[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6074108,"mediaKeyId","2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800","parentId",2987735,"title","Public commenters urge city to study homelessness costs and address downtown safety","audioSeconds",381,"startMs",1554000,"endMs",1935000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800&start=1554&end=1935","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800/thumbnail_1554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6074108/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Public-commenters-urge-city-to-study-homelessness-costs-and-address-downtown-safety","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074108-dfb6e0b1cf4f9db79f6f47f155be27cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220117&Signature=aUxzvbBHhTH7z4VCbyrtpEond2kuuiA5kTSRSfSeBfkhlM~03BDdL46zsd3NKRV5lEoyW4bdz4Dsbip-Enb9X8kNHV0VgOkEfjN33bk~9fyQLbUUlbYhNwsUy7jPjlUY3OT3QWewh6zR~unBLptP~QVLUohNMoM68AFJO5HQVxXvmSaO1kIup13WrJXsiVU~odoHIpdPEMncnI7OeWwlGcfLMTlsgBxzetRxRVRckbLHtRzwDZaXI-QKrgEc2QxuCqKYJNFnF6JV9UOk22LE8Ci8wtbDH8r~pdxxtLlnNaBe4UwTykJNQl0Ka5T1HZeaSvH9mSZO3FXtHlQjXybU9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","rapidcitygovernment account","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","Two members of the public used the general comment period to urge city action on homelessness and downtown safety.

Ben Sherman said Rapid City is experiencing a growing unhoused population and urged the council to compute how much the city is spending on related responses. \"We're already spending money on the unhoused crisis whether we like it or not,\" Sherman said, listing police responses, emergency medical care, funeral costs and business impacts as examples. He asked the council to produce a cost analysis and consider investing in emergency housing and rehabilitation programs; he did not provide a dollar estimate and said precise data are not readily available.

Dane Sensor, speaking next, said downtown conditions have deteriorated and referenced a recent midday murder, adding, \"The streets of downtown Rapid City have turned into a war zone.\" Sensor said he no longer goes downtown at night and criticized the council's performance on public safety. He also expressed frustration that police presence downtown was, in his view, insufficient until after the homicide.

The council closed the public comment period after the two speakers. No formal actions or staff directions were recorded on those matters during the meeting; council members did not take immediate action in response to the speakers' requests during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rapid City City Council 04-07-2025","oneSentenceSummary","During general public comment at the Rapid City Common Council meeting, two residents urged the city to examine the fiscal impact of homelessness and said downtown safety has deteriorated following a recent daytime homicide. No council action was taken during public comment.","taxTitle","Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota","taxId",2748,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074113,"Council acknowledges final Water Utility System Master Plan prepared by Black & Veatch",130,1992000,2122000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800&start=1992&end=2122","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800/thumbnail_1992000.jpg","/articles/6074113/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Council-acknowledges-final-Water-Utility-System-Master-Plan-prepared-by-Black-Veatch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074113-081bbceb906392d3d1dfd1a84713bba0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220117&Signature=Q1yOhLJEvbSIO9eF9Z~yo1R6fY4Tl0vVRm-CKkwTJ5qegcV2u7WHbEh62SqdRrR3jXivh9YdUb7tXwRR0fZAtYyI0uBcKqKeTEHV06L5~bgBbfjYMu7MBJcK0-nvNOHs79nDm3GyTKfxnvHNVAqy3K8~ARS4xq6amby7842rz8d1xX-KAtB~3RJ1~B2bthicwL5X6klkU1Kt1X4o4QGSrWBxTEOGciaU4a1Y9SXKdZ6FXDigKKvmVxp6-bfSPbjb8y2aICplyiDrqMFypCN6DqNpHcAigs-hZmbTwgFPvq8WvmQ0VYD3yFmMSuJoVsxwNJ1euPyoZI5H-KtMci9t9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rapid City Common Council acknowledged the final Water Utility System Master Plan dated December 2024 prepared by Black & Veatch.

Councilor Stroman, speaking during consideration of consent Item 34, said the plan is comprehensive and was presented to the Public Works Committee and Legal and Finance Committee. \"It's a comprehensive plan that, our water department has done with their consultant. I just want the public to know that we are watching out,\" Stroman said, adding the city is preparing for future uncertainty in water supplies and \"we can't just kick [the issue] down the road.\"

A motion by Councilor Biberdorf, seconded by Councilor Evans, to acknowledge the plan carried. No further action or budget allocations were taken at the meeting on this item; staff will continue work identified in the plan and report as required.

