What's News In The City & Air Quality Index

**AIR QUALITY INDEX:

Check out this link regarding the current air quality conditions in Rapid City.

Click to see the current Air Quality Index

**REMOTE DISPOSAL SITES REOPENING MAY 5; CURBSIDE YARD WASTE COLLECTION TO RESUME: The City’s remote yard waste disposal sites at Fitzgerald Stadium at 2721 Canyon Lake Drive, and the West Boulevard North facility at 1117 Nickel St are set to open Monday, May 5.  Curbside collection of yard waste is also set to begin for the season on that day.

            City Solid Waste Division officials provide the following information regarding services that will be available at the sites, commencing May 5:

REMOTE DISPOSAL SITES: Remote yard waste containers will be available for disposing of yard waste at the Fitzgerald Stadium and West Boulevard North sites.  The remote sites will also contain plastic and cardboard recycling containers. The dumping of trash or other items is prohibited at both sites. Yard waste, plastic and cardboard items must be placed inside the containers at the remote sites. These sites are to be used for residential purposes only. Commercial use is prohibited.

CURBSIDE SERVICE:  Yard waste must be properly placed in the recyclable brown paper sacks and placed curbside on the day of curbside collection. Prohibited items include pet waste, dirt, sod, and rocks. Branches and sticks need to be bundled and tied up for collection.  The bundles need to be under 25 pounds and under four feet in length. Large branches and tree limbs must be taken to the Fitzgerald Stadium or Landfill sites.

CARDBOARD: The remote sites provide containers for disposal of recyclable materials and clean cardboard items.  The large blue containers are for recyclable items and the brown containers are for clean, corrugated cardboard items such as the brown boxes.  Do not place shiny cardboard boxes in the recyclable or cardboard containers.  Shiny cardboard has pictures on it like diaper boxes, TV boxes, shoe boxes, cereal boxes, etc. These are coated with a layer of plastic and should be placed in the trash.

POLLINATORS:  Gardeners are advised to remove winter protection, such as mulch, when temperatures are consistent above freezing or when plants begin to sprout, Many experts advise waiting for temperatures to be consistently above 50 degrees before cutting back perennials, removing cover and disrupting soils due to hibernating insects.

RAPID CITY LANDFILL:  The transfer site located at the entrance of the Landfill is open 24/7.  The site provides containers for yard waste, newspaper, cardboard and mixed recycling items year-round. The dumping of trash or other items is prohibited.  Commercial use is prohibited.

COMPOST FOR GRASS: The Rapid City Solid Waste Division offers compost for your spring lawn needs. The compost is comprised of city yard waste and little is done with the materials except adding water during the grinding process. With the amount of chemicals in the incoming waste, Solid Waste officials advise using the compost material only on grass. The material is available for a penny a pound and can be picked up Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m..

“With the nice weather, homeowners have started or will be starting spring cleaning inside their homes, including attics, basements and garages, as well as their yards,” said Solid Waste Outreach Coordinator Ria Hannon.  “We want to remind them of the opening of the remote sites, and that curbside yard waste collection is starting up for the season.  We also want to provide some helpful recycling reminders of common items like cardboard and how to dispose of different items around the home, such as paint, tires and other items.”

                Hannon encourages the public to visit the Solid Waste website at  www.rapidcityrecycles.org .  This site includes a helpful ‘What Goes Where’ section including guidance on proper disposal of paint; automotive items such as antifreeze, oil, tires and batteries; cardboard and boxes; electronics; hazardous materials; sharps items and more.  The site also provides a recycling section including ‘What Can I Recycle?’ with helpful hints on what can be placed in the blue recycling bins and containers; and a section entitled ‘Tips & Tricks’ with helpful reminders and facts.

            For more information or with questions, contact the City’s Solid Waste Division at 605-355-3496.

**RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM RELEASES APRIL RIDERSHIP REPORT: Ridership on Rapid Transit System (RTS) buses increased 11 percent in April compared to the same month a year ago with over 24,400 passenger trips recorded.

            Overall ridership for the RapidRide and Dial-A-Ride programs totaled 24,436 trips, a considerable increase over the 21,826 trips recorded in April 2024. By comparison, last month’s overall ridership total increased more than 9,000 trips over the total recorded just four years ago in April 2021, when 15,127 trips were tallied.

            Youth ridership numbers also experienced a significant spike in April. A total of 6,219 youth trips were recorded last month, a 9 percent increase over April 2024 when 5,657 trips were recorded.  Last month’s youth ridership numbers are more than double the youth passenger totals from just three years ago in April 2022 (3,046).

            “April was another very good month for both youth and overall ridership,” said RTS Manager Megan Gould-Stabile. “We start to see some reduction in ridership among the youth as the weather gets warmer, but the numbers were very solid.”

