[0:03] The >> Vermillion City Council meeting

[0:05] scheduled for Monday, July 6th, 2026 at 6 p.m. will come to order. Alex, will

[0:09] you call roll? >> Taller

[0:10] » here. >> Liieber.

[0:12] » Price >> here.

[0:13] » Holland >> here.

[0:13] » Jennaine >> here.

[0:14] » Hellwig >> here.

[0:15] » Cheeseman >> here.

[0:16] » Mura >> here.

[0:17] » Mayor Cole >> here. Will you please stand for the

[0:20] pledge?

[0:23] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:29] republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:35] justice for all.

[0:42] Has

[0:49] everyone had a chance to review the minutes from the June 15, 2026 special

[0:53] meeting, the June 15, 2026 regular meeting, and the June 23rd, 2026 special

[0:58] meeting? If so, are there any changes to the minutes or a motion to approve?

[1:04] » Approval. >> Motion to approve by councelor Mur. Is

[1:07] there a second? >> Second.

[1:08] » Second by councelor Helwig. Any other discussion on the minutes?

[1:12] All those in favor signify by saying I. I

[1:15] » opposed by saying nay. Motion carries. Minutes are approved.

[1:21] Adoption of the agenda. Uh is everyone had a chance to review the agenda? If

[1:26] so, are there any changes to the agenda or is there a motion to adopt?

[1:30] » Move to the agenda. >> Motion to approve the agenda by

[1:33] councelor Price. Is there a second? >> Second.

[1:35] » Second by councelor Cheeseman. Any other discussion on the agenda?

[1:39] » All those in favor signify by saying I. I

[1:42] » oppos saying nay. Agenda is hereby adopted. Uh for

[1:47] visitors to be heard. Under visitors to be heard. Uh persons

[1:52] addressing the council shall use the microphone at the podium. Please raise

[1:56] your hand uh before being heard to be recognized and go to the podium and

[2:00] state your name and address. For items not on the agenda, members of the public

[2:04] may speak under visitors to be heard for any topic not on the agenda. Remarks are

[2:08] limited to 5 minutes and no decision will be made at this time. on each

[2:11] agenda item. Public testimony will then be given will be taken by the beginning

[2:15] of each agenda item after the subject has been announced and explained by

[2:19] mayor and staff. Any citizen who wishes may speak for each agenda item may speak

[2:24] for 5 minutes and public testimony will then be closed in the topic given to the

[2:27] governing body for possible action. At that point, only council members and

[2:31] staff may discuss the current item unless there's unanimous consent from

[2:35] the council. Questions, however, may be directed to staff or member of the

[2:38] public through the presiding officer at any time.

[2:40] Um, we also have a park and wreck month proclamation. Um, and we also have some

[2:46] outgoing council members. So, aside from those things, are there any visitors to

[2:50] be heard on anything not on the agenda tonight?

[2:54] Seeing none, first thing we have for parks and recreation month, uh, a

[2:59] proclamation designation of July as parks and recreation month.

[3:05] Whereas parks and recreation programs are integral part of communities

[3:09] throughout this country including Vermillion. And whereas parks and

[3:12] recreation are vital important to establishing and maintaining the quality

[3:15] of life in our community and ensuring the health of all citizens and

[3:18] contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of our

[3:21] community and region. And whereas remain parks and recreation programs build a

[3:25] healthy and active community that aids in the prevention of chronic disease and

[3:29] improves the physical, mental, and emotional health for all citizens. And

[3:33] whereas our parks and recreation programs increase the community's

[3:36] economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax

[3:41] base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses and crime

[3:45] reduction. And whereas parks and recreation programs and education

[3:50] activities such as programming, youth sports, and environmental education are

[3:54] critical to childhood development. And whereas our parks and national

[3:57] recreation areas ensure the ecological beauty of our community and provide a

[4:01] place for children and adults to connect with nature and rec recreate outdoors.

[4:06] And whereas the United States of House representatives has designated July as

[4:10] parks and recreation month. And whereas the city of Vermillion recognize the

[4:14] benefits derived from parks and recreation services. Now therefore, be

[4:18] it resolved, we the governing body of city of Vermillion, South Dakota, do

[4:21] hereby proclaim July of 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month. encourage all

[4:26] residents to participate in this observance by being outside enjoying

[4:30] your local parks and recreation areas dated this day 6th of July 2026

[4:34] Vermillion South Dakota. And if we have the parks and recreational department

[4:38] head, Jim Goblish come up. Proclamation

[4:48] » Jim, if you'd like to say anything, I'll limit you to five minutes. [laughter]

[4:52] » Make it longer for you tonight, but uh thank you, Mr. Mayor, for uh recognizing

[4:56] Parks and Recreation Month. Um and thank you to the council for supporting our

[5:00] local here parks and recreation department. Without your support, this

[5:04] wouldn't happen. Um, also what wouldn't happen is without the great staff that I

[5:08] have underneath me here on the park side, the recreation side, and we like

[5:11] to throw the golf in there too. Um, we are really a small department, but we

[5:15] try and serve the citizens in a big way each and every day. So, I appreciate it

[5:18] and thank you for the recognition. >> Thank you, Jim. Um, are there any

[5:25] visitors to be heard? I also want to recognize I I forgot to mention on the

[5:27] consent agenda. If anybody wants to speak on the consent agenda items, also

[5:30] speak now as well. There any visitors to be heard?

[5:35] Seeing none, moving on. Uh, we have no public hearings, so we'll move on to the

[5:38] consent agenda. We have the invoices payable and the final plot of

[5:43] lot 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10B, 11B, 12B, 13B, 14B, and 15B of block one, lots 1B,

[5:52] 2B, 3B, and block of block 6, and outlot 1B. All in the Bliss Point edition um in

[5:59] the city of Vermillion. Is there anything on the consent agendum? Consent

[6:03] agenda council wishes to remove. >> See none. Is there approval of the

[6:08] consent agenda? >> Move approval.

[6:10] » Motion to approve the consent agenda by councelor Price. Is there a second?

[6:13] » I'll second. >> Second by councelor Holland. Any

[6:15] discussion of the consent agenda? All in favor of approval of the consent agenda.

[6:19] Save by saying I. I. >> Opposed by saying nay.

[6:23] » Consent agenda is approved. Moving to old business. We have a second

[6:27] reading of ordinance 1558 to amend title uh one of general provisions. This is in

[6:32] reference to wards and boundaries to establish new ward boundaries to reflect

[6:35] recent annexations. >> Thank you. The city annexed Munger

[6:39] tracks 1 through three and the blue stump track earlier earlier this year.

[6:43] Um the munger tracks are located on the west side of South Dakota Highway 19 and

[6:47] south of the Vermllion River. The blue stump track is located on the east side

[6:51] of North Crawford Road and approximately 500 ft north of East Main Street. If

[6:55] this ordinance is approved, the Munger tracks would become part of the

[6:58] northwest ward and the blue stem tracks would become part of the southeast ward.

[7:02] Uh, currently both areas are vacant, so there would be so there would not be an

[7:05] increase in the population for either of the wards. Um, the city council

[7:09] considered the first reading of this ordinance on June 15th and unanimously

[7:13] advanced the ordinance to a second reading. No changes have been made to

[7:16] the ordinance since then. Administration recommends approval of the second

[7:20] reading of ordinance 1558. A roll call vote is required with a second reading

[7:23] of an ordinance. >> Thank you, Alex.

[7:29] Did it go up there? >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, is there any

[7:33] visitors to be heard on this topic? Seeing none, council members for any

[7:37] discussion on this item. Is there any motions?

[7:40] » Motion. >> Motion approved by councelor Liieber. Is

[7:44] there a second? >> Second. [snorts]

[7:47] » Second by councelor Holland. Any discussion on this?

[7:52] Move to the voting machines.

[8:04] Nine, zero nazs. Motion carries.

[8:12] That'll conclude old business. Um, no new business. So, we will move on to the

[8:16] the presentation of outgoing council members.

[8:24] for this process. Uh what I'll do is I will um

[8:29] recognize the outgoing council members, allow them to speak, and then allow any

[8:34] members of the public to speak as well after uh the council member wishes to

[8:38] speak. Um first up, we'll recognize Katherine

[8:43] Price. Uh council [clears throat] member Katherine Price. Uh whereas Katherine

[8:47] Price has dedicated 12 years of service to the citizens of Vermillion as a

[8:52] Central Ward city council member from July 2014 until July 2026. And whereas

[8:58] Katherine Price has served on multiple committees during her time in office,

[9:02] including the labor and finance and policies and procedures committees and

[9:06] the surplus property appraisal committee as member and chair. And whereas

[9:10] Katherine Price has been an active, involved, and committed member of the

[9:14] city government during her years of service, including serving as a city

[9:18] council representative on the National Music Museum board. And whereas

[9:21] Katherine Price has been the unofficial pledge of allegiance leader and perhaps

[9:25] the only city council member to sing at a meeting. And whereas Katherine Price

[9:29] has been an inquisitive city council member who through her questions sought

[9:33] to help the public understand the actions of their local government. And

[9:37] whereas Katherine Price has worked to understand all sides of an issue,

[9:40] whether at a city council meeting or through efforts she made on her own to

[9:43] understand different points of views. And whereas Katherine Price has been

[9:47] involved with many projects such as the apprentice plunge, the downtown

[9:50] streetscape project where she will have a lasting generational impacts on the

[9:55] community. And now therefore be resolved that the fellow members of the

[9:59] Vermillion City Council on behalf of the community of Vermillion and city staff

[10:03] do hereby extend our deepest appreciation to Katherine Price for her

[10:06] dedicated service to the community as a city council member for the city of

[10:10] Vermillion, South Dakota, Data of Vermillion, South Dakota, the 6th day of

[10:14] July, 2026. [applause]

[10:22] » [applause]

[10:33] » Thank you. I I do have a speech and I timed it at 9 minutes. So, I'm very

[10:38] grateful for having that time to share these words with everyone.

[10:42] So, first I'd like to thank the city staff, the people who keep the lights

[10:47] on. The city of Vermillion boasts an exceptional ensemble of professionals

[10:52] led by John Prescott, one of the most competent, ethical, responsible, and

[10:57] kindest people I have ever known. John's positive influence sets the tone for the

[11:02] functioning of the city as a whole. The department heads are likewise dedicated

[11:07] and capable experts in their fields. And we are lucky to have people like Alex,

[11:13] Crystal, Dan, Jim, Jose, Marty, Matt, Pete, Ryan, Shane, Tim, Todd, anyone I

[11:21] forgot to name, and everyone I have had the pleasure of working with over the

[11:25] last 12 years. Thank you, John, and all the staff for keeping Vermillion

[11:30] running. I want to offer some advice to the

[11:34] incoming council and this reinforces the useful orientations that Matt Fairholm

[11:38] has run for us over the years and that is identify what part you play. So as a

[11:44] musician I wasn't sure what practical skills I would bring to the council but

[11:49] I ended up being good good at things beyond just saying the pledge of

[11:53] allegiance. So in meetings, I noticed that after a

[11:56] detailed discussion with a lot of potential outcomes, the group really

[11:59] needed someone to summarize the conversation and outline the options in

[12:04] front of us. And so I started doing that and saw the meeting's benefit. But every

[12:08] council will be different and need different things and everyone has their

[12:13] own skills. You might be good at attention to detail, words smmithing the

[12:17] ordinances, or fine-tune combing the numbers, or asking hard questions others

[12:23] don't want to, or at contingency planning for every scenario, or at

[12:29] ensuring that everyone's voice is heard. Making group decisions with a team of

[12:34] nine individuals can be a challenge and it requires all of us to engage with

[12:39] goodwill, empathy, understanding, and compromise. So, play to your strengths

[12:46] for the betterment of all. Here, I'd like to say something about

[12:51] Vermillion, why I think it's such a great place to live, and how to keep it

[12:56] that way. It's no news to anyone that the that the

[13:00] United States has become more politically polarized and the blame is

[13:04] often placed on social media. The idea that the algorithm creates an

[13:09] ideological echochamber that reflects back back to us our own narrow view of

[13:13] the world. But a study in 2022 actually found that the reason social media is

[13:19] dividing us has less to do with it isolating us in our bubble and more to

[13:24] do with the fact that the opinions we encounter on the internet are not tied

[13:29] to real real familiar people we know but to distant indistinct people whom we can

[13:36] readily categorize with black and white labels like friend or enemy.

