City Council Agendas, Packets and Minutes

Unapproved Minutes City Council Regular Session November 17, 2025 Monday 6:00 p.m. The regular session of the City Council, City of Vermillion, South Dakota was called to order on November 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Cole. 1. Roll Call Present: Thaler, Price, Holland, Jennewein, Hellwege, Murra, Mayor Cole Absent: Leber, Cheeseman 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Minutes A. Minutes of November 3, 2025, Special Session and November 3, 2025, Regular Session 725-25 Council Member Holland moved approval of the November 3, 2025, special session and November 3, 2025, regular session minutes. Council Member Murra seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Cole declared the motion adopted. 4. Adoption of Agenda 726-25 Council Member Price moved approval of the agenda. Council Member Hellwege seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Cole declared the motion adopted. 5. Visitors to be Heard A. National Transgender Day of Remembrance Proclamation – Human Relations Commission. Dwayne Williams, Human Relations Commission, read the following proclamation: NATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, on November 20th of each year since 1999 in the aftermath of the death of Rita Hester, a Trans woman who has murdered because of her gender identity, Gwendolyn Ann Smith started this day is known as the “Transgender Day of Remembrance,” during which we remember the honor those who has suffered and lost their lives due to transphobia, hatred, and intolerance; and WHEREAS, because the Vermillion Human Relations Commission recognizes the importance of promoting equality, acceptance, and understanding within our diverse community we take this day to remember those who have been taken from us prematurely and to commit to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or expression; and WHEREAS, as growing number of state legislature bills across the country targeting transgender individuals, including seven in South Dakota over the last year, it is incumbent upon us as a community to remember those who have been taken from us prematurely; and WHEREAS, The Vermillion Human Relations Commission firmly believes in fostering a community that welcomes, values, and accepts all people, we have an obligation to help all our community members thrive. NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Vermillion Human Relations Commission, observe November 20th, 2025, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in our community. 6. Public Hearings 7. Consent Agenda A. Invoices Payable A & B BUSINESS INC COPIER CONTRACT $493.94 ALEX TAGGART MEALS REIMBURSEMENT $70.00 ALL OUT INDUSTRIES LLC PARRTS $650.00 AMAZON BUSINESS SUPPLIES $906.35 AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN BOOK $37.90 AMERIFLEX BASE/ADMIN FEES $201.70 ARGUS LEADER SUBSCRIPTION $24.92 AUTO VALUE SUPPLIES $467.46 AWWA MEMBERSHIP DUES $260.00 BANNER ASSOCIATES INC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $72,340.75 BILL BROWN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $60.00 BLUEPEAK TELEPHONE/INTERNET $4,047.38 BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC SUPPLIES $1,122.12 BOUND TREE MEDICAL LLC SUPPLIES $2,275.22 BRAD TENNANT BOOKS $160.00 BROADCASTER PRESS ADVERTISING $3,795.04 BUHLS CLEANERS MAT/MOP SERVICE $831.24 BUTLER MACHINERY CO. EQUIPMENT $529,381.78 C & B OPERATIONS LLC SUPPLIES $238.77 CANNON TECHNOLOGIES INC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $10,219.00 CASK & CORK MERCHANDISE $2,793.84 CCP INDUSTRIES INC. SUPPLIES $177.92 CENTURYLINK TELEPHONE $197.20 CITY OF VERMILLION OCTOBER LANDFILL HAULING $269.50 CLAY RURAL WATER SYSTEM WATER USAGE $359.90 CLAY UNION ELECTRIC CORP ELECTRICITY $1,610.49 CMOORE PIT SERVICE PORTA-POT RENTAL $600.00 COACHING SYSTEMS LLC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $800.00 COAST TO COAST SOLUTIONS SUPPLIES $455.67 CORE & MAIN LP SUPPLIES $13,749.40 CRARY HUFF LAW PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $4,352.00 DAKOTA BEVERAGE MERCHANDISE $13,758.50 DAKOTA PC WAREHOUSE EQUIPMENT $514.98 DANKO EMERGENCY EQPT CO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $200.00 DAN'S DRAIN & DUCT CLEANING LLC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $275.00 DIAMOND VOGEL SUPPLIES $2,992.50 DREW GORTMAKER MEALS REIMBURSEMENT $28.00 DUBOIS CHEMICALS SODA ASH $21,560.00 EBSCO SUBSCRIPTIONS $4,102.50 ECHO ELECTRIC