**CITY ENACTING EARLY WATER RESTRICTIONS DUE TO PACTOLA WATER LEVELS: Due to current water levels and inflows at Pactola Reservoir, the City of Rapid City is elevating the storage condition status for Pactola Reservoir from ‘normal status’ to ‘concern status’.  As a result, officials are implementing water conservation measures – commonly referred to as watering restrictions – a month early this season.

         Effective this Thursday, annual water conservation measures will begin and continue through the end of August. No watering is allowed between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.  Odd-numbered addresses are allowed to water on odd-numbered calendar days.  Even-numbered addresses are allowed to water on even-numbered calendar days. No outside watering is allowed on the 31st day of any month.

         Manual watering with a handheld hose or with a bucket, sprinkling can or other similar container is allowed.

         Since the 1990s, the City of Rapid City has instituted mandatory water conservation measures, generally implemented June 1-August 31 each year under normal status conditions.  Status conditions include normal, concern, alert and critical stages and are determined by the water levels and inflows to Pactola Reservoir. 

         The ‘Concern Status’ designation means whenever Pactola Reservoir contains less than 48,950 acre feet of water or the inflow to Pactola Reservoir is less than 90 percent of the mean monthly average, conservation measures will be implemented earlier and continue through September 30.  City water officials indicate the new status designation will be reassessed in late August to determine if water conservation measures will continue through the end of September.

        Under ‘Alert Status’ designation, water conservation measures shall apply throughout the entire year and under ‘Critical Access’ designation, no outside watering is permitted.  The status designations are determined by water levels and inflows at Pactola Reservoir.

        "We are adjusting the status designation due to the water levels and inflows at Pactola Reservoir,” said Rapid City Water Superintendent Eric Boyda. “Water conservation measures will go into effect Thursday and continue throughout the summer under current conditions. It’s no secret that for several months, the entire region has been experiencing less-than-average precipitation, and our winter and spring haven’t provided enough precipitation to alleviate drought in the area.” 

       “We appreciate the public’s cooperation with implementing water restrictions a month earlier than anticipated.”

        For more information or questions about the City’s water restrictions, contact the Rapid City Water Office at 394-4162.

**REGISTRATION UNDERWAY FOR SPRING BOCCE LEAGUES HOSTED BY CITY REC:  Registration is underway for Spring Bocce Leagues, hosted by the Rapid City Parks and Recreation Department.

        The City is offering Monday Night Leagues, comprised of doubles, recreational and competitive leagues.  Team cost is $40. Deadline to register is May 14 with the season beginning May 19 with Monday night action beginning at 6 p.m. at the Bocce Ball Courts at Omaha Street and Mount Rushmore Road. The six-week league will include an end-of-season tournament. Balls will be provided.

         “We’ve had tremendous response since we started offering bocce ball leagues,” said City Recreation Specialist Matt Brandhagen. “When we decided to offer Bocce Ball as one of our activities, we had no idea the level of response and how successful it was going to be.”

         Sign up online at https://rapidcity.activityreg.com/ClientPage_t2.wcs , at the Swim Center, 125 Waterloo Street; or at the Parks and Rec Office, 515 West Boulevard.  If you have questions, contact Matt Brandhagen at 605-415-0226 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

**APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR AIR QUALITY BOARD: The City is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Air Quality Board.

       The Air Quality Board vacancy is for the Business Representative position and is for a three-year term on the board. Interested citizens are encouraged to apply by submitting a Citizen Interest Application online. Application deadline is June 2 at 5:00 p.m.  

        Criteria for the Business representative in RCMC Chapter 8.34 specifies that the member shall be associated with a business in the area regulated by this chapter or Pennington County Ordinance No. 12. This individual may not be associated with a business which is regulated by either of the aforementioned ordinances.

       The Air Quality Board meets quarterly with a goal of maintaining compliance status with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards, to prevent adverse health and environmental effects that result from fugitive dust emissions and smoke from wood burning and open burning.

        Appointments are recommended by the Mayor and confirmed by the Rapid City Council. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Please contact the Mayor’s Office with questions at 605-394-4110. More information on the Board can be found on the Air Quality page on the City’s web site at www.rcgov.org.

**RESIDENTS REMINDED NOT TO DISCHARGE WATER FROM SUMP PUMPS INTO SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM: Residents in the Rapid City area have welcomed the recent rains but even moderate amounts of precipitation can create water-filled basements, crawl spaces and rooms in the home. City officials are reminding residents it is illegal to discharge water from sump pumps into the City’s sanitary sewer system and advise residents to remove sump pump connections to the sanitary sewer.

