Committee approves nuisance-abatement assessments; council debate centers on snow-removal fees

The Rapid City Legal and Finance Committee on May 14 approved Resolution 2025-045, levying assessments for abatement of nuisances, after council members debated the city’s snow-removal enforcement and associated fees.

Councilman Bill Evans said the city’s current approach can be punitive in some cases, describing personal and neighborhood examples and urging policy changes. “I think we need to revisit this policy, and we need to stop always being so punitive and punishing citizens,” Evans said, adding he would vote to approve the resolution because “this is the way the law is written now.”

Director Ainsley, speaking for the city’s code enforcement division, said enforcement is complaint-based and that changing the nuisance regulations would require an ordinance amendment. “If it’s the desire of the council to look at snow removal as something we should be changing our protocol on, that’s something we could do,” Ainsley said, while noting special protections such as school-route clearance would likely be preserved.

Evans criticized the administrative fees charged when the city arranges removal, calling some amounts disproportionate to the work involved and urging more empathetic options for residents who are temporarily unable to clear walks. He suggested lower, more reasonable service rates or a city-run service as alternatives.

The motion to approve Resolution 2025-045 was made by Councilman Bill Evans and seconded by Councilmember Roseland; the chair called for the ayes, and the motion carried.

The discussion left open the possibility of a future ordinance amendment to change how snow and ice complaints are handled; staff indicated such a change would require formal amendment to the nuisance code and that the council would need to direct staff if it wishes to pursue that path.