SUPPLY SUPPLIES $337.66 ELIZA WILGERS SUPPLIES REIMBURSEMENT $40.83 ESO SOLUTIONS INC FILE STORAGE $33.91 FROG CREEK WELDING REPAIRS $150.00 GALLS INCORPORATED UNIFORMS $595.59 GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES $586.85 GRAINGER SUPPLIES $1,332.99 HAWKINS INC CHEMICALS $2,325.75 HOUSTON ENGINEERING INC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $7,941.06 HY VEE FOOD STORE SUPPLIES $67.63 INGRAM LIBRARY MATERIALS $1,574.02 INTL ASSOC OF FIRE CHIEFS MEMBERSHIP DUES $245.00 JACOB HOFFMAN MEALS REIMBURSEMENT $70.00 JOHN A CONKLING DIST. MERCHANDISE $3,320.75 JOHN C. PRESCOTT MEALS REIMBURSEMENT $112.00 JOHNSON BROTHERS OF SD MERCHANDISE $27,728.64 JOHNSON CONTROLS SERVICE AGREEMENT $2,225.64 JONES FOOD CENTER SUPPLIES $234.19 JOSH ANGLIN REPAIRS $937.50 K & M TIRE TIRES $1,368.26 KAIROI, INC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $350.00 KALINS INDOOR COMFORT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $360.00 KANOPY INC PPU PROGRAM $2,500.00 KNIFE RIVER MIDWEST, LLC ASPHALT $565.37 KNOX COMPANY DECALS $504.00 LESSMAN ELEC. SUPPLY CO SUPPLIES $120.00 LIFEBLANKET SUPPLIES $804.00 LOCATORS AND SUPPLIES, INC FIRST AID KITS $165.11 LOREN FISCHER DISPOSAL HAUL CARDBOARD $1,150.00 MACQUEEN EMERGENCY FIRE FIGHTER EQUIPMENT/REPAIR $1,994.50 MATHESON TRI-GAS, INC SUPPLIES $369.45 MICHELLE L DENNIS BLUFF CEMETERY MAUSOLEUM $2,500.00 PROJECT MIDAMERICAN GAS USAGE $2,410.12 MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS INTERNET $775.53 MIDWEST ALARM CO QUARTERLY ALARM MONITORING $364.61 M-R SIGN CO., INC. SUPPLIES $1,484.67 NCL OF WISCONSIN, INC CHEMICALS $1,760.11 NETSYS+ PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $4,422.55 NEW CENTURY FS FUEL $13,894.39 OKOBOJI WINES-SD MERCHANDISE $175.50 O'REILLY AUTO PARTS PARTS $134.80 OVERDRIVE INC EBOOKS/AUDIOBOOKS $2,000.00 PEPSI COLA OF SIOUXLAND MERCHANDISE $283.95 PHELPS UNIFORM SPECIALISTS UNIFORM CLEANING $117.60 POMPS TIRE SERVICE, INC. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $750.80 PREMIER FENCE & GATE FENCE REPAIR $2,575.50 PRESSING MATTERS ENVELOPES $512.00 QUILL SUPPLIES $162.07 REDI TOWING TOWING $600.00 REPUBLIC NATL. DISTRIBUTING CO. MERCHANDISE $8,701.42 REQUIP, LLC PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $16,553.73 RESCO SUPPLIES $12,760.00 RUNNING SUPPLY, LLC SUPPLIES $1,001.89 SANFORD HEALTH OCC. MEDICINE TESTING $875.00 SANFORD VERMILLION MED CLINIC MONTHLY CARDINAL CHARGES $556.06 SANITATION PRODUCTS INC SUPPLIES $784.77 SCHOOL OUTFITTERS SUPPLIES $124.72 SD AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FEE $75.00 SD DANR LANDFILL OPERATIONS FEE $4,611.35 SD FIRE CHIEFS ASSN. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE $100.00 SD LOTTERY VIDEO LOTTERY LICENSE $100.00 SD REDBOOK FUND FIRE INSTRUCTOR CLASS PACKAGES $354.00 SIDESHOW BLOODY MARY MIX MERCHANDISE $287.40 SOUTHERN GLAZER'S OF SD MERCHANDISE $9,288.85 STEVE HARRIS CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $559,274.06 STOCKTON TOWING INC TOWING $750.00 TASTE OF HOME BOOKS BOOKS $39.98 TEVIN MIELITZ MEAL REIMBURSEMENT $14.00 THE LUMBERYARD LLC SUPPLIES $153.10 THE ROB WEST MARKETING COMPANY ANNUAL HOSTING $1,100.00 THE TESSMAN COMPANY SUPPLIES $1,046.97 TWIN CITY HARDWARE LOCKS $454.85 US BANK ADMINISTRATION FEES $2,600.00 US BANK CITY HALL DEBT PAYMENT $323,723.75 USA BLUEBOOK SUPPLIES $1,562.53 US POSTMASTER POSTAGE $200.00 USPS-POC POSTAGE FOR METER $700.00 VERIZON CONNECT FLEET USA LLC MONTHLY FEE $79.90 VERMEER HIGH PLAINS BINS $146.79 VERMILLION ACE HARDWARE SUPPLIES $6,666.49 VERMILLION FORD REPAIRS $228.41 WESCO DISTRIBUTION, INC SUPPLIES $400.71 B. Resolution to purchase a body for the chassis of a Street Department vehicle. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A DUMP BODY WHEREAS, SDCL 5-18A-14 authorizes a governmental entity to purchase any piece of equipment, without advertising for bids, from a willing vendor, if the supply costs is less than $50,000; and WHEREAS, the City of Vermillion approached Vander Haags, Inc. from Sioux Falls, SD, and Sanitation Products, Inc. from Sioux Falls, SD, to acquire quotes for different brands of dump bodies; and WHEREAS, after reviewing the quotes from the vendors, the price for a Henderson Mfg. dump body from Vander Haags, Inc. of Sioux Falls, SD, was considered to be advantageous and that the City would benefit if the City purchased the dump body from Vander Haags, Inc. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the City of Vermillion, that the City Finance Officer is hereby authorized to purchase one Henderson Mfg. dump body for $27,496.95 from Vander Haags, Inc., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dated at Vermillion, South Dakota this 17th day of November 2025. FOR THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA By_____________________________ Jonathan D. Cole, Mayor ATTEST: By_________________________________ Katie E. Redden, Finance Officer C. Airport consultant selection for 2026 through 2030. 727-25 Council Member Price moved approval of the Consent Agenda. Council Member Hellwege seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Cole declared the motion adopted. 8. Old Business 9. New Business A. Resolution amending ambulance fee rates. Matt Callahan, Fire/EMS Chief, reported on a resolution to amend ambulance fees. Matt stated with changes to billing for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, comes the need to revise the fee schedule for some items. Matt noted there are slight increases in the cost of airplane transportation for flight crews along with the Basic Life Support (BLS), Advance Life Support (ALS), and Critical Care bundle billing. This is to stay in line with the allowable billed amount by insurance companies. Matt stated while there was no fee change for photos – copied to a CD, we have added records to that to cover all items that could be requested for a CD. All other fees will remain the same. Council Member Holland asked why Yankton’s rates were so high at $800. Chief Callahan noted that if they have to pick someone up at the Yankton airport instead of the Vermillion airport the hirer rate is charged. Council Member Holland asked if people from Sioux City or other towns have to pay the $800 or $400 fee. Chief Callahan stated that the $400 is only for the Vermillion airport. 728-25 After reading the same once, Council Member Holland moved adoption of the following: RESOLUTION AMENDING AMBULANCE FEE RATES WHEREAS, the City Council establishes rates and fees for municipally provided services; and WHEREAS, there is a need for changes over time due to medical and insurance field practices; and WHEREAS, the cost of maintenance, operations, and supplies has increased, and the fees are used as the main source of funding for the operation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the City of Vermillion, South Dakota, at a regular meeting thereof in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 6:00 p.m. on the 17th day of November 2025 that the following fee rates be amended as follows: Ambulance Call Billing: Airplane Transportation (Billed to Flight Company to Sanford Vermillion): $450.00 Airplane Transportation (Billed to Flight Company to Sanford Vermillion from Yankton Chan Gurney Airport): $800.00 BLS Bundle Charge: $200.00 ALS Bundle Charge: $300.00 Critical Care Bundle Charge: $400.00 Administrative Charges: Records & Photos Copied to a CD: $25.00 Dated at Vermillion, South Dakota this 17th day of November 2025. FOR THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA By_______________________ Jonathan D. Cole, Mayor ATTEST: By_________________________________ Katie E. Redden, Finance Officer The motion was seconded by Council Member Murra. Discussion followed and the question of the adoption of the Resolution was presented for a vote of the Governing Body. 7 members voted in favor of and 0 members voted in opposition to the Resolution. Mayor Cole declared that the Resolution was adopted. B. Review of South Dakota Open Meeting laws. Alex Ruth, Assistant to the City Manager, noted that Senate Bill 74 mandates the guide to Open Meeting laws to be reviewed once a year. The City Council conducted a review of South Dakota Open Meeting laws in accordance with SDCL 1-25-13. C. Updating the City’s Personnel Manual. Alex Ruth, Assistant to the City Manager, reported on updates to the City’s Personnel Manual. Alex stated that the City has a personnel manual to assist with questions related to employment with the City. Alex noted this document is a crucial piece of the onboarding process, being provided to all new employees electronically before or on their first day. Alex stated the City last updated the Personnel Manual in 2022 and since then, some items have changed with union agreements, signed legislation, outdated terms, and sections that require further clarification. Alex reviewed the following updates to the Personnel Manual:  For the Section Organization of City Government, it still used outdated terms like “Aldermanic/Manager form of government” and “aldermen.” The update uses the correct and current terms of “Council-Manager form of government” and “council members”, and it notes that the City Manager may designate an Acting City Manager which was changed with Vermillion’s Home Rule Charter.  