Spearfish City Council Regular Session – June 15, 2026

The Spearfish City Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor John Senden with five council members present (Hafner, Hourigan, Jacobs, Klarenbeek, Myers) and one absent (Rath). Key actions included directing city staff to draft an ordinance addressing safety issues on recreation paths and streets, approving first readings of seven ordinances related to engineering design standards, approving a temporary certificate of occupancy for Hill Street Apartments with conditions, and authorizing the transfer of four lots for affordable housing. A change order for the Colorado Boulevard Sewer Upsize Project was rejected.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the May 27, 2026 City Council study session, the June 1, 2026 regular session, and the June 1, 2026 Board of Adjustments meeting.
• Approved the Treasurer's Report dated May 31, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kelly Harnett (1305 W. Jackson Blvd.) expressed thanks for addressing e-bike issues and reported a near-miss incident on her way to the meeting.
• Ryan Wordeman (258 Evans Lane) argued that existing state statute is sufficient for enforcement and urged prompt action on an ordinance if deemed necessary.
• Heath Eggleston (601 Bridgewater Ct.) described an incident where an electric dirt bike struck his five-year-old daughter on the rec path, calling for immediate safety measures and citing two years of unaddressed concerns.
• John Dale (239 W. Jackson Blvd.) warned about the danger of allowing motorcycle-like vehicles on rec paths and criticized the marketing of such vehicles.
• Cassie Myers (2506 2nd St.) stated that the children involved are breaking the law and that education alone will not work; enforcement is needed.
• Alex Johnsen (308 Canyon View Lane) supported the need for legal enforcement, noting that even after safety education, older boys continued unsafe behavior.
• Aaron Ploog (214 Upper Valley Road) emphasized that electric dirt bikes are vehicles, not bicycles, and warned of parents planning to add fake pedals to circumvent regulations.
• John Dale (second public comment) spoke against RF energy from devices like Flock cameras, urging the council to avoid public property destruction and reconsider technology deployment.
• Kellen Willert (Belle Fourche City Attorney) and Brent Hardy (Belle Fourche City Engineer) requested the city adopt an ordinance mirroring Lawrence County's to protect Belle Fourche's water supply from nitrates as Spearfish grows northward, while clarifying they do not seek changes to the current ordinances under consideration.
• Jeremy Smith (287 Evans Lane) criticized the council for not faithfully upholding city ordinances, citing a recent Board of Adjustments decision and urging better adherence to the oath of office.
• Kelly Harnett (second public comment) addressed the Creekside Trail donation, requesting that the matter be referred back to the Parks Board with public notice, and provided peer-reviewed studies on pollinator habitat. She also asked that a flashing stop sign at Jackson and Jonas be shielded to avoid disturbing a neighbor's sleep.
• Stan Triplett (835 W. Hill St.) inquired about the city administrator position closing date and noted that other communities have ordinances addressing similar issues.

Discussion Items

• E-Bike and Rec Path Safety (Item 15B): Moved up on the agenda. Lieutenant Sam Lee explained enforcement challenges with juveniles and unregulated vehicles. Interim City Attorney Ashley McDonald outlined legal distinctions between sidewalks, streets, and rec paths, and state statute limitations. Council members expressed support for an ordinance to give law enforcement clear authority. After public comments, the council voted unanimously to direct staff and legal counsel to draft an ordinance addressing incidents and behaviors on recreation paths, bike paths, and streets.
• Engineering Design Standards Ordinances (Items 11D): Staff presented first readings of seven ordinances (1419–1425) to align city code with new Engineering Design Standards. Ordinances cover utilities, water, sewer, parks, flood prevention, public ways, and subdivisions. Key changes include moving design standards from ordinance to a manual, reducing the substantial improvement timeframe in the floodplain from 20 to 5 years, and reorganizing the subdivision chapter. Planning commission recommended approval with a 4-1 vote on one amendment. Council approved all first readings with one correction (Ordinance 1419, section §50.10 changed from 'noise' to 'use').
• Hill Street Apartments – Second Amendment (Item 11E): Community Development Director Peter Wysocki explained that a temporary booster pump would allow a temporary certificate of occupancy for Phase I while the permanent pump is delayed. The amendment does not change the 55/45 cost share. Conditions include $1.1 million financial assurance, meeting fire flow, private operation, and indemnification of the city. Council approved unanimously.
• Sky Ridge Lots and Resolution (Items 11F & 11G): Approved the sale of four lots to Hills View Homes at $20,000 per lot via the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation. Resolution 2026-16 was amended to convey 4 lots (instead of 6 as originally typed) and approved unanimously.
• Les Deux Beer and Wine License (Item 12): Public hearing held with no comments; Council approved the retail malt beverage and wine licenses for 115 W. Hudson Street.
• DGR Engineering Amendment (Item 13A): Approved Amendment #1 ($27,000) to survey and design ADA-compliant sidewalk modifications for the Downtown Mill & Overlay Project.
• Foth Infrastructure Amendment (Item 13B): Approved $45,000 amendment for engineering services on the East Low Zone Water System Improvements project, with costs expected to be recouped from the contractor via liquidated damages.
• Colorado Boulevard Sewer Upsize Change Order (Item 13C): Change Order #2 ($15,040.28, new completion date July 13, 2026) was rejected by a 3-2 vote (Hafner, Hourigan, Jacobs in favor; Klarenbeek, Myers opposed). The order covered costs from encountering buried gabion baskets not shown in plans. The mayor noted the motion failed for lack of a majority (one council member absent).
• Creekside Trail Donation (Item 15C): Mayor reviewed the tabled item. A motion to refer it back to the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Advisory Board died for lack of a second. The donation proposal is considered dead.
• Appointment to Art in Public Places Advisory Board (Item 15A): Council appointed Diana Reth, Anton Peterson, Anna Robinson, Bonnie Halsey, Terry Flamboe, and J. Desy Schoenewies. One additional appointee from Planning and Zoning will be ratified later.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance Direction: Council voted 5-0 to direct staff and legal counsel to draft an ordinance addressing e-bike and motorized vehicle safety on recreation paths, bike paths, and streets.
• First Readings Approved (6-0 on each, except 3-2 on change order): All seven ordinances (1419–1425) passed first reading. Second readings and adoption of Engineering Design Standards are scheduled for July 6, 2026.
• Hill Street Apartments: Second amendment approved (5-0) allowing temporary certificate of occupancy with conditions.
• Sky Ridge Lots: Purchase agreement and amended Resolution 2026-16 approved (5-0) for transfer of four lots.
• Les Deux License: Approved (5-0).
• DGR and Foth Amendments: Approved (5-0 each).
• Colorado Boulevard Change Order: Failed (3-2). Staff will consult with legal and the contractor.
• Creekside Trail Donation: Motion to refer died; no further action.
• Appointments: Approved (5-0).
• Bill List and Salary Expense: Approved (5-0 each).
• Departmental Updates: Public Works intends to install a 4-way stop at Jackson and Jonas; community meetings announced for SDDOT Exit 10 project (June 18) and Spearfish Creek Preservation Phase II (June 23).