[{"_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",6486498,"mediaKeyId","5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6","parentId",5565173,"title","Committee forwards tire‑shredding lease with Colorado Energy Recyclers (GCC subsidiary) to full council amid air‑quality questions","audioSeconds",3886,"startMs",466000,"endMs",4352000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6&start=466&end=4352","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6/thumbnail_466000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486498/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Committee-forwards-tireshredding-lease-with-Colorado-Energy-Recyclers-GCC-subsidiary-to-full-council-amid-airquality-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486498-5ac0e9627a77027464f6b1267a50c9fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185233&Signature=AMV~iFFUfUYPGjIDI8hItRw1xHsXP0DJ73Fls7ELypht1EgelyvujgrM9DgZJkxP0mU9qbFUMTvaqliqXQYvovbtO4Czy0DMyBwrQDsvCnJkte5Dkj~7huhjvj~Vj7ZYfzBCMfAI~oJaljy2GX~DGrK6Kxu7YAdaD13plODT075Y8gAEv6rXvB~uqPJJQSPUTROMK29~VCeH~JO3nqmVYBYrC~N5I8nvWmIUdjbEZNvCQJFkZLUpfQ8~vph6lnCN-203D4hukFM0MHLcmukZ~snZwvvTZEl~ELTmMKQnsxobi2HfMtU0CBg4-Eqp7Zhw-YhdjxocmNmqVmCMczpZhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","rapidcitygovernment account","date","2025-08-13T07:50:08Z","article","The Public Works Committee on Aug. 12 approved an amendment to an alternative‑fuel landfill diversion evaluation and voted to forward a proposed lease with Colorado Energy Recyclers — a subsidiary of GCC’s cement operations — to the full City Council without recommendation.

City staff described the arrangement as a three‑part approach to landfill diversion. Under the lease terms staff summarized at the meeting, Colorado Energy Recyclers would occupy a leased area at the Rapid City landfill to shred tires. The shredded material would then be transported to GCC’s cement plant for use as an alternative fuel; there will be no incineration or combustion of tires at the landfill site itself. Daniel Ainsley, the city’s finance officer, clarified that the cement plant’s processing and any combustion would occur off‑site and be regulated by the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and city rules.

Staff disclosed early commercial terms during the committee discussion: the lease would charge $6,000 per month for a three‑year term; the city would charge Colorado Energy Recyclers $7.50 per ton for inbound tires processed into product; the city currently pays roughly $230 per ton to dispose of tires off‑site, so staff estimated significant cost savings. Staff projected early annual revenue in the range of $75,000–$125,000 and comparable disposal cost savings. For the first 75 tons of product produced, staff said there would be no disposal cost to the city; beyond that the net cost would be about one‑third of the city’s current disposal cost.

Public comment had raised air‑quality concerns earlier in the meeting when a resident asked whether the Rapid City GCC cement plant incinerates difficult wastes (including a claim that wind‑turbine blades were shipped to Rapid City). City staff (Vicky) responded that the GCC facility holds permits, that EPA and state regulations apply, and that the plant underwent substantial upgrades (staff cited a roughly $100 million upgrade) and provides annual permit documentation to the city. Staff stressed that any combustion at GCC’s plant is subject to DANR permitting and EPA filtration standards; the city’s lease would not authorize combustion at the landfill.

Committee members who supported forwarding the lease said the arrangement could reduce landfill costs and create a modest revenue stream. One member said they wanted the full council to review the proposal and hear concerns about air quality and asked the item be sent to Monday’s council meeting without a committee recommendation. The committee approved the substitute motion to forward the matter to full council without recommendation.

Why this matters: The proposal would alter how the city handles tires — shifting from paying third-party disposal to on‑site shredding and off‑site processing — and raises regulatory oversight questions about downstream combustion and local air quality. The committee’s vote advances the lease to the full City Council for further debate and possible contract approval.