[13:42] In the real world, when you encounter someone whose worldview differs from

[13:46] yours, it's a lot harder to to just hate them outright if they are cheering

[13:51] alongside you at your children's sports event.

[13:56] This 2022 study summarized it this way. quote, "When individuals interact

[14:02] locally with others, we come into contact with a plural patchwork of

[14:07] cross-cutting conflicts, but our shared space and interests require us to look

[14:12] beyond our differences of opinion in order to cooperate on a shared goal."

[14:18] End quote. As a remarkable example of how this kind

[14:22] of shared goal can undermine polarizing extremism, I'm going to tell you the

[14:27] story of the West Eastern Devon Orchestra, a groundbreaking youth

[14:32] symphony founded in 1999 by the pianist and conductor Daniel Baron Boone and the

[14:38] late postcolonial critic Edward Say. Baron Boy who is Jewish and Sed who was

[14:46] born in Palestine saw music as a way to combat fierce political turmoil.

[14:53] Assembling talented instrumentalists from Israel, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and

[14:58] other war torn places in the Middle East, the orchestra provided a shared

[15:03] goal for these young people who otherwise saw themselves only as

[15:07] adversaries. In Baron Boy's own words, quote, "The

[15:13] Devon was con conceived as a project against ignorance. It is absolutely

[15:19] essential for people to get to know the other, to understand what the other

[15:24] thinks and feels without necessarily agreeing with it." End quote. The West

[15:31] Eastern Devon Orchestra has performed for 25 years, giving generations of

[15:36] children from constantly conflicted countries the opportunity to make

[15:41] beautiful music with those whom they otherwise might only have encountered in

[15:46] violent bloodshed. A key point in Baronborn's comment is

[15:52] that the goal is not to unite everyone in one mind, but rather to acknowledge

[15:59] the other's humanity and experience even in disagreement.

[16:04] American democracy is not about people all thinking the same thing. It's about

[16:09] people being able to think differently, worship differently, speak differently,

[16:16] love differently, live differently, and being confident that the plurality

[16:22] of our differences makes us a stronger nation.

[16:26] But in the world of predatory social media and two-party politics, it's very

[16:31] hard to remember what makes American democracy work.

[16:36] And this this is why I think Vermillion is such a great place. It's not that

[16:41] we're immune to political polarization happening all over the country. And it's

[16:45] not that we don't have a social media problem like everywhere else, but

[16:50] Vermillion is still the kind of place where people come together across the

[16:54] aisle to cooperate on a shared goal. And therefore, we are still the kind of

[17:01] place where differences of opinion can coexist because we still recognize and

[17:06] respect each other's humanity. We do that by jointly creating things

[17:12] that matter to us. But it only works if you lean into the dissonance.

[17:18] Choose to actively collaborate with people who might disagree with you.

[17:23] Maybe you sign up with the fire department or EMS to help save lives.

[17:28] Maybe you volunteer at the welcome table or the food pantry. Maybe you support

[17:32] adults or children with disabilities. Maybe you foster animals for the Humane

[17:37] Society. Maybe you participate in creative activities like community

[17:42] theater or vado or painting public art. Maybe you enjoy the outdoors by

[17:47] restoring the native prairie or join a cycling club or a golf league or a

[17:52] pickle ball team. Maybe you preserve historic buildings or build new ones for

[17:57] Habitat for Humanity. Whatever you do, challenge yourself to work in concert

[18:04] with others, regardless of the campaign sign in their yard. Because the only way

[18:10] democracy can work is if we do the work of democracy together.

[18:18] Finally, I'd like to say that stepping away from city council was a difficult

[18:21] choice. Not only because I still have a lot to give, but because the council has

[18:26] given a lot to me. I was fairly new here when my neighbors first asked me to run

[18:30] for council, but serving the central ward and planning for the city's future

[18:35] quickly made this place home to me in a way that nothing else could. Some of my

[18:41] life's proudest moments happened in the course of this service. So, I'd like to

[18:46] thank my constituents for having confidence in me and allowing me the

[18:51] privilege of serving you.

[18:57] I also encourage others to similarly step up not just because Vermilion needs

[19:02] you, but because it because service is a gift you give that gives back to you, a

[19:09] gift you can be proud of. A symphony only happens if all the voices sound. So

[19:16] even if you're new here or you have doubts about what you have to offer, I

[19:20] urge you to get involved because while it takes professionals to keep the

[19:25] lights on, it takes all of us to create this community together. Thank you.

[19:39] » [applause]

[19:45] » Do I leave now or do I wait? [laughter] >> We we might need your vote to adjourn.

[19:51] So that's right. [laughter]

[19:54] » Is there any visitors from the public that wishes to speak um for Katherine

[19:58] Price?

[20:02] Seeing none, is there any council members that wish us to speak and

[20:05] comment for councelor Price? >> You can present mine next, but then I'll

[20:09] wait. >> I just want to say thank you, Katherine.

[20:15] Just want to say thank you for taking most of my speeches. Just kidding.

[20:19] [laughter]

[20:21] Thank you. Um,

[20:25] Councelor Holland, proclamation recognizing Richard Holland

[20:30] for his city council service. Whereas Richard Holland has dedicated 12

[20:35] years of service to the citizens of Vermillion as Southeast Ward City

[20:38] Council member from July 14th to July 2026.

[20:44] And whereas Richard Holland has served on all the city council committees

[20:47] during his time in office uh including the labor and finance committee, surplus

[20:52] property appraisal committee, policies and procedures committee and utilities

[20:56] committees as chair. And whereas Richard Holland was a city council

[21:00] representative on multiple boards during his time in office, including the tree

[21:04] board, the vermilion now three board and the library board. And whereas Richard

[21:08] Holland has served on the law enforcement center committee and prior

[21:10] to his election to the city council, he served on the planning and zoning

[21:13] commission and who in which he continues to regularly attend the meetings. And

[21:18] whereas Richard Holland served the city council in leadership positions as vice

[21:22] president for the city council from 2016 to 2020. and as city council president

[21:28] from 2020 to 2026. And whereas Richard Allen met with the

[21:34] state and federal legislative delegations and peer in Washington DC

[21:37] participate in quarterly trainings and was community leaison as the inaugural

[21:41] Missouri River energy service ambassador for Vermillion and whereas Richard

[21:45] Holland has been involved with many projects such as the Jackpolla

[21:48] development and the downtown streetscape project which will have generational

[21:52] impacts on the community. And now therefore be resolved that the fellow

[21:56] members of the Vermillion City Council on behalf of the community of Vermillion

[21:59] and city staff do hereby extend our deepest appreciation to Richard Holland

[22:03] for his dedicated service to community as a city council member for the city of

[22:07] Vermillion, South Dakota, data of Vermillion, South Dakota this 6th day of

[22:11] July, 2026. [applause]

[22:23] » [applause]

[22:25] » I cannot possibly follow Katherine's visitation and my presentation brief

[22:31] will explain why I cannot. Katherine and I have served 12 years on city council

[22:35] at the same time. Same time. I don't know what it would be like to not have

[22:40] Katherine clearly recite the pledge of allegiance. I that's all I've heard for

[22:44] 12 years. Um okay. During the time that Katherine and I have served, the city

[22:49] has made great accomplishments, and I'm proud to be part of those

[22:52] accomplishments. Some of those things I have done would not have been successful

[22:56] or completed without Catherine's help. I highly value her superior knowledge and

[23:01] composition skills, and she's always delivered when I've asked for help, and

[23:04] I have asked several times. Thank you for helping me, Katherine, and the city.

[23:09] She has made it all a better place for all. Thank you.

[23:15] » [applause]

[23:20] [applause]

[23:24] » I asked if there's any visitors to be heard for uh councelor Holland.

[23:30] Seeing any council members to speak for councelor Holland at all.

[23:37] Seeing none, next presentation uh be a proclamation

[23:42] that is going to be read uh by the first lady, Jenna Lucas. If you go ahead and

[23:47] please come up and

[23:55] this is a proclamation recognizing John Cole for his city council service.

[23:59] Whereas John Cole has dedicated four years of service to the citizens of

[24:03] Vermillion as mayor of Vermillion from July 2022 to July 2026.

[24:10] And whereas during John Cole's tenure as mayor, Vermillion was recognized as

[24:14] South Dakota's community of the year and received national recognition as USA

[24:19] Today's best smalltown art scene, reflecting the strength, collaboration,

[24:24] and momentum of the community. And whereas John Cole promoted

[24:28] transparency, accountability, and thoughtful evaluation of city policies

[24:33] and procedures while encouraging continuous improvement in local

[24:37] government. And whereas John Cole worked to build

[24:40] the tax base, whether through enhanced sales tax collection accuracy or bring

[24:45] events or development to town that would contribute to the tax base. And whereas

[24:50] John Cole supported and advocated for significant community investments,

[24:55] including housing development, public safety facilities, infrastructure

[24:59] improvements, economic development initiatives, and long-term planning

[25:03] efforts designed to position Vermillion for future growth. And whereas John Cole

[25:09] served with integrity, dedication, and genuine desire to promote the best

[25:13] interests of the city of Vermillion and its citizens.

[25:17] And whereas John Cole fostered strong partnerships among local organizations,

[25:22] businesses, educational institutions, state and federal leaders, and community

[25:28] stakeholders in pursuit of opportunities that benefited Vermillion residents. And

[25:34] whereas John Cole developed the mayor of the day program for eighth grade

[25:37] students in Vermillion to encourage government engagement among Vermillion

[25:41] youth and to educate and inspire future community leadership.

[25:46] And whereas John Cole worked tirelessly to support the projects and initiatives

[25:50] that benefit Vermillion residents. Now therefore, be it resolved that the

[25:55] fellow members of the Vermillion City Council on behalf of the community of

[25:59] Vermillion City staff do hereby extend our deepest appreciation to John Cole

[26:05] for his dedicated leadership, service, and commitment to the citizens of

[26:09] Vermillion for his lasting contributions to the growth, progress, and success of

[26:15] the community. Dated at Vermillion, South Dakota, the 6th day of July, 2026.

[26:22] Thank you.

[26:31] [applause]

[26:40] Well, before we adjourn, and I realize I'm going to

[26:45] ask any visitors to be heard after I speak as well. Um, I just want to say

[26:50] that I've had a privilege of serving the city of Vermillion for

[26:55] actually over a decade. First as city employee for about 10 years and then as

[27:00] mayor as your mayor for the past four. Public service is really all I've ever

[27:05] known. Uh whether it was serving as a police

[27:08] officer or serving as your mayor, my goal has always been the same. To leave

[27:13] this community better than I found it. Serving the people of Vermillion has

[27:18] been one of the greatest honors of my life.