           Moderate to heavy spring and summer rains can sometimes result in flooded areas of the home. Residents who rely on sump pumps in their homes sometimes seek to discharge the water into the City’s sanitary sewer system.  Such actions can be a contributing factor to sewer backups. Connecting a sump pump to a floor drain or other sewer connection is illegal. City officials encourage sewer customers to be good neighbors and remove sump pump connections to the sanitary sewer, including floor drains or other connections to City’s sanitary sewer system.

           Sump pumps, which remove ground water from homes and businesses, should be discharged into yards, streets, or the storm sewer, according to city officials. The sanitary sewer system is designed to convey only water from toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, and laundry machines. If residents are found in violation of City ordinances (13.16.200 and 1.12.010), they risk a fine of $500 and/or jail time of up to 30 days.

         Questions regarding sump pump discharge can be directed to the City Utility Maintenance Division at 605-394-4163. 

**MOST CITY PARK RESTROOMS OPEN FOR SEASON: All of the City’s park restrooms will be open for the spring and summer season around May 1. In addition, some of the City’s park shelters will be available for reserved use beginning Thursday (May 1).

          Thirteen restroom facilities throughout the community will open for the season by this upcoming weekend. The list includes facilities at Legacy Commons, Canyon Lake Park (multiple facilities), Storybook Island, Robbinsdale Park (upper and lower park facilities), Old Storybook Island, Vickie Powers Park, Wilderness Park, College Park, Wilson Park and Mary Hall Park. 

            The restroom facilities at the Memorial Park Band Shell are open for special events. The facilities at Horace Mann Park will be open during the pool season and facilities at 32^nd Street are operated by Canyon Lake Little League.

          Three restrooms in the City’s park system – Sioux Park Playground, Sioux Park Tennis Courts and Parkview Tennis Courts – opened April 1. Facilities at Canyon Lake West, Founders Park and Skyline Wilderness are open throughout the year. 

         Portable restroom facilities are available at Braeburn Park, Jackson Disc Golf Course, Fulton Trailhead, Robbinsdale Dog Park and LaCroix Disc Golf Course.

         In addition, some City Park shelters can be reserved for events during the May 1-September 30 period.  Park shelters available for reservation are located at Canyon Lake, Old Storybook Island and Robbinsdale Park. All other City park shelters are available on a first come, first served basis.

        Officials with the City Parks and Recreation Department advise the public to report vandalism issues at restroom and park facilities to the Parks Department at 605-394-4175.

**CITY OF RAPID CITY LAUNCHING PROGRAM TO ASSIST RESIDENTS FACING UTILITY PAYMENT HARDSHIPS: In an effort to support community members experiencing financial hardships, the City of Rapid City is launching a new initiative to help residents with keeping their utility services active during difficult times.

            The program, called ‘City Utility Assist’, is organized by City staff and is a community-driven effort to help ensure that no household goes without essential water, sewer, and solid waste services due to temporary financial difficulties. Donations raised through this initiative will go directly toward assisting eligible residents who are struggling to keep up with their City utility bills.           

           “Our goal is to make sure every citizen has access to essential services, no matter what life throws their way,” said Mayor Jason Salamun. “This program is a great example of City staff stepping up to serve the community in another meaningful way.”

           To kick off the new initiative, the first City Utility Assist event City staff is organizing is a Pay-What-You-Can Soup Dinner, to be held at City Hall on Thursday, May 15, beginning at 6 p.m.  The Utility Assist fund will be supported entirely by voluntary donations, with every dollar raised going directly to helping local families in crisis. City employees are already contributing, and the City invites residents, businesses, and civic groups to join the effort.

           The City is partnering with The Society of Saint Vincent DePaul to manage the fund administration. Saint Vincent DePaul collaborates with other people of goodwill in relieving need and addressing its causes.

          “With a proven track record of walking with people in times of hardship, we are excited to partner with Saint Vincent DePaul to provide this resource for our citizens. Our staff lives and works in this community. Every day we speak to people who are facing struggles and just need a little help. This program gives our staff a chance to show how much they care about our community. This is truly neighbors helping neighbors,” said City Public Works Administration Operations Manager Shannon Truax. “And that’s what makes Rapid City special.”

         All funds raised will be applied directly to utility accounts for those approved. Event details will be forthcoming. For information on participating in the event, contact Truax at 605-394-4135 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

**APRIL 7: MAIN STREET PROJECT INCLUDES TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON FOUR-BLOCK AREA: A 12-week water valve replacement and roadway surfacing project on a four-block stretch of Main Street in Rapid City begins next Monday, April 7.  The project is scheduled through the end of June and will impact traffic on Main Street from First Street to Fifth Street.

          Starting next Monday, City crews will be repairing and replacing water valves, with TruForm Construction removing and replacing concrete panels with work also on sidewalks, curb and gutters in the area. The Main Street project will have one to two lanes closed from First Street to Fifth Street.

