OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Vermillion, South Dakota/City Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Vermillion City Council and Joint County Meeting - July 21, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 21, 2026
BodyVermillion, South Dakota
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Original source
Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

We'll call it the county to order.

0:11

We'll call.

0:15

Here.

0:17

Motion to approve the agenda.

0:19

So moved.

0:20

Sorry.

0:20

I have a motion and a second.

0:21

Any further discussion?

0:23

Hearing none.

0:23

All those in favor say aye.

0:24

Aye.

0:25

Pose same sign.

0:26

Motion passes.

0:29

Thank you very much.

0:30

So public hearings.

0:32

The first reading of the approved orders to change the uh the ones the groundwalled edition from uh into HI.

0:41

Jose, do you want to talk about that?

0:46

Both of you, very good.

0:47

Okay.

0:52

So uh the county received a petition to rezone approximately three acres uh on the north side of uh Timber Road, approximately one mile west of city limits.

1:01

Um the applicant is requesting that the land be rezoned from the A1 uh agricultural district to the HI have industrial district if approved the zoning, uh the rezoning will allow the applicant to construct storage units.

1:14

Uh this year shows uh this year is Timber Road, uh Highway 50.

1:19

Uh this would be the city limits right here.

1:22

So you can see it's about one mile west of town on the north side, it's this rectangular area right there on the north side of uh uh timber road.

1:32

One one quick question.

1:33

I get the public notice says L I light industrial.

1:36

As recommended by the planning commission.

1:38

The applicant's request was for HI.

1:41

Well, this is saying that it's gonna be for L one, though.

1:44

So the applicant requested H I and the recommendation from the planning commissioners was for L I.

1:49

Yep.

1:49

And it was yeah, unanimous on both ends.

1:52

Right, but he then they would have denied his H I, right?

1:55

They don't deny their recommend.

1:57

Yeah.

1:57

So the recommendation is for an LI, but his request is still for H I.

2:02

And then that's not what the notice says, but after I guess that's what I'm that's that's what I'm wondering, is why the notice doesn't say HI.

2:09

I talked with Mike about it and he said this is the he's not here, but he said this would be an appropriate notice would per the recommendation of the planning commission for LI.

2:21

So but we're considering HI, correct?

2:26

Just so just so everybody's clear what we're considering.

2:29

I mean the applicant is wanting us to consider HI.

2:32

The applicant requests that HI the recommendations are for L I.

2:36

For L I is everybody everybody clear with that then?

2:39

So if I were to continue reading the memo, then as I continue, then I would actually say that during the consideration by the planning commissions, their recommendation was for LI, and that staff's recommendation would concur with the planning commission's recommendation to make an LI.

2:55

So the notice that was posted out at the property, did it say HI?

2:58

I don't know.

2:59

I don't think it's it said L I as same the same notice that was on the uh newspaper was the same one on the property.

3:07

Okay.

3:08

I guess we can get into that in the discussion, but I'm just well I'm trying to figure out.

3:12

I mean people are wondering if people aren't here, they're like, well, I don't care if it's L I, but they might have a problem if it's H I, but they won't know that by the notices that are posted.

3:21

We're still considering I don't post it.

3:23

I don't I don't know what it's supposed to be.

3:25

But does everybody understand what I'm saying?

3:27

I mean it's it's not it's not posted for what we're actually considering.

3:32

I know what the recommendation was, but the applicant was for HI, and none of the publications or postings are for HI.

3:42

Well okay, what do you want me to do about it?

3:44

I guess I don't know.

3:46

I well, I'm pretty sure the way we should it should have it should be posted the way we're supposed to consider it.

3:52

Consider it.

3:53

I don't post them.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████17%
Affordable Housing███████████11%
Public Safety█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Economic Development███████7%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Vermillion City Council and Joint County Meeting - July 21, 2026

The meeting included a joint session of the county commission and city council, followed by the regular city council meeting. Topics ranged from rezoning and joint jurisdiction boundary amendments to special event licenses, tax increment financing, equipment purchases, and appointments.

Joint Meeting - Rezoning: Greenwald Property

  • The applicant requested rezoning of approximately 3 acres on Timber Road from A1 (Agricultural) to HI (Heavy Industrial) for storage units. The planning commission recommended LI (Light Industrial), and the applicant agreed to LI. However, public notice was posted for LI, not HI. The council debated whether they could vote on HI. The city attorney clarified that since the applicant accepted LI, the notice was proper, and a vote on HI would be inappropriate. A motion to deny the rezoning (i.e., not advance to second reading) passed on a voice vote (aye majority).
  • Public Comment: Kirk Swordson, a neighbor on Timber Road, expressed opposition, citing concerns about aesthetics, rural character, and potential for undesirable activities.

Joint Meeting - Ordinance 1561: Joint Jurisdiction Zone Boundaries

  • The ordinance aimed to replace metes and bounds descriptions with a map reference for the joint jurisdiction area. The county planning commission recommended approval as presented. The city planning commission recommended an amendment: in subsection C, changing "shall" to "it is preferred" regarding boundary movement after annexation. The city council voted to adopt the county's language (with "shall") by a voice vote (aye majority). The city attorney noted this was a substantial change from the city's recommendation, making the ordinance dead for the evening. The matter will be sent back to the planning commissions for reconciliation.

City Council - Public Hearings

  • Special Daily Malt Beverage and Wine License – Clay County Fair Board: Approved unanimously for August 12-15, 2026.
  • Special Permit to Exceed Noise Levels – Ribs, Rods, and Rock & Roll: Approved unanimously for September 11-12, 2026.
  • Special Daily Malt Beverage and Wine License – Ribs, Rods, and Rock & Roll: Approved unanimously for September 11-12, 2026.
  • Special Permit to Exceed Noise Levels – Life Light: Approved unanimously for a worship night on September 19, 2026, at the Apprentice Park band shell.

