them to govern with justice, integrity, and responsibility for the welfare of our all citizens based on truth and wisdom.

2:21

We ask for unity and cooperation among the leaders, even as they talk through differences of opinion.

2:28

Lord, I think of your word in James 119.

2:31

As any leader navigates in decision making, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

2:41

May their work be a reflection of your grace.

2:44

May they lead with courage, understanding, discernment, and compassion as they seek what is best for us all.

2:52

Lord, we ask that you bless our city of spirit fish with peace, safety,

Unassigned speaker

2:57

and

Speaker 5

2:57

prosperity for all of our citizens, and may we all find ways to become better neighbors with one another, seeking your will.

3:05

It's in Jesus' name we pray.

3:07

Amen.

Speaker 1

3:08

Thank

Unassigned speaker

3:09

you.

Unassigned speaker

3:09

Now

Speaker 1

3:10

if you join me with the pledge.

3:20

One nation, under God, indivisible.

3:30

Okay, then under the approving agenda.

3:33

Did you want to talk about the mic system first before we approve

Unassigned speaker

3:36

it?

Speaker 6

3:38

Yes, so we'll kind of go through um a little bit of the mic system.

3:43

So we've made some modifications to the sound in the room.

3:47

As of a right now, only three microphones can be on at once.

3:52

And you'll also know I don't know if you can tell, but there is sound coming out of your little speaker in front of you

Unassigned speaker

3:58

now.

Speaker 6

3:59

So that speaker is to help you hear on the dais, and also for the staff to hear.

4:06

And let me turn this down.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Public Works████████████12%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Public-Private Partnerships████████8%
Land Development████████8%
Tax Increment Financing███████7%
Zoning Regulations███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Spearfish City Council Regular Session – December 1, 2025

The Spearfish City Council met on December 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of routine items, and votes on several resolutions, ordinances, and contracts. Vice President Klarenbeek presided with Mayor Senden and Councilmembers Hafner, Hourigan, and Myers present; Councilmembers Jacobs and Rath were absent. Finance Officer DeNeui provided an overview of new sound and microphone system.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved meeting minutes of November 12 study session and November 17 regular session.
  • Noted added and adjusted wages for Joseph Van Driel (Wastewater Operator I) and Paula Gengler (Human Resources Generalist).
  • Added Hunter Scanlan and Laura Lloyd-Smith to the Library volunteer list.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Doug Markworth (1912 Cowboy Lane) questioned the lack of Q&A during meetings, criticized the city administrator's employment contract, and argued it was contrary to citizens' interests in an at-will state.
  • Greg Moselle (194 Pine Cone Avenue) thanked Councilmember Myers for a clarifying conversation, requested more public dialogue, and suggested creating a citizen advisory group.
  • Stan Triplett (Hill Street) recalled past meetings where public could ask questions and lamented the current lack of interaction, citing the need for transparency.
  • Pam Mattson (2313 Bridgestone Street) urged fiscal restraint, cited the Black Hills Pioneer article on property tax reform, and questioned the need for 17 unassigned city vehicles and a new vehicle purchase.

City Attorney

  • Resolution 2025-58 – Resolution of Intent to amend lease with Spearfish Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) for the Atlas building. The new lease would be retroactive to October 21, 2025, extend through August 2033 with a 10-year option, and include a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes formula for private tenants. A public hearing was set for December 15. Note: The minutes state all voted in favor, but the raw transcript records one vote in opposition.
  • First Amendment to Development Agreement with Hills View Homes – Approved a price adjustment for 10 lots on Centauri Drive due to extra grading, reducing price from $21,800 to $18,200 per lot, and setting remaining lots at $20,000. Overall adjustment offsets the extra cost.
  • Real Estate Purchase Agreement with SEDC and Hills View Homes – Approved sale of 12 additional lots in Sky Ridge subdivision for $222,000 total ($18,200 each for 10 lots, $20,000 each for 2 lots).
  • Resolution 2025-57 – Authorized transfer of 12 lots from City to SEDC to facilitate the sale to Hills View Homes. All approved unanimously.

Finance

  • Ordinance 1410 (Second Reading) – Supplemented the 2025 appropriations by $2,153,480 across multiple funds. Passed with Hafner, Hourigan, Klarenbeek, and Myers voting aye.
  • Ordinance 1411 (First Reading) – Supplemental appropriation of $593,000 for a $6,000 donation to Rec Center for CrossFit equipment and increased TIF District #1 (Elkhorn Ridge) revenue/expense authority. Passed unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-49 – Levied an annual street maintenance fee of $1.25 per front foot, maximum $125 per platted lot, for 2026 taxes payable in 2027. Unanimously approved.

