Public Meetings - Rapid City, South Dakota

The Rapid City Council met on July 28, 2026, to receive budget presentations for the 2027 fiscal year from the Monument (Rushmore Plaza Civic Center) and the Public Works Department. The meeting included detailed overviews of revenue, expenses, capital investments, and strategic priorities. No formal votes were taken on the budgets; the presentations were informational. Consent Calendar - The agenda was adopted by voice vote with no opposition. - General public comment was opened and closed with no comments received. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Discussion Items - Monument Budget Presentation (2027): Executive Director Craig Baltzer and Deputy Director Tracy Heitch presented a $19.5 million budget, a 2% increase over 2026. They emphasized three goals: being a community center (50% of rental income from nonprofits/schools at 30%+ discount), an economic engine (2022 economic impact of $131 million, expected to have grown), and driving self-generated revenue (two-thirds of the budget). Revenue sources included food and beverage ($6.3M), reimbursements and box office fees ($3.1M), building rentals ($2.2M, increased 3% annually), sponsorships ($1.2M), and the BBB tax (one-third of budget, shared 25% with Visit Rapid City). Expenses: 45% personnel ($8.7M, up 1.4%), merchandise for resale, utilities (with efficiency efforts), professional services ($1.3M, including $475K credit card fees), and capital outlay. Since 2021, $8 million has been reinvested into the facility, including $3.7M planned for 2026-2027 (e.g., ice arena video production, LED lighting, roof sealing). Debt service includes a 2008 bond ($5M, paid off 2028) and a 2021 loan ($1.2M from the city, paid off 2031). Tracy reported 140+ ticketed events in 2025 across three venues, with over 383,000 tickets sold. The Monument partnered with 155 community groups, paying out over $288,000, and paid $1.4 million in sales tax. Councillor Meyer praised quality-of-place contributions; Councillor Evans asked about hotel needs and theater usage, noting the need for upgraded lighting/sound in the theater (original 1987 system). - Public Works Budget Presentation (2027): Director Mike Tice and superintendents presented a $31.8 million water budget, plus other funds. Strategic priorities included street preservation (pavement condition index study starting August 2026, also evaluating sidewalks and ADA compliance), centralized services and efficiency, strategic self-performance (street crews doing work at 50% of contracted cost), safety standards, asset management (new citywide system), and facility/traffic modernization. Streets: Jesse Reeb reported on roadway preservation using mastic (11 blocks repaired for $41,000), salt usage cut from 492 to 246 pounds per lane mile (saving $30-60K per storm), and a concrete crew performing $1.4M work for $400K. A new six-person street crew will focus on mill/overlays and snow removal. The city plans an additional $3 million for mill/overlays in 2027-2028 (total $4.5M in 2027). Water: Eric Boyda highlighted lead/copper rule compliance (resolving unknown service lines) and the Mountain View filter rehab, which reduced coagulant costs from $18K to $5K per month. Water rates may be reduced due to TIFs and cost savings. Water Reclamation: Jeremy Castile reported the facility upgrade is 57% complete with 0.3% change orders ($650K on a $169M project). Goal: limit sanitary sewer overflows to 12 or fewer. The division is adding stormwater identification and proactive maintenance. Solid Waste: Mike Tice mentioned a new scale software to reduce lines, exploring landfill gas utilization, and a tire shredding partnership expected to start within 30-60 days. Equipment includes a 45-year-old road grader. - Council Questions and Comments: Councillor Chris thanked for streets emphasis and asked about the $3 million CIP investment (clarified as additional to the annual $3M, total $4.5M in 2027). She also asked about pay adjustments for street crew (addressed in upcoming union negotiations). Councillor Evans expressed concern about concrete medians creating heat islands and suggested alternative designs. Councillor Maher asked about Skyline Drive phases (first phase in design, staggered over 6-7 years) and Carriage Hills Drive (first phase in CIP for 2027). Councillor Meyer voiced worries about lead notification costs for homeowners and urged council involvement; she also encouraged innovative water conservation policies. Councillor Secrets thanked stormwater crews and inquired about inlet mapping (ongoing televising and GIS updates). Key Outcomes - The agenda was adopted unanimously. - Council received the presentations and provided direction to staff on several points: exploring alternative median designs (Evans), reviewing water rate reductions (Chris, Meyer), and involving council in lead service line replacement discussions (Meyer). - No formal votes were taken on the budgets; they will be considered at a future meeting. - The meeting adjourned after council discussion.

