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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Vermillion City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, December 2, 2025

BodyVermillion, South Dakota

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, December 2, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 44:10

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:14

Remillian city council meeting scheduled for Monday December 1st, 2025 at 6 p.m.

0:18

will come to order.

0:19

Kitty, will you call roll?

0:20

Taller Lieber Price Holland Genoine.

0:25

Hellig Cheesman, Murrah, Mayor Cole.

0:28

Here we please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:32

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:39

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:06

I didn't see any different I move approval.

1:08

Motion approved by Councillor Holland.

1:09

Is there a second?

1:11

Second by Councillor Murrah.

1:12

Any discussion on the minutes?

1:15

All in favor survived by saying aye.

1:17

Aye.

1:17

Opposed saying nay.

1:20

Minutes are approved.

1:21

Adoption of the agenda.

1:22

Is everyone had a chance to review the agenda?

1:24

If so, are there any changes to the agenda?

1:26

Or is there a motion to approve?

1:28

Move approval the agenda.

1:31

Motion to approve the agenda by Councilor Murray.

1:33

A second by Councillor Price.

1:35

Any other discussion?

1:38

All those in favor certified by saying aye.

1:40

Aye.

1:41

Opposed by saying nay.

1:43

Agenda's adopted.

1:45

For visitors to be heard for uh for visitors to be heard people speaking on each agenda item.

1:51

Please come to the uh mic front of the podium.

1:55

Um for each agenda item after the subject has been announced by the mayor and explained by staff.

2:00

Any citizen who wishes may speak on any agenda item may speak for one time for five minutes on each agenda item and public testimony will be then closed and topic given to the governing body for possible action.

2:10

At that point, only city council members may uh speak and uh if any questions may be directed to the staff or through anybody in the public through the presiding officer at any time.

2:24

Uh if anyone wishes to speak in your unanimous consent from the council, that person may also speak.

2:30

Uh for items not on the agenda, members of the public may speak under visitors to be heard.

2:34

Also, we do have consent agenda items.

2:36

If there's any consent agenda items and members of the public wish to speak on that, we ask that you speak also during member uh sorry, visitors to be heard on any consent agenda items.

2:46

With that note, is there any visitors to be heard on any item not on the agenda or consent agenda items?

2:55

Seeing none, moving to uh public hearing.

2:58

Uh we have a first reading of ordinance 1549 uh for land usage this is a zoning regulation in reference to uh moving from NRC, which is natural resource conservation district to general business district on property located.

3:12

I believe it's supposed to be the southwest corner of Princeton Street and South Dakota Highway 50.

3:18

Jose.

3:21

Sorry.

3:22

Umortheast corner.

3:24

Is it northeast?

3:25

I suppose which depending on which angle you're looking at it.

3:28

Well, I'm looking the north arrow pointing north.

3:30

Okay, gotcha.

3:32

All right, so middle thank you.

3:35

Um so uh the city received uh an application from uh the Mr.

3:39

Christian Cabrera.

3:40

Uh he's a representative of the owner uh for the parcel being considered.

3:45

Uh the request was to uh rezone uh the uh three-acre parcel or portion of uh the northeast corner of the intersection between highway 50 and uh Princeton Street.

3:56

Uh this here would be uh to allow for commercial uses in particular particular as uh said in the application would be for uh a fuel dispensary dispensing station and the car wash.

4:08

Uh this area is uh currently uh it's within city limits, obviously, and it's uh bounded uh on the north uh and east by uh the natural resource uh conservation district, and then on the south uh by the general business district already.

4:25

Uh and then anything on the on the west over here would actually be outside of city limits, so within the JJZA, uh it's actually zone A1.

4:34

Uh the land east or west, north, and east is currently AG, uh use for farmland, and the south portion is uh use right now.

4:44

Uh spin as you have Walmart and you have uh open uh developable land right there.

