Vandalia City Council Meeting Summary – October 16, 2023

The Vandalia City Council met on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included the swearing-in of a new firefighter/paramedic/inspector, multiple resolutions and ordinances, a public comment, and an extensive budget discussion. All votes were recorded as 7-0 except for the budget approval, which passed 5-2.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the September 18, 2023 Council Budget Workshop, Study Session, Council Meeting, and September 27, 2023 Council Budget Workshop were approved unanimously.
• The September 2023 bill listing ($2,690,715.18), expenses over $50,000, and purchasing card detail ($29,493.37) were accepted.
• Reports from boards and commissions (Civil Service, Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission) were received without comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hari Varma (1082 Mystic Lane) expressed concern about a neighbor who rakes leaves into the street prematurely (starting late July/early August), causing an eyesore and cleanup issues for several years. He requested the city consider an ordinance or enforcement measure. The city manager asked for his contact information and photos to follow up.

Discussion Items

• Introduction and Oath of Office: Fire Fighter/Paramedic/Inspector Ricky Davis II was sworn in. He began full-time employment on October 11, 2023, and previously served as a firefighter EMT since March 2022.
• City Manager's Report:
  • Congratulated staff on the Fall Fest (October 14) and announced the Sports Complex Playground Ribbon Cutting “Play In” event on October 21 at 10 a.m.
  • Provided leaf collection details: began October 9, ends December 5; leaves must be raked into street, not more than 1 foot from curb.
  • Announced receipt of up to $1,313,211 in federal funds for the South Castle Road Bridge (Johnson Station) through the Ohio Department of Transportation after persistent applications by Public Service Director Rob Cron.
  • Recognized public works technician Bill Miles for excellent customer service.
  • Noted that the city manager received the Vandalia Butler Chamber of Commerce Business Professional of the Year award.
• Resolution 23-R-65: Establishing a summer meeting schedule for June, July, and August 2024 – one meeting per month on the third Monday (June 17, July 15, August 19) with study session at 5:30 p.m. and business meeting at 7:00 p.m. Passed 7-0.
• Resolution 23-R-66: Awarding the 2023 sanitary sewer slip lining project to Insight Pipe Contracting at the lowest and best bid of $97,982. Bids ranged from $97,982 to $125,454; the estimate was $100,000. The project is partially funded by a $50,000 CDBG grant. Passed 7-0.
• Resolution 23-R-67: Accepting the tax year 2023/2024 amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission. Council member noted the city’s real property tax rate has not increased since 1982. Passed 7-0.
• Resolution 23-R-68: Authorizing applications for federal STP funds through MVRPC for resurfacing Poe Avenue, Weiss Road, and Miller Lane. Passed 7-0.
• Resolution 23-R-69: Authorizing a settlement agreement with Prairie Flyer Energy Storage, LLC (a Jupiter Power subsidiary) regarding a 19.3-acre battery energy storage system. The city had raised concerns and considered intervening but reached a settlement. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance 23-26 (First Reading): Rezoning 126.334 acres of publicly owned land (19 parcels) to public facilities and office industrial park districts. Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance 23-27 (First Reading): Approving court-authorized assessments for nuisance abatement at two parcels (6325 Shady Knoll Drive and 841 Spartan Avenue). Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance 23-28 (First Reading): FY 2024 appropriations. Extensive budget discussion occurred. Highlights included $1,573,329 for police cruisers, $3,886,014 for the Vandalia Bikeway Connector, $1 million for street resurfacing, $380,000 for curb/sidewalk, $570,000 placeholder for a splash pad at Robinette Park, $80,000 for a downtown master plan, and more. Council members debated revenue projections (6.5% annual growth) and debt service levels. Concerns were raised about aggressive spending and long-term sustainability, while others cited healthy fund balance ($21.5 million) and historical revenue growth. The budget passed on first reading with a vote of 5-2, with Councilmember Farst and Mayor Herbst voting no.
• Ordinance 23-24 (Second Reading): Creating a City Fire Insurance Fund. Public hearing opened and closed with no comments. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance 23-25 (Emergency): Approving individual assessment amounts for delinquent fees (stormwater, trash, sewer, water, weed cutting). Public hearing held. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance 23-22 (Emergency): Authorizing issuance and sale of bonds up to $6 million for transportation improvements on National Road (U.S. 40) and Dog Leg Road. The ordinance was pulled from the table earlier (motion passed 7-0). The engineers' estimate is about $3.1 million, but the ordinance retains the $6 million maximum as not-to-exceed. Public hearing held. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• All resolutions (23-R-65 through 23-R-69) were approved unanimously.
• First readings of ordinances 23-26, 23-27, and 23-28 were approved; 23-28 passed 5-2.
• Second reading of ordinance 23-24 passed unanimously.
• Emergency ordinances 23-25 and 23-22 passed unanimously.
• No executive session was held; the meeting adjourned after council comments.