The plan's stated date is December 2024 and the transcript identifies the consultant as Black & Veatch. The council did not detail funding or specific implementation steps during the acknowledgement vote.","The Rapid City Common Council acknowledged the final Water Utility System Master Plan dated December 2024, prepared by consultant Black & Veatch. Councilor Stroman praised the plan and noted staff and consultants are planning for future water-supply challenges.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074120,"Votes at a glance: Council approves first readings for multiple rezones and two preliminary subdivisions; bills approved",62,2098000,2160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800&start=2098&end=2160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800/thumbnail_2098000.jpg","/articles/6074120/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-approves-first-readings-for-multiple-rezones-and-two-preliminary-subdivisions-bills-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074120-5ca1f02af527369b7a39bc3945af003c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220118&Signature=oN9K27-qTkhFDtPo2TBVgz0OcaJ9xupX0ymDKTD2j0BFjmWKSxV27C08Gotxkb~JNSFeA0UYDk9fHoRhWNXrTwVadDZ0ZIeHm-WbqHsAGG-jOT5BbXFcqg9Wtyxl5hqPHItzy-KnpxSn1kiY5kR2-EbI-5AcfIStcRXbYOqz4mQ0vs~zmbGPafXRvRHbCKuKYGISum2Jml0mQRpRc7DhemT1AdL4mR4hMVRPw~ZZzBVdrhcuJp-kI5RXCU84UfCyQiQ8zysOuDxZglhHm6L0qOzjxcXFyLDTBrk~qQLzGO~l5RuNFgCKr4nVBlv-xLRXDOwa3A1k6axwdr0NEFJ9yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rapid City Common Council took action on multiple ordinance first readings, subdivision preliminary plans and the bill list on April 7, 2025. The council recorded approvals for the items listed below; debate on individual rezones was limited at the council meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 6,663: First reading — supplemental appropriation No. 1 for 2025. Motion by Hamm, second by Lehman. Council approved the first reading. \"All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.\" (Item 50).

- Ordinance No. 6,657: First reading — amendment to Section 17.06 (rezoning request by Bartlett and West for City of Rapid City Public Works Department) from Medium Density Residential District to Public District (property described as north of Kenya Lake Drive and east of Sunnyvale Drive). Motion by Seacrest, second by Roseland. Council approved the first reading (Item 51).

- Ordinance No. 6,658: First reading — amendment to Section 17.06 (rezoning request by MS Black Hills Properties LLC) from No Use District to General Commercial District for property at 293 Country Road. Motion by Lehman, second by Seacrest. Council approved the first reading (Item 52).

- Ordinance No. 6,659: First reading — amendment to Section 17.06 (rezoning request by Long Branch Civil Engineering Inc. for Bob Poles) from General Agricultural District to Low Density Residential District 2 for property at the northern terminus of Willow Bend Road. Motion by Seacrest, second by Beiberdorf. Council approved the first reading (Item 53).

- Ordinance No. 6,660: First reading — amendment to Section 17.06 (rezoning request by Advanced Design Engineering and Surveying Inc. for Via Village Mobile Home Park LLC) from Heavy Industrial District to Mobile Home Residential District for property near Creek Drive and East Philadelphia Street. Motion by Biberdorf, second by Maher. Council approved the first reading (Item 54).

- Preliminary subdivision — Arrowhead Subdivision (3,133 Holdings LLC): Preliminary plan for multiple lots and dedicated public right of way north of Severson Street terminus. Recommendation was to approve with stipulations. Motion by Lehman, second by Maher; council approved with stipulations (Item 56).

- Preliminary subdivision — Stony Meadows Subdivision (Indigo Design LLC): Preliminary plan for multiple lots south of Bent Drive and east of Sheridan Lake Road. Motion by Hamm, second by Seacrest; council approved with stipulations (Item 57).

- Bills: Finance Director Daniel Ainsley reported the bills for the night total $18,430,132.88. Motion by Seacrest, second by Hamm to approve the bills; council approved (no opposition recorded in the transcript).

