Vermilion City Council Special Meeting
The Vermilion City Council held a Special Meeting on September 4, 2024, at the Vermilion Municipal Court Complex to address three key ordinances, all passed under emergency measures. These ordinances came with little debate, but one of them, in particular, has garnered the attention of the community.
Ordinance 2024-48, which passed unanimously (7-0), is the result of efforts from Concerned Vermilion Citizens, a group opposing the city’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance now known as Vermilion Landing. This group previously pushed this PUD ordinance to a referendum, set for a vote this November. Now, the proposed amendment to the city’s charter, if approved, would require that all PUD zoning decisions be put to a vote by the people of Vermilion. The emergency nature of this ordinance allows for it to be placed on the ballot promptly, aligning with the group’s ongoing efforts to give residents direct input on significant zoning decisions.
Ordinance 2024-49, which authorized Mayor Jim Forthofer to enter into a contract with Herk Excavating, Inc., also passed (6-1). The contract is for the Highbridge Road Reconstruction Project Phase 2, with a cost not to exceed $1,106,316.30. Ward 3 Councilperson Drew Werley was the lone dissenting vote, continuing his previous opposition to emergency ordinances, although he did not voice his concerns during this session.
Ordinance 2024-50 followed a similar pattern, passing 6-1, with Werley again voting no. This ordinance authorizes additional contractual services with Bramhall Engineering & Surveying Company for construction observation and administration services for the same Highbridge Road project. The total for these additional services will not exceed $38,800.
Though Werley has consistently raised concerns about the use of emergency ordinances, no further discussion took place during the meeting, and all three ordinances moved forward. The meeting concluded with a review of future meeting dates, including a regular Vermilion City Council meeting on September 9, 2024, and committee meetings on September 16, 2024.
The push by Concerned Vermilion Citizens signals growing community interest in having more control over zoning decisions, while city council continues its focus on advancing infrastructure projects in Vermilion. We will keep you updated as things progress.