            Drivers are encouraged to use caution in the affected area during the project period and advised to allow extra time to reach destinations if traveling through the impacted area.  Access will be maintained to businesses in the affected area during the construction period.

            A message board has been placed near the area to alert drivers of the upcoming traffic restriction.

            The public can monitor view and monitor local construction projects by visiting the City’s website at www.rcgov.org and clicking on ‘Road Construction Updates’ on the main page.

**VISION FUND PROPOSALS INCLUDE NUMEROUS CITY, COMMUNITY PROJECTS: Last month, the City of Rapid City received 32 applications for Vision Fund resources from organizations and City departments for a variety of public projects, many calling for new, expanded or upgraded facilities. Three of the projects were determined ineligible for consideration with the recently-approved Vision Fund Citizen Committee beginning review of the remaining 29 project submissions.

            Collectively, the 29 applying entities are requesting more than $74.2 million in Vision Fund allocations. The total project cost for all 29 submissions is nearly $120 million ($119.8 million). Last year, the Rapid City Council approved $12 million in Vision Fund resources for public projects for the 2025-29 funding cycle. 

           Below is a list of the submitting organizations, in alphabetical order, along with the specific Vision Fund request and brief project description. Total cost of the project is listed in parenthesis.

• Black Hills Rapids Soccer Club, request for $3.5 million for synthetic turf, lighting and controls equipment ($4 million)
• Black Hills Works Foundation, request for $3,491,779 project for Legacy Trail project ($4,696,609)
• Bocce Ball, request for $1,540,000 for Phase 2 Omaha Street project with eight additional courts ($2.04 million)
• Canyon Lake Little League, request for $2.5 million for upgrade to complex infrastructure and ADA compliance ($2.5 million)
• City of Rapid City, request for $1,577,546 city-wide video management system ($1,577,546)
• Harney Little League, request for $907,000 for bathroom and concessions ($907,000)
• Ignite Soccer Club, request for $70,000 for Cambell Field upgrades ($70,000)
• Journey Museum, request for $400,000 for facility expansion and endowment ($400,000)
• McKeague Field/Rapid City High School baseball, request for $500,000 for park renovations ($1.2 million)
• Parks & Rec/Canyon Lake, request for $7,057,000 to reconstruct aging pond walls ($7,057,000)
• Parks & Rec/Meadowbrook, request for $3,090,950 for Meadowbrook golf course irrigation project ($3,490,950)
• Parks & Rec/Parkview, request for $1,530,950 for the Parkview Complex Parking Lot ($1,530,950)
• Parks & Rec/Playground upgrades, request for $2,405,000 for various city playground upgrades ($2,405,000)
• Parks & Rec/Red Pesek Field, request for $534,754 for Red Pesek Field improvements ($834,754)
• Parks & Rec/Restrooms, request for $1,242,850 for city parks restroom improvements ($1,242,850)
• Parks & Rec/Star of the West, request for $1,811,729 for Star of the West Complex parking improvements ($1,811,729)
• Parks & Rec/Streetscape, request for $1,143,000 for Streetscape Beautification project ($1,143,000)
• Parks & Rec/Vickie Powers Park, request for $2,041,455 for upgrades to Vickie Powers Park ($2,041,455)
• Post 320, request for $5 million for facility improvements ($5 million)
• Public Works/Streets and Maintenance, request for $8 million for redevelopment of Streets and Maintenance Campus ($8 million)
• Rapid City Fire Dept/Maintenance, request for $3 million for maintenance facility ($3 million)
• Rapid City Fire & Police Depts/request for $3 million for Cold Storage Facility ($3 million)
• Rapid City Fire Dept/request for $750,000 for Stations 4 & 6 renovations ($750,000)
• Rapid City Fire Dept/request for $3 million for training site ($3 million)
• Rapid City Skatepark Association, request $2,140,000 for Push Forward project ($2,140,000)
• Rapid City Sports Commission, request for $10 million for indoor sports facility ($52,052,230)
• Rapid Creek Recreation Corridor, request for $172,420 for two site in-stream recreational park ($172,420)
• Rushmore Swim Team, request for $2,596,770 to enclose Roosevelt Swim Center’s 50-meter outdoor pool ($2,596,770)
• Storybook Island, request for $1,202,877 for multipurpose building ($1,202,877)

           The Vision Fund Citizen Committee is reviewing the proposals and will make recommendations to the City Council. The Committee will host a series of sessions featuring project presentations in April.  The goal is for the Committee to present their recommendations for which projects will receive Vision Fund resources to the Council by late May or early June. The Council will make final determinations on which projects will be funded for the five-year cycle.