The Rapid City Council held a special meeting on July 27, 2026, to receive presentations on the proposed 2027 budgets for the Fire Department and Police Department. Both chiefs detailed staffing needs, operational challenges, grant strategies, and performance metrics. No public comments were heard. The agenda was adopted, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and council questions. Discussion Items - Fire Department Budget Presentation (Chief Culberson): The 2027 budget request totals $29,974,052, a 0.81% increase over 2026. Key requests include 15 new general fund employees and 6 enterprise fund (ambulance) employees to staff future Station 9, which is needed to reduce response times and call volume per station below the 3,000-call reliability threshold. Current call volume for 2025 was 22,591 calls (71.6% EMS), with a 2.1% increase projected for 2026. The department operates 8 stations (7 with 24/7 response) with 184 employees. The chief highlighted cross-staffing at Stations 5 and 6 and noted that no new station with additional staff has been added since 2003. The hazard mitigation crew (veterans) is fully grant-funded except for a requested city match increase from $200,000 to $250,000. The department seeks a Safer Grant for the 15 new positions and a Rural Health Transformation Grant for community health worker expansion. The chief also discussed ongoing contract negotiations with surrounding counties for ambulance service reimbursement. - Police Department Budget Presentation (Chief Hedrick): The 2027 budget is largely flat compared to 2026, with no additional FTEs requested. The department is currently filling 12 grant-funded positions. Call for service volume reached 157,000 in 2025 (37% increase over 5 years). The department has 2.2 officers per 1,000 population (national average) but handles 2,200 calls per officer (target 1,000). The department emphasized the success of its wellness and retention package, reducing attrition from 14% to 5-6% and saving an estimated $1.1 million annually after costs. Traffic enforcement increased substantially with grant-funded officers, resulting in more citations and arrests. The department uses Axon license plate readers (not Flock) in high-crime areas for stolen vehicles, missing persons, and serious crime investigations. The chief also noted collaboration with the fire department on Station 9 and the quality of life unit, and a parole task force formed with the sheriff's office. - Council Questions: Councilmembers asked about cross-staffing definitions, firefighter/EMT training, traffic enforcement sustainability, camera surveillance concerns, opioid settlement funds, and morale. The fire chief clarified that cross-staffing means personnel staff multiple vehicles at a station. The police chief explained that license plate readers are not monitored live and are used only for specific serious crimes. The finance director noted that federal grants for police officers are tapering off, requiring increased general fund support in 2028. Key Outcomes - Agenda adopted unanimously. - Council recessed for five minutes between presentations. - Meeting adjourned on a motion, all in favor. No formal vote was taken on the proposed budgets; the presentations were informational.

Note: The transcript indicates the meeting occurred on Monday, July 20, 2026, but the provided ISO date is 2026-07-21T00:29:02+00:00. This summary uses the provided date. The Rapid City City Council convened on July 20, 2026, beginning with roll call, invocation, and pledge. The meeting covered consent agenda items, non-consent items including a controversial reasonable accommodation ordinance, and demolition contracts for the Star Village mobile home park. Public Comments & Testimony - General Public Comment: Several citizens addressed the council on non-agenda items. Mark Millar urged the city to build a permanent shelter at Denver Field for volunteer groups feeding the unsheltered. William Wagner raised concerns about conditional use permits (CUPs) and TIF districts. Mark Thalaker spoke about religious references in the meeting and the Pledge of Allegiance's history. Patty Martinson criticized the city's social media post celebrating a new correctional facility. Angelo Schiraldi requested information from the finance director about a fire incident. - Ordinance 6726 (Reasonable Accommodation) Public Hearing: - Megan Wilson, a neighbor of an Oxford House, expressed frustration with lack of transparency and argued the ordinance removes neighborhood involvement and notification. She questioned why Oxford House needs an exemption when Black Hills Works complies with existing codes. - Tammy Hopp (Black Hills Works) supported the ordinance, stating it provides an administrative procedure without public hearings, which under federal law could lead to liability if opposition is discriminatory. - Jerry Zacharias, a resident of Terracita Drive for 34 years, opposed granting a conditional use permit for the Oxford House, emphasizing the neighborhood's single-family residential character. - Kathy Minick, who filed the original complaint, asked for more accountability and transparency. She raised concerns about occupancy limits and safety reviews being left to a single official. - Marqui Zacharias expressed concerns about the ordinance's timing and perceived conflict of interest involving Councilor Temang, who owns the Oxford House property. She urged a pause. - Marlo Kapsa (city planning projects manager/ADA coordinator) supported the ordinance as a step forward for disability rights, noting that disability can affect anyone at any time. Consent Calendar - The council adopted the agenda with a change: items 23, 24, and 25 (Star Village) were moved from consent to non-consent. Items 1 through 28 were approved with the exception of item 18 (Business Improvement District assessment), which was continued for two weeks due to publication error. Items 31 and 32 were approved separately. Discussion Items Ordinance 6726 – Reasonable Accommodation Procedure - Council discussion followed public testimony. Community Development Director Vicky Fisher explained the ordinance's necessity to comply with federal Fair Housing Act and ADA. She noted that the proposal was in development since 2024 but accelerated after a complaint about a home owned by Councilor Temang. She offered a friendly amendment to require dual approval from the community development director and deputy city attorney. - Councilors Maher and Evans expressed concerns about the