Vermillion City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, February 2nd, 2026 will come to order.

Alex, what do you call roll?

Taller, Lieber, Price, Holland, Genoine, Elwig, Cheesman, Murrah, Mayor Cole.

Here, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

And to the Republic for Riches Mans, under God, an individual with liberty and justice for all.

Yeah, Kevin, we're glad you're back.

That was a five-minute delay last meeting.

I did have a chance, and I moved to approve.

Motion approved by Councillor Holland.

Is there a second?

Second by Councilor Lieber.

Any other discussion on the minutes?

In favor, certainly by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed saying nay.

Minutes are approved.

Adoption of the agenda.

Has 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.

Is there a second?

Second by Council Genoine.

Any discussion on the agenda?

All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed by saying nay.

Agenda is hereby adopted.

Uh for visitors to be heard.

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

Um, and remarks are limited to five minutes and no decision will be made at this time.

On each agenda item, uh public testimony will be taken at the beginning of each agenda item after the subject has been explained by staff.

And it is any citizen who wishes may speak, may speak for one time for five minutes on each item.

Public testimony will then be closed and the topic given to the governing body for possible action.

At that point, only city council members and staff may discuss the agenda item unless there's unanimous consent from the council to move a person to speak from the public.

Uh questions from the council, however, may be directed to staff or members of the public through the presiding officer at any time.

Uh also, if there's any uh member of the public that wishes to speak on the consent uh agenda item, uh which is item number seven, we also ask that you speak under visitors to be heard as well on any consent agenda item.

On that note, are there any visitors to be heard today for anything not on the agenda?

We do have a uh proclamation today presented by the Human Relations Commission and the Black Student Union of the University of South Dakota for Black History Month.

Mohammed, if you want to come forward.

Hello, members of the council.

Uh thank you, Mayor uh Cole and everyone here today.

Before I begin, I'm gonna say a few words of my own.

Uh sometimes it can feel like hope is hard to hold on to.

Celebrating Black History Month gives us all a chance to pause and remember the courage, creativity, and resilience of black Americans throughout our history.

This month reminds us that every contribution matters, that every story is important, and that understanding our shared history helps us grow as a community.

As we mark 100 years of Black History Month, I encourage you all of you here today to reflect, to learn, and to carry forward the lessons of perseverance and strength in your own lives and in our community.

Now, let me read out the proclamation.

A proclamation to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Black History Month.

Whereas in February 2026, we mark a historic milestone, the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.

For a century, this observation observance has served as a national call to recognize, honor, and preserve preserve the history, culture, and immeasurable contributions of African American African Americans whose labor, leadership, and creativity, and resilience have shaped the United States, and whereas black history is American history, from the earliest days of this nation, African Americans have helped build the foundations of this country economically, culturally, and morally, often while being denied the very freedoms and protections promised to be promised by nation's founding ideals.

Their stories are stories of endurance, innovative innovation, courage, and unwavering demand that America live up to its creed.

And whereas the United States was founded on the powerful and unfinished promise that all people are created equal and deserving of dignity, to honor that promise honestly, we must confront the realities of slavery, segregation, and systematic racism, while also recognizing the generations of black Americans who, through struggle and sacrifice, expanded democracy and advanced justice for all.

And whereas African Americans were instrumental in building the nation's infrastructure, institutions, and economy, including the constructions of the nation's capital, and whereas African Americans have served in every American war since the Revolutionary War, often fighting for freedoms abroad that were not fully realized at home.

And whereas black leaders, activists, educators, artists, and community builders have led transformative movements that reshape the nation and strengthen the commitment to equality, civil rights, and human dignity.

And whereas the Sentenential of Black History Month provides a rare and meaningful opportunity not only to reflect on the past, but to recommit ourselves to building a future rooted in truth, equity, and shared humanity.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City of Vermillion through the Human Relations Commission in partnership with the Black Students Union of the University of South Dakota hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month, commemorating 100 years of Black History Month and calls upon all residents to honor the sentencing throughout education, remembrance, dialogue, and action.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mohammed.

Are there any other visitors to be heard today?

Seeing none, uh, we do not have any public hearings, so moving on to the consent agenda today's cons or tonight's consent agenda are the invoices payable for the bills, uh, field quotes, uh resolution authorizing the salary of Nick Doty as interim finance officer, and the engineering agreement, task order number five, reference the highway 50 utility crossing.