            The Vision Fund Citizen Committee consists of nine members and two alternates, including Leslie Magnusson Hildyard, Greg Hansen, Holly Howie, Matthew Hasvold, Reese Niu, Lloyd LaCroix, Mary Drumm, Matt James and John Kaiser. Kyle Caudle and Mary Gilbertson-Lee serve as alternates. Kaiser serves as the committee’s chairman.

The last cycle of Vision Fund community projects was approved in January 2022 by the City Council.

            For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office at 394-4110. 

**RAPID CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY'S 2024 ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS GROWTH IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Rapid City Public Library has released its 2024 Annual Report, showcasing a year of significant growth in community engagement, outreach, and digital library use. From expanding services to increasing accessibility, the library continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community.

          Averaging 828 visitors per day, librarians assisted with over 63,000 questions. More than 1,000 people utilized personalized services such as notary, test proctoring, and book-a-librarian sessions.

          Event attendance grew by 66%, reflecting increased community engagement. By offering 926 educational and entertaining programs, the library provided opportunities for people to learn, connect, and explore. The launch of the bookmobile and expanded community outreach further extended library services, reaching 11,000 community members and enhancing access to books, activities, and resources outside of the library.

          The library’s digital resources also saw a 54% rise in demand, with research databases accessed over 96,000 times and digital checkouts reaching 348,654. Social media engagement surged, with more than 7.4 million interactions across multiple platforms, further promoting library resources, services, and value.

           In 2024, the library introduced museum passes for check out and sensory kits for children with diverse sensory needs. A no-text picture book collection was added which is designed for adults with dementia, memory loss, and other developmental disabilities, reinforcing the library’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

           From expanding outreach with the bookmobile to enhancing accessibility with new collections, Rapid City Public Library continues to innovate and serve as a vital hub for learning, connection, and discovery.

           To view the 2024 Annual Report in its entirety, visit 2024 Annual Report

**CITY'S ONLINE FEATURE ALLOWS PUBLIC TO KEEP UPDATE ON LOCAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: With warmer temperatures and with spring officially upon us, various construction projects are or will be getting underway in the city.  City Public Works officials remind residents they can keep updated on construction public service announcements by visiting the City’s website at www.rcgov.org .

            For several years, the City’s home page contains a ‘Featured Content’ section which includes road construction updates.  Staff with the City’s Public Works Department update the content whenever new projects are scheduled or current projects are updated.  The site includes a road construction map, details on specific projects that include start and anticipated completion dates for each project, locations of the project, traffic impacts, specific maps to each project, contractor information and details to the construction.

            “Every construction season is busy and the road construction updates feature on the City’s website is a great way for the public to stay informed and updated on the various projects going on in the community,” said Shannon Truax, City Administration Operations Manager. “This is the time many projects will be getting started or resuming after taking the winter season off.

            “We want to make sure the public has a quick and easy way to check on the status and details of the projects.”

            Truax said the website feature is a great resource for the public.  The City also issues public service announcements on individual construction projects which are issued to media outlets and posted on the City’s social media platform.

            Each construction project detailed in the road construction updates also includes telephone contact information if there are questions about the project.

**WINDY DAYS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK OUT AIR QUALITY INDEX AND AIR CONDITIONS IN RAPID CITY: With numerous windy days in Rapid City, City officials remind the public of a City website feature that monitors daily and hourly air quality conditions in Rapid City and everywhere in the nation.

           The ‘Air Quality Index’ link has been on the City’s website since 2021 and can be found at two locations on the City’s home page at www.rcgov.org - in the Community Bookmark and ‘What’s News In The City’ sections. The City will often refer the public to the Air Quality Index when air quality alerts are issued for pollution, dust particulates and smoke.  During alerts, the City advises businesses and the public to take necessary precautions to minimize dust emissions and for those with health conditions, especially the elderly, young and anyone with respiratory problems, to reduce exposure by limiting outdoor activity or choosing less strenuous activities. Operations which generate fugitive dust are advised to take extra measures to mitigate emissions during this time.

           The Air Quality Index displays a color-coded scale from 0-500, ranging from good to hazardous designations. A ‘green’ rating of 0-50 designates good air quality for the specific area, a ‘yellow’ rating of 51-100 designates moderate air conditions, a orange rating of 101-150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, a red rating of 151-200 as unhealthy, a purple rating of 201-300 as very unhealthy and a cranberry-colored rating of 301 or more as hazardous.

           “The Air Quality Index is a convenient online feature, providing visitors with a great opportunity to monitor the air conditions in our area,” said City Environmental Planner Morgan Twombly.  “The site is updated hourly and provides useful information, especially for those who have health conditions, issues or sensitivities to pollutants like dust, smoke or specific allergens.”

