Spearfish City Council Reviews Snow Removal and City Agenda - January 14, 2026

The Spearfish City Council convened for a Study Session on January 14, 2026, at 4:15 PM in the City Council Chambers, presided over by Mayor John Senden. Councilmembers Hourigan, Klarenbeek, Myers, and Rath were present; Hafner and Jacobs were absent. The session focused on previewing the January 20 regular council agenda and receiving a detailed staff presentation on snow removal options studied by the Snow Removal Committee.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved unanimously with a motion from Councilmember Myers and a second from Councilmember Klarenbeek.

Upcoming Regular Session Agenda (January 20, 2026)

• Balmore at Top Shelf Subdivision: Staff presented a preliminary plat for a 44-lot, 16-acre final phase. A key disagreement emerged between the Planning Commission's recommendation to restrict development to single-family homes and staff's recommendation to limit density (e.g., "one unit per 3,000 square feet") to align with the R3 zoning code. The council took no action, requesting further clarification from staff.
• Airport Water Main Design Project: Council reviewed an $800,000 water main extension to the airport terminal. The project fulfills the city's match for terminal grants and provides critical water access for the South Dakota Wildland Fire slurry operations. Council directed staff to request airport management attend the January 20 meeting for further discussion.
• Other Agenda Items: The council reviewed items including the second reading of Ordinance 1414 (city administrator hiring/firing), a termination agreement for the Sawmill property acquisition, three alcohol licenses, and a review of open meeting requirements. A rental fee waiver request from Black Hills Christian Academy was also discussed.

Discussion Items: Snow Removal Options

Public Works Director Adam McMahon and Assistant Public Works Director Sarah Caron presented the findings from the Snow Removal Committee, noting the committee failed to reach a consensus after three meetings. The presentation evaluated seven options for managing snow berms in front of driveways:

• Option 1 (Plow to Center & Haul): High cost (~$271,000 over normal operations for a 12-inch event, taking 15 days).
• Option 2 (Plow to Center & Leave): Rejected due to safety concerns for emergency services.
• Option 3 (Snow Gates): High equipment costs ($1.4 million) and a 12-18 month lead time. Caron shared negative experiences from Watertown, where snow gates were discontinued due to high maintenance and public dissatisfaction, noting expectations are typically "unreasonable."
• Option 4 (Remove Berm After Event): Estimated at $40,000 per event or $200,000 annually. Staff noted it does not meet the intent of the 2010 initiated measure.
• Option 5 (Call-In Service - Current Practice): Works with current volumes but is administratively intensive and inconsistent.
• Option 6 (Subscription Service): A potential pay-to-play or needs-based model, with recent contractor bids in Fargo averaging $55 per driveway.
• Option 7 (Homeowner Responsibility): Least expensive for the city, consistent with surrounding communities, but places a direct burden on residents. Council and staff discussed the impact on other departments, with Parks Director Tyler Ehnes outlining the existing heavy workload for his team (22 miles of rec path, 4 miles of sidewalk, 9.1 acres of parking lots) and warning against staff reassignment.

Public Comments & Testimony

The public comment period was opened at 5:28 PM and closed at 5:47 PM. Four residents spoke:

• Bill Klapperich: Suggested council members conduct ride-alongs with snow plow operators to better understand operational challenges and questioned cost assumptions.
• Steve Morford: A citizen member of the Snow Removal Committee, expressed strong disappointment in the process, arguing the committee had no realistic chance to change current practices and that the city has not followed the 2010 initiated measure. He questioned why Spearfish cannot exceed the standards of surrounding communities.
• Rose Jarvis: A citizen member of the Snow Removal Committee, echoed disappointment and proposed specific solutions including parking enforcement, seasonal staffing, exploring snow gates with local manufacturers, and standardizing operator training.
• Janice Huffman: Stated her husband authored the 2010 initiated measure. Emphasized the core problem is the berm blocking driveways and urged the council to prioritize funding for its removal.

Key Outcomes

• No Action on Snow Removal: The council took no formal action on any of the seven snow removal options. The discussion suggested that significant changes, particularly those requiring additional budget allocation or equipment purchases, would likely be addressed during the 2027 budget cycle.
• Ordinance 1409 Status: Staff noted that the proposed ordinance revising snow removal contradictions remains pending and is a necessary step to align city practices with any future policy decisions.
• Directive for Airport Project: Council directed staff to ensure the airport manager is present at the January 20 regular meeting to discuss the water main project.
• Community Development Updates: Assistant Community Development Director Ecker announced the Spearfish Safety Action Plan draft is available for public comment and announced a vacancy on the Strategic Housing Trust Fund advisory board.