Library

  • Reappointed Julie Gardner and appointed Sara Freng to the Library Board of Trustees for three-year terms ending December 31, 2028. Unanimous.

Parks and Recreation

  • Approved final change order for the skate park site preparation project, increasing cost by $12,634.10, for a total site prep cost of $92,512.46. The entire skate park project total is $644,760.86 funded by $600,000 general fund and $60,000 park gift fund (with grants/donations). Accepted certificate of completion dated December 1, 2025. Roll call: Hafner yes, Hourigan yes, Klarenbeek yes, Myers yes.

Planning and Zoning

  • Public Hearing (6:27-6:34 PM) on Resolution 2025-59 to vacate a portion of the North Avenue right-of-way (at Taco Bell property). Jeremy Smith questioned the reason and impact on potential future below-grade crossing and stormwater. City Attorney Knox explained the city is vacating its right-of-way; the property is owned by the adjacent owner. The city will retain utility easements. Resolution approved unanimously.
  • Dedication and Acceptance of public improvements from SFP-E, LLC (Les Schwab Tire Centers), including road, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure. Unanimous.

Public Works

  • Awarded the 2026 Biosolids Hauling Services contract to Gunderson Trucking at $58,380 (monthly hauling to Gillette, WY landfill for composting). Roll call: Hafner yes, Hourigan yes, Klarenbeek yes, Myers yes.
  • Approved Final Under/Over Change Order #1 for Airport General Aviation Taxilanes Project (#2024-12) with a net decrease of $18,140.90. Voice vote unanimous.
  • Approved Certificate of Final Completion for that project, starting one-year warranty September 3, 2025. Unanimous.
  • Approved HDR's amendment proposal for engineering services on the Sandstone Hills Remediation Project at a total cost of $46,850 to prepare a new plan set for 2026 mill and overlay. Roll call: Hafner yes, Hourigan yes, Klarenbeek yes, Myers yes.
  • Approved Final Under/Over Change Order #3 for the Dakota & 5th Street Utility Improvements project with a net increase of $75,779.04 due to wet weather subgrade issues. Roll call: Hafner yes, Hourigan yes, Klarenbeek yes, Myers yes.
  • Approved Certificate of Final Completion for that project, starting two-year warranty November 18, 2025. Unanimous.

Bills and Salaries

  • Approved bill list totaling $1,329,966.95. Roll call: Hafner yes, Hourigan yes, Klarenbeek yes, Myers yes.
  • Approved November 2025 salary and wages report totaling $1,032,289.36 (including credit card fees). Roll call: same.

Mayor and Council Discussion

  • The library received a Lego set donation (FYI).

Departmental Discussion

  • Public Works Director McMahon updated that the East Low Zone wellhouse, waterline, and tank project is nearing completion; the tank is online and the well is expected to go online this week. Remaining items include backfill, grading, and fencing before final closeout.

Key Outcomes

  • All resolutions and ordinances were passed as listed above. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, we'll call our meeting to order tonight. Welcome everyone and welcome those that are online. And I think we probably have several students too. Welcome. So let's do uh roll call, Michelle. Mayor Senden. Here. Hafner here. Her again. Here. Jacobs. Clarenbeek? Here. Myers. Here. Rath. Okay. First thing we'll do is um we'll invite uh all of you for to rise for invocation and pledge of allegiance. And tonight we have uh assistant pastor Jeff Garza from Grace Fellowship Church. Let's pray together. Oh Lord, we come before you with gratitude this Thanksgiving and Christmas season for the blessings you have poured upon our city of spearfish. And we thank you for the life that you have given us and for our beautiful community and for the privilege of serving our neighbors as you have called us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Or tonight we want to pray for our mayor, God, and especially for his granddaughter Nora. We pray for her healing and for a quick recovery, oh God. And we also want to pray for our city officials and council members. God give them wisdom and clarity as they make decisions that are affect our community as a whole, from the very young to our eldest seniors. Guide them and direct them to govern with justice, integrity, and responsibility for the welfare of our all citizens based on truth and wisdom. We ask for unity and cooperation among the leaders, even as they talk through differences of opinion. Lord, I think of your word in James 119. As any leader navigates in decision making, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. May their work be a reflection of your grace. May they lead with courage, understanding, discernment, and compassion as they seek what is best for us all. Lord, we ask that you bless our city of spirit fish with peace, safety, and prosperity for all of our citizens, and may we all find ways to become better neighbors with one another, seeking your will. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thank you. Now if you join me with the pledge. One nation, under God, indivisible.

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