Modrick expelled from Rapid City Council

“Lisa Modrick holds her city council badge during an interview after the March 10 disciplinary hearing at the Civic Center” (Photo by Travis Dewes)

RAPID CITY – Lisa Modrick was expelled from the Rapid City Council on Tuesday, March 10 after a six-and-a-half hour disciplinary hearing about a code of conduct violation. The council voted 8-2 to expel Modrick, with the only dissenting votes coming from Ward 2 councilman Bill Evans and Modrick herself.
Filed on February 6, the complaint against Modrick was on behalf of Darren Haar, Board of Directors President for the Rapid City Regional Airport. The complaint stated that Modrick had made unfounded allegations against Haar following a meeting between the two on December 10, 2019.
The “unfounded and outrageous allegations” were conveyed in a January 6 meeting between Lisa Modrick, her husband, Lisa’s employers of WestJet Air Center Inc., Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender, and Police Chief Karl Jegeris. In the meeting on January 6, Modrick claimed that Haar threatened her and her employer during the private meeting on December 10.
Two recordings were played for around 225 people during the disciplinary hearing last Tuesday. The first was of Modrick’s meeting on January 6 with the mayor, and the other was secretly recorded by Darren Haar during the December 10 meeting.
The first recording played during the hearing was of Modrick’s accusations. She stated that Mr. Haar was aggravated and firm while shaking his hands and going into a “permanent rant that people need to act like adults, and he won’t tolerate childlike behaviors,” she said “he stated WestJet is not behaving like adults.” She went on to say he was “acting like he was trying to stay in control.” Modrick also said that Haar had stated that he knew where she lived.
The second, privately recorded account of December 10 was played directly after, and it revealed a mostly congenial and calm conversation. Modrick left the meeting saying that she “loves it” and talked with Haar about light, unrelated topics. Even though Haar did say some of the things that Modrick had claimed, it did not appear to be in an aggravated state.
WestJet and the Rapid City Regional Airport have had a rocky relationship for years. WestJet has continually filed complaints and criticized the Airport for closing too late or too early. When Modrick was critical of the Airport for closing too late after a snowstorm on Thanksgiving Day, Haar believed that she was falling into the same behavior that WestJet has partaken in for years. Haar therefore set up the December 10 meeting to talk about the issues, and secretly taped the meeting because of WestJet’s continued harassment of the airport. WestJet has been known to tape meetings in the past.
“I was truly excited and left the meeting believing that we would work together and see better times at the airport,” Haar said “I was shocked when mayor Allender contacted me over three weeks later to tell me that Lisa had said that I threatened her and her employer with physical harm. I absolutely deny that I tried to intimidate Lisa in any way and I think the recording shows that very clearly.’
“The allegations in that meeting are outrageous and frankly bizarre,” said David Lust, Darren Haar’s attorney.
Modrick’s attorney Steve Beardsley claimed that a threat does not have to be verbal, but can be conveyed through other mediums. He also claimed that since city council members are compensated for their time by the city, they fall under the non-union city employee handbook. If they can be deemed employees of the city, then the process gone through on Tuesday was therefore illegal.
After Steve Beardsley’s presentation, Modrick addressed the Mayor saying “I really thought you would take this in confidence and work it through. So I stand before you today disappointed in the process and definitely hurt because you did drag my name through the mud.”
After presentations from Darren Haar, David Lust, City Attorney Joel Landeen, Steve Beardsley, and Modrick herself, the council heard public comment. Eight commenters withheld Modrick’s integrity and personality, and two of them quoted Shakespeare. Four commenters accused fault on either Modrick or the mayor. One commenter said that no one in the future will volunteer for boards if the boards (Haar) are not protected in this instance.
The first council member to speak was Bill Evans who provided one of the dissenting votes. “The irony of this taking place during Lent has not escaped a little bit. It seems like all we need are some torches and we need to find some sacrificial lamb,” Evans said.
A motion to expel Modrick was put forth by Darla Drew, and seconded by Greg Strommen. “Ms. Modrick is no damsel in distress, she is always strong and it is unclear what her endgame was,” said Drew.
Modrick was voted to be expelled from city council by an 8-2 vote.
“I served this city well,” said Modrick on Tuesday “I’m proud of the work I have done. I will continue to serve the city.” She went on to mention that in a few years she may be running for mayor.
“Well, this whole entire thing was going to be a black eye on Rapid City and will be for some time,” said Steve Allender “the public gets to determine how long we’re going to carry this baggage.”
Modrick’s seat on the council will need to be filled by an election from Ward 1, but a date is not set yet. On putting the election on the June 2 ballot, Steve Allender said “that cannot happen because of the deadline for filing petitions and for early voting and all of the legal requirements.”