[27:21] Over the last four years, we faced challenges,

[27:24] celebrated successes, work together to move our community

[27:28] forward. We've invested in our housing,

[27:32] infrastructure, our public safety, [snorts] economic development, and

[27:37] long-term planning. We've built strong partnerships and

[27:41] positioned Vermillion for continued success. And I'm proud of what we've

[27:44] accomplished together. And none of that happened because of one

[27:48] person. It's happened because of a dedicated city staff,

[27:53] committed council members, engaged community partners,

[28:00] and residents who care deeply about Vermillion.

[28:04] To the members of the council, Katherine summed it up pretty well.

[28:13] We don't always agree, but we've always respected the person and the passion and

[28:17] the commitment each other of you have brought to the table. Healthy discussion

[28:22] and different perspectives make us stronger. I am grateful for the

[28:25] opportunity to serve alongside you. We've even had the ability to have a few

[28:30] laughs together and oftentimes have the similar thought and common ground.

[28:36] Few council members I want to particularly point out. Council member

[28:40] Mura, you've [snorts] been with me from the

[28:43] start, from the day I was sworn in and the day

[28:47] you were sworn in. And even though we've not always agreed with each other,

[28:53] I have to admire your ability to not say or to say how it is and not be afraid

[29:01] even when someone else is going to be quote mad at you.

[29:07] Gary, Council Member Cheeseman

[29:11] for always willing to have dialogue with me, even though not always having the

[29:16] same train of thought, but many, many times having same common ground. You've

[29:21] always treated me with respect and honor, and I valued our conversations

[29:25] together. Rich, Council Member Holland,

[29:33] and pardon my language for a couple of the children in the room, but Council

[29:37] Member Holland, quote, first time I started, he wanted to kick my ass

[29:44] is what he said. However, as we've grown in our meetings,

[29:49] he appreciated another point of view and the relationships and the strengths of

[29:56] of others that I've built over the years. And I believe ours is one of

[30:02] those strengths and relationships. Thanks to council member Holland. His

[30:06] outside the box approach um where he thought of allowing us to go to auction

[30:13] to purchase a piece of land now came to fruition as Jack Powell edition if it

[30:19] was not for his outside the box thinking. I don't think that project

[30:22] would have ever came off the ground. So I want to say thank you

[30:28] John Prescott. Thank you for your counsel, your

[30:33] friendship over the past four years. Correction, make that 14 years.

[30:39] While there's no handbook for being a firsttime mayor,

[30:44] I want to say thank you for your patience, guidance, willingness to

[30:48] answer the phone no matter the hour or a text message. and I am a better leader,

[30:53] a better person because of your mentorship and your knowledge of

[30:56] municipal government and your dedication to this city has been invaluable and not

[31:00] only to me but to countless other leaders across our state.

[31:04] To our city staff, thank you for your professionalism and

[31:08] dedication. The work you do every day often goes unseen. I've seen it

[31:14] firsthand while riding alongside a plow truck in

[31:18] the middle of the snow or in a police car going to those calls

[31:23] that nobody wants to know about. To the citizens of Vermillion, thank you

[31:28] for placing your trust in me. Thank you for your support, your ideas, your

[31:33] feedback, and your willingness to stay engaged in our community.

[31:38] And most importantly of all, I want to thank my family.

[31:44] As public service is never the work of one person. It requires a sacrifice from

[31:49] those who stand beside you. They've shared my time with this community for

[31:54] many, many years. There are countless evenings, weekends, events, meetings,

[32:00] phone calls, and interruptions at the dinner table that took away from my time

[32:03] for them. Their love, support, patience, and understanding made it possible for

[32:08] me to serve. And I'll always be grateful those sacrifices.

[32:13] So, as I leave this office, I do so with a full heart and a great sense of

[32:17] gratitude. As Vermillion is in a strong place, a strong position, and I believe

[32:22] the future is bright. While my term as mayor has come to an

[32:26] end tonight, my commitment to Vermillion does not. I will continue to support,

[32:30] advocate for, and serve the community in whatever way I can.

[32:34] To mayor like Kevin O. Kelly, I wish you the best. Lead steady, lead strong. May

[32:40] not always be the most favorite person in the room, but I have confidence in

[32:44] you. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve. It has truly been an

[32:48] honor. Thank you. [applause]

[32:57] [applause]

[33:00] » Yeah. Thanks again. Thank you.

[33:09] » Are there [laughter] Oh, no. We have to >> Are there Well, are there any other

[33:12] visits to be heard on um my acknowledgement?

[33:19] Seeing none, the only thing left to is a motion to adjurnn. I would ask if

[33:25] Councelor Price or Councelor Holland wants to make the motion to adjurnn.

[33:28] » Move we adjourn. >> I second. Motion by councelor Price and

[33:32] a second by councelor Holland to adjurnn.

[33:35] » All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Opposed by saying nay.

[33:40] » Meeting adjourn.

[33:45] [applause]

[36:02] We're looking for the best photo op. >> I don't know if I go that

[36:13] Thank you. >> You got this under control.

[36:15] » I hope so.

[36:27] » When you're ready, Nick. >> When I'm ready. All right. I'll have you

[36:29] raise your right hand. Repeat after me. >> I state your name.

[36:32] » I, Kevin O. Kelly. >> Do solemnly swear or affirm. Does so all

[36:36] this swear >> that I will support the Constitution of

[36:38] the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of

[36:40] the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of

[36:43] South Dakota >> and the Constitution of the State of

[36:44] South Dakota. >> And I will faithfully discharge my

[36:47] duties >> and I will faithfully discharge my

[36:49] duties >> of mayor of the city of Vermillion,

[36:51] South Dakota. >> of mayor of the may of the mayor as

[36:53] mayor of the city of Vermillion, South Dakota.

[36:56] » According to the best of my ability >> according to the best of my ability.

[36:59] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[37:07] » [applause]

[37:14] » together.

[37:37] You raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I person do

[37:43] solely swear or affirmly swear or affirm

[37:46] » that I'll support the Constitution of the United States that I will support

[37:50] the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of

[37:53] South Dakota and the Constitution of the State of South Dakota.

[37:56] » And I will faithfully discharge my duties.

[37:59] » And I will faithfully discharge my duties.

[38:01] » A council member of the city of Vermillion, South Dakota.

[38:05] » Council member of the city of Vermillion, South Dakota. According to

[38:08] the best of mind according to the best. Thank you.

[38:17] [applause]

[38:40] Why is my dad?

[38:59] Well, that was exciting. I just want to start before you start,

[39:04] John, I just want to say thank you to the outgoing members, John Cole and Rich

[39:08] Holland and Katherine Price. Uh, citizen government is what makes America great.

[39:12] So, thank you all very much for your service.

[39:16] » And John? >> Okay. So, when we have a

[39:18] reorganizational meeting every two years, there's a number of procedural

[39:21] items that we'll go through tonight. Um, the city council will and staff will

[39:25] kind of walk you through some of those. Uh, so a lot of these things will seem

[39:29] um well, they're very procedural and not really the most exciting for some

[39:33] members of the public, but nonetheless, the first thing that um I'm sorry, Mr.

[39:37] Mayor. Um, we needed to do the roll call.

[39:41] » Yeah, I knew there was something I got sooner later. Might as well get it all

[39:44] the way down. Uh, Rlet, roll call, please.

[39:47] » Cheeseman >> here.

[39:49] » Gilbert Gilbertson >> here.

[39:51] » Hellwig >> here.

[39:52] » Genine, >> here.

[39:53] » Liieber, >> here.

[39:54] » Lias >> here. here.

[39:56] » Mura >> here.

[39:57] » Taller >> here.

[39:58] » Mayor O Kelly >> here. And I forgot to observe the

[40:00] agenda. >> Yes.

[40:01] » Very good. Before I Oh, thank you. >> Before I start with the adopted agenda,

[40:07] I just want to remind us that our future as a community depends on

[40:12] recognizing our past. The city of Vera exists on the ancestral lands of the

[40:16] Shedi Sakuan and Omaha indigenous people. We honor and appreciate those

[40:20] who have the longest relationship with this place. Having

[40:24] said that, have we all had a chance to look at the agenda?

[40:28] Any changes, amendments?

[40:33] » Second. >> Moved and seconded. All in favor? Any

[40:36] say I >> All post say nay.

[40:39] » Motion passes. Oh, Gavl. Sorry, got excited for a minute.

[40:43] » Very good. Now the officers. Thank you, John.

[40:46] » Thank you. I'm sorry about that, mayor. I should have moved to meet.

[40:49] » We've been to other meetings. This is your first one. We got to do a better

[40:52] job as staff. Well, we'll work on that. But nonetheless, one of the things that

[40:55] is stated uh not only in state statute, but in the home rule charter, in the

[40:59] city rules and procedures, is that one of the first acts of the council is to

[41:03] elect a president and a vice president. Uh those individuals serve in the

[41:06] absence of the disability of the mayor. Uh we would recommend that the motion

[41:10] for president um be one motion and a motion for vice president be a separate

[41:13] motion. Uh with that, we'll turn it over to the council.

[41:16] » Having said that, do I have any nominations for the uh city council

[41:19] president? I'll make a motion. Mr. Bur,

[41:25] » is there a second to that nomination? >> Any further nominations?

[41:31] » I would like to motion for Julia. >> Hellwig. Got it. And do I have a second

[41:37] for that nomination? >> Do I have a second for the nomination?

[41:41] Julia Hellwig, the president. >> Second.

[41:44] » Second. Any further nominations? How do we conduct the an election like

[41:51] this? Roll call or >> Yes, because the voting machines are set

[41:56] by name and so till we get that change. So you'll need to Alex, if you'd call

[41:59] the role, please when you're ready, Mr. Mayor.

[42:01] » Yes, I'm ready. So uh how many uh support Mike Mura as presounc

[42:10] Do you want me to go down? >> Yeah, let's go through.

[42:13] » Perfect. Cheeseman. >> Nay.

[42:16] » Gilbertson. >> Yes. Hellwig.

[42:19] » No. >> Genuine.

[42:21] » No. >> Liieber.

[42:25] » Yes. >> Lias.

[42:28] » Nay. >> Mura.

[42:30] » Yes. >> Taller.

[42:32] » Yes. >> Mayor O Kelly.

[42:34] » Nay.

[42:38] » Uh, five nays. Four yays. >> I guess that settles the that makes the

[42:43] hell nomination moved. Very good. Congratulations, Mike. Thank you very

[42:47] much. Do I have any nominations for city? I'm sorry. Did I miss something?

[42:52] » We still need to move for do that. >> Oh, we do. I'm sorry. Thank you very

[42:56] much.

[42:59] » Do I until this vote on Hellwig, right? I'm sorry. Thank you very much. Uh, how

[43:03] many you going to do roll call, please, Alex? How many vote for Hellwig?

[43:07] » Cheeseman. >> Yes.

[43:09] » Gilbertson, >> nay.

[43:11] » Hellwig, >> yes.

[43:13] » Jennaine, >> yes.

[43:14] » Liieber, >> no.

[43:18] Lias. >> Yes.

[43:20] » Mura. >> Taller.

[43:23] » Mayor O Kelly. >> Yes.

[43:27] » That's five yays, four nays.

[43:32] » What did we have for Mura? >> The opposite.

[43:36] » Oh, I'm sorry. I miss I misheard. Thank you very much. Are we done with that?

[43:41] » You need the vice president next. >> Yeah. Great. Do I have any nominations

[43:44] for city council vice president? >> Any nominations for city council vice

[43:49] president? Step in. >> I would like to nominate Lindseay Jenny

[43:54] for vice president. >> Do I have a second to that nomination?

