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October 26, 2020

(12/1 Update) Council Sets Second Session on Community Mask Requirement; Masks Required in City Facilities

Face masks or covering are now required in City facilities. Face masks or covering are now required in City facilities.

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES ALTERNATE MASK ORDINANCE

(December 1)

The Rapid City Council approved first reading of a newly-proposed ordinance related to masks.  This ordinance is an alternate to the original ordinance that passed first reading last week.  This ordinance appplies to indoor public places with an occupancy capacity of 50 or more people operating as a bar, restaurant, brewery, cafe, casino, coffee shop, recreational or athletic facility, health club, grocery store, market, retail store, hardware store, sporting goods store, convenience store, home improvement store, pharmacy, drug store, food pantry, city-owned facility vehicle for hire, transportation networking company (TNC) vehicle, theater, or entertainment venue.

The Council voted 9-1 to approve the measure and removed houses of worship as part of the final version.  Businesses can opt-out of the mask requirement by notifying patrons by posting signage at all entrances indicating they have opted out of the mask requirement ordinance.  The ordinance calls for enforcement through an administrative process.

After passage of the new ordinance, the Council voted to table the second reading of the ordinance that passed last week and also tabled a resolution encouraging rather than requiring the wearing of facial coverings..

Second reading of the alternate ordinance is scheduled for the Monday, December 7 Council meeting.

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CITY COUNCIL SCHEDULES SECOND MEETING

ON COMMUNITY MASK REQUIREMENT

Special session for second reading of ordinance next Monday

The Rapid City Council will meet in special session next Monday to consider second reading of an ordinance requiring the wearing of masks in public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The session will be held in Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.

            The meeting is open to the public, however due to COVID social distancing requirements, there is limited seating in Council Chambers.  The public is encouraged to submit comments by completing an online public comment form found in the Community Bookmark Section of the City's home page at www.rcgov.org.

            The public is reminded visitors to city facilities, including City Hall, are required to wear facial coverings as are City employees providing face-to-face customer services.

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES FIRST READING

 OF COMMUNITY MASK REQUIREMENT

The Rapid City Council met for three hours Thursday night (11/19) approving first reading of an emergency ordinance requiring the wearing of face coverings in certain situations to slow the community spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).  The measure passed 6-5 with Mayor Steve Allender casting the tie-breaking vote.  The approval followed a failed 5-6 vote on a substitute resolution encouraging the community to wear face coverings and follow hygiene protocls such as washing hands and social distancing.  

Here is the proposed ordinance:.  No. CC111920-01 (539 KB) 

            The ordinance measure is being brought forth by Mayor Steve Allender and Council President Laura Armstrong.

The measure requires a second reading and passage of the ordinance and no date has been set by Council for the second reading.

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CITY REQUIRING PUBLIC TO WEAR MASKS

AT CITY MEETINGS, FACILITIES

Visitors, City Staff Required To Wear Masks;

Public Encouraged To Use Online Options For Access

RAPID CITY, SD (October 26)--Due to the continued dramatic spikes in new COVID positive cases and increased hospitalizations in Pennington County, Mayor Steve Allender announced today the implementation of several additional measures designed to protect the public and City staff.

            "For eight months now we have been monitoring and responding to the impacts of the COVID pandemic on our community as well as on city operations," said Mayor Allender.  "The pandemic is progressing and present circumstances demand we take a more aggressive approach to protecting our customers and employees at this time."

            City Hall and other City offices remain open, however the public and City staff will face new COVID guidelines.  Visitors to city buildings will be required to wear a facial covering as will City employees providing face-to-face customer services. The public is being encouraged to utilize various options to eliminate or reduce visits to City facilities, including online payments, calling and e-mailing questions or information. 

            Among the measures being implemented:

**City Council Meetings:   Citizens attending Council and Committee meetings will be required to wear masks.  Due to COVID-19 social distancing protocols, seating remains extremely limited in Council Chambers.  The moving or adding of chairs in Council Chambers will not be allowed.

            The Council dais will now include plexiglass dividers and Council members are encouraged to wear masks walking to and from their seat on the dais and are encouraged to wear masks during Council and Committee meetings.

**City Staff/Masks:  City staff providing face-to-face services to the public will be required to wear masks.

**Visitors/Masks:  All visitors to city buildings will be required to wear a facial covering.  Masks will be provided if necessary.  In-person services will be refused to anyone refusing to wear a mask.  Scheduled in-person meetings with staff are temporarily but indefinitely suspended.

**Phone/E-Mail/Online Options:  As recommended last spring, citizens are encouraged to use online and phone options to conduct business with City Hall and City departments to minimize personal visits to City facilities.

            The City advises residents to consider automatic payment of their utility bills and to pay parking tickets online as ways to minimize visits to City Hall.  In addition, residents with questions regarding building permits and other City policies should consider calling or e-mailing the individual City department.

**Utility Bills:  Residents are encouraged to use online automatic payment of utility bills by visiting https://selfservice.rcgov.org and clicking on Citizen Self Service on the left hand side for utility bills or by using the City's Utility Billing "Sure-Pay" system.  Call 394-4125 or visit the Water Division's page on the City's website at rcgov.org .  If you visit the self-service portal, you will need to know your account number and customer number to register, both of which can be found on your most recent utility bill.

            In addition, residents are encouraged to mail in their payment or use the night drop box on the west side of the building, which is available any time of the day.

**Parking Tickets:  Residents are encouraged to pay parking tickets online by visiting the 'How To' section at rcgov.org or https://rapidcity.citationportal.com/

**Permits: If you have questions regarding building permits or air quality permits, contact the City's Community Development Department at 394-4120.  Customers can also e-mail questions and plan information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Staff can also work with customers for online submittals of plans.

**Development Applications: If you have questions regarding development applications, contact the City’s Community Development Department at 394-4120. Customers can also e-mail questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Staff can also work with customers for online submittals of preliminary applications.

**Online public comments:  City officials remind the public they can submit online comments for City meetings.  In April, the City developed an online public comment form to be accessed at https://www.rcgov.org/68-public-comments-for-meetings/24-public-comment-form.html ..  The link is also added to the respective Council and Committee agenda pages and the COVID-19 updates at rcgov.org . Online comments will be included as part of the official meeting record.  Members of the public attending the sessions in person can still submit a paper comment form prior to the start of the session.

            The public is advised to submit comments by the following deadlines:

*City Council: Noon the day of the meeting

*Legal and Finance Committee:  8 a.m. the day of the meeting

*Public Works Committee:  8 a.m. the day of the meeting

*Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Adjustment: 3:30 p.m. the day before the meeting

            Residents are advised and encouraged to visit the City's website at rcgov.org for department and contact information.

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Thank you,

Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator

T: 605.721.6686 | M: 605.939.8551

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W: www.rcgov.org

 

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