For Section 2.16.2 Weapons, the Governor signed SDCL 9-14-44 in March 2025 which prevents a governing body of a municipality to prohibit or restrict an individual who is a municipal employee, officer, or volunteer, from lawfully possessing any concealed firearm and compatible ammunition, while the individual is within any municipal building, facility or vehicle, or while on any real property, owned or leased by the municipality. Currently, the City’s Personnel Manual conflicts with South Dakota law. The update will remove conflicting language.  Section 4.12 Residency Requirement is currently 15 minutes. The update will change the requirement to 20 minutes and include a definition for residency.  Section 7.03 Sick Leave currently states that if an employee takes sick leave without a physician’s statement the day before or after a holiday or the day before or after the two non-working days of the week, it shall count as three days sick leave taken. The update looks to also include “the day before or after a vacation” to limit  sick leave abuse. Additionally, the update will also include a sentence “Any employee to have abused their sick leave privileges may be subject to disciplinary action” since AFSCME and FOP include sick leave abuse as a just cause for disciplinary action in their respective agreements. Council Member Hellwege stated it would not be appropriate to have part- time or seasonal employees to have to get a physician’s note when they might not have the ability to go to a doctor. John Prescott, City Manager, reported this is just for full-time or part -time employees that have sick leave and are offered health benefits. 729-25 Council Member Holland moved approval of updating the City’s Personnel Manual. Council Member Thaler seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Cole declared the motion adopted. D. Development agreement for 3 W. Main Street. Alex Goodburn, Building Official, reported on a development agreement with CJS Properties, LLC. Alex stated that on July 25, 2025, Flames Tabacco and Vape applied for a Change of Use/Change of Occupancy permit for 3 W. Main St. to open a cigar and hookah lounge. Alex reported that the City of Vermillion has adopted the International Building Code 2018 (IBC 2018) for new buildings and the International Existing Building Code 2018 (IEBC 2018) for existing buildings. Alex noted the IEBC is used to determine when the nature of work would require a building to meet existing code or if that situation allows for the building to remain under the code at the time of construction and outlines the current building code requirements. Alex stated the owner and new tenant would like to establish a new business at 3 W. Main St. and thus would require a Change of Use/Change of Occupancy permit. Considering the definitions outlined within the IEBC, the Building Official has determined that this type of change in use would require the building to come up to current code. However, due to infrastructure limitations, the feasibility of bringing this building up to current fire code would come with significant challenges to both the building owner and the City of Vermillion. Alex stated this building and business meet the criteria required to be brought up to current standards, but the water main needed to supply the fire suppression system is located on the south side of Main Street and would require the street and sidewalk to be removed and replaced. This would have a significant impact on the downtown area. The building owner has installed an active and reportable 24/7 fire alarm system as well as a Knox box for fire department entry into the building. Alex noted the building owner, who owns multiple buildings in the downtown district, has agreed to a development agreement that binds this building, and any successive owners, to the installation of a fire suppression system once the infrastructure is in place. Discussion followed on the proposed agreement and the needed infrastructure. Council Member Hellwege asked if a sprinkler system was required due to the 100-person occupancy or what guidelines require this? Alex stated that due to the size of the building it would need a sprinkler system. Council Member Hellwege asked what the expected occupancy of the building would be? Chief Callahan stated that code does not allow them to speculate and must go off the occupancy formula. Discussion followed on the development agreement. 