[43:58] » Second.

[44:02] » Any other nominations for the uh role of city council vice president?

[44:06] » I'll nominate Mike for vice president.

[44:11] Is there a second for that nomination? Second.

[44:16] » Any further nominations?

[44:22] » Seeing none, Alex, will you take us through the roll call, please?

[44:26] » It might be helpful to state the motion, the candidate you're voting at this

[44:30] point in time. >> Very good. So, we're we'll be voting for

[44:33] uh Lindseay Genoine first as vice president for the city council.

[44:39] » Cheeseman. >> Yes.

[44:41] » Gilbertson. Nay >> Hellwig.

[44:44] » Yes. >> Genoine.

[44:45] » Yes. >> Weieber.

[44:47] » Nay. >> Lias.

[44:49] » Yes. >> Mura.

[44:51] » Nay. >> Taller.

[44:53] » No. >> Mayor Kelly.

[44:55] » Yes. >> That's five. Yay. Four nays.

[45:00] » And now we'll have a vote for the uh nomination for Mike Murray as city

[45:05] council vice president. >> Cheeseman.

[45:08] » No. >> Gilbertson.

[45:10] » Yay. >> Hellwig. No.

[45:12] » Genuine. >> No.

[45:14] » Liieber. >> Yes.

[45:15] » Lias. >> No.

[45:17] » Mura. >> Yep.

[45:18] » Taller. >> Yes.

[45:20] » Maro Kelly. >> No.

[45:22] » That will be four yays. Five nays. >> Thank you very much. I hope that I'll

[45:28] attend most meetings and there your work won't be required very often. But thank

[45:32] you for offering.

[45:41] Okay. So, sure. Ready to move forward. Next. Next item is appointment of

[45:46] administrative officers. There are um three positions that the city council

[45:49] hires. Uh the city manager, the finance officer, and the city attorney. First

[45:54] item on your agenda is to address the position of finance officer. Um again,

[45:58] this is addressed both in state statute in our home world charter. um that the

[46:02] city council would appoint a finance officer and that is done each time the

[46:05] city council has a reorganizational meeting. It is a bit unique this time in

[46:10] that uh Nick is serving as our interim finance officer and the previous council

[46:14] uh hired Wendy Boura Diaz who will be starting or is projected to start as our

[46:18] finance officer on Monday, August 3rd. Um, at this point in time, we'd ask that

[46:23] there be a motion to, if the council feels it's appropriate, to recognize

[46:26] Nick serving as our inter Nick Dodie to serve as our interim finance officer and

[46:31] Wendy Boura Diaz to serve as our finance officer effective August 3rd of this

[46:35] year. >> Thank you. Is there any discussion on

[46:38] that matter from the council?

[46:45] » Okay, we have a motion to approve. Do we have a second?

[46:47] » Second. >> Uh, moved and seconded. Any any last

[46:51] minute discussion? All in favor of the motion to recognize

[46:56] Nick Dodie as interim finance officer and Wendy Bourja Diaz as city finance

[46:59] officer of August 3rd. Please indicate by saying I.

[47:03] » I. >> And those opposed say nay.

[47:06] » Motion passes. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh the next item is

[47:10] the appointment of a city attorney. Uh back in 2022, we went through a pretty

[47:15] extensive process where we received proposals from several different firms.

[47:19] uh the city council committee interviewed those firms and they made a

[47:22] recommendation to the full council and that's when Craig Huff was hired as our

[47:25] city attorney in roughly August or September of 2022. Um I've visited with

[47:31] Daryl Jesse who will be at your first meeting of the month typically and then

[47:35] another member of the firm um is here for the second meeting of the month.

[47:38] Daryl has expressed interest that the uh firm of Crair Huff would be willing to

[47:42] continue serving as our city attorney and we'd recommend approval of Curry

[47:46] Huff as city attorney. Thank you very much. Any discussion on

[47:49] the city council over this proposal?

[47:56] » Second. Any further discussion before we vote? I will say that I've discussed

[48:00] this uh the service of this law firm with city staff and they've been uh

[48:05] uniformly satisfied. So giving no seeing no further discussion, those in favor of

[48:10] extending the appointment of the Crair Huff Lir city attorney, please say

[48:14] indicate by saying I. >> I. Those opposed say nay.

[48:20] You're hired.

[48:26] » All right. Oh, now it's me. >> Yes.

[48:28] » Uh so the uh city council members are asked to serve on one or more city

[48:32] council committees or other assignments to assist with various aspects of the

[48:36] organization and to meet legal requirements. Community members and

[48:40] staff also assist the city in serving on a number of committees or representing

[48:43] the organization. In other words, this group, this meeting night is not all

[48:46] they do. Vermillion is fortunate to have a dedicated city council to have

[48:50] dedicated city council members and individuals willing to serve on a broad

[48:54] range of city committees and and or represent the city. The city council is

[48:58] asked to review the assignments as proposed and make appropriate changes

[49:01] and adopt a document assigning the individual individuals to the respective

[49:04] areas. I'm not going to read all of the assignments. There are quite a few but

[49:09] is everybody does anybody have any comments on the committee assignments as

[49:12] proposed. Before I say before I ask for further comment I will say I did not

[49:16] designate chairs of any committees. The committees can uh decide determine their

[49:20] own chairs and just let me know and I'll put their name in bold. Okay. But until

[49:25] then uh just the committee assignments. Anybody have any comments or suggestions

[49:29] or requests?

[49:33] I did try to take into account your preferences and the needs of the city

[49:37] and I I think it's a I it looked to me like a fairly well balanced list of

[49:41] assignments. Some of you have more work than others, but you asked for it.

[49:49] Hearing no comments, I'd entertain a motion to approve the committee

[49:52] assignments as listed. >> So move.

[49:56] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[49:59] » Moved and seconded. Any last chance for discussion?

[50:04] All in favor of the committee assignments as written, please indicate

[50:06] by saying I. >> I.

[50:08] » Oppose. Say name. >> You're assigned. Thank you.

[50:16] Uh, next item. Nick.

[50:21] Hi. Um, state statute requires the designation of an official newspaper.

[50:25] Uh, a law effective on July 1st, 2024 expanded the definition of entities that

[50:30] may qualify as a legal newspaper. A legal newspaper can be provided in print

[50:34] for free as long as there are at least 200 paid online subscribers. Um, the

[50:39] Vermillion Plane Talk has previously been designated as the official

[50:42] newspaper. As the Plain Talk is the only local newspaper which meets all the

[50:46] definitions of the legal newspaper per SDCL chapters 9 and 17, the city council

[50:51] can designate it as the official newspaper. Legal notices are also

[50:55] available on the city's website. An individual or business can also sign up

[50:58] on the city's website to have all legal notices posted on the city's website

[51:02] automatically emailed to them at no cost. Um, it is a requirement of state

[51:06] law to publish public notices, minutes, etc. in the official newspaper. The

[51:11] publication of the minutes and notices for the finance office alone cost

[51:14] $19,33.17 last year. administration recommends

[51:19] adoption of a motion to designate the Vermillion Plane Talk as the official

[51:22] newspaper. >> Thank you very much. Is there any

[51:25] discussion among council members? >> I'm going to abstain from this since I

[51:31] even though I'm supposedly retired. I still have a little bit of an

[51:35] association with the plain talk. So, >> you have a difficult time retiring.

[51:40] » Yeah. [laughter]

[51:42] » Any other discussion? Seeing none, I would entertain a motion

[51:47] to uh to designate the villain plane talk as

[51:51] our official newspaper. So move. >> Is there a second?

[51:55] » Second. >> All in favor of the plane talks official

[51:59] newspaper indicate by saying I >> I oppose. Nay.

[52:04] » You're on. Thank [clears throat] you very much,

[52:08] » Nick. Back to you. >> All right. State statute requires that

[52:12] the city council to design designate the official depositories of city funds. An

[52:16] official depository can be added at any time by the city council. The city

[52:20] council has historically designated the official depositories at the

[52:24] reorganizational meeting. Um the city council previously designated the

[52:28] following as official depositories. Port Trust Bank, First Bank and Trust,

[52:33] First Dakota National Bank, South Dakota Public Funds Investment Trust, Wells

[52:38] Fargo, and US Bank. No changes in the most recent official depositories are

[52:42] proposed. Of note, the city hall bonds are in process of being called while no

[52:46] additional payments are anticipated to be needed. Staff recommend recommends

[52:50] leaving US bank until the bonds are retired. Administration recommends that

[52:54] city council designate the above listed financial institutions as official

[52:58] depositories for the city funds.

[53:02] » Thank you very much. Uh is there any discussion on that from this council?

[53:06] Yes. Well, just a question. Since apparently is going to be changed to

[53:10] First Citizen Bank of North Carolina, if I understand, will we do that at the

[53:14] next meeting or is that something that can be done ahead of time?

[53:18] » I Great question. I think it's probably one of those once we have the official,

[53:22] I'll say, changeover date or whatever it is. We probably should at least have

[53:25] that as a consent agenda item. >> I have a similar question. Wells Fargo

[53:31] is gone. Are we still Why are we still using them?

[53:35] Um the others are all local banks, right?

[53:39] » With their I think we've listed typically all local banks and they have

[53:42] their location at um Ace Hardware Jones not center but yeah

[53:47] » the hardware store bank I forgot [laughter] about I'm sorry

[53:53] I go I go to the hardware store for food. Okay. I'm just saying.

[53:58] » All right. Any anything more any further discussion on

[54:02] these uh banks? All right. Very good. I would entertain a motion to uh approve

[54:07] these banks as listed as official deposiitories for city funds. Some move.

[54:12] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[54:15] » Very good. Moved and seconded. All in favor of these institutions indicate by

[54:19] saying I. >> Oppos say nay.

[54:23] Passes. Here you go, Nick.

[54:27] Okay. Next item up is consolidated board of equalization. Uh down to two items

[54:32] left for the public that we need to do for a reorganizational meeting. Uh this

[54:36] is one of those items that we have a consolidated board of equalization which

[54:39] for the public makes it an easier process when they want if there's an

[54:42] appeal of their property tax valuation. So with this process, it avoids a

[54:46] citizen having to go to two different banks. We uh we I should say you the

[54:50] council members serve on that. Um and you meet jointly with the Klay County

[54:54] Commission and schoolboard representatives. And typically that

[54:57] meeting is in April of each year. Um in March or either last meeting in

[55:01] February, first meeting in March is when you would designate three members to

[55:04] serve on the consolidated board of equalization with all the other members

[55:08] serving as an alternate to it. Um with this process though, we did agree to

[55:13] every time there's a city council reorganizational meeting that the city

[55:16] council would commit to the consolidated board of equalization. So uh the

[55:19] recommended motion would be to uh continue participation in the

[55:22] consolidated board of equalization. Thank you very much. Uh discussion among

[55:27] city council members.

[55:31] May I ask, have any of you been on this board before? Is it uh ownorous? Is it

[55:36] controversial? Is it uh adversarial? >> Not typically, but it could be a little

[55:41] bit. >> Okay,

[55:42] » it's fine. It's organized well where they move the city items first so we

[55:48] don't have to stay for all the county items. Thank you. Hopefully, they'll

[55:52] keep doing that and not put us at the end. that would make it significantly

[55:54] harder. >> Okay. Very good. Very good. Any any

[55:58] further discussion on continuing with this system?

[56:02] All right. I would entertain a motion to uh continue the consolidated board of

[56:07] equalization. >> Move approval.

[56:10] » Is there a second? >> Second.

[56:12] » All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I.

