City Council Study Session

City of Spearfish City Council Study Session Minutes November 29, 2023, 4:15 p.m. The City Council Study Session was called to order by Mayor Senden at 4:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. The following c o u n c i l members were present: Clark, Hodgs, Hourigan, Jacobs, and Klarenbeek. Absent: Rath. City staff present were: City Attorney McDonald, Public Safety Director Rotert, Finance Officer DeNeui, Public Works Director Broyles, City Planner Kapsa, Parks and Recreation Director Ehnes, City Engineer Mathis and Assistant Public Works Director McMahon. Clark moved, Jacobs seconded, and all voted to approve the agenda as presented. Items for Council Discussion: Comprehensive Plan – City Planner Kapsa provided an update on the progress of the Comprehensive Plan. The consultants, SE Group, were in Spearfish from October 16-19 and held 8 stakeholder meetings, attended the Planning Commission and City Council meetings, held an Advisory Committee meeting, and conducted a community open house which was attending by approximately 140 residents. The major themes from the meetings were housing affordability, outdoor recreation and open space, Black Hills State University, increasing diversity in economic development, infrastructure, and sustainability. Next steps in the process are continued Advisory Group meetings and a draft plan anticipated in May 2024. Final plan adoption by the Planning Commission and the City Council is anticipated for August 2024. Comments are still being accepted on the website www.AdventureAheadSpearfish.com which utilizes a software platform called Social Pinpoint to gather information. Standards and Specifications – City Engineer Mathis provided an update on the progress of the Standards and Specifications manual. The manual will contain design criteria focusing on general designs, streets, sanitary sewer, water distribution, grading, environmental, street lighting/electrical, and development procedures. The development procedures will also include plan review checklists for annexation, rezoning, preliminary plat and final design processes. In addition to the Standards and Specification manual, a standalone manual for the analysis and design of stormwater improvements such as storm sewer systems, drainage channel, detention ponds, and etc. will be created. The standard specifications for construction will include areas of general construction, removals, concrete pavement, asphalt concrete pavement, base course, pavement marking and permanent signage, sanitary sewer, water, grading, surface restoration, erosion control, fencing, storm sewer, electrical, and general conditions. These standard specifications will include standard details for construction, a standardized bid item list, project bidding documents and development plan review checklists for annexation, rezoning, preliminary plat, and final design. Most sections of the manual are nearing completion with a few that are near the half-way point. Once the draft manual is completed it will be sent to HDR Engineering for review and comments and then a final draft will be presented to City Council for approval. Grants – Finance Officer DeNeui provided an update on grants awarded to the City. Since 2019 the City has been awarded $15,689,687 in grants for various projects and operations. A complete listing was provided to the council and public. Within these grants a local match of $705,279.26 has been required. A recent grant application to the SD Housing Infrastructure Financing Program for Colorado Boulevard widening was denied as Sky Ridge Workforce housing project is already underway with some homes currently occupied. Missing from the list is the grant award from the Safe Streets for All grant to assist with design and standards to reduce traffic related deaths to zero. After the design and standards portion is completed, Spearfish will be eligible to apply for the Safe Streets for All construction grant to make the necessary improvements. Another grant that we are pending award notification on is the Reconnecting Communities Grant which will assist in the widening and improvements for multi-modal transportation along Colorado Boulevard. City Council Agenda: Draft Agenda – The draft agenda for December 4, 2023, City Council Regular Session was previewed. The public comment period was opened at 4:48 p.m. Comments were received from resident Greg Moselle regarding the comprehensive plan, Sky Ridge, public works projects, and funding for first responders. No other comments were received and the time for public comment was closed. No additional discussions were held and with a motion from Hourigan, and second from Hodgs, the meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m.