           Visitors are taken to AirNow, a one-stop source for air quality data.  AirNow reports air quality using the official US Air Quality Index (AQI).  AirNow is a partnership of the US Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control and tribal, state and local air quality agencies. The scale is used to communicate the air quality for anywhere in the country by listing the city or zip code.

            Other features of the page include a color-coded map matching the color scale to show the air quality of the region.  The Air Quality Index displays the current air quality and is updated hourly.  It also includes any pollutants that may be impacting the air quality index and a recommendation or advisory on outdoor activities given the current air quality.

**CITY ISSUES REMINDER REGARDING UNCOVERED TRUCK LOADS WITHIN AIR QUALITY CONTROL ZONE: City Environmental Planner Morgan Twombly reminds the public that all truck loads must be covered for drivers passing through the City’s Air Quality Control Zone. 

             It is a violation of Rapid City Municipal Code to transport materials that have the potential to emit fugitive dust without a covering.  All vehicles used for transporting such materials must be equipped with a tarp.

            “This includes those passing through Rapid City on the interstate as well as those hauling material outside the City but within the Air Quality Control Zone.  The zone is a 10x10 mile area around all of Rapid City, excluding the portion which is located within the city limits of Box Elder,” said Twombly.  “Truck loads, no matter how small, must be covered, and large material is not exempt.”

            Twombly said the issue greatly impacts Rapid City’s air quality.

            “This is an issue that has persisted for quite some time and directly contributes to Rapid City’s air quality,” Twombly said.  “Contractors, in particular, are well aware of the requirement.”

            Contractors are advised covering truck loads is a stipulation of approval for air quality permits, and failure to cover loads will result in fines up to $500 per day of violation or 30 days in jail.

            For more information, contact the City’s Air Quality Office at 605-394-4120.

**CITY'S SOLID WASTE DIVISION PROVIDES ANSWERS TO 'WHAT GOES WHERE?': Wonder what to do with those alkaline and lithium batteries? What about tires, paint, cardboard and boxes, electronics, medical waste, hazardous items and more?

            Among the many helpful items on the City’s Solid Waste Division page is a convenient ‘What Goes Where?’ section.  A simple click or two and the visitor can find out details and options on what to do with numerous household items – can the item be recycled, should it be placed in the regular trash container, should it be taken to a community resource for a disposal cost?

            Solid Waste Division officials encourage the public to visit www.rapidcityrecycles.org and click on ‘What Goes Where?’ in the menu bar and check out various drop-down options such as ‘What is Not Accepted’, ‘Batteries’, ‘Paint/Paint Cans’, ‘Automotive’, ‘Cardboard/Boxes’, ‘Contaminated Soil/Asbestos’, ‘Electronics’, ‘Hazardous Chemicals’ and ‘Medical Waste’.  The public can also visit https://www.rapidcityrecycles.org/what-goes-where-search-bar.html and list any item for direction on proper disposal.

            “It’s easily accessible and a convenient way to find out what we accept or what the options are for disposing of particular items,” said Solid Waste Outreach Coordinator Ria Hannon. “It’s important to check out the site as circumstances can change with particular items from time to time.”

            One such example are batteries.  Until recently, the public could recycle alkaline batteries free of charge and drop them off at various locations, including City Hall and the Rapid City Public Library.  However, in recent months the vendor is no longer accepting free recycling for batteries.  The Solid Waste’s has now added updated online recommendations and options in its ‘What Goes Where’ section for disposal of alkaline, lithium and acid batteries, along with helpful hints on numerous other household items.

            “The online site is a great resource for options of disposing of many items,” said Hannon.  “It’s also a great way to keep up on landfill rates, recycling tips, the holiday collection calendar, what to do on collection day, etc.

            For more information, contact the Solid Waste Division at 605-355-3496 or visit www.rapidcityrecycles.org .

**CITY'S WATER JUDGED BEST IN SOUTH DAKOTA: Rapid City has been recognized as having the best water in South Dakota!

            The City was recognized with the distinction at the recent annual conference of the South Dakota Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).  Rapid City’s water will now represent South Dakota in the ‘Best of the Best’ competition at the AWWA 2025 Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver next June.

            To be considered for the honor, AWWA utility member cities must not have incurred any state or federal drinking water violations in the past year.  Judging includes taste and aesthetics.

            “We are really honored to have that privilege, to have been awarded and recognized as having the best water in the state of South Dakota,” City Water Superintendent Eric Boyda told members of the City’s public works, and legal and finance committees this week.  “The water was judged based off of taste and aesthetics. It’s great recognition and an honor our staff appreciates and the community can take great pride in.”

