Vermillion City Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Vermillion City Council met on September 8, 2026, to consider public hearings, a cable franchise renewal, land use ordinances, noise and curfew fines, a water main grant application, and other routine business. All votes taken were unanimous (7-0) except where noted.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from two prior meetings.
• Adopted the evening's agenda.
• Approved resolutions authorizing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the Cherry Street water main replacement project (estimated cost $3,087,000) and adopting an anti-displacement and relocation plan required for the application.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during either public hearing or on any other agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing: Special Daily Wine/Cider License – Nick (City Administration) presented an application from the Vermillion Cultural Association for a special daily wine and cider license for the 2026 Vermillion Vortex Film Festival, to be held September 26–27 at the pocket park next to the Coyote Twin Theater. Staff recommended approval; no public comment; council approved by voice vote.
• Public Hearing: CDBG Grant Application for Cherry Street Water Main – Shane (City Administration) explained the city is seeking a CDBG grant to replace a 12-inch trunk water main. The preliminary engineering report is underway; the grant application deadline is October 1, 2026. A community development housing needs assessment draft was provided. The public hearing fulfilled the grant requirement. No vote was taken at the hearing; the related resolutions were later passed via consent agenda.
• Old Business: Ordinance 1564 – Cable Franchise Agreement Renewal (Midco) – John (City Manager) presented the second reading of an ordinance extending the franchise agreement with Midco for 10 years, with two changes: rate cards will be posted online instead of provided physically, and free service to city facilities is eliminated (per FCC change). Council passed the ordinance by a roll call vote of 7-0.
• Old Business: Ordinance 1573 – Bluestem Residential Development – Second reading of an ordinance approving a planned development for townhomes and co-housing. Passed by roll call vote of 7-0.
• New Business: Midco Annual Franchise Report – Alex Nelson and Sean Nori presented performance metrics for 2025: 95% on-time arrival, 9.7/10 customer satisfaction, average service wait under 24 hours, and community sponsorships. Council thanked them.
• New Business: Special Permit to Exceed Noise Levels (Bunyan's) – Nick presented a request for a live band event on October 3, 5 p.m.–midnight (with cleanup until midnight). The applicant notified neighbors. Council discussed noise measurement (police have a device). Approved by voice vote.
• New Business: Property Tax Levy Resolution (Ordinance 1574) – John introduced the annual resolution establishing the 2026 property tax levy, capped at $3,510,000 based on state formula. Approved and advanced to second reading.
• New Business: Fees for Noise and Curfew Violations – Alex presented separate resolutions: $54 plus court fees for noise violations (Section 90.01) and $29 plus court fees for curfew violations (Section 1302). Discussion included surprise about the curfew ordinance (minors 15-17 restricted 10 p.m.–6 a.m.). Council voted separately: noise fee passed (voice vote); curfew fee also passed (voice vote, with one nay? Recording shows aye votes but one "nay" noted, though final passage is not explicit. Based on transcript, after ayes, chair says "one nay, okay," but then moves on. We'll note it passed but with one dissenting vote? Actually transcript: "All in favor of uh this one, please indicate saying aye. Aye, aye. Opposed nay. One day, okay, thank you." That suggests one nay. So we'll say passed 6-1? But roll call not taken, so we report as approved with one opposing voice vote.)
• New Business: Ordinance 1575 – Motorized Foot Scooter Definition Correction – First reading to correct a typo (adding "no") in the definition. Approved and advanced to second reading.
• City Manager's Report – John announced upcoming meetings (Historic Preservation Commission, Library Board, Planning & Zoning Commission on Sept 14, which will discuss the Nelson property rezoning and data center ordinances). He noted open board seats and raffle notifications. Council member Mike expressed concern about repetitive public comment at length on data center ordinances; member Julia suggested alternative input methods. He also reported the Human Relations Commission has lacked a quorum since May; a meeting is scheduled for September 29. Council discussed potential solutions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved, including CDBG grant-related resolutions.
• Ordinance 1564 (Midco franchise) – Passed 7-0 on second reading.
• Ordinance 1573 (Bluestem development) – Passed 7-0 on second reading.
• Special noise permit (Bunyan's) – Approved.
• Property tax levy resolution (Ordinance 1574) – Approved and advanced to second reading.
• Noise violation fee ($54 + court costs) – Approved.
• Curfew violation fee ($29 + court costs) – Approved (with one opposing voice vote).
• Ordinance 1575 (scooter definition) – Approved on first reading; second reading set for September 21.
• CDBG public hearing held; no vote taken; application to be submitted by October 1.
• Data center ordinance discussion to continue at Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on September 14.