City Council - First Reading: Planned Development District (Munger Rich)

  • The ordinance creates a new zoning district for a rural-style development south of the Vermillion River and west of Highway 19. Features include larger lots (minimum 20,000 sq ft), wider rights-of-way (80 ft), no curb and gutter, drainage ditches, and delayed sidewalks. The planning commission recommended approval (6-0). The council voted to advance the ordinance to second reading (voice vote, aye majority).

City Council - Second Readings: Fuel Dispensing Mixed Use Definitions

  • Ordinance 1559: Created a new use definition: "fuel dispensing mixed use building" (residential above convenience store at gas station). Approved unanimously (roll call 9-0).
  • Ordinance 1560: Placed the new use as a conditional use in the General Business district, with required separation distances (45 ft from canopy, 60 ft from pumps). Approved unanimously (roll call 9-0).

City Council - Resolution: TIF District 13 Project Plan

  • The TIF is for a multifamily affordable housing project (4 buildings, 56 units) at Elm Street and Alumni Street. Total estimated project cost is $7.2 million; TIF request is $1.105 million. The development is structured as a developer TIF with no city liability. The resolution was approved (voice vote, aye majority).

City Council - Temporary Parking Removal for USD Football Games

  • The request was to remove parking on North Dakota Street from Alumni Street to Highway 50 and close Rose Street. After discussion, the council approved a modified option: close parking only from the loading dock to the yellow lot (as in the previous year), rather than all the way to Highway 50. The motion passed (voice vote, aye majority).

City Council - Resolution: Purchase of Stryker Power Load System

  • Approved purchase of a power load system and power cot for the new ambulance (delivery January 2027) at a cost of $66,877.65, using a zero-interest 12-month payment plan (Stryker Flex Plan). The expense will be budgeted in the 2027 second penny fund. Approved unanimously.

City Council - Resolution: Purchase of Lawnmower

  • Approved purchase of a Hustler Super Z 72-inch mower for $16,461.45, from the 2026 equipment replacement fund (with a budget adjustment of $5,825). Approved unanimously.

City Council - Contracts for Light & Power Building

  • Materials Testing: Awarded to Geotech Engineering for up to $37,325 (unit cost basis). Approved unanimously.
  • Staking Services: Awarded to Banner Associates for up to $34,380 (hourly not-to-exceed). Approved unanimously.

City Council - Planning Commission Appointment

  • Doug Code was appointed to the vacant position on the Planning and Zoning Commission for a one-year term. Approved unanimously.

Consent Agenda

  • The consent agenda was approved as presented (no items removed).

Key Outcomes

  • Rezoning denied (Greenwald property) – no second reading.
  • Ordinance 1561 (joint jurisdiction boundaries) – dead; sent back to planning commissions.
  • Special event licenses and noise permits approved for Clay County Fair, Ribs Rods Rock & Roll, and Life Light.
  • First reading of Planned Development District advanced to second reading.
  • Second readings of fuel dispensing mixed use ordinances (1559, 1560) adopted unanimously.
  • TIF 13 project plan approved.
  • USD football parking approved with modified street closure.
  • Equipment purchases (Stryker power load, lawnmower) approved.
  • Contracts for materials testing and staking services approved.
  • Planning commission appointment of Doug Code approved.
  • City manager announcements: Upcoming meetings (July 27 P&Z, July 30 orientation), groundbreaking for Light & Power building rescheduled, National Register nomination for Bluffview mausoleums, and Eagles raffle notification.

Meeting Transcript

We'll call it the county to order. We'll call. Here. Motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Sorry. I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Pose same sign. Motion passes. Thank you very much. So public hearings. The first reading of the approved orders to change the uh the ones the groundwalled edition from uh into HI. Jose, do you want to talk about that? Both of you, very good. Okay. So uh the county received a petition to rezone approximately three acres uh on the north side of uh Timber Road, approximately one mile west of city limits. Um the applicant is requesting that the land be rezoned from the A1 uh agricultural district to the HI have industrial district if approved the zoning, uh the rezoning will allow the applicant to construct storage units. Uh this year shows uh this year is Timber Road, uh Highway 50. Uh this would be the city limits right here. So you can see it's about one mile west of town on the north side, it's this rectangular area right there on the north side of uh uh timber road. One one quick question. I get the public notice says L I light industrial. As recommended by the planning commission. The applicant's request was for HI. Well, this is saying that it's gonna be for L one, though. So the applicant requested H I and the recommendation from the planning commissioners was for L I. Yep. And it was yeah, unanimous on both ends. Right, but he then they would have denied his H I, right? They don't deny their recommend. Yeah. So the recommendation is for an LI, but his request is still for H I. And then that's not what the notice says, but after I guess that's what I'm that's that's what I'm wondering, is why the notice doesn't say HI. I talked with Mike about it and he said this is the he's not here, but he said this would be an appropriate notice would per the recommendation of the planning commission for LI. So but we're considering HI, correct? Just so just so everybody's clear what we're considering. I mean the applicant is wanting us to consider HI. The applicant requests that HI the recommendations are for L I. For L I is everybody everybody clear with that then? So if I were to continue reading the memo, then as I continue, then I would actually say that during the consideration by the planning commissions, their recommendation was for LI, and that staff's recommendation would concur with the planning commission's recommendation to make an LI. So the notice that was posted out at the property, did it say HI? I don't know. I don't think it's it said L I as same the same notice that was on the uh newspaper was the same one on the property. Okay. I guess we can get into that in the discussion, but I'm just well I'm trying to figure out. I mean people are wondering if people aren't here, they're like, well, I don't care if it's L I, but they might have a problem if it's H I, but they won't know that by the notices that are posted.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com