730-25 Council Member Holland moved approval of the development agreement for 3 W. Main Street. Council Member Jennewein seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Cole declared the motion adopted. 10. Bid Openings A. Water treatment chemicals. Shane Greise, Utility Manager, reported on the Water and Wastewater chemicals. Shane stated annually that the City requests bids for lime and soda ash, which are used for water treatment at both the Water and Wastewater Treatment facilities. The lime and much of the soda ash are used at the Water Treatment Plant with the remaining soda ash utilized by the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Shane noted the City opened bids for the chemicals on November 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Shane stated the bid documents were sent to seven prospective bidders and six sealed bids were received. One bid was not read due to not including a bid bond. There were four bids received for quick lime and two for soda ash. Graymont LLC submitted the low bid for proposal #1 and Dubois Chemicals Inc. submitted the low bid for proposal #2, soda ash. Shane noted Graymont included a fuel surcharge that will change depending on the Department of Energy’s average fuel costs at the time of shipment. This additional charge was included in the bid evaluation. The worst- case scenario for fuel surcharges still held Graymont as the low bidder. Shane stated Administration recommends awarding the low bid for proposal #1 (quick lime) to Graymont LLC at $271.65/ton for a total of $135,825.00 plus fuel surcharges, and proposal #2 (soda ash) to Dubois Chemicals Inc. at $470.00/ton for a total of $282,000.00. 731-25 Council Member Price moved approval of the low bid for proposal #1 (quick lime) to Graymont LLC at $271.65/ton for a total of $135,825.00 plus fuel surcharges, and proposal #2 (soda ash) to Dubois Chemicals Inc. at $470.00/ton for a total of $282,000.00. Council Member Thaler seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Cole declared the motion adopted. 11. City Manager's Report A. John reported on three meetings or events before the next City Council meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025:  Library Board meets on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Library’s Kozak room.  Human Relations Commission meets on Thursday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m. in the Mamura Conference room at City Hall.  Business Improvement District #2 meets on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Powell Conference room. B. John reported City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025, for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no curbside recycling collection on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28. These routes will have their collection resume on December 4 and 5 as regularly scheduled. C. John reported on one raffle notification: St. Agnes School is selling $25 raffle tickets as a general fundraiser for the school. The prize is a 4-night stay at an Arizona home with access to a pool/spa and a $500 flight credit. The prize is valued at $1,000. The drawing will be held on November 19, 2025. PAYROLL ADDITIONS AND CHANGES Administration: Alex Ruth $31.00/hr; Engineering: Jose Dominguez $56.01/hr; Street: Scott Iverson $29.88/hr, Pete Jahn $44.08/hr, Cory Moore $28.52/hr; Parks & Recreation: Jim Goblirsch $48.93/hr; Library: Anna Marker $18.57/hr; Communications: Cade Bench-Brescher $22.66/hr; Landfill: Jordyn Mockler $19.75/hr; Mark Milbrodt $31.36/hr, Dan Milroy $24.65/hr, Logan Bokemper $22.02/hr, Mike Varns $21.54/hr; Recycling: Jeremiah Kashas $23.85/hr 12. Adjourn 732-25 Council Member Murra moved to adjourn the Council meeting at 6:41 p.m. Council Member Price seconded the motion. Motion carried 7 to 0. Mayor Cole declared the motion adopted. Dated at Vermillion, South Dakota this 17th day of November 2025. THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA BY____________________________ Jonathan D. Cole, Mayor ATTEST: BY___________________________________ Katie E. Redden, Finance Officer Published once at the approximate cost of ___________.