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Record of Proceedings

Vermillion City Council Meeting: May 19, 2026 (Transcript Indicates May 18)

City Council — Tuesday, May 19, 2026
BodyVermillion, South Dakota
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:10

Vermillion City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, May 18th at 6 p.m.

0:14

will come to order.

0:15

Equity call roll.

0:17

Teller.

0:18

Here, Lieber, Price, Holland.

0:20

Here.

0:20

Genoine.

0:21

Here.

0:21

Hellwig.

0:22

Cheesman.

0:23

Here.

0:23

Murrah.

0:24

Here.

0:24

Mayor Cole.

0:25

Here.

0:25

We please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:29

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

0:37

One nation under God.

0:53

Okay.

0:55

Uh minutes has everyone had a chance to review the minutes for uh May 4th, 2026 special meeting, the May 4th, 2026 joint meeting with the Clay County Commission, and the May 4th, 2026 regular meeting.

1:08

If so, are there any uh amendments to the minutes or is there a motion to approve?

1:15

Here it goes.

1:18

Motion approved by Councillor Holland.

1:19

Is there a second?

1:21

Second by Council Murray.

1:23

Any other discussion on the minutes?

1:25

All in favor, certified by saying aye.

1:27

Aye.

1:28

Opposed to saying nay.

1:30

Motion carries minutes are approved.

1:32

Uh adoption of the agenda.

1:33

Is everyone had a chance to review the agenda?

1:36

Uh if so, are there any uh motions to change the agenda or is there motion to adopt?

1:44

Move approval agenda.

1:46

Sorry.

1:46

Motion to approve the agenda by counselor price, second by counselor lever.

1:50

Any other discussion on the agenda?

1:52

All in favor say aye.

1:54

Aye.

1:54

Opposed to saying nay.

1:57

Agenda is adopted.

1:59

Uh for visitors to be heard.

2:01

Uh persons addressed in the council, please come to the podium, state your name and address under visitors to be heard.

2:07

Uh you may speak uh for any topic not on the agenda.

2:10

Remarks are limited to five minutes and no decision will be made at this time.

2:14

We also ask that if you wish to speak on any item on the consent agenda number seven, also to speak under visitors to be heard for any item on the consent agenda.

2:24

Uh for visitors on agenda items, public testimony will be taken at the beginning of each agenda item after the subject has been announced and explained by uh mayor and staff, and any citizen who wishes to may speak may speak for one time at five minutes on each agenda item.

2:39

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

2:44

Uh at that point, only city council members and staff may discuss the current item unless unanimous consent from the council uh is given and questions from the council, however, may be directed to staff or member of the public through the presiding officer at any time.

2:56

Uh we do have a couple proclamations, but before we get to those, are there any items uh that the visitors to be heard would like to speak on.

3:06

Seeing none, first proclamation I have is for EMS week.

3:17

Proclamation recognizing May 17th through the 23rd of 2026 as emergency medical services week.

3:24

Whereas emergency medical services are a vital public service, and whereas the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illnesses or injury, and whereas emergency medical services fill health care gaps by providing important out-of-hospital care and include preventive medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine, and whereas the emergency medical services system consists of five responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, and trained members of the public and other out-of-hospital medical care providers.

4:19

And whereas the members of the emergency medical service teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills, and whereas it is appropriate to recognize and value the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers by designating emergency medical services week.

4:38

Now, therefore, be it resolved, we the governing body of the city of Vermilion, South Dakota, do hereby proclaim May 17th through 23rd, 2026 as emergency medical service week.

4:48

And in the city of Vermilion, and encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities celebrating the 52nd anniversary of EMS Week, improving outcomes together in honor of EMS profession and the essential services it provides.

5:08

Can I believe Chief Callahan come up and accept this proclamation?

5:26

I'll uh keep it real brief.

5:28

We've got a long agenda tonight to get through.

5:30

Uh I got another spot on there anyways, you'll get to hear from me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████16%
Cannabis Regulation████████████████16%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management███████7%
Zoning And Land Use██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Vermillion City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026 (Transcript Indicates May 18)

Note: The meeting agenda and minutes were not provided. The transcript states the meeting was called to order on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6 p.m., but the system timestamp shows 2026-05-19 13:38:12+00:00. This summary uses the system date for the title but notes the discrepancy.

The meeting covered proclamations, public hearings for event liquor and noise permits, consent agenda approval, second reading of a building numbering ordinance, new business including a finance officer appointment and landfill bond resolutions, and bid awards for the light & power building and landfill cell construction.

Proclamations

  • EMS Week (May 17-23, 2026) was proclaimed. Chief Callahan accepted and thanked the council for support.
  • Building Safety Month (May 2026) was proclaimed.

Public Hearings (Liquor & Noise Permits)

  • Thursday on the Platz (July 16 – Aug 27, 2026): Special daily malt beverage & wine license and noise permit approved. The VCDC application covered six Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. at Radigan Platz. Police report noted no prior incidents. Wristband system and signage planned. Fees: $200 (liquor) + $25 (noise). Council voted unanimously on each.
  • Octoberfest (Sept 26, 2026): Special daily malt beverage & wine license and noise permit approved. Event on West Main Street and Radigan Platz from 5-11 p.m. Fees: $50 (liquor) + $25 (noise). Approved unanimously.
  • 4th of July Celebration (July 4, 2026): Special daily malt beverage & wine license (11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Prentice Park) and noise permit approved. Fees: $50 (liquor) + $25 (noise). Approved unanimously.
  • Sodexo Annual License Renewal: On-off-sale malt beverage & farm wine license for Sanford Coyote Sports Center and Dakota Dome. Compliance check passed. Council questioned inclusion of University Police reports; staff noted the check was conducted. Approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

Approved by consent, including:

  • Accounts payable invoices
  • Street closure requests for: Thursday on the Platz (Market St), Octoberfest (West Main St), Downtown Trick-or-Treat (Church St), Parade of Lights (Main & Market Sts)
  • Commercial collection license for Green Removal LLC
  • Two resolutions authorizing skid steer loader purchases for recycling and street departments

Old Business

  • Ordinance 1554 (Building Numbering): Second reading. Increased minimum number size from 3 to 6 inches with a sizing chart based on distance from curb. Enhanced contrast definition. Roll call vote: 8 yes, 0 no. Passed.