[56:15] » Oppos say nay. >> Board of equalization.

[56:20] The ne the final item for your reorganizational meeting is

[56:23] determination of the rules of order. Uh this is a two-part piece. Um for many

[56:27] years we've used the ninth edition of Robert's rules of order. Um for many

[56:31] years being like about 20 years, we've had that kind of purple book that's

[56:34] probably floating around here uh somewhere. And we got to looking at it

[56:37] and realized that um the 12th version of Robert's Rules of Order are out. The

[56:42] books are downstairs. I forgot to bring them up. We're so used to having them up

[56:45] here. But I would recommend u moving to that 12th edition of Robert's rules of

[56:48] order versus the ninth edition. It's a little bit cleaner for taking uh minutes

[56:52] guidance that way electronic meetings um refinements to rules. It just improves

[56:56] overall clarity and reduces some of the redundancies that are in the other

[57:00] versions. So that's one part of what we'd ask you to consider with your rules

[57:03] of order. The second part is the city council uh has long-standing uh rules

[57:08] and procedures document that was created probably 20 plus years ago. About two

[57:12] years ago in 2024, the city council went through and you updated that. You

[57:16] updated that to include references to the home world charter and some other

[57:19] minor uh changes that were needed. So, uh staff recommendation to the city

[57:23] council is to uh reaffirm the rules and procedures uh of June 2024 edition as

[57:28] well as the 12th edition of Robert's rules of order.

[57:32] » Thank you, John. So, there's essentially two in one. It's this replacing this

[57:36] book, which by the way, I noticed on this book the first there's several

[57:39] copies of it here. The first 10 pages are all well thumbmed. The rest of it,

[57:44] not so much, but the 12th edition is is more current. And uh that's sorry, I'm

[57:50] doing all the discussion myself, but I did read our I thought the city council

[57:54] did a good job of our rules and procedures when they revised it a couple

[57:56] years back. And the 12th edition does seem perfectly normal that it uh

[58:01] incorporates the 21st century. Any any further discussion on these issues?

[58:10] Well, then I would entertain a motion to both update the Roberts rules orders to

[58:14] the 12th edition and to concur that we're going to continue with the 2024

[58:18] rules and procedures manual. >> I'll make that motion.

[58:21] » Thank you, Mike. Second. Then second it. All in favor indicate by saying I.

[58:26] » I. >> Opposed? Nay.

[58:28] » Passes. All right.

[58:34] Visitors to be heard. First of all, uh persons addressing the council shall use

[58:38] the microphone at the podium. Please raise your hand to be recognized. Go to

[58:41] the podium and state your name and address. For items not on the agenda,

[58:45] members of the public may speak under the visitors be heard section, which is

[58:48] now on any topic not on the agenda. Remarks are limited to 5 minutes and no

[58:53] decision will be made at this time. If there's an agenda item you want to speak

[58:57] about, public testimony will be taken at the beginning of each individual agenda

[59:00] item after the subject's been announced by the mayor and explained by staff.

[59:05] Again, any citizen who wishes may speak one time for five minutes on each agenda

[59:09] item. Public testimony will then be closed and the topic will be given to

[59:13] the governing body for possible action. At this point, only city council members

[59:17] and staff may discuss the current agenda item unless the city council member

[59:21] moves to allow another person to speak and there is unanimous consent from the

[59:24] council. Questions from council members, however, may be directed to staff or

[59:29] member of the public through the presiding officer at any time. I hope

[59:33] that's clear. Are there any visitors to be heard at this time under the item not

[59:36] on the agenda?

[59:39] Very good. Good. Enough time. Okay. Um, next item,

[59:44] public hearings. The first item, item 8A, is the first reading of proposed

[59:48] orders 1559 to amend land usage definition.

[59:53] I'll let Jose take it from there. >> Thank you. Uh so at the June 1st uh noon

[59:58] meeting, the city council heard from a citizen uh who purchased a former

[1:00:01] Steuart Oil and Tire Company building on East Cherry Street. Uh the citizen

[1:00:05] stated that the current zoning ordinance did not allow uh for mixeduse building

[1:00:10] in the general business district. uh he asked the city council to consider uh

[1:00:14] amending the ordinance to allow these uh mixed uses and for the mixed use uh to

[1:00:20] allow residential uses to be built in conjunction with convenience stores

[1:00:24] associated with gas stations. After consideration, the city council directed

[1:00:28] staff uh to try and uh amend the ordinance as quickly as possible. Uh so

[1:00:34] uh to facilitate the request for this type of development, two changes are

[1:00:38] necessary. Uh first a definition would need to be created uh which is what

[1:00:42] we're discussing at this uh particular agenda item and secondly uh the new use

[1:00:47] would need to be placed within the desired district. That would be the

[1:00:50] following agenda item. Uh the proposed definition would create [clears throat]

[1:00:53] a new use u the new term would be defined as a building with fuel

[1:00:58] dispensing station where the residential use is above the convenience store

[1:01:03] associated with the fuel dispensing station. Uh this term was created to try

[1:01:07] and maintain the original desire of maintaining residential uses away from

[1:01:12] strictly commercial uses. Uh excuse me. Uh the planning and zoning

[1:01:17] commission considered this item at their June 22nd meeting. Uh at that meeting,

[1:01:21] there was one member of the public that spoke. Uh this individual stated that

[1:01:26] they were in support of the proposed amendment. Uh the commission had

[1:01:29] questions for staff regarding the appropriateness of the uses's name and

[1:01:33] about the uniqueness of the proposed use. Uh after discussion, the commission

[1:01:37] moved to recommend the city council approve the amendment, but that the name

[1:01:41] of the use should be changed from special mixeduse uh building to fuel

[1:01:47] dispensing mixeduse building. Uh the vote was 5 to1 in fa favor of that

[1:01:52] amendment. uh staff and the planning commission uh recommend the city council

[1:01:56] advance the ordinance uh with the commission's recommended change for

[1:02:00] consideration at the second reading. Thank you very much. Are there any

[1:02:05] visitors be heard on this subject subject of the definition in the

[1:02:08] ordinance?

[1:02:14] Any seeing none any discussion among the city council members?

[1:02:19] » I have a question. Um, has there been any talk yet about like um the occupancy

[1:02:25] of the apartments and I guess then say the number of parking spaces that would

[1:02:32] be required for the apartments and then working in the the parking that

[1:02:36] naturally would be needed for the convenience store. Has any of that been

[1:02:42] hashed out yet? >> Go ahead.

[1:02:44] » If I may. So, and no, I guess that that would be the

[1:02:50] short answer to it. Uh, and there's a reason for that. So, right now, what

[1:02:53] we're looking at is just amending the ordinance to allow for the use, right?

[1:02:58] So, whenever depending on how the the other item goes, uh, the other item

[1:03:03] would actually be placing this particular use as a conditional use. Uh,

[1:03:07] and already by ordinance, conditional uses are heard by the planning and

[1:03:11] zoning commission and decided by the planning and zoning commission. So at

[1:03:14] that step when they're considering that all of those items would be taken into

[1:03:18] account. Uh so but just to be very broad and not to go into too far into the

[1:03:25] weeds just because we're not talking about that particular item. Uh we have

[1:03:29] talked about all these uh things with the proposed developer. So they're

[1:03:34] they're aware that there's going to be parking requirements. They're aware that

[1:03:37] there's going to be Kaplan beds in the apartments. And so they know about all

[1:03:42] of these things. It's just that right now we're not considering a conditional

[1:03:45] use or the particular use for this location.

[1:03:49] » Okay. Thank you. >> Y

[1:03:52] » yes. Um I apologize for not looking this up

[1:03:57] myself before, but um would there be any variation between the um use of the gas

[1:04:07] station if it has residential like is is the definition of the fuel station going

[1:04:14] to be the same as it in a conditional use or is that always conditional?

[1:04:19] » So gas stations are always conditional. >> They are.

[1:04:21] » Yep. >> That answers my question. Okay. Thank

[1:04:23] you.

[1:04:27] » Anything further? >> Well, I would entertain a motion to uh

[1:04:32] advance the ordinance of with this new definition, revised definition of a fuel

[1:04:36] dispensing mixeduse building as a conditional use.

[1:04:40] » I'll make a motion. >> Moved seconded. All in favor say

[1:04:44] indicate by saying I. I oppose. Nay. Motion passes. I'm glad you're still

[1:04:51] there cuz you're next. Thank you. [clears throat]

[1:04:55] So u this is uh the companion item I guess to the previous agenda item. Uh in

[1:05:01] this as I mentioned earlier this uh the first item that you guys consider the

[1:05:05] previous item was definition. This item would actually be placing that use in a

[1:05:09] particular district and then it's going to place it whether it's going to be a

[1:05:13] permitted use or a conditional use. Um, so what we're proposing, what staff is

[1:05:19] proposing is to place this new definition or new item as a conditional

[1:05:23] use within the general business district. Uh, the residential use should

[1:05:26] be separated uh, from the gas station use. So this is a so all of the just to

[1:05:32] go a little bit further into it, uh, if I may here.

[1:05:37] You guys don't have a TV today. >> No, it's not working yet.

[1:05:40] » Okay. So then I'll just, uh, >> it works. That'll work up there. Their

[1:05:44] monitors aren't working. So you guys all have the the actual packet. So I I guess

[1:05:49] one of the things that we're proposing to do, staff is proposing to do is to

[1:05:53] place this as a conditional use within the uh general business district. And

[1:05:58] within that section or each of the items actually have what we call applicable

[1:06:02] standards. And the applicable standards for the gas station uh for the special

[1:06:06] mixed use sorry fuel dispensing mixuse building uh will be to have a separation

[1:06:12] between the store residential portion of the building and the gas space

[1:06:17] dispensing uh station. And what we're proposing to do [clears throat]

[1:06:23] may zoom out a little bit. Uh if not then we're just going to go with it. Uh

[1:06:27] but what we're proposing to do is to have a 45 ft separation between the

[1:06:32] store residential uh portion and the canopy. And 45 ft comes into play uh

[1:06:39] because we have uh a we're treating these essentially as two separate uses

[1:06:44] within the same parcel. Uh, and I can get into why we're doing that a little

[1:06:50] bit later, but uh, in keeping with that that in mind, the 45 ft is a typical

[1:06:55] setback found in residential district, which is 25 ft. And the required buffer

[1:06:59] between commercial and residential uses, which is 20 ft. Erggo, 45. Um, as far as

[1:07:05] additional 15 ft, so 45 + 15= 60. uh that 15 feet would allow the pumps to be

[1:07:11] a little bit further uh from the from the uh the residential use. Um so during

[1:07:18] the day if there's a lot of usage at this location then that allows

[1:07:23] additional buffer space. Uh the reason that staff actually utilize that 45 ft u

[1:07:29] is uh we actually had a a pretty hard time to finding a similar use within the

[1:07:34] state. There's none in the state. We couldn't find one within any of the

[1:07:38] surrounding states either. Uh so then we went a little bit further and we

[1:07:42] actually found two similar uses in Connecticut. Uh and the state of

[1:07:47] Connecticut, at least in the two locations that we uh we looked at, we

[1:07:50] talked to uh uh the planning and zoning individual for New Haven uh sorry,

[1:07:56] Hampton. Uh and what they said is that their ordinance, even though it's

[1:08:00] different than ours, much different, uh they actually have allow mixed uses

[1:08:04] throughout the community. And what they do is some something similar to what

[1:08:08] we're proposing to do, which they have all sorts of buffers and distances set

[1:08:12] between uses even though they might be in the same parcel. So that's what gave

[1:08:17] us the idea to have that 45 ft. We have again the 25 ft and the 20ft buffer. So

[1:08:22] if you had if these were properties that were adjoining then there would be a

[1:08:27] property line somewhere around here that 25 and 20t line uh and that would be the

[1:08:33] the buffer space. Um with all that being said I do want to say that the planning

[1:08:38] and zoning commission did consider this again at the June excuse me June 22nd

[1:08:43] meeting. Uh there were several individuals that spoke uh at the

[1:08:46] meeting. Uh one individual commented that they use proposed setbacks and

[1:08:49] buffers uh make the use safe. Uh after the public comments, uh the commission

[1:08:54] discussed the item and asked how this new uh use would affect uh existing fuel

[1:08:59] dispensing stations. Uh and some of the commissioners expressed hesitancy

[1:09:03] whether it was appropriate to combine the two uses, fuel dispensing station

[1:09:08] and residential uses. After discussion, uh the commission moved to recommend the

[1:09:12] council approve the ordinance with a change that the name of the uh the name

[1:09:16] of the use be changed to fuel dispensing special makes use building. Uh that vote

[1:09:21] was five to one in favor of the amendment. Staff and the planning and

[1:09:25] zoning commission recommend the city council advance the ordinance with the

[1:09:28] commission's recommended change for consideration at the second reading.