Next steps: The item will appear before the full City Council for further consideration; city staff will provide the lease and amendment documents and answer questions about permits, monitoring and emissions controls at the GCC cement plant.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rapid City Public Works Committee 08-12-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Works Committee on Aug. 12 voted to forward to the full City Council a proposed lease allowing Colorado Energy Recyclers (a GCC subsidiary) to shred tires at the Rapid City landfill and haul the shredded product to GCC’s cement plant for use as an alternative fuel.","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},6486504,"Committee authorizes MOU and NDA with Black Hills Energy to evaluate landfill and wastewater RNG potential",907,3105000,4012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6&start=3105&end=4012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6/thumbnail_3105000.jpg","/articles/6486504/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Committee-authorizes-MOU-and-NDA-with-Black-Hills-Energy-to-evaluate-landfill-and-wastewater-RNG-potential","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486504-91d91e835150638fe75b7467fb3e9951/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185233&Signature=fB~OEldeWkG~MlbyR58d5-XZAe2XTcmb7AHi-zDKFi9wYDoL9ODrky21xNviZIe7xDleo75FyOQeP5pDMwnZNd6ddHZ5e6qAwpEhPWkATeyUy8Ea5g5-hV6cCn-sWKHglk4kHan6XyX9CRUIuUAm5gW5Ca9QC5gfikQVC65T~rBBURGHNxvbZQgATauGVPQSBlFUE1IDjfjLKjSACJjiBdowObA08vJ90a52xSwNeeuRgbI6~DQjnlmdrYC~oW7I3aa321jiAnes3Gd6F2eziybj7zjo-wkuxdZKxm7b~lq3LKrFv6e5JPT4Mk7XnYIXlH5egl~Vv8Y6-ySHhhdU3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rapid City Public Works Committee on Aug. 12 authorized the mayor and the finance director to sign a memorandum of understanding and a confidentiality agreement with Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources to evaluate the feasibility of producing renewable natural gas (RNG) from the city’s landfill and water reclamation facility.

Stacy Titus, solid waste director, said the city currently flares methane at both facilities and is using only a fraction of the gas produced. Paul (director of origination for Black Hills Energy), speaking for the company’s RNG group, described how RNG is produced (removing contaminants so the product is generally greater than 90% methane and roughly 950 BTUs) and how federal and regional incentive markets — notably the Renewable Fuel Standard (RINs) and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard — create revenue opportunities for RNG producers.

Black Hills Energy said it already owns pipeline interconnections, operates 10 injection points in its footprint and acquired an operational RNG plant at a landfill in Dubuque, Iowa, in January 2024. Paul said Black Hills will hire a third‑party engineering firm, analyze well‑field and gas generation data from the city’s landfill and wastewater plant, and return with a technical and commercial package if the project is feasible. Titus said the evaluation is expected to conclude in 2026 and that the evaluation work is at Black Hills’ expense; city staff said no upfront city capital is required for the study, though Black Hills will need site access and data.

If feasible, Titus said Black Hills would build, operate and maintain the plant and the well field, and the city would receive royalties under a long‑term agreement yet to be negotiated. The committee voted to authorize execution of the MOU and the confidentiality agreement.

Why this matters: Converting fugitive methane to pipeline‑quality RNG can reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions and provide a revenue stream for the city’s solid‑waste operations, subject to commercial terms and feasibility.

Next steps: Black Hills will conduct the technical evaluation and return with a rate‑of‑return prospectus for council consideration in 2026 if the project is viable.","Rapid City authorized staff to sign a memorandum of understanding and a confidentiality agreement with Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources to evaluate whether landfill and wastewater methane can be processed as renewable natural gas; Black Hills will fund the technical evaluation and expects to return by 2026 with a feasibility package.",{"_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},6486509,"City staff propose $8 million Shop 3 to modernize dated Streets & Maintenance Campus, project pitched to funders",1307,1882000,3189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6&start=1882&end=3189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6/thumbnail_1882000.jpg","/articles/6486509/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/City-staff-propose-8-million-Shop-3-to-modernize-dated-Streets-Maintenance-Campus-project-pitched-to-funders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486509-fd946ad54b4eb13b6a10f978d8bf9408/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185233&Signature=FyzYZl-VP6g3etdiyoPSwQuB8FWglZOHbMlQaKy~YZ6DB9qYLp8H5S8FVRjz1dOM7XvhRYGXAYSCqOx~G-kEX7sF1rFDKGIcf6QrxOYZS-eYKRXV-UNSI0Ec4gYYPSCAAdFYTAuStBiWftD6Px1hwXMhw1Lzw~6WmorFXQdk2P2LFwy0Q2efZwvbupf-ZHISZOqdvRTBzz~KSCDoN7WPUNv6hVKE66lMz2FdXIl85BVg3kDwYYoMeAaH5cOfSi0-zUIjTpnuVAR-V2DPsTMvz6U7Nqrhz8OlqEW3~MluCIkQDB7fVNDBkR06guaxRho3fItJWC4wCsDpaG5-nbzAaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rapid City Public Works staff proposed a phased redevelopment of the Streets & Maintenance Campus during the Aug. 12 Public Works Committee meeting, presenting a plan that begins with a $8 million, 16-bay maintenance building (Shop 3) intended to house heavy and medium equipment and reduce outsourcing costs.

