The Vermillion City Council met on November 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (the provided timestamp indicates November 18, though the transcript references Monday, November 17). The meeting included a proclamation, approval of the consent agenda, and several new business items including ambulance fee rate amendments, a review of open meeting laws, updates to the city personnel manual, a developer agreement for a downtown property, and award of water treatment chemical bids.
Vermillion City Council meetings scheduled for Monday, November 17th, 2025 at 6 p.m. will come to order. Katie, will you call roll? Taller, Lieber, Price, Holland, Genoine, Hellwig, Cheesman, Murrah, Mayor Cole. Here. We please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands a nation under God. No changes. Motion approved by Councillor Holland. Is there a second? Second by Councilor Murrah. Any air discussion? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Minutes are approved. Adoption of the agenda. Is everyone had a chance to review the agenda? If so, are there any changes to the agenda or motion to adopt the agenda? Motion approved the agenda by Councillor Price and second by Councillor Hellwig. Any air discussion? All in favor stay aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. Agenda's adopted. Uh for visitors to be heard. Uh persons addressing the council, please uh come to the podium, state your name and address uh for visitors to be heard. If there is any visitors to be heard that want to speak on the consent agenda item listed at number seven, we ask that you please come and speak uh now on any of the items. Uh on any consent agenda items. Uh for any items not on the agenda, uh visitors to be heard may be heard for one time limited to five minutes each, and no decision will be made at this time. On each agenda item, uh members of the public will be heard at the beginning of each agenda item after it is explained uh by staff, and any citizen who wishes may speak may speak for five minutes. Public testimony will then be closed, and the topic given to the governing body for possible action. At that time, only city council members and staff may discuss the current agenda item unless unanimous consent of the council uh for another person to speak uh may be heard. Questions from the council members, however, may be directed to staff or member of the public through the presiding officer at any time. Uh we do have proclamation before that. Are there any visitors to be heard for any items that is not on the agenda today? Seeing none, uh, we do have uh representative from the human relations commission for a proclamation on the National Transgender Transgender Day of Remembrance. My name is Duane Williams. I'm here on behalf of the Vermilion HRC. All right, so National Trans Trans. Excuse me, I'm sorry. National Transgender Day of Remembrance proclamation. Whereas on November 20th of each year, since 1999 in the aftermath of the death of Rita Hester, a trans woman who was murdered because of her gender identity. Gwendolyn Ann Smith started this day, is known as the transgender day of remembrance during the day. During which we remember the honor though the honor. Those who have suffered the loss of their lives due to transphobia, hatred, and intolerance, and whereas because of vermilion, human relations commission recognizes the importance of promoting equality, acceptance and understanding within our diverse community. We take this day to remember those who have taken who have been taken from us prematurely and to commit a to commit creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression, and whereas growing number of state legislation legislature bills across the country targeting transgender individuals, including seven in South Dakota over the last year, it is incumbent upon us as a community to remember those who have been taken from us prematurely and whereas the Vermilion Human Relations Commission firmly believes in fostering a community that welcomes values and accepts all people. We have an obligation to help all our community members thrive. Now, therefore, we the vermilion human relations commission observed November 20th, 2025 as transgender day of remembrance in our community. Thank you.