City is OK with Crazy Horse Marathon

The Hill City Common Council (HCCC) approved a special events permit for the 15th annual Run Crazy Horse Marathon, despite opposition from Jessica Jacobs of the Tin City Saloon.
The unanimous approval came at the Jan. 27 HCCC meeting.
“Why are we allowing an event like this?” Jacobs asked, explaining her concerns with trash after the event and traffic throughout the event.
Jacobs was also concerned about the economic impact on downtown merchants saying, “when you close off Main Street you close off customers.”
Jacobs  suggested moving the event off Main Street and questioned whether there was a city ordinance preventing the closing of streets during a for-profit businesses event.
Alderwoman Lori Miner said last year she received noise complaints about the event.
Event organizer Emily Schulz says that the race attracted 1,100 runners from 44 states last year and that industry statistics show that  each racer who travels over 80 miles away to race will stay overnight in the area.
Schulz says she is required to have certified flaggers for the race and that she is following South Dakota Department of Transportation rules. She said the event has given over $100,000 back to local organizations over the last  14 years, most of which are in Hill City.
Schulz says an economic impact study from a decade ago  shows  a million dollar  impact to Hill City. Schulz says the course is certified and would be difficult to move.
“We wouldn’t have people flying from all over the world here to go finish in an alley,” Schulz said, adding the race has always ended downtown and showcases Hill City.
Apdermen approved a three-year  law enforcement  services contract with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s office Lt. Jason Mitzel and  deputy James Waldrop answered questions about potential gaps in coverage. The contract calls for three deputies who are spread out on shifts throughout the week, which  include mornings in the  school zone. Schedules can fluctuate if officials notice an uptick in crime in the evening, for example.
“We can’t have 24 -hour coverage,” said Mitzel, while reminding the council members that there is always 24-hour coverage in the county.
Mitzel believes the office does a good job and Waldrop used Allen Gulch as an example of how the department adjusts due to problem areas.
“We really try to keep track of it and we will put extra resources in it. It’s really important to us,” Waldrop said.
Waldrop alerted aldermen about a vagrant named Damian who he would like to speak with in connection to an incident at a local gas station. It appears that this individual may have already left town.
Waldrop was selected as the Pennington County Sheriff Office Employee of the Month for October, due in part from  a nomination from Hill City community members.
Mitzel read from the nomination, which highlighted  Waldrop’s work with the school district and the South Dakota Department of Transportation to add signage and lights to  create a “more efficient and standardized” school zone.
Mitzel  also referred to  Waldrop’s “investment  in Hill City.”
Waldrop said he is very grateful and honored to serve.
The Hill City Library report touted the upcoming  summer reading  program entitled “Color Your World.”
Librarian Tammy Alexander said librarians across the state will go to Pierre to support library funding, explaining the impact the state library has on the summer reading program and other data resources.
The Friends of the Library (FOL) gave the city a check for $4,000 as part of the joint book garage project. Mikal Lewis said the city put in new doors and windows but the check was a way for the FOL to have  “skin in the game.”
FOL will hold two book sales this summer, one in June and one to coincide with the quilt show.
“It  certainly will be smaller than it was,”  said city administrator Nate Anderson about the Wine Brew and BBQ event that usually occurs in August in Hill City.
If the event is still held this year it will not include Kansas City BBQ judging with  Anderson noting event organizers missed a date for the judging to take place.
He says the event is “still to be determined.”
Anderson reiterated the need for community members to respond to a survey if asked to do so. The survey could  help Hill City secure Community Development Block Grant money. The city administers the survey to random addresses provided by the Black Hills Council Of Special Governments.
The Black Hills Council then uses the collected data for Hill City’s state water plan application. Anderson notes the brief survey “would be very beneficial” to the city and is 100 percent anonymous.
Anderson said Black Hills Council is recommending the city apply for the state water plan in “three distinct applications to the state revolving fund” which would “increase our odds for a grant for debt forgiveness.”
The three phases currently would be a front end reactor, refurbishing the existing reactor  train and a back end clarifier and polisher.
“This  seems like  a good recommendation,” Anderson said. No action was taken on the matter.
Anderson said the city is approaching property owners who may have high elevation sites for water storage.
Election notices for vacancies will go out in two weeks. There is one alderman position open in both Ward I and II .
The next HCCC meeting takes place Feb. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at city hall.