Council approves South Valley Drive annexation

By Scott Aust, Journal staff | Tuesday, December 02, 2008

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Despite a strong showing by opponents, the Rapid City Council on Monday approved annexing about 262 acres on the east side of the city in the South Valley Drive area.  

Originally, the city planned to annex 900 acres surrounded by city limits but the Pennington County Commission last month rejected the city's request to annex unplatted portions of the area. The city is moving ahead with annexation, even though it won't eliminate a "doughnut hole" area encircled by city limits.

More than three dozen residents attended, but only a few chose to speak.

Ellen Rook, president of the South Valley Drive Neighborhood Association, said the majority of residents clearly have expressed a desire to not be annexed. She outlined four major concerns that have been discussed at length and remain unresolved for residents.

One is a fear of losing their homes. Despite frequent assurances to the contrary, some residents believe that a future greenway plan prepared in 1999 means the city plans to condemn property in the floodway to make room for park land.

"This plan would never have been drafted if there was no plan to enact it," Rook said.

The city could execute eminent domain regardless of whether any of the South Valley area is annexed, according to growth management director Marcia Elkins. Elkins said the city council has not exercised that power in the 18 years she has been here.

Rook said residents also don't believe the city can beat Pennington County's street maintenance, water and sewer services and snow plowing, so they don't see any benefits from annexation.

Other concerns are about the lack of a secondary access, and the impact of higher city taxes on people who live on fixed incomes.

Hugh Martin, a 37-year resident of South Valley Drive, said the city tried to annex all of Rapid Valley about 30 years ago. He was against it then and is against it now because of city rules regarding barbwire fences and horses, which he has on his property.

The council voted 8-1 to approve the annexation, with Alderman Sam Kooiker the lone no vote. Alderman Ron Weifenbach was absent due to a family issue.

Alderman Deb Hadcock, speaking about fears of the city imposing new rules, said she would be hesitant to approve annexation if it meant the change would cause people to lose their livelihood.

"Cleaning up a property is different than changing somebody's livelihood," she said. "I think a lot of the questions have been answered. I think annexing is a positive. Unfortunately, the people out there don't think it is."

The annexation becomes effective 20 days after the meeting minutes are published in the newspaper later this week, unless referred to a public vote, something Rook said opponents planned to pursue.

A referendum drive would require opponents to gather petitions signed by 5 percent of registered voters within the city and the proposed annexation area. If an election occurs, registered voters in the city and the proposed annexation area could vote on the issue. 

In other business Monday:

* Less than a week after winning a runoff election, Aaron Costello was sworn in as the new Ward 5 representative on the council. Costello will serve the remaining seven months of the unexpired term of former Alderman Bob Hurlbut, who resigned in September. 

* The council postponed for two months applying for a discount prescription drug card program through the National League of Cities. A committee will talk about ways to lessen any impact on independent pharmacists. Alderman Malcom Chapman said he had heard from several pharmacists who are concerned about the program and wanted time to talk about it.

The free cards would allow city residents without health insurance or traditional pharmacy plan, or with prescriptions not covered by their plan, to get a 20 percent discount on prescription medicine. 

* Proposed rate increases received the first of two approvals Monday night, which will lead to hefty utility bill increases starting early next year. The council approved two ordinances setting water and sewer rates for the next five years that on average will mean about 10 percent annual increases.

The council voted 8-1, with Alderman Sam Kooiker voting no, to give initial approval to the ordinances. Another vote will be required, likely at the Dec. 15 council meeting, before the rate increases are final.

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415, or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com