More than 300 comments submitted to City Council on mask ordinance decision

Rapid City isn’t holding back. In an update to the agenda for Thursday’s special session to discussing a city-wide mask mandate, more than 500 comments have been submitted.

Mayor Steve Allender encouraged comments to be sent through the City’s website since social distancing protocols instituted in the Council Chambers only allow for around 25 people to be present.

As of noon Thursday, 599 public comments were submitted.

“We also received hundreds of public comments back in April when the Council was considering COVID restrictions for businesses and public facilities,” Darrell Shoemaker, Rapid City communication coordinator, curfew, virus’s said.

The city ordinance proposed would make masks mandatory in indoor public spaces where large crowds or social distancing aren’t possible. Tonight’s special session will be the first reading of the ordinance proposed by Council President Laura Armstrong and Mayor Allender.