Gerard Kemmer, maintenance superintendent, and Alex Cushman, public works engineer, told the committee the existing campus has buildings dating to 1952 and 1981 that lack adequate bay size, lifting equipment and updated electrical capacity. Staff said mechanics serviced large equipment outdoors and that some in‑bay hoists are in lockout/tagout status because of structural limitations.

The proposed phase 1 facility would provide 16 new bays, modern lifting and electrical infrastructure and heated storage. Staff estimated the city could save more than $1 million per year primarily by reducing outsourced maintenance — the city incurred about $600,000 in outsourced maintenance last year — and presented a projected payback period of roughly six years and an internal rate of return near 16.5%.

Staff cited Lenexa, Kansas as a comparable modern facility and said the campus plan envisions future phases that would consolidate salt storage, add heated storage for plows and sweepers and replace Shop 1. The full campus redevelopment includes four phases and was presented to the Vision Fund citizen committee earlier in the year; staff said the Vision Fund committee endorsed the project but did not allocate funding this cycle.

City finance officer Daniel Ainsley said the project will require financing (bond or loan) because it exceeds a single year’s capital capacity; staff said they would return next month with financing options if legal and finance give similar direction. Committee members praised the presentation as necessary and supported pursuing funding, but one member urged the staff to consider a larger initial footprint and relocating the campus because the existing site may be valuable for other uses in the future.

Why this matters: The campus supports fleet readiness for essential city services (streets, solid waste, emergency response). Staff argued that investment in maintenance facilities preserves the life of expensive equipment, improves employee safety and reduces long‑term costs for taxpayers.

The committee voted to recognize the presentation and directed staff to return with financing options if legal and finance concurred.","Public Works staff proposed a phased redevelopment of the Streets & Maintenance Campus, starting with a $8 million, 16-bay Shop 3 to cut outsourced repair costs, add capacity and improve working conditions; staff estimate a roughly six-year payback from reduced outsourcing and lower lifecycle costs.",{"_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},6486513,"Engineers find serious deck and beam deterioration; Chapel Lane Bridge to be load-posted and rebuilt if grant awarded",1050,894000,1944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6&start=894&end=1944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565173-0948350f5edd1178b3b8f40d3930cba6/thumbnail_894000.jpg","/articles/6486513/Rapid-City/Pennington-County/South-Dakota/Engineers-find-serious-deck-and-beam-deterioration-Chapel-Lane-Bridge-to-be-load-posted-and-rebuilt-if-grant-awarded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486513-863b88705d959ea4db386abd7fcecb92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185233&Signature=Y110jWE4f2AfkVhpYAD-m~pLYjfNNCnbu89SnNUo7sZNUvBeJn~xmhoCQkw5Moo~BR1ibVwqvTTBwZNw1ZdA5xFSyrdlMnkqv4ZdEcT0vg~fHkm3KglRtXTAnLlCgKc5tgEDysJN0Ho9Nem0cZFYrpX~4VR9WMwq3hwEkFZlaT4LLMdftt3iK0SNKAZ7qJrJBchKUe8qiT-oXYx8acbXzgbvtg0xQnyXl9PysHjUhyRCKu~Kuzr9rCLaRY6Lw3HaUyZ54qU2sj-huUkSMIX9Rr64xXlN45T9ep0ReaG7SUshcKJ89MUgSXMr2lUI~2FtJYNs0HOw~IY0eW9gTptf0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bros Engineering told the Rapid City Public Works Committee on Aug. 12 that inspections of three city bridges — Chapel Lane, Somerset Drive and Creek Drive — revealed significant deterioration that will reduce allowable loads and, in one case, requires closing half the bridge.