[1:09:32] » Thank you very much. Are there visitors heard on this matter?

[1:09:41] Okay. Well, uh, how about the council? Any comments or discussion here?

[1:09:48] Yes.

[1:09:53] So, Jose, the the 60 ft just pertains to the apartment above the gas station, not

[1:09:59] to surrounding residents, right? >> Correct. So, I mean, yes, you're you're

[1:10:04] correct. >> Okay.

[1:10:06] Is there anything to protect the surrounding residents from

[1:10:10] » So there is uh the ordinance right now has that 20 foot buffer uh between any

[1:10:15] commercial use and a residentially zone district. Um so uh in some instances if

[1:10:23] you have a residential district uh adjoining this then there would be that

[1:10:28] 20 foot separation. Uh, so I you can't see the drawing, but uh let's say in my

[1:10:33] in my ex if it goes I'll back up. I'll show you what I mean. Um,

[1:10:41] there it goes. Um, so in my example here, if if there was a residence over

[1:10:46] in this side, so behind this uh store residential, there would be a 20ft

[1:10:51] buffer there, if that makes sense. >> From the store.

[1:10:57] » From the store. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. But there is a residence

[1:11:00] directly to the west. >> In the particular one that we're talking

[1:11:04] about, there's actually a residential district to the north. But again, that's

[1:11:08] all that's all going to be discussed in the conditional use. But if if it gets

[1:11:12] to that point, um in this in that particular instance, there would be a

[1:11:16] 20ft buffer to the property to the north uh with the resident with the commercial

[1:11:21] building. U now the house in this or this location again uh to the west,

[1:11:27] you're correct. there's a house, but that house is uh it's grandfathered in

[1:11:31] use. It's actually in the general business district. So, there wouldn't be

[1:11:34] a 20ft buffer in that instance. >> So, my my followup to that is well, I

[1:11:40] think if this goes through, we're we we're apt to see this in the future for

[1:11:46] conventional use, right? >> Yeah. If this ordinance passes and it

[1:11:50] gets adopted, then this would be an allowable

[1:11:54] conditional use. >> Sure. I I just want to really set

[1:11:57] precedence that, you know, the residents of that neighborhood are protected from

[1:12:01] anything that may happen at a f fuel station.

[1:12:04] » Yep. They would be as protected right now as they were before, I guess.

[1:12:10] » Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah.

[1:12:16] Any other comments? Not in any rush.

[1:12:21] » Move. It's been moved. Is there a second?

[1:12:23] » Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any further

[1:12:25] discussion before we vote? All in favor of allowing the field dispensing mixed

[1:12:30] use building and as a conditional use indicate by saying I

[1:12:34] » I opposed.

[1:12:40] » Thank you. [clears throat]

[1:12:43] Uh next the res the next is the tiff. Over to you John.

[1:12:47] » Thank you. Uh the item before the council is a resolution uh designated

[1:12:51] the boundaries of tax increment financing district uh number 13. This

[1:12:55] would be for property known as lot 21 which is a replat of parts of lots one

[1:12:59] and four block one Johnson edition. Uh what that translates into for the

[1:13:03] average or lay person who doesn't necessarily go by legal definitions is

[1:13:07] we're talking about a property about 1.7 acres at the southwest corner of Elm

[1:13:12] Street and Alumni Street. Um there's a couple steps in a TIF district process.

[1:13:16] TIFF, I'll use that term, stands for tax increment financing. Um, this would be

[1:13:20] district number 13 for our community. Uh, the developer is is looking at a

[1:13:25] process uh to develop that TIFF. Again, there's multiple steps in the process.

[1:13:30] The first one is designation of the boundaries. That happens after a public

[1:13:34] hearing at the planning zoning commission level. They did review it on

[1:13:37] June 22nd and made a recommendation uh to the city council to approve this

[1:13:41] district uh as tax increment financing district or tiff number 13. The second

[1:13:46] part of it is the project plan and that's uh really where you get down into

[1:13:50] the nuts and bolts of how much uh funding would be looked at with this

[1:13:53] tiff. This is really just establishing the boundaries of this tiff district. I

[1:13:58] would note the parcel is zoned R3. It is R3 zoning um partially to the north and

[1:14:03] to the south. To the north is also some general business zoning. Uh to the east

[1:14:07] is the Heights Plan Development District and to the west is R2 zoning. There's no

[1:14:12] resoning change that is needed as part of that. Um, I would say that starting

[1:14:16] July 1st, there's a couple of additional state statutes that came into place with

[1:14:20] regard to tiff districts. One recalls a requires a third-party review and um,

[1:14:26] Meer Henry uh, firm out of Sou Falls is completing that for us. Uh, I should

[1:14:31] have that if I have a draft of it, it's not quite done. Probably get you the

[1:14:34] final version of that tomorrow. If that moves through um then the planning and

[1:14:39] zoning commission at their next meeting on July 13th would consider the project

[1:14:43] plan and at their July 20th meeting you would can have an opportunity to

[1:14:47] consider uh the project plan. Going back a second on this project uh this is a uh

[1:14:53] multifamily project. They're looking at four building uh project. It would be uh

[1:14:59] including 95 off street parking spaces. It would be 56 apartment units. Uh 48 of

[1:15:04] those are onebedroom. four are studio and four are two-bedroom units. It's

[1:15:08] basically looking at about a building a year that they would build. So over

[1:15:11] several years they would build those 56 units there. Uh with all that said, uh

[1:15:16] the item before the city council tonight is a resolution uh to consider the

[1:15:20] boundaries for tick tiff district number 13 uh being lot 21 of parts lots one and

[1:15:26] four block one of Johnson edition at Elm Street and Alumni Street.

[1:15:31] » Thank you very much. Are there any comments of the staff? Do you have

[1:15:34] something to say there? >> Okay. Any comments from the any visitors

[1:15:38] we heard on the subject from the public. >> Yes. Please come to the podium. State

[1:15:43] your name and address.

[1:15:50] » Hello. My name is uh Jeffrey Greylo. I live at 224 Forest Avenue. Um want to

[1:15:54] start by saying that I think that tiff uh tiff districts are really important

[1:15:58] tool. I'm really glad that we have them at our disposal to uh to spur

[1:16:02] development. Um, I think that housing development, especially dense housing

[1:16:05] development like what's uh what's planned here, is some of the most

[1:16:08] important things for us as public bodies. Um, I'm on another public body,

[1:16:13] the county commission, um, to to try to encourage and and find ways to support.

[1:16:18] Um, I have a little bit more concern about developer tiffs than about public

[1:16:23] tiffs. I think that uh when an entity like the VCDC or the city um has a piece

[1:16:28] of property and uses the tiff to put in the infrastructure themselves, I have

[1:16:32] more confidence that we have control over everything behind the scenes. And I

[1:16:36] just uh wanted to express um a little bit of concern um that when it's a

[1:16:41] developer tiff, um in some ways we are uh taking public dollars to add to the

[1:16:47] amount of profit that a for-profit developer is going to realize from this.

[1:16:51] that is not bad on its face. Uh it's a matter of degree. And so um I think that

[1:16:57] the the question that I hope that um everyone is is just taking very

[1:17:01] seriously is that but for question. So would this uh development not occur?

[1:17:06] Will we not get these units um if we didn't uh give this tax break? But for

[1:17:10] the life of this tiff, um uh this property is not going to be contributing

[1:17:14] to our tax base. And so everybody else in the county and the city are going to

[1:17:18] be uh going to be paying the public costs. um that that this entity uh or

[1:17:23] that this this development um uh puts onto the community. So um that's just

[1:17:27] what tiffs are. Uh I'm not opposed to them, but I did just want to urge

[1:17:31] everyone um to read carefully through the independent review. I think that

[1:17:35] having a third party review of these is a good way to try to address um those

[1:17:39] concerns that I expressed. Um and uh and that was all I wanted to share. So thank

[1:17:43] you very much for your time and careful consideration.

[1:17:45] » Thank you. May I ask question? Does the third party review include a a review of

[1:17:52] the butt for clause? >> Um,

[1:17:57] good question. I know their project plan includes um a they address the butt for

[1:18:03] test in the project plan that they've submitted. Um, I would say the third

[1:18:08] party review, I'll call it in process. So, I don't think the final document's

[1:18:12] done. Um, I scanned it, but I have to admit I didn't read it thoroughly yet

[1:18:15] because it's not the final document. So I sure

[1:18:18] » unfortunately I'm not able to answer that question.

[1:18:20] » So we'll we'll look at that then when we get third party review.

[1:18:23] » Thank you. Any other visitors? Yes.

[1:18:30] » So Jim Peterson from the Chamber and Development Company. Tonight you're here

[1:18:34] just to look at the boundary of this for a tiff which will be addressed later in

[1:18:38] the planning zoning. Then back to you. So based on a housing study which is

[1:18:43] being finalized this week, we still have a need for apartments multifamily

[1:18:48] housing in the community even with everything going on and that'll be

[1:18:51] addressed at that planning meeting or back to you. I get where the colleague

[1:18:55] who just spoke Jeffrey spoke on that. However, you know that's for another day

[1:18:59] on the whole tax base which will be in the tiff plan different discussions but

[1:19:04] we're getting x amount on taxes today. If they do invest heavily over time, you

[1:19:08] get more taxes down the road to pay money back. Be at the city, county

[1:19:12] level, or developers. But tonight, you're just looking at the boundary

[1:19:15] matrix to see if we can move it to the next step. And from a chamber and

[1:19:19] housing in the community, we support that.

[1:19:22] » Thank you very much. Any further public visitor discussion?

[1:19:27] No. Seeing none, I'll turn it over to council. Do you have any comments or

[1:19:32] thoughts about this boundary? >> Yes, Gary. I'd like to know when when

[1:19:36] are we going to be able to see the housing study?

[1:19:42] » It was being finalized last week. They made a change today. So, I would believe

[1:19:48] um John and I've been back and forth with that firm on it. It probably late

[1:19:52] no later than the end of this week. It'll be released and I have to just get

[1:19:56] with John how do we want to then ensure that what we have to the community, let

[1:20:00] alone county and our boards. So, it's it's pretty much 99% done as we stand

[1:20:07] here tonight. >> I don't know about other people on the

[1:20:11] council, but I'd like to see the housing study before we start ahead with the

[1:20:15] TIFF. >> Well, so I will say that uh we're not

[1:20:20] going to be voting on the TIFF today. Right now, we're just talking with the

[1:20:24] boundaries of the TIFF, which is that square. I wish you could show it on the

[1:20:27] screen. Actually, you can show it on this screen, right? Look, we're just

[1:20:30] talking about the boundary of the of the TIFF. That's all we're talking about

[1:20:33] today. We're not approving the TIFF. And and I understand I want to see the

[1:20:37] housing study, too. So, where is that? There it is.

