[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486729,"mediaKeyId","5444683-48acbb4a3ad4ea8d6da3ec6387d2c497","parentId",5444683,"title","Vermillion council approves event permits, parking changes, fees, bonds and plats in July 21 meeting","audioSeconds",1678,"startMs",3138000,"endMs",1460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444683-48acbb4a3ad4ea8d6da3ec6387d2c497&start=3138&end=1460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444683-48acbb4a3ad4ea8d6da3ec6387d2c497/thumbnail_3138000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486729/Vermillion/Clay-County/South-Dakota/Vermillion-council-approves-event-permits-parking-changes-fees-bonds-and-plats-in-July-21-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486729-0b68650680e3d25e2ced631d691bb81c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775667884&Signature=SRXwdvASbf2QvWD3Uc8NthLQLTdMEGUKBFsyoz9UTU~0mbrsgFX1KHVDrBdopJkBbMAmNLoi9J3T88GPFdbkVnHsOArddRhsoaQz5ElJVnzV-sqsZUMIKUSTrKlqifC5ebYorH-dTbsPwBbMsYu~DYKJUglimNJ9j4i4t1yjKUQ2lS4T-jIroqeKgHm2EjN09cqwRBZxX80TsxaBcUFry3uJVBjdK3qScoJoN5THc2Gs9RnnwY2-6r3D1RfE5g0Gn4vx4SGReMKuT4P2T6-C3CMhO9n9jy0XZGmZxWy1LXZQmfCz8rFy1ItcrxtXbbyDWlo9W3zru3le4rXhsd4LVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vermillion City Council","date","2025-07-22T02:17:07.32Z","article","Vermillion — At its July 21 meeting the Vermillion City Council approved a series of routine and substantive items, including event permits, temporary parking changes for University of South Dakota events, a building-permit fee waiver to support a federal low-income housing tax-credit application, a state-backed revenue bond to buy landfill equipment, approval of a final plat, a union MOU on vacation buyback and longevity pay, and payment of city bills.

Below are the council’s actions and key details.

Votes at a glance

- Ribs Rods and Rock and Roll special-noise permit (Sept. 5–6): Approved. Staff recommended approval; the applicant paid the $25 noise permit fee. Motion made by Councilor Murn; seconded by Councilor Lieber. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Ribs Rods and Rock and Roll special daily malt, beverage and wine license (Sept. 5–6): Approved. Applicant paid $30 per day fee and a $20 advertising fee (total $80). Police background check returned no alcohol-related violations for the parties involved. Motion by Councilor Gendewine; second by Councilor Cheeseman. Motion carried.

- Temporary removal of parking and street closure for USD home football games (multiple dates Sept–Dec 2025): Approved with amendment. The original request sought no parking on both sides of North Dakota Street from the SCSC loading dock to SD Highway 50 and closure of Rose Street for 10 home and playoff dates, 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. UPD, fire and EMS had no objections. During debate councilors raised safety and access concerns for areas north of the Yellow A tailgating lot and for hotel access. The council amended the approval to exclude the parking area north of the Yellow A lot (so that parking north of that line remains allowed). Motion to grant no-parking with that north-area exclusion was moved by Councilor Murrow and seconded by Councilor Cheeseman; motion carried.

- Temporary removal of parking at the natatorium (USD home swim meets, Oct–Jan): Approved. The request removes parking on the east-side curve of North University Street adjacent to the natatorium for specified swim meets, 2 a.m.–10 p.m. UPD will set up and remove barricades; fire, EMS and police had no objections. Motion by Councilor Price; second by Councilor Cheeseman. Vote: carried, 1 nay recorded.

- Waiver of building-permit fees for Hahn Development tax-credit townhomes (Madison Park addition): Approved up to $10,001 to help the developer earn local points in the South Dakota Housing Development Authority federal tax-credit scoring. Council staff said the fee waiver (commonly $10,000 historically) helps competitive scoring; applicants must pull a building permit by next May under the staff recommendation. Motion by Councilor Jenna White; second by Councilor Price. Motion carried.

- Resolution approving issuance/sale of state revenue bonds to finance purchase of landfill dozer: Approved. The city was awarded an SRF loan of up to $409,100 over seven years at 3.25% interest; Dorsey & Whitney prepared bond counsel documents. Motion by Councilor Toller; second by Councilor Lieber. Motion carried.