speed of the process and lack of neighbor notification. Councilor Roberts emphasized legal necessity but supported more discussion. Councilor Strowman moved to continue the item for one month to allow for further refinement and community input. The motion passed with a second by Roberts. Star Village Demolition Contracts (Items 23-25) - Councilor Temang delivered a strong statement criticizing Zadiq Management, the property owner, for failing to meet obligations, accumulating delinquent utilities, and maintaining professional lobbying representation while residents faced unsafe conditions. He declared he would not support leniency. - Councilor Meyer added that Zadiq missed multiple deadlines for removing structures and highlighted high crime rates at Star Village: 105 violent crimes in 2025, and 59 at another Zadiq property. - Community Development Director Fisher reported that 18 demolition permits were submitted but 10 were still pending. The council approved three contracts for demolition: with MMI LLC ($45,849) and HC LLC ($49,800), and a general contract for structure removal. All motions passed unanimously. Rezoning and Other Items - Item 30 (rezoning near Sturgis Road) was approved. - Items 33-38 (rezone requests for industrial and commercial districts near Mall Drive) were approved, with one councilor (Roberts) opposing item 38 due to a "chicken" issue. - Item 39 (bills for Main Street Square and Visit Rapid City, $55,700.07) and item 40 (remaining bills, $10,403,235.35) were approved with one abstention on item 39. Key Outcomes - Item 18 (Business Improvement District assessment) continued for two weeks. - Ordinance 6726 continued for one month to the second council meeting in August for further revision and stakeholder engagement. - Star Village demolition contracts approved unanimously; council directed staff to proceed while property owner works on demolition permits. - All other votes passed with majority support. The meeting adjourned shortly after 10:29 PM UTC (approximate).

A special meeting of the Rapid City Common Council was held on Monday, July 20, 2026, to receive the proposed 2027 city budget from Mayor Solomon. The mayor presented a $312,332,582 overall budget (general fund and enterprise funds), a 7.4% decrease from the 2026 budget. He highlighted ten key areas, including no property tax increase, a record investment in roads, enhanced public safety, quality-of-life projects, and generational initiatives. The meeting concluded with adjournment; no votes were taken on the budget itself, which will be subject to further department presentations and council deliberation. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public offered comment. The mayor opened and closed general public comment without any speakers. Discussion Items - 2027 Mayor’s Budget Presentation: Mayor Solomon delivered a detailed address outlining the proposed budget. He emphasized fiscal responsibility, noting that the budget is the second consecutive year-over-year decrease. Key highlights include: - No property tax increase: The mayor recommended against a CPI increase for 2027, citing strong sales tax revenue (projected 3% growth in 2027, with 6.2% actual growth in 2026) and a desire to keep housing affordable. He also voiced support for Pennington County’s half-cent sales tax to offset property taxes, and suggested future state-level carve-outs for low-income shoppers on groceries and baby items. - Largest road investment in city history: Proposed investments include $450,000 for a proactive road crew, $3 million for mill and overlay projects, $16.7 million in road reconstruction from CIP funds, and $17 million from the Vision Fund for a strategic growth fund (new roads). The mayor shifted philosophy to maintain existing roads earlier rather than waiting for full reconstruction. - Public safety priorities: $3.2 million for the Northside Police Precinct on Knowwood Drive, $9 million (through TIF funds) for Fire Station 9 on the east side (which will also include police and library services). Plans to hire 15 new firefighters and 6 new ambulance personnel in 2027. The mayor noted 12 new police officers were added in 2026, and the police department is shifting resources to add more investigators for sexual crimes, especially against children. - Quality of life enhancements: $66 million secured for an indoor sports facility (goal of $76 million via sponsorships), $500,000 from CIP for Main Street Square renovations (with another $500,000 planned for 2028), $7 million for Canyon Lake Park restoration, and $250,000 for the 2027 American Birthday Bash (following the successful 250th celebration). The mayor called for neighborhood parks in every new development. - Internal review initiative: Assistant Finance Director Tracy Davis will lead an internal audit-like review to reduce waste and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. - Innovation district: Plans to relocate the maintenance facility near South Dakota Mines and explore an MOU with Mines, Western Dakota Tech, and Elevate Rapid City for high‑best use of the land. - Employer of choice: The city aims to remain competitive in pay and benefits, including transitioning to a PTO (paid time off) system combining vacation and sick leave. - Generational projects: Airport terminal expansion, new maintenance facility, wastewater treatment facility phases, water treatment facility decisions, and data center regulations (to be presented in August). The mayor noted the city’s water quality was ranked best in South Dakota last year. - Community investments: Public safety partnerships (dispatch, Humane Society increased funding), crisis services (Journey On requested $475,000, Cornerstone Rescue Mission $200,000 contingent on emergency shelter), and community enrichment (municipal band, symphony, etc. funded at requested levels). - Council contingency: The mayor placed $820,500 in council contingency to allow council members to fund initiatives they collectively agree on (e.g., transportation for sports complex). Key Outcomes - The meeting was adjourned after the budget presentation. No motions or votes were taken on the budget itself. The council will hold subsequent department-level budget presentations as part of the ongoing process. The mayor encouraged council members to review the detailed budget book and raw data provided. Note: The mayor’s presentation included a slideshow and emphasized that the budget is a proposal for council consideration. The 2027 budget year begins January 1, 2027.