[1:20:44] And here's the heights. And there's the quarters.

[1:20:49] Right now, that's grass and uh thistles.

[1:20:57] Just Yes. Go ahead, Lindsay. >> Uh, yeah. So, just for um educational

[1:21:03] purposes, if we make this um if we go forward with this today and decide not

[1:21:10] to go forward with the tip later, what would the impact be? What what

[1:21:17] exactly? >> Yeah,

[1:21:21] help. >> Sure. The good very good question. Um

[1:21:27] really I if you choose not to do the tiff on it I don't mean to make light of

[1:21:33] this I think the only question will be can we use 13 again or do we have to go

[1:21:38] to 14 and I say that because this Mr. Jesse is laughing but the state was very

[1:21:43] specific that we have to number these sequentially and the statutes and I

[1:21:48] don't know what that looks like if this is considered that 13 is done then and

[1:21:54] we have to enable 14 um we probably would if you approve the boundaries

[1:21:59] tonight and you don't approve a project plan we probably would at some point

[1:22:03] bring a resolution to the city council just acknowledging that that um is not

[1:22:07] move the project plan's not moving forward or something along that line. Um

[1:22:10] I I I I would say in staff's opinion, this does not lock you in to anything

[1:22:15] tonight other than the boundaries of what that TIF district would be. You as

[1:22:19] a city council would um control the amount of TIFF um that you would want

[1:22:24] that you would award to it. You could control the length of time. Maximum by

[1:22:29] state law is 20 years. If you decided that we're going to do a 10-year, you

[1:22:32] have that ability. Um when we were developing the tiff guidelines starting

[1:22:37] last December through we and kudos to the city council you talked a lot about

[1:22:42] and they weren't always universally popular but having performance standards

[1:22:45] in your tiffs so that um to the the question that Mr. Grey raised is that

[1:22:52] we're not taking these properties quote off the tax. we're not removing that

[1:22:56] increment from benefiting the the total of our community uh because obviously

[1:23:01] the base is still paid but um if they're not producing that we end that tiff and

[1:23:05] so that um how much that is how long that goes that is all at the discretion

[1:23:09] of city council through the project plan and ultimately through the developers

[1:23:12] agreement that you approve so I it does not in any way um harm the city if you

[1:23:19] do not proceed with a project plan it it's not maybe going to be viewed

[1:23:25] superficial favorably by the developer, right? They probably may not have as

[1:23:28] strong an interest in developing in Vermillion if that happens, but it does

[1:23:33] not lock the city into doing anything tonight after approving the boundaries.

[1:23:36] » Okay. So um so we will be essentially just drawing

[1:23:41] making that line a yellow line setting it aside so that from there on all

[1:23:49] conversations about 613 um would be this is it this is it the

[1:23:56] only piece of land that we're talking about when we talk about and that's it.

[1:24:02] » Yes. Although >> we're not looking into Sorry, but we're

[1:24:05] not looking into any tax implications at this point tonight.

[1:24:10] » Correct. There's absolutely no tax implications that are being locked in.

[1:24:14] And just to clarify, and it has never happened in Vermillion, but it is

[1:24:19] possible to amend that boundary to grow it by a certain amount. Now, given that

[1:24:24] the neighborhood around there is developed, there's less incentive to do

[1:24:27] that, but it is a possibility to amend the boundary. But, um, I don't foresee

[1:24:30] that happening with this one. So,

[1:24:35] » oh no, don't be sorry. Go ahead. >> So, basically what we're doing is we're

[1:24:38] establishing the legal address as the boundary of the tiff.

[1:24:42] » Yes, that's a fair way to look at. Yes. >> Yes.

[1:24:47] » Well, then if the tiff wouldn't go through

[1:24:52] somewhere along the line, it kind of messes you up on your numerical

[1:24:56] sequencing. And uh if we've got a couple the mayor and other community members or

[1:25:01] uh council members want to find out what that housing study is. Are we maybe

[1:25:05] rushing this by one meeting if we waited if the if the housing study

[1:25:10] will be ready in a week and people get a chance to see that? is

[1:25:14] that >> I I would I would say the housing study

[1:25:18] will help us determine the um imperative for what we need to build but it

[1:25:24] wouldn't necessarily determine which lots or where the building occurs. This

[1:25:28] is a uh particular developer land owner wants to have a tiff in this particular

[1:25:33] spot. So this meeting today is just about the boundaries of that particular

[1:25:39] project rather than a comment on what are we

[1:25:43] going to build in the future. I haven't seen the housing study yet either. Yes.

[1:25:47] » Can we maybe have a plan if it's not already set by state statute? Can we

[1:25:55] discuss discussing what to do with the

[1:26:01] enumerating of these two dates? So that question doesn't exist in the future.

[1:26:05] whe whether I mean that seems like a good question that we should figure out

[1:26:11] independent of this particular situation. Um but then you know

[1:26:17] personally I would see 613 would always be the conversation that we're having

[1:26:21] around this but >> interesting

[1:26:29] » I haven't gotten very far in this book but if there but if there's a a

[1:26:33] consensus that we should table this discussion

[1:26:36] um I I don't know exactly know how that is done. Is there a consensus we should

[1:26:40] table this or no? Okay. All right. >> I believe if if you're going to do that,

[1:26:47] make I'm looking at Alex here. I believe the proper language is to continue that

[1:26:51] and it's helpful to it's either it's more helpful to continue it to a date

[1:26:56] certain than to >> just very y

[1:27:04] » was there. >> Okay. All right.

[1:27:08] » Or is there consensus that we can vote on these boundaries tonight?

[1:27:12] » I'm sorry. Yes. >> I'm sorry, Jeffrey.

[1:27:15] » May I address the council? >> I have no objection. You didn't use your

[1:27:18] five minutes yet. >> You have to. Oh, I'm sorry.

[1:27:22] » I'm all down page four. Okay. So, it has to be

[1:27:25] » You have to have an unanimous consent.

[1:27:30] » Very good. So, are we all who's in Who is Are we all in favor of having Jeffrey

[1:27:34] come back up and speak for another moment or two?

[1:27:37] » Yes. Any opposed? Come on up.

[1:27:44] Thank you for the second opportunity to address the council. Just listening to

[1:27:48] the dialogue. Um so were I on the council, I did just want to say that I

[1:27:53] would probably vote to move this forward at this time simply establishing the

[1:27:57] boundaries. Um my comments previously were intended for your future uh

[1:28:02] consideration. Um and and I think that um slowing this process uh at this time

[1:28:08] doesn't make uh doesn't seem desirable to me. So, I just wanted to make sure

[1:28:12] that that I had clearly stated my previous um my previous thoughts about

[1:28:15] that. So, thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:28:18] » Yes. Um, I have to admit Jeffrey and I are I

[1:28:23] guess on the same wavelength now. Um, concerning this because especially what

[1:28:29] I was thinking when you were talking about the housing study and perhaps

[1:28:33] delaying until we got the housing study, well, how many weeks are we going to dis

[1:28:39] uh how how many weeks is it going to take

[1:28:42] to digest the housing study and know what we want to do next? I I would

[1:28:46] rather that we go ahead with what's recommended here, set the tiff

[1:28:51] boundaries and then the housing study can come in and we can start working on

[1:28:57] that too. I don't know why we can't work on both of these sim simultaneously.

[1:29:05] Can't talk. >> Okay,

[1:29:08] » that's my pitch. >> Thank you. Any further comments from

[1:29:12] council members? Yeah, Mike,

[1:29:16] » I would agree with that sentiment. I think we need to move forward on these

[1:29:20] boundaries tonight. Um, as far as waiting for the housing study,

[1:29:26] we know we need it. The housing study told us that in 2022, I'm sure certainly

[1:29:31] it's going to tell us the same thing again. Um, I've admittedly been

[1:29:38] skeptical on tiffs throughout this whole time I've been on the council, but if we

[1:29:43] don't do tiffs, we don't get the developers. They move

[1:29:48] to other towns and then they do it. So, waiting on a housing study if the

[1:29:52] numbers aren't quite what you think it should be and then just throwing it out

[1:29:56] because, well, it didn't meet our approval.

[1:29:59] I think that's wrong. We need to move forward in this town. not kick people

[1:30:04] out or turn people away because well, we didn't like that number. So, if you want

[1:30:09] to ruin Vermillion and ruin development, start doing that. That's my opinion on

[1:30:14] it. Other than that, we need to move this forward and keep things going.

[1:30:18] That's what we've been doing for the last four years in this town before that

[1:30:21] even. So, we need to keep stuff going that way.

[1:30:24] » Very good. Anybody else?

[1:30:29] » Very good. I'll make I'll make a motion to uh approve the boundaries.

[1:30:33] » Very good. Is there a second to that? >> Second.

[1:30:37] » Moved and seconded. All in favor of uh establishing the boundaries of tiff

[1:30:40] number 13 as presented by staff indicate by saying I.

[1:30:44] » I opposed. Nay. Passes. When I said opposed, nay, I mean

[1:30:49] I say nay. I wasn't tongue tied.

[1:30:56] All right. Next item is the consent agenda. Any item listed on the consent

[1:31:00] agenda may by the request of any single council member be considered as a

[1:31:03] separate item under the new business section of the agenda. If a member of

[1:31:06] the public would like to discuss any consent agenda items, please notify the

[1:31:10] mayor during the public comment period. Have it considered as a separate item

[1:31:13] under the new business section. Consent agenda.

[1:31:21] What do we have on the consent agenda? >> The fuel fuel quote and the assignment

[1:31:24] of the I didn't see the fuel quotes. Are monitors in front?

[1:31:30] » Sorry. >> Oh, there they are. [laughter]

[1:31:35] » Ted, want to explain that to us or do we care? I don't know what we normally do.

[1:31:39] How often do we get fuel quotes? Is that monthly, annually?

[1:31:41] » It'll be at the first meeting every month that you'd have these fuel quotes.

[1:31:44] » Yep.

[1:31:49] Approval of the consent agenda. >> Second.

[1:31:53] » Any discussion on the consent agenda? Okay. All in favor indicator saying I.

[1:31:58] » I. >> I.

[1:31:58] » All oppose say nay. Agenda passes. And I assume that

[1:32:03] includes the airport hanger lease. Correct. Okay. Very good.

[1:32:08] » Old business. We have no old business. New business is the uh number A is the

[1:32:13] Vermillion Housing Authority appointment. Uh we have one vacancy on

[1:32:16] the housing authority. Let me see. Um, by state statute, the city council is

[1:32:21] charged with appointing members of the Vermillion Housing Authority and one

[1:32:24] individual had there's one opening, one individual has submitted an expression

[1:32:28] of interest form for the vacancy on the Vermillion Housing Authority board.

[1:32:31] However, that application was not complete. I'm asking that we return that

[1:32:35] application to the applicant, ask them to complete it and continue having

[1:32:39] expression of interest or having the opening posted on the city's website.

[1:32:42] I'm making no appointment at this time.

[1:32:49] So, but that's that right? >> I believe so because the mayor is the

[1:32:55] one who makes the recommendation and the council then says yes or no in the

[1:32:58] recommendation. So, if the mayor chooses not to make a recommendation at this

[1:33:02] time, then there's not an item for the city council to vote on.

