City Council Study Session

City of Spearfish City Council Study Session Minutes January 31, 2024, 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, January 31, 2024. 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, Finance Officer DeNeui, Interim Public Works Director McMahon, City Planner Kapsa, Parks and Recreation Director Ehnes, Recreation Facility Superintendent Rauterkus. Klarenbeek moved, Hourigan seconded, and all voted to approve the agenda as presented. Items for Council Discussion: Snow Removal – Interim Public Works Director McMahon noted that snow removal staff have reviewed their priorities to ensure they are in alignment with the goals of the snow removal functions. This includes finding a balance between costs and services to citizens. Some specific areas to be adjusted include plowing curb to curb on most streets, evaluating equipment, staff and contractor needs, being consistent with plowing operations, communications with internal staff, and coordinating with parks staff for snow removal efforts. McMahon noted that external communications will be changing soon as we are evaluating a notification system and information will be more visible on the City’s website and social media pages. More information on the notification system will be provided later. Additionally, McMahon noted that plowing to the center of streets has increased costs as it then requires the hauling of the snow so this may not be done in the future. Rec Center Cost Recovery – Parks and Recreation Director Ehnes noted 2023 operations for the Spearfish Recreation and Aquatics Center resulted in 78.6% cost recovery and a relatively stable annual supplement for operations. Results for 2015-2023 are: Year Revenue Cost Recovery % Supplement 2015 $1,123,435.00 73.80% $397,664.00 2016 $1,259,229.00 74.70% $424,736.00 2017 $1,042,832.00 78.60% $283,945.00 2018 $1,035,928.00 72.30% $397,345.00 2019 $1,074,194.00 73.90% $379,367.00 2020* $380,404.00 42.90% $506,256.00 2021* $1,079,795.00 81.43% $246,310.00 2022 $1,249,273.00 59.92% $835,469.00 2023 $1,367,388.00 78.60% $373,228.00 Ehnes also noted that a report will be presented at a future study session by Recreation Facility Superintendent Rauterkus. Short Term Rental Taskforce Update – City Planner Kapsa noted 45 applications were received for the short-term rental taskforce and 14 have been selected to join with 3 staff members and 2 elected officials. The taskforce held its first meeting on Thursday, January 25, 2024, and discussed the overall policy goals. In addition, Kapsa noted that community comments are also welcome on this topic, and we have established an email address for citizens to remit comments on this topic. The email is: shorttermrentalinfo@cityofspearfish.com. City Council Agenda: Draft Agenda – The draft agenda for February 5, 2024, City Council Regular Session was reviewed. The public comment period was opened at 4:38 p.m. and closed with no comments being received. No additional discussions were held and with a motion from Hourigan, and second from Hodgs, the meeting was adjourned at 4:39 p.m.