Rapid City Public Works Committee 09-01-2026

The Rapid City Public Works Committee meeting on September 1, 2026, approved the agenda and consent-calendar items 1–19 except items 11 and 14. Item 11 was discussed as a potential partnership with local company Dakota Biochar to divert stored wood and yard waste from the landfill and explore uses for biochar, including improving compost and potentially energy production. Staff said discussions had been underway for about six months; the transcript does not record a final action on the item. The committee approved a sole-source purchase of 350 Ubicell UGU Cat 1 street-light monitoring devices from Ubicquia (vendor name unclear in transcript) for $48,898.50, to match existing equipment. Staff said the sensors support lighting monitoring, energy savings, dark-sky compliance, and public safety.

The committee received and acknowledged an update on the $205 million water reclamation facility project, approximately two-thirds complete and expected to finish around February 2029. Staff reported a May pay application of nearly $7 million and change orders totaling about 0.55% of the project, including $136,000 to extend a pipe after an unforeseen condition; the project’s funding includes nearly $18 million from the wastewater enterprise and almost $53 million in ARPA funds. Staff also described a proposed fuel dispenser and other operational enhancements. A motion to acknowledge the update passed. The committee also approved withdrawal of an unrelated code-amendment request at the applicant’s request.