Inside Vermilion's City Council Meeting: Funds, Friction, & Frustration

The Vermilion City Council convened on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Vermilion Municipal Court Complex. In attendance were Council President John Gabriel, Municipal Clerk Melanie Wood, Mayor Jim Forthofer, Service Director Tony Valerius, Finance Director Amy Hendricks, City Engineer Chris Howard, and Law Director Susan Anderson. Council members present included Pat West (Ward 1), Greg Drew (Ward 2), Drew Werley (Ward 3), Jeff Lucas (Ward 4), Brian Holmes (Ward 5), and Gary Howell (At Large). The meeting began with a call to order, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and the approval of the minutes from the May 19, 2025, meeting.

The session kicked off with public participation, during which Mark Williams raised concerns about the condition of the city’s streets. He sought clarification on how recent votes and allocated funding would address these issues, and was advised to reach out to the administration or clerk’s office for detailed information.

In correspondence, the council acknowledged new liquor license permits for Vermillion Sun at Huggies Coffee and Wine Bar LLC, and for Sur Market and Sundries LLC. A letter from Homer Taft was also noted, urging the council to consider a bond issue for road improvements by August for a November ballot, and also commenting on council compensation.

Council President John Gabriel’s report highlighted ongoing frustrations with utility companies. He cited instances of subcontractors leaving debris behind and delays in replacing damaged telephone poles. Gabriel suggested exploring ways other communities incentivize utility companies to ensure better cleanup and faster response times.

Committee reports followed, with various updates:

Jeff Lucas, representing Finance, Historic Design Review, Planning Commission, and Stormwater Advisory committees, had no immediate updates, but noted future meetings were scheduled.
Brian Holmes reported that the Health & Safety committee’s next meeting is set for June 9th.
Drew Werley of the Vermilion Tree Commission also had no report, with their next meeting on June 10th.
Gary Howell informed the council that the Legislative committee would meet on June 9th, and Parks & Recreation, which met on May 27th, would have its next meeting on June 24th.
John Gabriel confirmed a Streets, Buildings, and Grounds meeting for June 9th.
Greg Drew reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals met on May 27th, passing three items, and their next meeting is June 24th. The Utilities committee did not have a report, with a tentative meeting set for July 28th, though an earlier June 9th meeting was also mentioned.

Mayor Jim Forthofer’s report focused on housing developments in Vermilion, including Khovanian Homes’ Lighthouse Estates Phase 4, Vermillion Landings on Sunnyside, and Eve’s Development plans for the old schoolhouse property. He also mentioned a proposal for a multi-family unit concept near downtown and reminded everyone about “range week” for the police department.

Following the Mayor’s report, Councilman Gary Howell took the floor to express his strong disapproval of the Mayor’s recent article in the local paper. Howell articulated, “My biggest issue with the Mayor’s article was his jab at council, insinuating we are making decisions to gain votes in the upcoming election, far from the truth! I feel that was distasteful, and insulting. I vote my conscience every time a vote is taken, and to give people a false sense of that is disrespectful. I was elected to make sound and educated decisions for the people of Vermilion, and that is what I believe I do, along with the others on council. I have a great deal of respect for the Mayor and the administration for what they have done for our city over the years. At times, especially like this with the recent article, I just wish that respect would be reciprocated.” Howell voiced his objection publicly.

Service Director Tony Valerius announced that the Sunnyside Road phase three reconstruction project is scheduled to begin on June 9th. This project will involve road widening and storm sewer work, leading to traffic restrictions and detours. He also provided updates on ongoing pothole repairs and asphalt work related to water main breaks.

Finance Director Amy Hendricks presented updates on appropriations and the budget planning summary, which included an additional appropriation for bond issue administrative expenses. She also highlighted the timely submission of 2024 financial statements and discussed the cost-effectiveness of utilizing Rita for tax collection services over in-house processing.

City Engineer Chris Howard provided an update on the VOL Lateral project, noting that contractors are actively working on Guilford Road and other streets, and the project is currently ahead of schedule. He also reported on the pre-construction meeting for Layout States Phase 4, with sanitation tentatively set to begin on June 9th. Howard then presented Ordinance 2025-44 for the Edgewater Dr. Waterline Replacement Phase One project, emphasizing that the low bid came in significantly under the estimated cost. He requested emergency passage to expedite the project.

Regarding Old Business/New Business, there was none under old business. A motion was made to recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters, specifically hiring and compensation, with no action anticipated afterward.

Several ordinances and resolutions underwent readings and votes:

Ordinance 2025-35 was tabled for the Legislative Committee meeting on June 9, 2025.
Ordinance 2025-39, a third reading to transfer $50,000 from General Fund 101 to Fund 235 Senior Citizen Activity Fund, was adopted (4 Ayes, 2 Nays).
Ordinance 2025-41, a third reading to transfer $187,144 from General Fund 101 to Fund 601 Water Fund for the purchase of a dump truck for the Distribution Department, was also adopted (4 Ayes, 2 Nays).
Ordinance 2025-42, a first reading authorizing a contract with Norwalk Concrete Industries for pre-manufactured restrooms at Sherod Park not to exceed $77,460 and declaring an emergency, will proceed to a second reading.
Ordinance 2025-43, a first reading to amend Ordinance 2025-6 for current expenditures and the 2025 Certificate of Estimated Resources, will also go to a second reading.
Ordinance 2025-44, a first reading authorizing a contract with Digioia-Suburban Excavating, LLC for the Edgewater Dr. Waterline Replacement, Phase One Project, not to exceed $744,899.50 and declaring an emergency, saw its rules suspended and was then adopted.
Ordinance 2025-45, a first reading supplementing contractual services for Bramhall Engineering & Surveying Company for construction observation and contract administration related to the Edgewater Dr. Waterline Replacement, Phase One Project, not to exceed $38,800 and declaring an emergency, also had its rules suspended and was adopted.

Looking ahead, future Vermilion City Council meetings are scheduled for June 16, 2025, July 7, 2025, and July 21, 2025.