Rapid City Council moves forward with Vision Fund ordinance revision

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The second reading of a revised ordinance that would change how the Vision Funds would be implemented passed Monday after heavy opposition by the public to the revision.

It has been a little more than a month since ordinance 6617 had its first reading approved by the Rapid City Council. On Monday, the second reading for the ordinance update that would ultimately remove specific procedural requirements for Vision Fund allocations was approved.

“The vote tonight (Monday) is simply to remove one paragraph that requires the citizen committee, and a six-month process, and all the public hearings,” said Rapid City Ward 3 council member Kevin Maher.

The decision by the council was met with disagreement by some people in the Rapid City community who attended the meeting Monday night.

“I think we need to extend the consideration and the timeline for a vote on the proposed changes to the vision fund. While I too believe that our local government should strive for efficiency and effectiveness, several concerns arose during the town hall that I think warrant a more thorough review,” stated Rapid City resident Jacqui Dietrich. “One, the rationale that is based on council input is based on council input rather than constituent feedback. That rationale for the proposed changes appears to be primarily based on input from city council rather than directly from constituents . . . Secondly, the impact on non-profits providing essential services. Non-profits were dismissed at the previous town hall as though their investments on behalf of the city were frivolous . . . third and final from me tonight is the perspective on the quality of life investments generally. It was suggested that we should feel embarrassed about investing in quality of life because no other place in South Dakota does it this way.”

Here is Dietrich’s full public comment if you are interested in hearing what she had to say:

“The proposed change actually broadens language and creates more gray areas and potential confusion for reallocation of monies down the road,” stated Rapid City resident Marci Christensen Burdick. “Specifically, I point to Section B, which says, ‘The Vision account may also be used to fund programs, initiatives, loans, endowments, etc., etc.’ That language does not clear up what this fund is.”

Here is Burdick’s full public comment if you are interested in hearing what she had to say:

The decision to pass the updated ordinance will now give the city council almost total control over how the Vision Funds will be allocated during each plan period. This means the city council will have the authority to add, remove, change, and reprioritize projects and programs to the fund as they see fit.

However, to do so, there will have to be an open meeting where the public can provide input before the adoption of the plan or changes to the plan can be amended.

“I chaired the Vision Committee last round; we received 26 projects from the community; a couple of them were thrown out right away because they didn’t meet minimum qualifications; we recommended funding 16 projects; city council only approved eight; and we’re two and a half years out, and only five of those projects have received money; and there is about three other projects that are doing their work, their due diligence, and they will receive money. So, you put a lot of false hope in non-profits that they’re going to get . . . it’s their turn to get money, and at the end of the day, the Vision Committee makes recommendations, does a lot of due diligence, and then the city council does their thing in that final night, and it’s quite frankly a waste of the citizens time,” explained Maher. “I do believe that for community projects we need a vision committee of citizens, and we can do that under this ordinance change.”

An aspect that has not changed from the original ordinance is that the city cannot use the funds for ongoing maintenance; the funds will also not be used for operational expenses for city departments. They can, however, be used to fund “programs, initiatives, loans, and economic development endowments that promote the Rapid City community.”

When it comes time to allocate the money, this could include administrative or operational expenses as part of the allocation process.

“This process will allow individuals to have a significant amount of input in the process; we’re tying into the comprehensive plan the project priorities of the city and the community. There are ample opportunities for folks to get involved in the comprehensive planning stages right now. So, I urge you to definitely take the surveys, call the community planning department, speak to our professionals working that process right now,” explained Rapid City Ward 2 council member Lindsey Seachris. “I believe this preserves the original spirit of the ordinance as it was approved by the people, and the use should be to economic developments to make improvements that benefit all community members, all of us.”

The council passed the revision to ordinance 6617 with eight votes for it and two against it. The revision will go into effect on July 12.

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