- Final plat (Munger Track / approx. 37 acres north of Jack Powell addition at Hwy 19 & Hwy 50): Approved. The plat was reviewed by the county planning commission and staff recommended approval; the item was approved by the council. Motion by Councilor Holland; second by Councilor Price. Motion carried.

- MOU with AFSCME Local 1052 on vacation buyback and longevity pay: Approved. The MOU creates a vacation buyback limited to once per year up to 20 hours (with minimum balances required) and establishes parameters for longevity pay for employees at top pay step for at least three years and 15 years of consecutive service; funding allocations would be decided by council. Motion by Councilor Cheeseman; second by Councilor Price. Motion carried.

- Payment of city bills and invoice correction: Approved. Council approved payment of invoices; one correction was made to set a Vermillion Food Pantry contribution at a flat $10,000 (instead of $10,435). Motion to pay bills by Councilor Price; second by Councilor Genewijn. Motion carried.

What the council discussed

Councilors asked several operational and safety questions about the USD street and parking requests: concerns included pedestrian crossings where sidewalks are absent, impact on nearby hotel access and tailgating layouts, and whether closures should extend as far south as SD Highway 50. UPD, fire and EMS had been notified and raised no objections. The council modified the Dakota Street approval to leave the area north of the Yellow A tailgating lot open for parking after members expressed concerns about pushing people into paid lots or reducing visibility for crossings.

Financial and procedural notes

- The Ribs Rods applicant paid required fees: $25 noise permit fee; $30 per-day license and $20 advertising fee for the alcohol license (total $80).
- The Hahn Development fee waiver is capped at $10,001 to secure local points in a competitive state tax-credit process; applicants must pull a building permit by May in order to qualify under the staff conditions.
- The landfill equipment purchase will be financed with a state SRF loan and revenue bonds prepared by bond counsel; loan terms reported at 3.25% interest for seven years with a loan amount up to $409,100.

Next steps

Several items will require follow-up: staff will return any revised ordinance language (notably the TNC item, which was postponed indefinitely), the bond closing process will proceed with bond counsel and the state SRF loan, and staff will monitor the temporary closures during USD events and report back if safety issues arise.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-07-21 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","The Vermillion City Council on July 21 approved event permits and multiple administrative actions, while modifying a requested street closure for USD football games after councilors raised safety and access concerns.","taxTitle","Vermillion , Clay County, South Dakota","taxId",55677,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486731,"Vermillion council postpones overhaul of ride-hailing rules after extended debate",820,301000,1121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444683-48acbb4a3ad4ea8d6da3ec6387d2c497&start=301&end=1121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444683-48acbb4a3ad4ea8d6da3ec6387d2c497/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6486731/Vermillion/Clay-County/South-Dakota/Vermillion-council-postpones-overhaul-of-ride-hailing-rules-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486731-de87cb4ecb1e93e37f6f2354af9a8028/orig.mp4?Expires=1775667884&Signature=hRwJM1Vovdq9AHhRelPVmZDEGAppkZ4M2RvJsaLFbz5Dcgk~Dk9czC~Bj6YBsbXGz8N19WveTecvIPascL0v-~rLKnS1LwESY6NJxTmo8XhvOWPB45HSIG2tagaxNi0klzCyXt945b1ityss~MDQnQf7wbjyZ12xfe0b5Nfkzhe-G59v0967VN0HhSYSu1XzzgjXohYGZsSzvsSVMs3TuL5FjgT9vmi-cAGNmPurg8s6ZWKu4ToE-n0bhQIG4PeJvQzdp~P5SXMuRPeYlsufgMNnvQmDnr6YSY6ufApCi4UbGgUNSVPSbNChog-buTszx22xwqsEyQMlzmgwvpHAww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vermillion — The Vermillion City Council voted July 21 to postpone indefinitely Ordinance 15-36, a proposed amendment to Title 11 that would clarify how the city regulates taxis, transportation network companies (TNCs) and the umbrella category “vehicle for hire.”

City planner Alex (last name not specified in the transcript) told the council the draft ordinance removed redundant language and used the umbrella term “vehicle for hire” to cover taxis and TNCs alike, but staff later decided parts of the revised text were substantive and should be reconsidered. “We needed to maybe better clarify that for the council’s consideration,” Alex said during the discussion.

