Vandalia, Ohio City Council Meeting: March 18, 2024

The Vandalia, Ohio City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM. Council amended the agenda to add a labor agreement resolution, approved four resolutions covering asphalt purchases, street resurfacing, a historical society donation, and a Teamsters union agreement, and advanced two ordinances addressing construction material storage and cemetery fees. The meeting opened with the introduction of three German exchange students and included a citizen comment opposing a proposed extension of Brown School Road. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss pending or imminent litigation with the City Attorney.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the Council Study Session Minutes and Council Meeting Minutes from March 4, 2024, with no comments or corrections.
• The February 2024 bill listing in the amount of $2,713,885 was presented with no comments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A citizen from the Lane Platte / North Brown School area called on residents affected by the proposed Brown School road extension to attend council meetings rather than watch on closed-circuit television and to tell council they want their neighborhood left unchanged. The speaker said the issue was brought up years ago, argued that the extension would take away the "sovereignty" and "tranquility" of the plat north of Brown School, and stated that no need for emergency access through the neighborhood had ever been proven.
• City Manager Danny Knife responded that the gated access point on the south side of the public works parcel is for emergency and catastrophe response only, not a public roadway. He stated there are no plans to extend the roadway in a public way that would allow traffic to traverse the entire plat, that he does not anticipate the cost figures will make sense for such an extension, and that the existing designated easement will remain in place in case conditions change in the future.
• No public comments were received during the public hearing for the cemetery fee ordinance (Ordinance 24-02).

Discussion Items

• Sister Cities Exchange Students: Vice Mayor Blakesley introduced German exchange students Linda Schuberth (hosted by Mary Williams), Sophie Schuberth (hosted by Kierra Escalante), and Christof Morgenroth (hosted by Dylan DaGiau). Blakesley described the program as building cross-cultural understanding, noting the students would experience local attractions and that hosting has been rewarding.
• Tri-Cities Wastewater Plant Tour: City Manager Knife announced a special study session and public tour of the Tri-Cities North Regional Wastewater Plant on March 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. No formal action will be taken; the tour is optional for council and open to the public, with a quorum of council expected to attend.
• City Manager's Report: Knife thanked Communications Manager Rich Hopkins for producing the 2023 State of the City video presented at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on March 12, 2024. He reported two pending federal earmarks from Congressman Turner's office (one renamed from right-of-way acquisition to city infrastructure, and $750,000 for the Tri-Cities Wastewater Authority). He also announced that Senator Brown's office funded $400,000 in congressionally directed spending for Robinette Park, with construction likely to take place in 2027. He highlighted a new public-facing financial report intended to make city finances more accessible to residents and stated it would be available online.
• Cemetery Fees (Ordinance 24-02): Knife stated that Poplar Hill Cemetery fees were compared against 33 other jurisdictions, were last modified in January 2009, and have not been substantially changed since 1999. He and Director Borton recommended adjusting the fees, while the cost of the plots themselves remains unchanged.

Action Items

• Resolution 24-R-17 (approved): Authorized the purchase of asphalt from Barrett Paving and/or Valley Asphalt at their respective bid prices of $78.00 per ton for Type II asphalt and $77.00 per ton for Type I asphalt. Staff noted Barrett Paving has been the low bidder in past years but has sometimes had availability and mix issues; Barrett will be given the first opportunity to supply material when they can meet the city's needs, consistent with past practice.
• Resolution 24-R-18 (approved): Awarded bids for the resurfacing of various streets; bids were publicly opened on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
• Resolution 24-R-19 (approved): Approved the $15,000 annual donation to the Historical Society of Vandalia Butler for maintenance projects, including the cost of an annual business/organization membership. The funds were appropriated in the 2024 budget.
• Resolution 24-R-20 (approved): Approved an agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 957 covering public works technicians and the public works office manager. This resolution was added to the agenda by amendment at the start of the meeting following a motion by Councilman Follick, seconded by Vice Mayor Blakesley.

Ordinances

• Ordinance 24-03 (first reading, approved): Amends Chapter 1482 of the Vandalia Codified Ordinances to limit storage of construction materials on private property by prohibiting more than 30 days of inactivity, measured from the last work performed or from the expiration date of a permit if one was required. Motion by Vice Mayor Blakesley, seconded by Councilwoman Farst.
• Ordinance 24-02 (second reading): Amends Chapter 1064 to establish new cemetery operation rates for Poplar Hill Cemetery. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comments.

Reports from Boards and Commissions

• The Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a variance related to the driveway entrance sign setback under Ordinance 24-03.
• On February 28, 2024, the Board of Zoning Appeals voted 5-0 to recommend approval, with one condition, of a monument sign setback variance at 3345 Stop 8 Road. The condition requires the sign to be landscaped at least 30 inches from the edge of the sign with live plantings or mulch per city code.
• The Park and Recreation Advisory Board meeting minutes of November 15, 2023, were received.

Council Comments

• Councilmember Wendt was recognized for being named to the Dayton Business Journal's 40 Under 40 class of 2024.
• Council promoted upcoming community events, including the adult Easter egg hunt at the recreation center, and encouraged residents to vote in the next day's election.
• Council highlighted the city's first public financial report, which will also be available online.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda was amended to add Resolution 24-R-20 (Teamsters agreement) by motion of Councilman Follick, seconded by Vice Mayor Blakesley, with a roll call vote.
• Resolutions 24-R-17, 24-R-18, 24-R-19, and 24-R-20 were approved as presented.
• Ordinance 24-03 passed its first reading; Ordinance 24-02 proceeded through its second reading.
• Council entered executive session to discuss pending or imminent litigation with the City Attorney. No further action was taken in open session.