Vermillion City Council Meeting – November 4, 2025
Vermillion City Council Meeting – November 4, 2025
The Vermillion City Council met on November 4, 2025, to address routine approvals, public hearings, ordinance readings, and new business items including vehicle purchases and facility repairs. Key decisions included approval of liquor license renewals, adoption of two ordinances, a resolution to raise curbside recycling fees, and selection of state-bid vehicles over local vendor quotes.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
- Agenda was adopted as presented.
- Consent agenda (including invoices payable, fuel quotes, and resolutions authorizing purchase of two police interceptor SUVs and one pursuit-rated pickup truck for the police department) was approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Katie Heine, Manager of the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company, presented and read a proclamation declaring Saturday, November 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday in Vermillion and Clay County. The proclamation recognized the economic importance of small businesses and encouraged local support. No other public comments were offered.
- A Veterans Day proclamation was deferred as the representative from the Human Relations Commission was not present; council agreed to accommodate his appearance if he arrived later.
Discussion Items
- Annual Liquor and Wine License Renewals: The police chief’s report on licensee performance was noted. Councilor Holland thanked staff for clarifying that incident counts do not necessarily reflect owner responsibility. A motion to approve all renewals passed unanimously.
- Second Reading of Ordinance 1543: Amended city code to allow current liquor license holders to obtain special daily licenses for off-premise events and to permit on-sale liquor under such licenses. A roll call vote resulted in 9 yeas, 0 nays.
- Second Reading of Ordinance 1546: Updated the address of the police department in city code to 1250 Stanford Street (new law enforcement center). A roll call vote passed 9-0.
- Agreement with Clay Union Electric: Transfer of electric service territory for Munger Track (annexed in August). Clay Union confirmed no existing services or infrastructure on the property; no cost for the transfer. The agreement was approved and will go to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission after board approvals.
- Resolution to Amend Curbside Recycling Fees: Proposed increase of $0.10/month for residential (from $3.90 to $4.00) and $0.50/month for commercial (from $12.50 to $13.00), expected to generate about $3,400 annually. Effective for billings after January 1, 2026. Motion approved.
- Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Three Vehicles (Items C, D, E): Staff presented state bids and local dealer quotes for a Chevy Equinox (administration), two Chevy Silverado 4x4s (Light & Power and Solid Waste). The local vendor (Jerry’s Chevrolet) did not match the state bid; Vermilion Ford, which matched state bids on consent items, was not bidding on these Chevy products. Councilor Price argued that purchasing from Jerry’s would be a “slap in the face” to Vermilion Ford and recommended state bids to save the city roughly $3,931. Councilor Cheesman agreed. Three separate motions to accept state bids passed (Item C: 9-0; Item D: 9-0; Item E: 9-0).
- Agreement with AMS Building Systems for Lions Park Restroom Floor Repair: Staff reported that the floor had sustained unrepairable water damage and vandalism, compromising structural integrity. Estimated cost $34,163, not budgeted for 2026, requiring a budget revision. The repair will replace tile with poured concrete to reduce vulnerability. Motion approved.
Key Outcomes
- Approved (unanimous): Consent agenda, liquor license renewals, recycling fee resolution, Clay Union Electric service transfer, Lions Park restroom contract, and all three vehicle purchases via state bids.
- Adopted Ordinances: Ordinance 1543 (special alcohol beverage licenses) and Ordinance 1546 (police department address) on second reading, both with 9-0 roll call votes.
- Directives: Staff to purchase vehicles from state bid suppliers (Lamb Chevy for the Equinox, Beck Motors for the pickups). The Lion’s Park restroom repair contract with AMS Building Systems will proceed pending budget revision.
- Upcoming Meetings Noted: Human Relations Commission (Nov 6), Planning & Zoning Commission (Nov 10, conditional use permit for veterinary clinic), Historic Preservation Commission (Nov 12). City offices closed Nov 11 for Veterans Day.
Meeting Transcript
The Vermillion City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, November 3rd at 7 or sorry, 6 p.m. will come to order. Katie Lee Cole roll. Taller, Lieber, Price, Holland, Genoine, Hellwig, Cheesman, Murrah, Mayor Cole. Here. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and Republic for which it stands. Underground individual with liberty and justice for all. I'll move approval. Motion approved by Councillor Holland. Is there a second? Second by Councilor Murray. Any other discussion on the minutes? All in favor say aye. Aye. Minutes are approved. Uh adoption of the agenda. Is everyone had a chance to review the agenda? If so, are there any changes or a motion to adopt? Approval of the agenda. Motion to approve the agenda by Councillor Price. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councillor Genoine. Any other discussion on the agenda? All those in favor say aye. Opposed say nay. Agenda is hereby adopted. Under visitors to be heard, um for visitors to be heard. Uh, if anyone wants to speak on the consent agenda, which is item number seven, uh, we ask that you speak during visitors to be heard. Um for any items not on the agenda, visitors to be heard may speak. Uh your remarks are limited to five minutes and no decision will be made at this time. Uh public testimony will be taken at the beginning of each agenda item, and after the subject has been announced and explained by staff, any citizen who wishes to speak for any agenda item may speak for five minutes, and public testimony will then be closed and a topic given to the governing body for possible action. At this point, only city council members and staff may discuss the current item unless unanimous consent from the council or question from council member may be directed to staff or member of the public through the presiding officer at any time. At this moment, um, I know we have a couple uh proclamations, uh, but do we have any visitors to be heard for any items not on the agenda? We do have a small business Saturday declaration that's gonna be read by the Vermillion Area Chamber Development Company. Katie, if you want to come up. Okay, good evening, esteemed city council members and all present. My name is Katie Heine, and I'm the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company, a chamber of commerce manager. And thank you for hearing and considering this proclamation tonight. Whereas small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, representing roughly 99.9% of all U.S. businesses employing nearly half of the American workforce and contributing roughly to 43 to 44 percent of the nation's GDP and small firms sustain community character, create jobs, and foster innovation and opportunity at across every region of the country. Whereas the state of South Dakota's small business community has been a powerful engine for growth and local opportunity. Small businesses in South Dakota accounted for many of the state's new jobs in the most recent SBA analysis, contributing material materially to the state's economic resilience and growth. Whereas Clay County is home to hundreds of employers that provide local jobs services and payroll that support families and the county's equality, excuse me, the county's quality of life with census quick facts reporting approximately 298 employer establishments and several thousand local employees contributing to the county's economic economy. Whereas Vermillion is a vibrant college town of more than 12,000 residents with hundreds of local businesses, including retail, restaurants, professional services, and small manufacturers that support the University of South Dakota, visitors, and surrounding rural communities and provide essential goods, services, and employment to the region. Where a small business Saturday is an opportunity to celebrate and support the locally owned, independently operated businesses that invest in our neighborhoods, create jobs, and strengthen our sense of community. And whereas residents and visitors are encouraged to shop local, dine local, and use local services on small business Saturday to sustain the distinctive businesses that make Vermilion and Clay County unique. Therefore, I, Catherine Heine, manager of the Vermilion Area Chamber of Commerce do hereby proclaim Saturday, November 29th, 2025 as small business Saturday in the city of Vermilion and throughout Clay County, South Dakota, and urge all citizens to recognize the contributions of our small business owners and to support them through patronage, advocacy, and partnership. Thank you. Thank you, Katie.
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