[1:33:06] » And number B is the resolution of a mutual aid agreement between Beersford

[1:33:10] and us. >> Thank you. Um due to some recent

[1:33:14] staffing issues in Beersford, officials with the city approached officials of

[1:33:18] the city of Vermillion with a request to enter into a formal written agreement

[1:33:21] for mutual aid in the event of an emergency situation. Specifically, this

[1:33:24] would be with uh the two light and power departments. Um the attached resolution

[1:33:30] and the accompanying mutual aid agreement estab establishes protocols

[1:33:33] for requesting, providing, and compensation related to providing

[1:33:36] assistance for emergency situations. Kind of helps clarify the before and

[1:33:41] after details. um what's the requesting and responding m municipalities have to

[1:33:46] address billing um what was used stuff like that the attorneys have reviewed

[1:33:51] the mutual aid agreement and beers did approve this at their June 25th 2026

[1:33:55] meeting a copy of the agreement signed by officials um has been included in the

[1:33:59] packet from the city of Beersford um the agreement would help make it

[1:34:04] easier would also help make it easier to determine costs for which city would be

[1:34:09] responsible for paying um certain things. Um, as of now, administration

[1:34:14] recommends approval of the resolution adopting the mutual aid agreement with

[1:34:17] the city of Beersford.

[1:34:21] Very good. Any are there any visitors for heard on this subject?

[1:34:26] » Seeing none. Boy, the crowd really thinned out.

[1:34:31] [laughter] Um, discussion of city council.

[1:34:35] » Got to hold their attention better. >> I guess I got not I'm not funny enough.

[1:34:41] I'll just say it seems fairly straightforward to me. We have an

[1:34:44] informal arrangement already and we're formalizing it so it uh it meets the you

[1:34:49] know the lawyers are happy. That's that's important.

[1:34:52] » Second. >> Any further discussion?

[1:34:56] All in favor of approval of the resolution adopting mutual aid agreement

[1:34:59] with the city of Beersford indicate by saying I oppose say nay. Motion passes.

[1:35:13] The next item is the hanger lease agreement, but was that not I didn't

[1:35:17] understand the difference between that one and the uh consent agenda item.

[1:35:21] » If you can explain that, please. >> Yep. So, the consent agenda item is for

[1:35:26] the lease of this hanger right here. >> Okay.

[1:35:31] » And this item is for the lease of this land right here.

[1:35:35] » I see. Very good. I'm sorry. Sorry, I didn't understand that. Carry on.

[1:35:39] » Yeah. So, uh we've uh city staff has actually been working uh uh since

[1:35:43] October of last year with Nebraska Iowa helicopter uh on them having the

[1:35:49] possibility of leasing some land uh at the city's airport to uh move some of

[1:35:54] their operations into the city. Uh North uh Nebraska and Iowa helicopter uh they

[1:35:59] are a spraying company. They they have helicopters and u I think today if you

[1:36:04] were at the noon meeting at the airport you might have heard uh Denny uh

[1:36:08] speaking about the helicopters that are going to be coming here and that they're

[1:36:11] loading and getting ready with all the chemicals. That's what he was uh

[1:36:14] referencing. Uh the owner has purchased a hanger that you mentioned that was

[1:36:18] item that was discussed at the at the uh consent agenda. So, they purchased this

[1:36:23] hanger and uh they're going to be moving starting to move some of their

[1:36:27] operations there and to this land after tonight. And their intent is to store

[1:36:32] equipment and chemicals within that space. Uh if the chemicals are going to

[1:36:36] be stored within the land, the barrel land, they're we are going to have to uh

[1:36:41] work with them and with uh Danner uh regarding containment. Um so, we're

[1:36:45] we're starting the process of working with them. We don't have uh a permit

[1:36:50] process. the city doesn't, but we do work with uh Danner with the state

[1:36:54] regarding all the requirements that they have to follow and we make sure that

[1:36:57] they talk to Danner and we talk to Danner and everybody gets along. Um so

[1:37:02] that's that's something that we're working on. Uh the long-term plan from

[1:37:05] the owner uh is to actually eventually build a an additional hanger in that

[1:37:10] space uh to have additional uh space for storing equipment and then more than

[1:37:16] likely have an outdoor space for loading the chemicals. uh similar to the uh

[1:37:21] aerial spray applicator that you have uh on the west side of uh that taxi way. Uh

[1:37:26] the lease agreement that you guys are uh considering today is very typical uh and

[1:37:31] it's a very uh typical for a recent new lease agreement that we have at the

[1:37:35] airport. The length of it is for an an initial 10 years with an an option to uh

[1:37:41] add another 10 years to the lease. Um the lease amount is actually 15 cents

[1:37:46] per square foot of the entire area. Uh we moved away from the five 5 cents for

[1:37:51] the building space and 10 cents for the unused space. Uh that change happened

[1:37:56] last year. Uh there's no cap on future lease rating increases. That's something

[1:38:00] that we've also moved away from. And the lease payments are going to be once per

[1:38:04] year. That's typical for all of the agreements that we have at the airport.

[1:38:08] Uh based on the size of the parcel being leased. Uh so it's it's a 50 by 160 and

[1:38:13] the rate of 15 cents per square foot. the yearly rent would be uh 1,200, which

[1:38:18] is a lot of money for the airport. Uh regardless of that, staff recommends

[1:38:23] that the city council allow the mayor to sign the hanger lease agreement with

[1:38:27] Nebraska Iowa Helicopter LLC. >> Thank you very much. Any visitors to

[1:38:35] talk about this? Uh no, you last. Okay. All right. Very good discussion up here.

[1:38:40] Yes, Al. Just if those chemicals are going to need a containment that I

[1:38:44] assume that's on the owner of the company that's going to pay for all that

[1:38:47] containment. The city's not paying for that, is it?

[1:38:49] » No, the city doesn't pay for the containment. We That's a requirement

[1:38:52] that we would make. Same thing with the state.

[1:38:54] » And same thing if there's an architect involved or banner associates, they're

[1:38:58] going to pay for that study or whatever they have to do.

[1:39:01] » Yep. What we literally are just leasing them to land. Anything else? Is there a

[1:39:05] cost? >> Thank you.

[1:39:08] Any other comments?

[1:39:13] » Second. Moved and seconded. All in favor of uh allowing me to sign the hanger

[1:39:17] release agree with NIA helicopter company. Any saying I

[1:39:21] » oppos? Say nay. >> Passes.

[1:39:24] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:39:27] And no bid openings today. So, right to city manager report.

[1:39:31] » Uh thank you, mayor. Just a couple of meetings um coming up here before your

[1:39:34] next city council meeting on July 20th. Um, the Historic Preservation Commission

[1:39:38] is meeting this Wednesday, July 8th. It's a little at 9:00 a.m. This one is a

[1:39:42] little bit different. They're going to the uh former Jolly School site uh for

[1:39:46] their meeting. Um, the the plaque that recognizes the presence of the school

[1:39:51] there. They're going to be looking at that, reviewing that. So, uh, they're

[1:39:54] actually having an off-site meeting or off-site from city hall anyway, this

[1:39:57] coming Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. The city's historic preservation commission. Uh,

[1:40:01] the library board meets on Wednesday, July 15th at 6 p.m. in the Kak room.

[1:40:06] your planning and zoning commission. Uh their next scheduled meeting is on July

[1:40:09] 13th, next Monday. A couple of items on their agenda right now include a zoning

[1:40:14] amendment for Munger Ridge Plan Development District. Um this is located

[1:40:19] um on the west side of um Highway 19 just south of Vermillion River. Earlier

[1:40:24] you saw the annexation um item that led to the uh adjusting the northwest ward

[1:40:29] boundary. This is that same property that's been talked about. They're

[1:40:32] bringing forward a plan development district for that property. So that will

[1:40:35] be going to the planning and zoning commission on July 13th and then to the

[1:40:38] city council on July 20th. And another item on uh the plan zoning commission

[1:40:43] meeting would be uh assuming they get everything put together be the project

[1:40:46] plan for TIF district number 13 that you just heard about a few minutes ago. Uh

[1:40:51] just a reminder before your next city council meeting on July 20th, there is a

[1:40:55] joint meeting with the Klay County Commission and that will be at 5:30 p.m.

[1:40:59] here in this room. That is uh two items. One is uh a reasonzoning amendment for

[1:41:05] some property and timber road uh about a mile I believe west of the city limits

[1:41:10] that would be going from uh a U A1 to light industrial and the second item is

[1:41:15] an ordinance to amend the boundaries of the JJZA the joint jurisdictional zoning

[1:41:19] area. So those are the two items that you as a city council will be meeting

[1:41:22] with the Klay County Commission on Monday, July 20th at 5:30. Um the final

[1:41:27] year we do have a one-year term left on the planning and zoning commission. U

[1:41:30] Mayor O Kelly was on there. this is a term uh that he is vacating because he

[1:41:34] cannot serve on both of those. So, we do have a uh one year left of a planning

[1:41:38] and zoning commission term. Um we do ask that expression of interest forms be

[1:41:42] submitted uh by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday uh July 16th and it's anticipated the city

[1:41:47] council would appoint someone to that term at your July 20th meeting. Uh we do

[1:41:51] have some information available on the city's website. Uh just a reminder, it's

[1:41:55] that time of year. Thursdays on the plats will be starting on Thursday, July

[1:41:59] 16th. So just reminder that Main Street as it abuts the plat plats east through

[1:42:04] Prospect Street intersection, Prospect Street for uh half a block north of West

[1:42:09] Main Street and then Market Street as it abuts the plat. Those will be closed on

[1:42:13] those respective Thursdays through August 27th minus uh fair week. And

[1:42:18] that's closing is from 4 to 8:00 p.m. each one of those Thursdays. And then

[1:42:22] included with your uh city council packet was a raffle notification. Uh the

[1:42:26] Boys and Girls Club, they are selling $20 raffle tickets from August 10th

[1:42:30] through the 15th of this year. Uh the prize is an 8x10 white storage shed. I

[1:42:35] believe it is the same storage shed that is located in front of the building

[1:42:39] right now, but uh if not, it certainly looks a lot like that. Uh all proceeds

[1:42:43] uh from this raffle will be used for youth programming at the Vermillion Boys

[1:42:46] and Girls Club location. That's all that I have. Mr. Mayor,

[1:42:50] » thank you very much. Uh, I can just comment. I was on the U Boys and Girls

[1:42:54] Club Advisory Council and that shed that's up for sale was actually that's

[1:42:57] up for raffle was actually won by Mr. Brady and he donated it back to be

[1:43:01] raffled off again. He won it in the last raffle, donated it back to be raffled

[1:43:04] off again. So, thank you, Mr. Brady. I'll be going to Germany with the German

[1:43:08] American Partnership Program on Wednesday. So, I don't know. I don't

[1:43:12] know what to say about that. Keep me. So, you you president Vice President

[1:43:16] May. No, I'll be back before the next uh meeting with you.

[1:43:19] » Oh, that's right. Right. Who else is going? And so several of us are going.

[1:43:23] And I just one final comment is I did see that uh Munger edition that we just

[1:43:27] annexed. If you look at it the right way, it looks like a howling coyote.

[1:43:30] Have you seen that? Take a look at that. Looks like a looks like a howling

[1:43:33] coyote. >> You're never going to get that on your

[1:43:35] mind now again. Okay. All right. Uh do I have a motion to adjurnn? Move.

[1:43:40] » A second. Second. All >> in favor? I

2026-07-06 City Council

Transcript