The Rapid City Council met on July 6, 2026, to swear in newly elected members, elect council officers, and address a range of agenda items. The meeting covered rezoning requests, a parks master plan adoption, a significant EPA recycling grant, and public comments on topics including intersection safety, dispensary licensing, First Amendment concerns, and mining impacts. Public Comments & Testimony - Misty O'Dean (resident): Expressed concern about the Campbell Street and East North Or Street intersection, citing congestion and crashes. Recommended a roundabout and provided a proposal with renderings and statistics from the National DOT. - Chris Stover (Chair, Friends of Rhapsody Parks): Endorsed the long-range management plan for parks, praising the inventory and prioritization framework. - Ben Schumacher (Friends of Rhapsody Parks board): Supported the parks plan, noting the positive impact of park investments in other communities. - Mark Thallacker (resident): Raised concerns about patriotism and public pledges, advocating for freedom of thought and questioning the use of patriotic symbols to discourage independent thinking. - Kittrick Jeffries (owner, Puffy's Dispensary): Stated that the city deemed Puffy's dispensary license forfeited without notice or hearing. Argued the forfeiture was based on an erroneous date (March 4, 2025) that predated their state certification (April 1, 2025). Requested the council adopt a resolution directing Finance Director Andy Ainsley to retract the forfeiture letter. - Matt Nas (attorney for Puffy's): Reinforced that the city could not legally issue the license before the state certification, citing Rapid City Municipal Code 5.74.050A. Stated the city had previously argued in litigation that an active state certification is a prerequisite for a valid local license. Noted that Puffy's received no due process (notice or hearing) before the forfeiture. - James Spiolotta (resident): Alleged that Main Street Square illegally denied access to service animals and disabled individuals on public walkways, and violated all five parts of the First Amendment (denying protest, press, speech, political events, religious events). Criticized the council for failing to act after he raised the issue a year ago. Also criticized police testimony about public sidewalks. - Angelo (resident): Commented on the difficulty of turning semitrucks at roundabouts, referenced 'clerical errors,' and criticized the classification of certain acts as arson/terrorism charges. - William Wagner (resident and state constitutional advocate): Filed a formal objection regarding a proposed high-density data center facility. Argued that the facility's air-cooled infrastructure would create low-frequency noise exceeding South Dakota's public nuisance laws (SDCL 21-10) and violate the 45-decibel property line ceiling. Demanded the city require a certified acoustic model before permits are issued. Also invoked federal civil rights statutes (Title 18 USC 241-242) regarding deprivation of rights under color of law. Later, in public hearing for item 3, he demanded an emergency moratorium on mining expansion near Sturgis Road, citing toxic dust, blasting damage, and violations of local ordinances and extraterritorial jurisdiction (SDCL 11-4-11). He invoked Pennington County ordinance sections 320, 321, and joint air quality ordinance 12, calling the dust a 'public nuisance per se.' - Mark Millar (resident): Expressed support for recent legislative protections against arbitrary TIF numbers. Criticized Finance Director Ainsley for bringing 'bogus numbers' into the TIF process. Argued that TIF money disproportionately benefits developers who bought cheap land, and urged the council to rely on monthly revenue streams and stop financing growth through TIFs. Consent Calendar - Items 11–49 (with exceptions of 21, 22, 26) were approved en bloc (motion by Bieberdorf, second by Armstrong). - Items 61 and 62 (public hearing consent items) were approved (motion by Roberts, second by Temang). Carried. - Bill list (item 64): Total $108,182.23. Approved with one abstention (Meyer). Discussion Items - Item 21: Sidewalk variance for Genesis Farms (Catron Boulevard) – Public Works Director Mike Tice explained that steep ditches, a pond, and power lines made sidewalk installation impractical and unsafe. Councilor Temang advocated for a future 'fee in lieu of' concept to require contributions from developers who receive variances, citing examples from Austin, TX; Port Angeles, WA; and Durham, NC. - Item 22: Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Councilor Secrets praised the team for creating Rapid City's first-ever master plan. Councilor Strowman noted citizen comments about maintaining the Brayburn Park skating rink and cited its mention on page 108 of the plan. Councilor Evans urged the plan to be a 'living document' and emphasized maintaining natural, undeveloped parkland. Parks