Vermillion City Council Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Vermillion City Council convened on December 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (meeting was scheduled for December 15) to conduct regular business. The agenda included medical cannabis license renewals, approval of ordinances, agreements with Clay County, fee adjustments, a design contract for the new Light and Power building, longevity pay, and equipment purchases. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the December 1, 2025, special and regular meetings.
• Adopted the agenda.
• Approved consent items: invoices payable, 2026 master fee schedule, resolution authorizing bucket truck purchase for Light & Power, adoption of Historic Preservation Commission bylaws, adoption of Business Improvement District Board #2 bylaws, combined election agreement, commercial waste hauling license renewals, and resolutions adjusting the City Finance Officer and City Manager salaries.
• Items D (dry ice blasting equipment) and E (high voltage dry ice cleaning skid) were removed from the consent agenda and moved to new business.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No visitors spoke during the public hearing for medical cannabis license renewals or for any other agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Medical Cannabis License Renewals: Staff reported that Dakota Herb (dispensary), Ardvark Alternative Medical Solutions (cultivation), and Dakota Natural Growers (cultivation and manufacturing) applied for renewals. Dakota Natural Growers withdrew their dispensary license. Each renewal fee is $5,000. Council approved the renewals.
• Ordinance 1549 (Rezone): Second reading to rezone approximately 3 acres at the northeast corner of Princeton Street and Highway 50 from NRC (Natural Resource Conservation) to General Business. Staff noted no changes since first reading and recommended approval. Council approved on a 9-0 roll call vote.
• Ordinance 1548 (Supplemental Budget): Second reading of the 2025 supplemental appropriations, which increases the general fund reserve transfer by $45,366, largely from the Carr Street project. Approved 9-0 on roll call.
• Clay County Law Enforcement Center Payment Agreement: The city considered a payment agreement for the city's share of the law enforcement center. County commissioners approved the agreement that morning. The payment amount was not specified in the agreement; council discussed a range up to $600,000, which was the amount budgeted in 2025. Council member Teller moved to pay $600,000, which was seconded and approved.
• Water and Electrical Fee Adjustments: Two resolutions amended fees for new construction – water tapping fees (removing "with/without equipment" options and adding fees for larger pipes) and electrical special service fees. Both were approved.
• Banner Associates Design Agreement: Approved a lump-sum agreement for $312,600 for design and construction services for the new Light and Power building. The project is expected to begin design immediately, with construction in summer 2026 and completion in summer 2027.
• Longevity Pay: Approved a resolution establishing a $7,500 pool for 2025 longevity pay for eligible employees (at least 15 years of service, 3 years at top step). The city manager and finance officer will determine individual payments. About 13 employees qualify.
• Dry Ice Blasting Equipment (Items D & E): Council discussed the purchase of dry ice blasting equipment from an Ohio manufacturer ($61,050) and a high-voltage cleaning skid from a Canadian sole-source vendor ($94,156.50 with a not-to-exceed amount). Discussion covered tariffs, exchange rates, warranty terms, and the necessity of the equipment to prevent outages. Both purchases were approved separately.

Key Outcomes

• Approved all medical cannabis license renewals.
• Adopted Ordinance 1549 (rezone) and Ordinance 1548 (supplemental budget) on 9-0 roll calls.
• Authorized a $600,000 payment to Clay County for the law enforcement center.
• Approved water and electrical fee resolutions.
• Authorized the Banner Associates agreement at $312,600.
• Approved the $7,500 longevity pay pool.
• Approved the purchase of dry ice blasting equipment ($61,050) and the high-voltage skid ($94,156.50 with not-to-exceed). All votes passed unanimously.

City Manager’s Report

• Holiday closures: City offices closed Dec. 24-25, open Dec. 26.
• Recycling collection will be Dec. 29 for Thursday routes.
• Library annual survey available.
• Reminder about sidewalk snow clearing.
• Vacancy on Historic Preservation Commission (term to Sept 2027); applications due Dec. 29.
• Raffle notice for Clay County Agricultural Fair Association.

Meeting adjourned.