Vandalia City Council Regular Meeting - October 2, 2023

The Vandalia City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered routine approvals, the city manager's report, four legislative actions, a first-reading ordinance, and council comments. No public hearing was held and no citizens spoke during the comment period. All actions taken during the meeting appeared to pass unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the September 5, 2023, study session and council meeting; the September 11, 2023, council retreat; and the September 14, 2023, budget workshop.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comments. The city also had no communications, petitions, or awards, and no public hearing was conducted.

City Manager's Report

• Information item - Beggar's Night: Trick-or-treat will be held Tuesday, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Information item - Vandalia Fall Festival: The festival will be held Saturday, October 14, from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Vandalia Art Park, with live music, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, and other vendors. It is free and open to all.
• Action item - Liquor license application: The Ohio Department of Liquor Control notified the city of a liquor license application from Family Dollar Stores of Ohio LLC, doing business as Family Dollar Store 26197, at 670 W. National Road. The Division of Police reported no objection and recommended no hearing be held. Council passed a motion (made by Vice Mayor Lewis, seconded by Councilman Farst) to not hold a hearing on the application.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 23-R-62 (2024 Part-Time Pay Plan): Staff recommended a 3.5% pay increase for all part-time positions except tipped employee positions, and advancing the group fitness instructor, camp supervisor, athletic supervisor, and camp leader classifications to the next pay group based on a wage study by the Department of Parks. These changes were presented at the September 11, 2023, council retreat, and the costs are included in the 2024 budget. The tipped minimum wage was increased from $5.05 to $5.25 per hour per the State of Ohio Department of Commerce. Staff stated approval aligns with the 2023 citywide policy goals of trust, confidence, and opportunity. Council adopted the resolution.
• Resolution 23-R-63 (2024 General Services Pay Plan): Staff recommended a 3.5% increase to the general services pay ranges for 2024, along with re-implementing the supervisory appointment of the parks maintenance technician supervisor classification to serve as a formal first-line supervisor over the parks and facilities maintenance crews. The change was presented at the September 11, 2023, retreat, and related expenses are in the 2024 proposed budget. Council adopted the resolution.
• Resolution 23-R-64 (Emergency replacement of the Municipal Building pumping system): Council waived the formal bidding process and authorized the emergency purchase and installation of a new sanitary and storm water pumping system for the Municipal Building. Heater Plumbing submitted a proposal for $34,441 for the scope of work, which includes removal and proper disposal of the existing pumping system and installation of the new system, including a control panel. Council adopted the resolution.
• Ordinance 23-24 (City Fire Insurance Fund): City Manager Wendt requested that Law Director McDonald draft the ordinance, which would authorize the City of Vandalia to obtain a portion of fire insurance proceeds after a major structure fire to abate blight, protect public safety, and avoid spending tax dollars on demolition or repair. Law Director McDonald submitted a revised provision correcting phrases omitted at the prior study session; the changes do not affect the substance. Council noted the ordinance will not be enforceable against the Super 8 Motel, which recently experienced a structure fire, and will apply only to properties damaged after the ordinance takes effect. A council member stated support for the ordinance, noting he has seen it work well in other communities. Council approved the ordinance on its first reading with a motion to approve as presented.

Reports from Boards and Commissions

• Council received and accepted the Vandalia Arts Council meeting minutes of August 15, 2023, and the Planning Commission meeting minutes of August 22, 2023.

Council Comments & Recognitions

• Kent State University: A council member announced that his daughter, a high school senior, was accepted that day to Kent State University's College of Nursing as a direct admit, meaning she will not need to reapply in her junior year.
• Helke Park and Fire Department Open House: A council member commented on the recent Helke Park playground ribbon cutting, noting that the children immediately ran to the playground and describing the park as a great use of ARPA funds. Another member praised the fire department open house, including a blow-up house demonstrating fire prevention tips. Members also remarked positively on the ongoing reinvestment in aging parks.
• Sister city visit to Lichtenfels, Germany: A council member reported on a personal diplomatic trip to Vandalia's sister city, Lichtenfels, Germany, taken on his own expense. He attended a welcome ceremony conducted by Lichtenfels Mayor Andre Huger, who sent warm heartfelt greetings to all of Vandalia and gifted a pictorial book of Lichtenfels for display in the city lobby. The council member noted that the book can be scanned with a phone's translation app. He recalled the mayor's remarks that President Eisenhower "got it right by creating an international organization that connects people to people in a global setting," quoting the mayor: "when we make bonds with others, it helps eliminate the need for conflict and wars." He noted the sister-city relationship dates to 1976, that 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the city-to-city resolution with Vandalia Mayor Walt Lake, and that the hope is for the Lichtenfels mayor and others to visit in 2026 for the 50th anniversary of the first exchange visit, when a time capsule will be opened.
• Retirement recognition: A council member recognized Roger Pratt, a long-time Vandalia resident and dedicated parks and recreation employee, for retiring after 58 years of service.
• Volunteer recognition: A council member thanked Becky Wells, wife of Rudy Wells, for volunteering her time tending flowers and sprucing up city facilities, and expressed pride in her work.
• City Manager recognition: Council congratulated City Manager Dan Wendt, who was announced that day as the Vandalia-Butler Chamber of Commerce Business Professional of the Year.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the September minutes for the study session, council meeting, retreat, and budget workshop.
• Approved the motion to not hold a liquor license hearing for Family Dollar Store 26197 at 670 W. National Road.
• Adopted Resolution 23-R-62 (2024 part-time pay plan with 3.5% increases and four classification advances).
• Adopted Resolution 23-R-63 (2024 general services pay plan with 3.5% pay range increases and a parks maintenance technician supervisor reclassification).
• Adopted Resolution 23-R-64 (emergency purchase and installation of the Municipal Building's sanitary and storm water pumping system from Heater Plumbing for $34,441, waiving the formal bidding process).
• Approved Ordinance 23-24 on first reading, creating a City Fire Insurance Fund codified at Section 234.10 of the Vandalia Codified Ordinances, effective for fires occurring after passage and not applying to the recent Super 8 Motel fire.
• Meeting was adjourned after council comments. All votes were taken without apparent opposition.