Director Biegler confirmed the plan is a guiding document for 10–15 years. - Item 26: EPA SWIFER Grant ($4,977,265) – Councilor Strowman moved to approve, thanking public works staff (Jeff Barber, Tori Fields, Rhea Hannon, Dave Yuha's, Jamie Tennis, Lizanne Zeller). Councilor Temang noted that the grant's possibility was not well communicated during the garbage rate discussions, which could have influenced those decisions. The citizen from the sustainability committee (Heidi Seaverdine) supported the grant for expanding recycling access at businesses. - Election of Officers: Stephen Temang was elected Council President (6–4 vote over Kevin Maher). Callie Meyer was elected Vice President after her initial nominee (Laura Armstrong) declined. Key Outcomes - Vote on mining rezoning (item 4): Rezoning from SDCL 11-4-30 District to Mining and Earth Resources Extraction District. Approved with two no votes (Evans, Meyer) after Councilor Evans expressed a desire for creative reclamation (e.g., amphitheaters, parks) rather than standard backfill. - Item 21 Approved: Sidewalk variance for Genesis Farms. Carried. - Item 22 Approved: Parks and Recreation Master Plan adopted. Carried. - Item 26 Authorized: City accepted the $4,977,265 EPA SWIFER grant; signing authority delegated to Public Works Director. Carried. - Items 50–60 Approved: All first readings and subdivision plans passed unanimously (residential and commercial rezoning, subdivisions for Sweetbrier Heights, Le Grand, Buffalo Crossing North, Pleasant View). - Executive Session: Entered and exited without need for staff direction. - Adjourned: Approved.

The Rapid City Council met on the evening of April 20, 2026, continuing into the early hours of April 21, 2026. The meeting included a proclamation for National Volunteer Week, public comment on various issues, approval of a backyard hens ordinance (second reading), creation of a tax increment financing district, and several rezoning items. Notable votes included a 6-4 approval of the hens ordinance and a 9-1 approval of the TIF district. Proclamation - National Volunteer Week: Mayor Jason Solomon proclaimed April 19–25, 2026, as National Volunteer Week. Brad from Helpline 211 accepted the proclamation, noting that South Dakota ranks among the top six states for formal volunteering, with over 37% of South Dakotans volunteering through organizations and over 57% providing assistance to neighbors. Consent Calendar - Items 2 through 23 were approved as a consent agenda, with the exception of Item 14. Item 14 (Resolution 2026-024, levying assessment for nuisance abatement) was pulled by Councillor Lehman because the property owner (Gamma Epsilon Corporation, Tax ID 74797) had paid the assessment earlier that day. The council then voted to remove that item and approve the rest. Public Comments & Testimony - Chet Ellsworth expressed support for Kathy Howard (referred to as "Taffy") in her role, criticizing efforts to censure her and citing concerns about accountability and missing money. He argued that opposing her job performance could constitute treasonous activity. - Andrea Lee raised concerns about the closure of the men's mission (May 5–24) and the women's and children's shelter (entire month of May) for cleaning and renovations. She noted that the church response may still be available but questioned where homeless individuals would go, as Care Campus was unaware of being volunteered to fill the gap. - Angelo Sherald criticized city ordinances regarding fire pits, stating that state law allows a 10-foot setback from structures, but Rapid City recently passed a 25-foot requirement. He alleged targeting and threatened legal challenges. - Public Comment on Backyard Hens (Item 24): Multiple speakers urged the council to pass the ordinance allowing hens on residential properties: - David Holland (spokesperson for Rapid City Hens) reported that more than two dozen South Dakota communities already allow hens and that they have had few issues. He offered to answer questions about ordinances in a three-state area. - Hendrix Isaiah Jones (age 16) spoke as a student advocate, citing benefits such as eggs, educational value, and breaking stigma. He noted that cities like Aberdeen, Sturgis, and Lead allow hens, and argued that chickens are not inherently dirty or loud. - Kemberley Wallace (former volunteer coordinator) emphasized the community effort behind the proposal and urged council to consider the dedication of proponents. - Nick Schmidt (veterinarian) stated that his clinic and others are prepared to treat chickens, and that with proper ordinances (no roosters, predator-proof coops) complaints are minimal, as seen in Elk Point. - April Malik (culinary arts teacher) supported the ordinance for food sovereignty and security, and noted that urban farming and egg production can benefit lower-income families. - Laura Peening (briefly reiterated support). - Julie