The council’s question-and-answer period focused on whether the city should continue to regulate TNCs locally when companies such as Uber and Lyft perform background and insurance checks at a national level. Councilor Genewijn said she was “curious” about the rationale for not regulating TNCs locally and later moved to postpone the ordinance indefinitely so staff could return with more analysis. Councilor Toller seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Supporters of postponement cited the extent of changes — which staff said could convert the pending second reading back into a first reading because of substantive edits — and indicated the topic could be examined in an educational session before returning to a future council meeting. Alex told the council staff had surveyed other South Dakota cities and found mixed approaches: six cities regulate TNCs while five do not; Vermillion’s draft landed “on the lighter side of regulations” compared with peers.

Several council members asked whether routine checks required by TNC companies (insurance and background reviews) would satisfy Vermillion’s goals if the council chose not to adopt local regulation. Councilor Price said: “If TNC companies are regulating their drivers, I think it would be fine for our ordinance to say that we don't need to regulate them as long as their company is regulating the certain particular things that we care about.” Other councilors voiced concern about leaving the city without local authority over emerging providers.

By postponing indefinitely, the council removed the item from the immediate agenda but left open the option for staff to bring a revised draft back as a first reading. City staff recommended postponement to allow time for clarification or to prepare a new draft if the council decides not to regulate TNCs locally.

The motion to postpone was carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The ordinance had been scheduled as a second reading on the July 21 agenda. Staff said the amended draft would change publication and procedural steps if the text returned substantially altered.","The City Council voted to postpone indefinitely Ordinance 15-36, a proposed rewrite of local rules for transportation network companies and vehicles-for-hire, after members and staff said the changes were substantive and warranted further study and public notice.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486726,"MidAmerican Energy updates Vermillion council on local work, pipeline tie-ins and system projects",0,1089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444683-48acbb4a3ad4ea8d6da3ec6387d2c497&start=1089&end=1089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444683-48acbb4a3ad4ea8d6da3ec6387d2c497/thumbnail_1089000.jpg","/articles/6486726/Vermillion/Clay-County/South-Dakota/MidAmerican-Energy-updates-Vermillion-council-on-local-work-pipeline-tie-ins-and-system-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486726-4ed21e2d12357c7022e815caa768d305/orig.mp4?Expires=1775667884&Signature=Il6flVUSXuejVryUIcMtfSSblWX4nccZ2cRBt8Gd~XjcbaeOJlFxiBBZ1rjdmmlukaXopvqFnqMKpkG-bnL8gPxafuFNs3K6v4gM40HqDwpmUzuvl7rZCEBko~gLnPtdLon8YVkYo-QquZzPtQwbew9aqt0UCwZ2gyOOjdH236zMWskOtoHdwyvwH65phmRSBd1ZTlXfv85wSH7K9rLUVi~Qdq6ZQFLwYQb-IO3wo~pG-wlXNb~K6okOIXTC-Sg-K~R3AWEBdWqmuR5uu-ELcHISoOOe2h8XFJmBYECQLkIVwgkznd401-edJ58w-H6y2CUA93R6psgBGe4JVoNIog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vermillion — Sam Wagner, business and community development manager for MidAmerican Energy, gave the council an annual franchise report July 21 outlining staffing, recent service connections and planned system work in and around Vermillion.

Wagner said MidAmerican handled local operations out of its Sioux Falls office, with an operations supervisor, four construction crew members, four service personnel and three engineering employees assigned to the Vermillion area. He told the council MidAmerican put in approximately 24 new residential services and seven new commercial services in 2025, citing projects including the Cherry Street Mall addition, an East Duke Street condominium proposal, Coyote Rentals, and utility work for the USD Wellness Center and the Clay County Union Electric building remodel.

Looking ahead, Wagner said MidAmerican is coordinating with Northern Natural Gas on a town border station near the city that will require new main lines to connect to a future substation. He described planned distribution integrity management (DIP) projects that the company will undertake when ground is opened for other construction, saying the work supports system reliability and local growth.

Wagner concluded by saying MidAmerican intends to continue working with city staff to support residential, commercial and industrial growth in Vermillion and answered council questions about specific local projects. No council vote was required on the report.

\"Our goal has been to support the growth here in Vermillion,\" Wagner said. \"We've been working with John and his staff to make sure we're delivering on those projects and this growth here in Vermillion.\"","A MidAmerican Energy representative presented the company's 2025 annual report on service and local projects, listing recent residential and commercial service connections and upcoming distribution integrity projects tied to Northern Natural Gas work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vermillion council approves event permits, parking changes, fees, bonds and plats in July 21 meeting

Vermillion council postpones overhaul of ride-hailing rules after extended debate

MidAmerican Energy updates Vermillion council on local work, pipeline tie-ins and system projects