            The City Water Division’s primary mission is the delivery of a clean potable water product in ample supplies that meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water regulations for the customers on the Rapid City water system.  For over 20 years, Rapid City has been recognized annually with the Secretary’s Award for Drinking Water Excellence by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

**DETAILS AND UPDATES ON CITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS JUST A CLICK AWAY:  Staying informed on City construction projects is just a click away on the City’s website.  Officials remind the public to check out a feature on the City’s home page to stay updated on local construction projects. 

       The feature has been a part of the City’s website for many years, according to Shannon Truax, interim assistant public works director. The website feature provides viewers with important information on specific projects, including details on the projects, start/end dates, location of the projects, maps, traffic restrictions and any detour information, along with contractor contact information.

       The site is updated regularly by staff in the public works department as part of community outreach, which includes issuing the announcements to media outlets and posting the information to the City’s social media platform. 

       To view City public service announcements on construction projects, visit the City’s website at www.rcgov.org and click on “Road Construction Updates” on the Main Page.

**CITY REMINDS RESIDENTS OF UTILITY RATE RELIEF PROGRAM: Rapid City utility customers can apply for a reduction of their monthly utility charges through a decade-long program administered by the City's Public Works Department.

            The program, entitled the Utility Rate Relief Program, is designed to lower the monthly utility expense for senior citizens and people with disabilities. The program recently underwent an update, to make the qualification process more straightforward.

            Under the City's updated Utility Rate Relief Program, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria: they must be 65 or older or disabled as defined by the Social Security Act; they must fall below the “very low income” limit criteria outlined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Rapid City Metro Area; the applicant must be the person who is responsible for payment of the utility bill directly to the City; the property must be the applicant’s primary residence.

If qualified, the rates charged for utility services billed to the applicant will be reduced by 25 percent for a period of two years or until the renewal date established by the Public Works Director.  New applications are accepted at any time, but renewal requests must be received by April 30 of odd numbered years in order for current participants to remain on the program.

            For more information and an application, visit https://www.rcgov.org/departments/public-works/water-division/urr-587.html or call the City's Public Works Department at 394-4165.

**CITY LAUNCHES 'REPORT A PROBLEM' LINK TO REPORT ISSUES WITH LIGHTS, POTHOLES, ROADS: The City’s Public Works Department has launched a new “Report A Problem” link to the City’s website, providing an opportunity for the public to report road or street-related issues they encounter.

            The link: https://bit.ly/RapidCityLightsAndPotholes is an easy access point for the public to report non-emergency issues such as non-working street lights, potholes, traffic signs or signals that need attention, and other issues related to roads or streets.  The link invites the visitor to complete an online form describing the concern, the location of the problem, when the problem was noticed and contact information. The form can also be accessed at the City’s website rcgov.org by clicking on the ‘Government’ tab and then clicking on City Online Forms for the ‘Non-Emergency Traffic Safety Concern’ entry.

           The public can also call the Traffic Operations Division at 605-394-4118.

           City Public Works Executive Coordinator Shannon Truax says the public has provided great assistance to the city on reporting issues in the past, utilizing the City’s Pothole Hotline and contacting the City’s Traffic Division about non-working street lights.

           “This new link will provide the public and the City with a new tool to work together in addressing issues in a quicker and more efficient manner,” Truax said.

           Truax said the public answered the City’s call for assistance two years ago and has made hundreds of calls regarding non-working street lights. The public also utilizes the City’s Pothole Hotline to report road issues.

           “We really appreciate the public’s response and continued communication with the City on reporting issues they see with street lights, potholes and other issues,” said Truax. “Our crews can’t be everywhere at all times and this is a clear case of the public serving an important mission, as a collective second set of eyes to help us in keeping our streets and neighborhoods lit and getting issues with our roads and traffic lights addressed.”

STREET LIGHTS

          Since May 2021 when the City first called for the public’s help in reporting issues with street lights, more than 750 calls have been received by the City’s Traffic Operations Division, including more than 450 calls in 2022.

           Most of the citizen calls involved street light outages or malfunctions.

           “Some of the callers indicate they’ve noticed a problem for days or weeks.  If they see a problem, call the City and our crews can get it checked out and addressed right away,” said Truax, noting a malfunctioning or inoperative street light can have a safety impact in the affected area.

           Callers should provide a close or exact location of the street light.  Truax says the light poles display a four or five-digit number a few feet off the ground.  The pole number or the block of the street with the malfunctioning light will allow for a more immediate response from City crews. 

POTHOLES

           Truax said the public can use the new “Report A Problem” link to share information about potholes.  For several years, the public has accessed the Pothole Hotline at 605-394-4152 to report thousands of pothole locations.  Last year, Truax said City Street Division crews repaired more than 3,000 potholes, many called in by residents.

          For both non-working street lights and potholes, Truax said once a call is received from the public, a crew member is sent to the affected area, often within a day, to assess the concern and begin corrective action.