4:50

Uh this area, this larger 37-acre parcel is annexed into the city in May uh 2025.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation██████████████████████████26%

Transportation Safety██████████████████████22%

Zoning And Land Use██████████████████18%

Procedural█████████████████17%

Public Safety███████████11%

Budget Equity Analysis████4%

Energy Management██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Vermillion City Council Meeting - December 2, 2025

The Vermillion City Council met on December 2, 2025 (the meeting began on December 1, 2025 at 6 p.m. and concluded on December 2) to consider a zoning change, a temporary parking removal request, fee adjustments for the golf course and pool, and a supplemental budget. The council also approved a consent agenda and heard public comments on intersection safety.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
Adopted the agenda.
Approved the consent agenda, which included: invoices payable, fuel quotes, a resolution to authorize the mayor to sign an amendment to the WAPA electric service contract, a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the renewable energy certificate contract, a professional services agreement for annual audit, a resolution authorizing the purchase of a tandem dump truck chassis for the street department, and a declaration of Vermillion Police Department unclaimed property as surplus for auction.

Public Comments & Testimony

Jose Lira (resident, address 324 Purdue) spoke during the public hearing on the rezoning. He expressed strong concern about the safety of the intersection at Highway 50 and Princeton Street, citing multiple near misses and a recent accident involving a friend. He urged the council to push the DOT for a traffic light or roundabout to prevent fatalities.

Discussion Items

First Reading of Ordinance 1549 (Rezoning from NRC to General Business) – The council considered a request by Christian Cabrera (representing the owner) to rezone a three-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Princeton Street and South Dakota Highway 50 from Natural Resource Conservation (NRC) to General Business (GB) to allow a fuel dispensing station and car wash. Staff noted the property was annexed in May 2025 and had to be rezoned within a year. The comprehensive plan designates the area for commercial use. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by an 8–0 vote earlier that evening. Council discussion focused on traffic safety, potential access points (only from Princeton Street, not Highway 50 per DOT), and the need for a possible traffic signal in the future. A resident, Jose Lira, spoke in support of safety improvements. The council voted to advance the ordinance to a second reading on December 15, 2025.
Request from USD for Temporary Parking Removal (Farm Show) – A request was made to remove parking on parts of North Dakota Street from January 4–5 and January 8, 2026, from midnight to 9 p.m. on January 8, for setup and teardown of the 2026 Farm Show. The area affected expanded from last year. Staff reported no concerns from police, fire, or EMS. The street department noted USD would handle snow removal within barricaded areas. Council discussed potential impacts on nearby hotel parking and safety for pedestrians. The motion to approve carried.
Resolution to Amend Bluffs Golf Course Fees – Jim Goblush presented proposed fee increases for season passes, green fees, cart storage, and other items, averaging 3% historically but larger this year to offset operating losses. The course saw about 43,000 rounds in 2025 (up from 42,000) and 320 season passes sold. A comparison showed Vermillion had among the lowest rates. The increase is expected to generate $20,000–$30,000 additional annual revenue. The resolution was approved.
Resolution to Amend Apprentice Plunge Pool Fees – Jim Goblush presented a $10 increase in season passes (from $55 to $65) for ages 7 and up, with no change to daily fees ($6) or free admission for children 6 and under with a paying adult. Vermillion has the second-lowest season pass price in the surveyed area. Discounts for low-income individuals continue. The resolution was approved.
First Reading of Ordinance 1548 (2025 Supplemental Budget) – The final supplemental budget for 2025 was presented. The general fund reserve increases by $45,366 to $1,127,805, partly due to cost overruns on the Carr Street project (poor soil conditions and a damaged water line). The ordinance was advanced to second reading.

Key Outcomes

Ordinance 1549 (rezoning) advanced to second reading on December 15, 2025.
Temporary parking removal for the Farm Show approved (January 4–5 and January 8, 2026).
Bluffs Golf Course fee increases approved (effective upon adoption).
Apprentice Plunge pool fee increases approved.
Ordinance 1548 (supplemental budget) advanced to second reading.
The council moved into executive session for personnel matters (no further action reported).

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