Smorgowitz highlighted food security concerns, referencing egg shortages due to bird flu and the lack of large-scale egg producers in western South Dakota. She urged the council to be "good eggs" and pass the ordinance. - Kathy Thrash (Sustainability Committee member) called the timing perfect (National Volunteer Week, Cleanup Week, Earth Day) and asked the council to imagine the best-case scenario. - Jillian Gosmala (first-time attendee) dispelled myths about chickens (noise, disease), noting that they eat ticks and mosquitoes, and that dogs are far more disruptive. She emphasized the "can-do spirit" of Rapid City. - Public Comment on TIF District (Item 25): Dana Foreman (DGR Engineering) spoke in support of the Pennington County TIF District 8, noting the development includes arterial roads, turning lanes, signal improvements, and a roundabout. He stated the TIF support is needed to make the multi-use development viable. Discussion Items - Item 24: Second Reading of Ordinance 6713 (Backyard Hens): The council discussed and voted on the ordinance. Councillor Lehman voted no; others expressed support. The motion passed 6-4. (Roll call: Cris, Bieberdorf, Teming, Evans, Meyer, Maher voted yes; Pettigrew, Lehman, Roberts, Stroman voted no.) - Item 25: Resolution 2026-031 (Pennington County TIF District 8): Councillor Maher moved approval, noting the developer from Omaha has strong plans for the area, including widening Fifth Street and Black Hills Boulevard, and that the development will provide retail space and open up future development. The motion passed 9-1, with only Councillor Pettigrew opposed. - Item 26: Malt Beverage and Farm Wine Renewals: Approved unanimously. - Public Hearing Items 27–30: All rezoning requests were approved unanimously without discussion: - Item 27: Rezone 3050 Jolly Lane from No Use to Low Density Residential District 1. - Item 28: Same property to General Commercial District. - Item 29: South of Cadillac Drive and Diamond Ridge Boulevard from General Agricultural to Low Density Residential District 2. - Item 30: 2526 Marlin Drive from General Commercial to Light Industrial District. Executive Session - The council moved into executive session to discuss the qualifications, competence, performance, character, or fitness of a public officer or employee, pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2.1. The motion passed unanimously. After returning, the meeting moved to the bill list. Key Outcomes - Backyard Hens Ordinance (Ordinance 6713) passed 6-4, authorizing the keeping of hens on certain residential properties in Rapid City. - Pennington County TIF District 8 (Resolution 2026-031) approved 9-1, supporting a large multi-use development with infrastructure improvements. - Liquor license renewals for 2026 and 2027 approved subject to police and fire department approval. - Four rezoning requests approved (Items 27-30) as second readings. - Item 14 (nuisance assessment) removed from consent agenda after payment was made. - Executive session held regarding personnel matters; no action reported after returning.

The Rapid City Council met on Monday, March 16, 2026, for a regular meeting. The agenda included general public comments, consent items, and several public hearings, most notably the special alcohol permit for the Summer Nights event on the 600 block of 6th Street and 500/600 block of Kansas City Street. After extensive public testimony and council debate, the permit was approved by a 5-4 vote with a condition from the mayor. Consent Calendar - Items 1-25 were approved en bloc except for items 8, 9, 18, and 20, which were pulled for separate consideration. - Item 8: Authorized advertising bids for Bocce Complex Phase 3 (estimated $900,000). Approved. - Item 9: Authorized advertising bids for No Wood Park redevelopment (estimated $2,700,000). Approved. Councilmember Strowman and Roberts highlighted long planning and community benefits. - Item 18: Authorized a broker services agreement with Marsh & McLennan Agency for insurance brokerage services for $100,000 for March 17, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Approved after HR Director explained competitive bid process and need to switch brokers. - Item 20: Declared emergency repairs for city server room. Approved. IT Director explained equipment malfunction and cost-effectiveness of on-premise vs. cloud storage. - Item 26: Second reading of supplemental appropriation ordinance for $3,923,272.47. Approved. - Item 27: First reading of rezoning at 810 Fairview Street from General Commercial to Medium Density Residential. Approved. - Item 28: Preliminary subdivision plan for lots at 3317 Stone Drive. Approved. - Item 30: Approved consent public hearing item (no details given). - Items 31-33: Rezonings and annexation approved. - Items 34-35: Bill lists approved. Public Comments & Testimony - William Sean Wagner: Delivered a formal notice alleging constitutional