**PUBLIC ENCOURAGED TO CHECK OUT 'PENNINGTON OUTDOORS!':  Looking for details on recreational opportunities in Rapid City and Pennington County? Residents and visitors to the area have a quick tool to access information through an interactive map that helps users explore local recreational facilities and opportunities.

            The site, Pennington Outdoors!, was launched last year by the City’s Geographic Information (GIS) Division, can be accessed at rapidmap.org and is one of many valuable map and informational tools available on the GIS Division page which includes access to City and County voting precincts, the City's air quality zone, downtown parking map, the City's major street plan and much more.

            Pennington Outdoors! site users can zoom in, zoom out or pan across a map to view different park facilities; Rapid City, Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands trail systems; location of statues; the Rapid City bike path; park amenities and recreational sites in Pennington County and the communities of Rapid City, Box Elder, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Wall, Hill City, Keystone, New Underwood, Wasta and Quinn. Once a desired site is visible, users can click on it using the 'identity' tool to see details, website and a photo associated with the recreation site.

            As an example, clicking on Wilson Park will yield information indicating the Park includes a flowering garden, gazebo, ice skating area, tennis courts, playground, restrooms, basketball court and other amenities.  Users can easily identify the location of the Park. Clicking on Robbinsdale Park will yield information including locations of the BMX Track, several baseball fields, location of picnic shelters, playgrounds, restrooms and walking paths.

            Users wanting to know the location of specific downtown and area statues can access the site for the actual location

            The City's GIS Division provides mapping services, data and technical support to the public as well as staffs of City and County government. the GIS Division page which includes access to City and County voting precincts, the City's air quality zone, downtown parking map, the City's major street plan. RapidMap services offers information on land parcels, aerial photos, address points and other map information.  Survey Points provides information on area survey points.

**PUBLIC REMINDED TO SIGN UP FOR COLLECTION ALERTS: Officials with the City's Solid Waste Division remind residents to sign up for alerts about curbside collections and adjustments in pickups due to holidays and weather.

            "We've had great response since launching our website back in January," said Jancie Knight, Solid Waste community outreach coordinator.  "The site is an excellent way to receive alerts and reminders on trash collections and other updates."

            Knight says residents can visit www.rapidcityrecycles.org to register in the 'Stay Informed' section.  Other informational items on the page include a color-coded map of the city to determine specific curbside pickup days, where to dispose of specific items, and hours and contact information.

**GOT A POTHOLE? CALL THE POTHOLE HOTLINE: The City Street Department's pothole patching crews are at it as the calendar flips toward summer.  If you see a pothole that needs to be fixed, call the Pothole Hotline at 394-4152 and provide a location and crews will be on it quickly.

**CONSTRUCTION MAP FEATURE ALLOWS DRIVERS TO STAY UPDATED ON PROJECTS: To stay updated on local construction projects, City officials remind the public they can utilize a newly-launched road construction site feature on the City's website which provides detailed site, map and project information.

            The City's Geographic Information System (GIS) Division launched the 'Rapid City Road Construction Site' link on the GIS page last month, accessed by visiting rapidmap.org and clicking on the orange construction barrel. It is also available by clicking on 'Road Construction Updates' on the City's home page at rcgov.org .  Once on the site, users can click on a highlighted segment and get additional information such as the project's location, the start date and estimated end date of the project, listing of the contractor and other useful information.  Each segment on the map will also have the public service announcement attached to it and there will be a link provided for State Department of Transportation projects.

            The site will be updated as active projects begin and sites will remain on the map through the duration of the specific projects.

            With local construction season well underway, City officials are also reminding drivers to slow down and use caution when driving near and through all road construction areas, allow additional time to reach their destinations and to consider alternate routes.

**DIGITAL MEDIA POLICY: The City is advising the public of a requirement for digital media material for presentations at City Council and City Committee meetings.  Effective May 1, 2017, digital media submissions must be provided at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting where the material will be presented. In addition, no digital media containing music will be accepted.

 "This new guideline will allow for more efficient presentation of the item, ensuring there are no compatibility or virus issues with the item and the City's display system, as well as providing sufficient time for City staff to contact individuals for any changes that may be needed to the item prior to the meeting," said Darrell Shoemaker, City Communications Coordinator.  "Too often, items are brought in a few moments before the start of a meeting, even after the meeting has started, and there is not sufficient time to ensure compatibility with our system, make sure there are no viruses, problems or issues with the item and for effective presentation of the item."

Digital media items can be submitted to the appropriate department division at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.  For Monday's Council meetings, the item should be provided no later than Friday at 5 p.m.    The City reserves the right to reject any items for presentation due to digital compatibility issues or content appropriateness.