New Business

  • Street Closure for 4th of July Kitty Parade: North Plum St from Clark St to Main St, 10-11 a.m. Approved.
  • Street Closure for 4th of July General Events: East Main St from North Plum to Walker St, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (food trucks, events). Barricades to be manned for emergency access. Approved.
  • Appointment of City Finance Officer: Wendy Bora Diaz (CPA from Ames, IA) appointed. She will begin part-time in June, full-time Aug 3, 2026. Salary in 2026 budget. Approved.
  • Resolution Supporting 911 Dispatchers as Class B SDRS Members: Resolution passed supporting reclassification of dispatchers from Class A to Class B (public safety) for retirement. Decision rests with SD Retirement System Board.
  • Resolution for Landfill Revenue Bond: Authorized $2.132 million loan (10-year, 3.5% interest) and $568,000 grant for partial closure of cells 3-5 and construction of cell 7. Actual low bid was lower, reducing borrowing. Approved.
  • Joint Powers Amendment #11: Amended agreement among Vermillion, Yankton, Clay County, Yankton County to recognize new debt for landfill project. Will be considered by other entities. Approved.
  • Development Agreement with Pulse of Life Church: Allows separation of accessory building from medical clinic to create an independent church with greenhouse/agricultural uses, subject to building permit and restrictions (no sales of produce). Council member Holland clarified the process. Approved.

Bid Awards

  • Light & Power Maintenance Building: 14 bids received. Awarded to Van Buskirk Construction (Sioux Falls) for base bid $4,594,000 plus alternate $36,000, total $4.63 million. Engineer’s estimate was $5.94 million. Savings due to market conditions and electrical work by city staff. Council noted under-budget by ~$1 million. Approved.
  • Landfill Cell 7 Construction & Partial Closure of Cells 3-5: 8 bids received. Awarded to Liddell Construction (Sioux Falls) for $1,165,749.65. Engineer’s estimate was $2,003,800. Loan/grant amounts from DANR will be adjusted downward. Approved.

City Manager Report

  • Library Board meets May 20.
  • City offices closed May 25 (Memorial Day).
  • Pool opens May 26 (weather permitting).
  • Planning & Zoning Commission meets May 26 (conditional use permit and rezoning).
  • June 2 ballot includes amendment to allow later budget adoption.
  • Board openings on Planning & Zoning (term to 2030) and Historic Preservation (term to 2027). Applications due June 4.
  • Tree rebate program ($200/household) remains open.
  • Water department received Secretary’s Award for drinking water excellence for 25 consecutive years.

Key Outcomes & Votes

  • All public hearing liquor/noise permits approved unanimously.
  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 1554 second reading passed (8-0 roll call).
  • Finance officer appointment approved by voice vote (all ayes).
  • Dispatcher resolution, landfill bond resolution, joint powers amendment, development agreement all approved unanimously.
  • Both bid awards approved unanimously.
  • Council moved to executive session for personnel matters.

Meeting Transcript

Vermillion City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, May 18th at 6 p.m. will come to order. Equity call roll. Teller. Here, Lieber, Price, Holland. Here. Genoine. Here. Hellwig. Cheesman. Here. Murrah. Here. Mayor Cole. Here. We please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Okay. Uh minutes has everyone had a chance to review the minutes for uh May 4th, 2026 special meeting, the May 4th, 2026 joint meeting with the Clay County Commission, and the May 4th, 2026 regular meeting. If so, are there any uh amendments to the minutes or is there a motion to approve? Here it goes. Motion approved by Councillor Holland. Is there a second? Second by Council Murray. Any other discussion on the minutes? All in favor, certified by saying aye. Aye. Opposed to saying nay. Motion carries minutes are approved. Uh adoption of the agenda. Is everyone had a chance to review the agenda? Uh if so, are there any uh motions to change the agenda or is there motion to adopt? Move approval agenda. Sorry. Motion to approve the agenda by counselor price, second by counselor lever. Any other discussion on the agenda? All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed to saying nay. Agenda is adopted. Uh for visitors to be heard. Uh persons addressed in the council, please come to the podium, state your name and address under visitors to be heard. Uh you may speak uh for any topic not on the agenda. Remarks are limited to five minutes and no decision will be made at this time. We also ask that if you wish to speak on any item on the consent agenda number seven, also to speak under visitors to be heard for any item on the consent agenda. Uh for visitors on agenda items, public testimony will be taken at the beginning of each agenda item after the subject has been announced and explained by uh mayor and staff, and any citizen who wishes to may speak may speak for one time at five minutes on each agenda item. Public testimony will then be closed and given to the government body for possible action. Uh at that point, only city council members and staff may discuss the current item unless unanimous consent from the council uh is given and questions from the council, however, may be directed to staff or member of the public through the presiding officer at any time. Uh we do have a couple proclamations, but before we get to those, are there any items uh that the visitors to be heard would like to speak on.

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