Spearfish City Council Study Session

The Spearfish City Council held a study session on April 15, 2026, from 4:15 p.m. to 5:26 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Mayor Senden called the meeting to order. Councillors Hafner, Hourigan, Jacobs, Klarenbeek, and Myers were present; Councillor Rath was absent. The session focused on reviewing the agenda for the regular meeting on April 20, 2026, hearing public comment, and receiving an update on the downtown chip seal project.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda for the study session was unanimously approved (motion by Klarenbeek, seconded by Jacobs).

Review of Upcoming Regular Council Agenda (April 20, 2026)

Staff reviewed several items for the regular meeting:

• Sky Ridge Lots: Public Works Director Mike Barrie reported Hills View Homes is purchasing an additional 16 lots, continuing a development pattern that previously saw 12 lots transferred.
• East Side Acres: Community Development Director Peter Wysocki outlined a development agreement requiring off-site improvements on Colorado Avenue, backed by a $102,000 letter of credit. A petition for a new TIF district to support a 98-unit affordable housing complex in the same area was noted to be advancing through the planning commission process.
• Coley Road Dedication: Standard acceptance of roughly $400,000 in completed infrastructure improvements at Elkhorn Ridge Phase 6.
• IT Licenses: Finance Officer Michelle DeNeui requested approval of a three-year, roughly $13,000 license for 162 Microsoft Windows users.
• Trail Hub Project: Recreation Superintendent Rex Rauterkus announced a design concept from STC for the trail hub, pending a Park Board recommendation.
• Public Works Items: Adam McMahon reviewed a $397,000 change order for the Colorado Boulevard widening (approx. $102,000 reimbursed by the developer), a $254,000 bid for sewer pipelining in the Golden Belt area, a $53,000 bid for annual pavement markings, and a gas service extension. A change order for the Rainbow Roadbox culvert was deferred.

Public Comments & Testimony

The public comment period was opened at 4:35 p.m. and closed at 4:53 p.m. Three citizens spoke:

• Doug Markworth: Expressed concern over the 4:15 p.m. meeting start time limiting public participation. Questioned the legality of the city's relationship with the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), asserting that SEDC's confidential negotiations on city-owned land may violate open meeting laws. Criticized the Mayor's policy of allowing public comment only on "important agenda items" during regular meetings, arguing citizens should determine the importance of items to them.
• Stan Tripplett: Requested a speed limit sign and enforcement on West Hill Street near new apartment construction. Echoed frustrations regarding the inability to ask questions during council meetings. Challenged the police department's characterization of being on calls "from call to call," requesting specific statistics on calls for service to justify requests for additional officers.
• Jeremy Smith: Objected to the approval of the Board of Adjustments minutes on the April 20 consent agenda, stating the minutes inaccurately captured his comments and requesting an amendment.

Discussion Items: Chip Seal Project Update

Public Works Director Adam McMahon provided an extensive update on the Colorado Boulevard chip seal project. The project has not been formally accepted, and the city is in ongoing negotiations with the contractor to correct the work.

• Timeline Goals: The contractor is working on a plan to complete the downtown three-block section (Main Street) before June 12th to avoid conflicts with Downtown Friday Nights. The remainder of Colorado Boulevard would be completed between the Camaro and Corvette rallys.
• Repair Options:
  • Warranty Reapplication: Full reapplication under the existing contract with enhanced oversight from the SD DOT. Cost for just the downtown section was estimated at $100,000 to $200,000.
  • Mill and Overlay: A more permanent resurfacing for the downtown area, estimated at approximately $500,000.
  • Concrete Surfacing: A long-term permanent solution for the downtown corridor, estimated at over $1 million.
• Council Positions:
  • Klarenbeek: Expressed significant concern over a chip seal reapplication on Main Street, citing high turning and parking traffic. He recommended separating Main Street for a mill and overlay.
  • Hafner: Supported the warranty reapplication process but remained open to a future mill and overlay. Inquired about mitigating loose aggregate after application, to which McMahon noted a sand seal could be used.
  • Jacobs: Supported the warranty reapplication city-wide but favored exploring a mill and overlay specifically for the downtown blocks.
  • Mayor Senden: Emphasized allowing the contractor to fulfill the warranty, noting the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with contractors for future bids. He confirmed that a $45,000 cost-sharing request from the contractor was still a point of negotiation and not an agreed-upon cost.

Key Outcomes

• No Formal Votes: As a study session, no binding decisions were made.
• Direction to Staff: Staff was directed to finalize negotiations with the chip seal contractor. A finalized proposal for corrective work is expected for the April 20 regular council meeting. If an agreement is not reached, the item will remain an informational update.
• Agenda Confirmation: The items reviewed were largely confirmed for the April 20 regular council agenda.
• Upcoming Community Events: An open house for the Safety Action Plan was announced for April 23. A Town Hall on City Financials was rescheduled for April 29. The Bloom and Zoom 5K run is scheduled for April 18.
• Procedural Reflection: Mayor Senden acknowledged that the floor was not formally opened for public comment on specific agenda items during the study session, differing from the intended practice, and committed to improving the format.