The firm’s Spencer Doctor and inspector Josh Hertel said a roughly 3-foot-diameter hole was discovered in the Chapel Lane deck in April and that the deck shows widespread spalling and efflorescence. In their recommendation, Bros Engineering concluded the Chapel Lane Bridge should be load-posted at a 25% reduction of the Federal Highway Administration’s legal-vehicle loads. The city said those load ratings would go into effect on the 20th after required reporting to the South Dakota Department of Transportation and the FHWA.

The engineers also reported severe corrosion at the abutment cap under the Somerset Drive bridge, with exposed, section‑loss rebar, and progressive spalling and a severed bottom strand on double‑T beams at the Creek Drive structure. City staff said the Creek Drive bridge’s east half is closed and will remain so until repair or replacement.

The committee heard public comment from Brian and Joyce Kringen, managing directors of Chapel in the Hills, who said the posted weight limits could prevent tour buses (they estimated roughly 100 buses per season) from reaching the chapel and asked whether temporary accommodations could let scheduled tours finish this season. Council members and staff noted school buses are lighter and not affected; staff said they have met with Visit Rapid City, Rapid Transit, emergency services and area schools to coordinate impacts.

City staff said the Chapel Lane Bridge was built in 1974, the deck hole appeared in April and that the city has already begun design work and renewed grant applications. Staff said the state DOT’s bridge grant is typically 80% state/20% local; if the city’s score is sufficient they will bid the project in the next cycle and aim to begin construction in late 2026, with an estimated construction duration of about 18 months. The city also reported constraints that the replacement must generally be built in the same footprint because of flood‑plain and wildlife protections (staff noted an osprey nest adjacent to the site).

Committee members asked about interim public‑safety implications, including fire and ambulance access. City staff said emergency services protocol (sending both engine and ambulance due to staffing norms) will be reviewed with the fire chief and that staff are exploring a rough emergency ingress/egress route for residents if needed. Council members also asked whether the bridge materials used today are more durable; Bros Engineering said modern designs typically reduce joints where deicing salt and water penetrate and that repainting and cathodic protection can prolong life, but the damage observed at several locations is already advanced.

Why this matters: The bridges carry local traffic, emergency services and tourist buses; load postings and lane closures alter travel and service patterns for residents and businesses. The city is pursuing state grant funding to cover most construction costs but said the replacement schedule and funding depend on scoring and grant awards.

Details from the meeting: Engineers described taking the FHWA-specified hypothetical trucks and reducing allowable weights by 25% to set the Chapel Lane posting. The Somerset Drive structure still meets current postings (single units SU30 and combinations 50) but will be monitored. For Creek Drive, the city has started a replacement process to switch to a box culvert. City staff said they have been applying for grants on Chapel Lane “for years,” and that the recent critical findings should raise the project’s score enough to be competitive.

The committee voted to acknowledge the bridge inspection presentation.","An engineering inspection found large deck holes, beam spalling and corroded abutments on three Rapid City bridges. The Chapel Lane Bridge will be load-posted and staff plan to pursue an 80/20 DOT grant to replace it, with construction likely in late 2026 and about 18 months to complete.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee forwards tire‑shredding lease with Colorado Energy Recyclers (GCC subsidiary) to full council amid air‑quality questions

Committee authorizes MOU and NDA with Black Hills Energy to evaluate landfill and wastewater RNG potential

City staff propose $8 million Shop 3 to modernize dated Streets & Maintenance Campus, project pitched to funders

Engineers find serious deck and beam deterioration; Chapel Lane Bridge to be load-posted and rebuilt if grant awarded