Most motions were approved after the council vote of \"Aye\" with no opposition called. Individual vote tallies were not listed in the transcript for each item; where the transcript recorded a specific dissent it was noted in the separate article on the downtown landscape master plan (Item 55).","Rapid City council approved first readings of several rezoning ordinances, approved two preliminary subdivision plans, and approved the bills for the night totaling $18,430,132.88. Most motions passed unanimously as recorded; one item in a different item received a single no vote (see separate article for item 55).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6074125,"Council approves professional services agreement for downtown landscape master plan; one member objects",254,2238000,2492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800&start=2238&end=2492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987735-593149857edc77e74528dd8fecf85800/thumbnail_2238000.jpg","/articles/6074125/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Council-approves-professional-services-agreement-for-downtown-landscape-master-plan-one-member-objects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074125-570b0f4c5b52b4e47b38cb00c96ca1cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220118&Signature=F7eVCskPfMamKkrCtOU~6qvl3M4RPXAbL~LlBDw-wPL38~gttIF5kS37ijFgJ44xmrerhc23qGBw33xQmSN4ydiU3DyziJag9RQSoRVAK2CdZcZYjKqVjHmS6~j1HOPcnDTxh-R1fO0jObB8KcAvVXPrVK82MHzftn1WSv6aBLLz4xXKJZoWM-CT8IflZMxKczaIJHTARSUXz4evX6rQcWJ1HIE0yM6AgrtjBWtIQb1ugF5DmwMC3Jlewjek7HraEcQR58KhVlEjQtChOlxA0X0~LhvXdmi5l-VwDyduTPfrK-pE~A5IzAl7RTc4Zh~luIBoB7OBRfzLql5EHYlOmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rapid City Common Council voted to authorize the mayor and finance director to sign a professional services agreement with Wiss Associates Inc. to produce a downtown landscape master plan.

Council members framed the plan as an economic development and public-safety measure and said it will guide future streetscape improvements, conceptual design and cost estimates. \"We allocated or dedicated $100,000 in council contingency funds in 2025 to be used towards downtown beautification,\" Councilor Seacrest said, explaining the funding source for initial planning work.

Seacrest told colleagues the goal is a long-term investment rather than piecemeal fixes, noting the last major downtown streetscape investments were in the 1980s and 1990s and that maintenance issues now include \"failing irrigation lines, aging design features, and mismatched streetscapes.\" He described the effort as appropriate for inclusion in the city's comprehensive plan vision fund and said the project should bring stakeholders — downtown businesses, Visit Rapid City, parks, streets and public-safety officials — together.

\"If we create an environment where people want to come down and use downtown, enjoy downtown, it will improve the environment and eliminate a lot of the crime that we're having downtown,\" Councilor Pettigrew said, urging colleagues to support the planning contract and noting the plan will involve public input and multiple city departments.

Council discussion included the downtown Business Improvement District (BID) funding context: Seacrest said BID funds generate about $280,000 annually and that Main Street Square has an operations budget of about $1,100,000, arguing BID revenue is currently committed to operations and not sufficient for a project of this scale.

A motion by Councilor Seacrest, seconded by Councilor Roseland, to authorize signing the professional services agreement passed; the roll call recorded one no vote from Councilor Lehman and the motion otherwise carried.

The agreement directs staff to work with Wiss Associates on planning, conceptual design and cost estimates; the council did not adopt design details or construction funding at this meeting. Implementation steps and timelines were not specified during discussion.

Mayor Jason Solomon presided over the vote and the council requested that the consultant gather community input and coordinate with downtown stakeholders and public-safety staff.

The council did not set a project schedule or final construction budget at the meeting; those items will be determined later as planning work and cost estimates are completed.","The Rapid City Common Council authorized the mayor and finance director to sign a professional services agreement with Wiss Associates Inc. to prepare a downtown landscape master plan. Councilors framed the work as an economic development and public-safety investment; the motion passed with one no vote from Councilor Lehman.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge city to study homelessness costs and address downtown safety

Council acknowledges final Water Utility System Master Plan prepared by Black & Veatch

Votes at a glance: Council approves first readings for multiple rezones and two preliminary subdivisions; bills approved

Council approves professional services agreement for downtown landscape master plan; one member objects