violations regarding unauthorized salary increases for city officials, citing South Dakota Constitution Article 12, Section 3. He demanded transparency and compliance. - Doug Hannerman: Requested infrastructure repairs for the area between West Boulevard and 9th Street, citing deteriorating curbs, rebar issues, and sewer backups. He noted $20,000 in sidewalk repairs needed and asked for prioritization. - Leanne Schumacher (former council member): Expressed concern about council direction, alleging bias against the Liberty Land project (entertainment district) and favoritism toward developer Hanny Shafey. She accused council of allowing misinformation and urged reconsideration of tax incentives. Public Hearing: Summer Nights Special Alcohol Permit (Item 29) - Julie Freimuller (owner of Roger Fry's paint building): Requested postponement, stating businesses were kept in the dark. She noted negative impact on renters and suggested alternative locations like Memorial Park. She provided a map. - Mike Mueller (property manager): Read a letter from a tenant (Brianna Mendenhall, massage therapist) who estimated $1,000/month lost income and 20 hours of lost appointments. She stated she would have to close Thursdays from 1-7:30 PM due to parking closures and noise. - Carl Koth (Hey Camp Brewing Co.): Stated he had worked with Summer Nights and city leadership but was taken by surprise by the alcohol permit vote. He requested removal of the item to allow stakeholder meetings. - Ron Koth (co-owner, 601 Kansas City Street): Emphasized that Summer Nights would harm small businesses, particularly Hey Camp, which relies on Thursday summer business. He suggested alternative locations such as Memorial Park, Main Street Square, or near the Performing Arts Center. - Sandy Schwan (President of Summer Nights): Defended the process, stating that since fall 2024, they researched locations and engaged stakeholders. She distributed flyers with contact info. She noted the parks permit was approved, and they need to move forward due to contracting deadlines. - Alex Massa (resident and nonprofit operator): Expressed support for Summer Nights but opposed the location. He described failed attempts at compromise, including Hey Camp's offer to sell beer and involvement of his youth program. He said placing a stage in front of residential building would force cancellation of youth programming. - Nathan Harding (owner, Heroes and Villains/Rushmore Coin): Said the process was too quick and he is considering closing his business due to the impact. He asked to remove item 29 from the agenda. - Jason Kingsbury (small business owner): Questioned the lack of transparency regarding alcohol vendor placement. He urged postponement for more collaboration. - David Goodwin (Summer Nights representative): Presented a map showing beverage trailer, food vendor, and entry point locations. He clarified street closure times (3:30 PM and 5:00 PM, not 1:00 PM). He said the stage would be in front of Hay Camp. Discussion Items (Summer Nights) - Councilmember Evans: Opposed the current location, citing harm to businesses. Suggested exploring the new Elevate building site as alternative. Voted against. - Councilmember Meyer: Supported the event as a community builder. Acknowledged potential harm but believed inconvenience is cost of community. Encouraged collaboration. Voted in favor. - Councilmember Bieberdorf: Defended the process, noting no nefarious intent. Parks Director Biegler explained permit process: parks permit approved first to allow alcohol permit application, and they were unaware Carl Koth was out of town. - Councilmember Secrest: Torn because businesses are not on board. He cited known harms to small businesses and sided with business owners. Voted against. - Councilmember Strowman: Moved to continue the item for two weeks to allow further discussion. He noted all speakers support summer nights, just need more time. - Councilmember Temang: Opposed continuance, saying constituents overwhelmingly want summer nights back (heard from 30 people during campaign). He believed no alternative location will be found and voted for approval. - Mayor: Asked Summer Nights President whether a two-week delay would cripple them. She responded that it could end the event due to planning and ordering deadlines. Mayor also asked Carl Koth if progress could be made; Koth said yes, and submitted solutions. Mayor then voted no on continuance, and later voted to approve permit with condition to continue working with affected businesses. Key Outcomes - Summer Nights special alcohol permit (Item 29) was approved by a vote of 5-4 (Maher yes, Roberts no, Strowman no, See Chris no, Bieberdorf yes, Temang yes, Evans no, Meyer yes, Mayor yes) with the condition that organizers continue to work with impacted business owners for reasonable accommodations. - All other consent and public hearing items were approved as noted.

