City Council Agendas, Packets and Minutes

Special Meeting Agenda City Council 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Special Meeting Monday, September 22, 2025 Powell Conference Room – City Hall 25 Center Street Vermillion, South Dakota 57069 1. Roll Call. 2. Adoption of the Agenda. 3. Visitors to be Heard. 4. Public Hearing. a. Resolution Authorizing the Filing of a USDA Rural Development Grant for an Ambulance. 5. Adjourn. Access the City Council Agenda on the web – www.vermillion.us Vermillion City Council: Jon Cole, Mayor Northwest Ward: Mike Murra, Gary Cheeseman Central Ward: Katherine Price, Lindsey Jennewein Northeast Ward: Julia Hellwege, Jay Thaler Southeast Ward: Rich Holland, Al Leber Addressing the Council: Persons addressing the Council shall be recognized. Please state your name and address. Presentations are limited to 5 minutes. For those who do not appear on the agenda, no decision is to be expected at this time. Meeting Assistance: If you require assistance, alternative formats and/or accessible locations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 677-7050 at least 3 working days prior to the meeting. Council Meetings: City Council regular meetings are held the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. If a meeting falls on a City holiday, the meeting will be scheduled for the following Tuesday. Live Broadcasts of Council Meetings on Cable Channel: Regular City Council 6:00 p.m. meetings are broadcast live on Cable Channel 3. Special City Council Meetings are not televised but open for attendance. As a courtesy to others, we ask that cellular phones and other electronic devices be turned off during the meeting. Our future as a community depends on recognizing our past. The City of Vermillion exists on the ancestral lands of the Oceti Sakowin and Omaha indigenous people. We honor and appreciate those who have the longest relationship with this place.  4. Public Hearing; item a Council Agenda Memo From: Matthew R. Callahan, Chief of Fire/EMS Meeting: September 22, 2025 Subject: Resolution Authorizing Submission of the USDA Rural Development – Community Facilities Application Presenter: Matthew R. Callahan, Chief of Fire/EMS Background: At the August 18th City Council meeting, the City Council authorized the purchase of a 2026 or newer Ford F-550/Wheeled Coach ambulance. The amount authorized for purchase was $334,509. The City ambulances are purchased by Clay County but titled, insured, and maintained by the City. This is the County’s contribution to our agency for providing ambulance services to individuals outside of Vermillion. The Clay County Commission approved the purchase at their June 10th County Commission meeting. The Department covers almost 300 square miles of Clay County for ambulance services. Discussion: In keeping with fiscal responsibility, the Department has been looking at different grant opportunities to help offset the cost of the new ambulance. The USDA Rural Development offers a Community Facilities Grant/Loan program for items such as ambulances. Because the City is the title holder of the ambulance, the City must be the applicant. Also, while the program offers grants and/or loans, the City will only be applying for a grant. The City can apply for up to $50,000 in grant funding toward the new ambulance. This special meeting was needed to complete the initial process to get the application in and authorized prior to the end of September, which ends the fiscal year for the federal government. The City Council is asked to vote on a resolution authorizing the application of the grant and to assign an individual responsible for signing and executing said grant. The resolution is included in the packet. Financial Consideration: Clay County has budgeted $334,509.00 for the purchase of the ambulance. The money would be paid out in 2027. The City will receive the ambulance upon final inspection by the Department and Clay County will provide the check to the manufacturer. Conclusion/Recommendations: Administration recommends approving the Resolution for the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Application and authorizing the Mayor to execute all paperwork associated with said grant.  RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF VERMILLION AGREEING TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT TO FINANCE THE 2026 AMBULANCE PURCHASE WHEREAS, the City of Vermillion is the operator of the Ambulance Service for Vermillion and Clay County; and WHEREAS, the City of Vermillion is applying on behalf of Clay County for grant funding to assist with the purchase of an Ambulance; and WHEREAS, the City of Vermillion is eligible for Federal assistance for the proposed purchase. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the City of Vermillion that: 1. The City of Vermillion hereby authorizes the filing of the USDA Rural Development grant including all understandings and assurances contained therein. 2. Be it further resolved that the City of Vermillion hereby authorizes its Mayor to act as project Certifying Officer and Environmental Certifying Officer in connection with the application and other required forms and to provide such additional information as may be required by the USDA Rural Development grant. In the Mayor’s absence, the City Manager is authorized to act as the Project Certifying Officer and Environmental Certifying Officer in connection with the application and other required forms and to provide additional information as may be required by USDA. Dated at Vermillion, South Dakota this 22nd day of September, 2025. FOR THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA By ___________________________________ Richard Holland, Council President ATTEST: By ______________________________ Katie E. Redden, Finance Officer