Vermillion City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025
Vermillion City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025
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.
Proclamation
- Duane Williams, on behalf of the Vermillion Human Relations Commission, presented a proclamation designating November 20, 2025, as the National Transgender Day of Remembrance. The proclamation honored victims of transphobic violence and emphasized inclusion.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: invoices payable, a resolution to purchase a body for a street department vehicle chassis, and selection of an airport consultant for 2026–2030.
Discussion Items
- Ambulance Fee Rates (Chief Callahan): Presented annual fee schedule adjustments for 2026 to align with Medicare and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield reimbursement rates. Increases applied to flight crew transportation (e.g., $400 for local flights, higher for Yankton Airport pickups due to instrument landing limitations) and basic/advanced life support and critical care bundle billing. A new fee for photo/CD records was added. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
- South Dakota Open Meeting Laws Review (Alex): The council reviewed the 2025 Attorney General's pamphlet as required by Senate Bill 74. Topics included definitions of official meetings, public notice requirements, public comment periods, executive session rules, and email discussion restrictions. The review was informational; no motion needed. Minutes will document compliance.
- City Personnel Manual Update (Alex): Proposed changes to the 2025 manual included: updating terms per the Home Rule Charter (city manager designates acting manager); removing a weapons prohibition for concealed-carry employees following new state law; changing residency requirement from 15 to 20 minutes; and adding sick leave abuse language requiring doctor's notes for absences before/after vacation. Councilor Alwin questioned the burden of requiring a physician statement for seasonal/temp employees without health coverage; staff noted these employees would be covered by a separate handbook. The motion to approve passed.
- Developer Agreement – 3 West Main Street (Alex, Building Official): Flames Tobacco and Vape applied for a change of use/occupancy permit to operate a hookah and cigar lounge. The International Existing Building Code required the building (mercantile to assembly occupancy) to meet current code, including a sprinkler system due to occupant load >100 and mixed-use (apartments above). Tapping into the existing water main would cost ~$50,000+ and disrupt the streetscape. The city proposed a developer agreement allowing occupancy without immediate sprinkler installation, with the condition that the city would run a new water line in the alley as part of future capital improvements; the agreement runs with the land. Chief Callahan confirmed support for this approach. Council asked about occupancy calculation (formula-based, ~150-200+), future application if use changes, and lack of current capital plan for alley line. The agreement was approved.
- Water Treatment Chemical Bids (Shane): Six sealed bids were opened November 12 for quicklime and soda ash. Low bidder for lime (Proposal 1): Graymont LLC at $271.65/ton (total $135,825). Low bidder for soda ash (Proposal 2): Du Bois Chemicals Inc. at $470/ton (total $282,000). Funds were budgeted. The council approved awarding both low bids.
Key Outcomes
- The council approved the consent agenda, ambulance fee rate resolution, personnel manual update, developer agreement for 3 West Main Street, and award of water treatment chemical bids—all by voice vote with no dissenting votes.
- The open meeting laws review was documented in minutes; no action required.
- The next regular council meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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