Spearfish City Council Regular Session - June 1, 2026

The Spearfish City Council met at 5:51 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, immediately following the Board of Adjustments, in the City Council Chambers. All six council members were present. The meeting included a proclamation, approval of grants and contracts, public hearings, and detailed discussion of a proposed trail donation at Creekside Nature Area, which was ultimately tabled.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the May 13, 2026 study session and May 18, 2026 regular session.
• Added Darryl Wayne Alderman to the 2026 rec center volunteer list.
• Approved a Sewer Service Agreement for a residence at 1030 Maitland Road.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Creekside Trail Donation: Numerous community members spoke during a dedicated public comment period. Positions were mixed, but a majority of speakers expressed opposition to the proposed trail surface, citing the desire to preserve the area's natural character, environmental impacts on pollinators and riparian habitat, safety concerns for dogs on aggregate surfaces, increased traffic, and the availability of other paved trails in the city. Supporters noted the need to improve accessibility, reduce rutting, and enhance the trail for cross-country events. Matt Polich, the donor, acknowledged the feedback and suggested the project be tabled or scrapped due to the controversy.
• Public Hearings: Two public hearings for restaurant and wine license applications had no public comments.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation: Mayor Senden proclaimed June 7, 2026 as Northern Hills Area CASA Day. Amy Cermak, Executive Director, accepted and noted CASA's 40th anniversary with 71 current advocates.
• Visit Spearfish Grant: Mistie Caldwell, Executive Director, requested a $27,000 operating grant (budgeted fund of $50,000) for one-time expenses including $25,000 for photo/video assets, $1,200 for a new director's equipment, and $800 for a printer. The motion passed on a roll call vote (6-0).
• Tax Increment Financing Agreements: Community Development Director Peter Wysocki presented TIF #9 (94-unit affordable housing off Paramount Drive, maximum $3,233,053) and TIF #10 (98-unit affordable housing near Peaceful Pines, maximum $2,051,432). Both approved unanimously.
• Liquor Licenses: New restaurant retail license for Aruma SP SD LLC (former Roma's site, license cost $130,000) and new wine/cider license for Lasagna Mountain. Both approved unanimously after public hearings.
• SecureSD Cybersecurity MOU: Approved at no cost to the city.
• Fund Transfer: Approved transfer of $41.46 from Spearfish Creek Fund to Hydro Electric Fund and increased committed net position for creek restoration to $159,080.29 as of Dec. 31, 2025 (roll call 6-0).
• 2026 Weed Control Contract: Approved with MidDakota Vegetation Management, LLC via roll call (6-0).
• Creekside Trail Donation: After extensive public comment and council deliberation, a motion to table the item to the next council meeting passed 4-2 (Hourigan, Jacobs, Klarenbeek, Rath in favor; Hafner, Myers opposed). The item will be revisited.
• Public Works Items:
  • Final Change Order #1 for East Low Zone Water System Improvements (airport well) with a net DECREASE of $346,640.63 – approved unanimously.
  • Certificate of Final Completion accepted, starting two-year warranty Jan. 7, 2026.
  • Change Order #2 for Rainbow Road Box Culvert (+$1,200) – approved.
  • Change Order #1 for Sky Ridge Well House (+$3,908) – approved.
  • Rejected all bids for Airport Apron Project (bids ~$2M over estimate); project will be split and re-advertised.
  • Approved FMG proposal for Spearfish Creek Stabilization and Yellowstone Place Drainage ($55,439) – roll call.
  • Change Order #1 for Colorado Boulevard Sewer Upsize Phase 3 (+$25,531.60, revised completion July 9, 2026) – approved. (Note: Agenda listed $17,007.80 and July 7; minutes show corrected amounts of $25,531.60 and July 9.)
  • Approved advertisement and bidding for Sandstone Hills Remediation Project (no cost commitment yet).
  • Change Order #3 for 2025 Chip Seal Project (+$30,335) – approved.
  • Interstate Engineering amendment #1 ($8,802.50) and amendment #2 ($5,760.00) for chip seal project – both approved.
• Bill List: approved for $1,205,783.12.
• Publication of Wages: List of new and adjusted wages for regular and seasonal employees was noted (no action required).
• Appointment: Janci Herr appointed to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Advisory Board for a term ending Dec. 31, 2026 (unanimous).
• Departmental Discussion: Upcoming public meetings announced (SDDOT highway projects, June 4 and June 18); Planning Commission meeting cancelled; Special events noted (native plant sale June 6, Canyon Acoustic Series June 10, Pine Island Gravel Bike Race June 11-13); Election Day reminded (June 2).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous unless noted): CASA Day proclamation; $27,000 grant to Visit Spearfish (roll call 6-0); TIF #9 and #10 agreements; restaurant liquor license for Aruma; wine license for Lasagna Mountain; SecureSD MOU; fund transfer (roll call 6-0); weed control contract (roll call 6-0); final change order (decrease) and certificate for airport well; change orders for box culvert, well house, sewer upsize, chip seal; rejection of airport apron bids; FMG proposal (roll call 6-0); advertisement for Sandstone Hills; Interstate Engineering amendments (both roll calls 6-0); bill list (roll call 6-0); appointment of Janci Herr.
• Tabled (4-2): Creekside Trail Donation – to be reconsidered at the next council meeting.
• Discrepancy noted: The agenda for item 13F listed a $17,007.80 increase with July 7 completion; the minutes corrected these to $25,531.60 and July 9, 2026. The council voted on the corrected figures.