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

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.