The Rapid City City Council convened on February 2, 2026, to discuss updates on the Park Ranger program, alternative sites for the Indoor Sports Complex, and various infrastructure and administrative matters. The meeting featured significant deliberation regarding the relocation of the sports complex following the withdrawal of the original Liberty Land site, with Council members emphasizing the need to secure the correct location despite budgetary constraints. Public comments highlighted concerns regarding graffiti, trash, and inadequate bus services. Several contractual agreements and engineering studies were approved or debated, with a roll call vote concluding the traffic study discussion. Consent Calendar - Approved professional services agreement with TSP Inc. for Fire Station No. 9 and park improvements (Project 2858), with an $850 ext{ percent}$ increase in scope to cover full design and construction management. - Approved the removal of yard waste and recycling containers from the Fitzgerald Stadium site during major annual tournaments, though Councilor Pettigrew expressed concern over the recurring nature of this logistical issue. - Approved preliminary subdivision plan for S7 LLC (Parker subdivision) at 3050 Jolly Lane. - Authorized staff to advertise for bids for the 2025 MIP Streets and Drainage Project (estimated cost $385,000). - Approved rezoning of property at 5055 South Highway 79 from Public District to Heavy Industrial District. - Approved items 33 and 34 via consent public hearing calendar. Public Comments & Testimony - Anthony Wright (South Dakota Mines Student Senate): Expressed student support for the Rail Yard Relocation study regarding campus safety and connectivity. Discussed the positive outcomes of State Higher Education Days (SHED) and noted that the majority of students (58%) opposed a proposed change to campus carry policy. - Craig Carly: Expressed strong opposition to the current trajectory of crime, graffiti, and trash accumulation. Stated that "graffiti is... the start of the cancer" and criticized the current appearance of the city, while praising the Park Ranger program's efforts despite daily drug and alcohol issues in parks. - Brian Peck: Expressed criticism of the public bus service, stating it is "awful" because it does not operate on weekends or nights. Argued that improving night and weekend bus service would solve parking demands for future developments, including the sports complex, and suggested city employees use the bus system instead of personal vehicles. Discussion Items - Park Ranger Program Update: Gerald O'Allen, Park Ranger Supervisor, reported on the program's first year and a half. He stated that the program has conducted over 29,000 patrol functions, with 11,000+ events involving intoxicated individuals requiring transport or medical aid. He explained that sleeping in parks is prosecuted under disorderly conduct codes if a welfare check determines the individual cannot care for themselves. - Sports Complex Relocation: Damico Rodriguez presented four alternative sites within the Catalyst district (TIFF boundary) after the withdrawal of the Liberty Land site. The proposed complex requires approximately 205,000 square feet and 800 parking spaces. The team discussed the financial gap of approximately $10 million in infrastructure costs and the constraints of the existing TIFF funding (15 million). - Site Feasibility and TIFF Boundaries: Finance Director Daniel Ainsley and Councilor Meyer discussed the legal inability to amend existing TIFF boundaries without losing base valuation due to the PUC process. Councilor Evans proposed redeveloping the dead mall, but City Staff stated that engineers recommended tearing it down due to infrastructure issues, making it less viable than new construction. - Traffic Study for Eglin Street: Councilors Pettigrew and Strowman questioned the necessity of a $200,000 external engineering study for Eglin Street, suggesting the city hire an in-house engineer to perform the work. Public Works Director Mike Tys explained that current staffing lacks the time to take on the study in addition to daily development reviews, while Councilor Roberts provided historical context regarding lost five-lane design plans for the Rushmore Crossing project. - Staffing Concerns: Councilor Meyer acknowledged the parallel conversation between fixing Rushmore Crossing and the city's capacity to hire additional traffic engineering staff to handle future studies internally without external costs. Key Outcomes - Motion Carried: Approved the TSP Inc. contract for Fire Station No. 9 and park improvements. - Motion Carried: Approved the removal of recycling containers for the duration of tournaments, with a directive for staff to research long-term alternative locations. - Roll Call Vote (5-4): Approved the request to seek proposals for the Eglin Street traffic study ($200,000), with Councilors Pettigrew, Strowman, Roberts, Lehman, and Evans voting against the expenditure. Councilors Bieberdorf, Temang, Evan (vote recorded as Yes in roll call but noted as No in summary text? Correction: Roll call shows Evans as No), Meyer, Lehman (No), Maher (Yes), Roberts (No), Strowman (No), Henigru? (No). Correction based on text: The text explicitly states "The nose wind five to four" and lists Pettigrew, Strowman, Roberts, Lehman, and Evans as the "No" votes. Wait, the text lists "Heidi"? The roll call lists: Bieberdorf (Aye), Temang (Aye), Evans (No), Meyer (Aye), Lehman (No), Maher (Aye), Roberts (No), Strowman (No), Henigru (No - likely a typo for Pettigrew or another member). The final count was 5-4. The motion carried. - Motion Carried: Approved preliminary subdivision plan for S7 LLC. - Motion Carried: Authorized bid advertising for MIP Streets and Drainage Project. - Motion Carried: Approved rezoning for 5055 South Highway 79. - Executive Session: Held to discuss pending litigation; no action reported. - Adjournment: Meeting concluded after approval of remaining finance items.