STURGIS, S.D. – The Sturgis City Council met for their second meeting of the month Monday, and on the agenda, continued discussion of motorcycle parking on a portion of Main Street the week before the Rally.
Mark Bruch, representing the Downtown Sturgis Foundation, initiated discussions with the Mayor and city staff in January 2025 about closing Main Street to motorcycle only parking from Junction through 4th Street, in the days leading up to the start of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Bruch had submitted a Citizen Request to be on the Agenda for the June 2nd Council Meeting. After discussions, the council voted to table the item until the June 16th Meeting.
Some of the options discussed were identifying one to two blocks for motorcycle parking and maintaining normal through-traffic, closing off one block to all through traffic for motorcycle only parking and establishing a portion of each block for both motorcycle and vehicle parking.
After discussion Monday, the council voted 4-3 to hold off on the idea this year. Mark Chaplin, Tony Dargatz, Terry Jensen and Jim Thompson voted against. Nick Jones, Alex Usera and Ruth Kopp voted in favor. Councilor Jesse Blakeman was abs
On a side note, Main Street will remain closed for motorcycles only through the final Sunday of the rally, even though there is no TT Race this year.
Also last night, the council approved a $50,000 settlement reached with the Bohn’s and Brenda Vasknetz, who took the city to court in 2022 for not scheduling a special election to determine the future of city government.
Following extensive litigation, on February 7, 2024, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that City officials had clear legal duties to accept the petition and hold the election. The election was held on April 9, 2024, and the voters eliminated the city manager form of government.
Certain claims against the City by Tammy Bohn, Justin Bohn, and Brenda Vasknetz remain active and pending in circuit court.
