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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Vandalia City Council Meeting - August 19, 2024

City Council — Monday, August 19, 2024

BodyVandalia, Ohio

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, August 19, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:01:35

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:02

The Monday, August 19th, 2024, City Council meeting is now called to order.

0:06

We'll start with a moment of reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

0:15

Please stand for the pledge.

0:20

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:25

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:28

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:53

Being none, they stand approved, and that brings us to communications, petitions, and awards, and we have some introductions.

0:57

So at this time, I'd like to turn it over to our city manager, Mr.

1:00

Swedeman.

1:02

Thank you, Mayor.

1:03

We have uh three introductions this evening as well as some uh two oath of office.

1:08

Uh the first, I'd like to introduce you uh to our new human resource manager, Leanne Hamp.

1:14

Uh we are very excited to welcome Leanne as our new HR manager to the city of Vandalia.

1:19

She has six years of HR experience and is dedicated to supporting the employees, passionate about all things HR.

1:26

She's thrilled to be joining us and looks forward to helping the city grow and succeed.

1:32

We are we are confident that her expertise and enthusiasm will make a positive impact on our team.

1:37

And uh, I'm here to tell you in just a few short weeks, she has made a very positive impact on our team.

1:42

So welcome Leanne to to the city's team.

1:45

All right, welcome.

1:46

Thank you.

1:55

As I mentioned tonight, we'll also introduce uh two members of our fire division who are uh taking the oath of office this evening.

2:03

The first is Derek Kopp.

2:08

Derek started with the division of fire as a part-time firefighter EMT and started his full-time employment as a firefighter paramedic in 2018.

2:17

In 2023, Derek was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

2:21

He is a graduate of Greenville Senior High School.

2:24

In his time employed with the city, Derek obtained his degree in EMS Fire Science from Sinclair Community College and continues today working towards his bachelor's in fire engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

2:37

Derek also holds many years of professional certificates and training that makes him a valuable asset to the division of fire.

2:44

Derek has been the recipient of multiple awards over the years within the division, the most notable being awarded Firefighter of the Year in 2018, EMS Person of the Year in 2019, and for good measure again in 2021.

3:00

Derek was also named the 2023 Officer of the Year.

3:04

Derek delivers top level service and will continue to be an asset as he moves to his new role of captain within the division of fire.

3:15

I'll now introduce Chris Willoughby.

3:19

Chris originally started with the division as a part-time employee and came back as a full-time firefighter paramedic in March of 2020.

3:28

He is a graduate of Wayne High School in Huber Heiss, and since being with the Division of Fire, has continually furthered his education and knowledge by attending classes and obtaining several certificates applicable to his job and new position.

3:42

Additionally, Chris has been recognized multiple times over the year at multiple times over the years at the Division of Fire's annual awards, but most recently Chris was awarded the Division of Fire Firefighter of the Year Award.

3:56

He delivers top-tier service and will continue to be an asset as he moves to his role as lieutenant within the division of fire.

4:06

With that, uh, I'll move down and we'll do the oath of office.

5:10

All right, here's the tough part again.

5:12

Raise your right hand.

5:14

And repeat after me.

5:16

I dare come solemnly swear or affirm.

5:22

That I will support the Constitution.

5:24

That I will support the Constitution.

5:26

And will obey the laws of the United States.

5:28

I will obey the laws of the United States.

5:30

And of the State of Ohio.

5:31

And of the State of Ohio.

5:33

That I will in all respects observe the provisions of the Charter.

5:38

Observe the provisions of the Charter.

5:40

And ordinances of the City of Vandalia.

5:42

And the ordinances of the City of Vandalia.

5:44

And we'll faithfully discharge.

5:45

We'll faithfully discharge.

5:47

The duties of the Office of Fire Captain.

5:49

The duties of the Office of the Fire Captain.

5:51

Within the Division of Fire.

5:53

Congratulations.

5:54

Thanks.

6:55

Probably.

6:58

If you'll raise your right hand and repeat after me.

7:02

I state your name.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Cannabis Regulation██████████████████████████████████████38%

Procedural█████████████████████21%

Public Safety████████████12%

Senior Services███████7%

Community Engagement███████7%

Personnel Matters███3%

Education And Youth███3%

Zoning And Land Use███3%

Workforce Development███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Vandalia City Council Meeting - August 19, 2024

The Vandalia City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included introductions of new personnel, public comments, discussion of a zoning amendment regarding adult-use marijuana, and approval of several resolutions and ordinances.

Consent Calendar

Approval of minutes from the Council Study Session (July 15, 2024), Council Meeting (July 15, 2024), and Council Special Meeting (August 5, 2024) were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Rob O'Leary, Superintendent of Vandalia Butler City Schools, expressed strong opposition to allowing adult-use cannabis operators in the city. He cited increased marijuana-related incidents among adolescents, health risks to brain development, and negative impacts on academics and behavior. He urged council to exercise the opt-out provision allowed by state law.
An unnamed resident (home care coordinator) provided council with folders containing resources for dementia care, including contact information for Adult Protective Services, the Dayton Ombudsman, and the Alzheimer's Association. She asked whether first responders receive dementia training and suggested the city consider becoming dementia-friendly.
Patty Tackett, owner of Miami Valley Shooting Grounds, requested guidance on reopening an outdoor shooting range. City Manager Schwieterman noted that outdoor shooting is currently prohibited by zoning code. Tackett stated her business is a certified Ohio police training academy and may qualify for an exception.

Discussion Items

City Manager's Report: Announced city offices closed on September 2 for Labor Day; Recreation Center open 7:00 AM to noon. First September council meeting will be on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 7:00 PM with a study session tentatively at 6:00 PM.
Action Item – Appointment: John Wheeler was appointed as an alternate to the Housing Code Board of Appeals by a 6-0 vote.
Resolution 24-R-48: Authorized the purchase of highway rock salt from Cargill, Inc. at $64.66 per ton for up to 2,000 tons each winter (2024–2026). The cooperative bid was coordinated by the City of Dayton. Approved 6-0.
Ordinance 24-18 (First Reading): An ordinance amending the zoning code to prohibit the cultivation, processing, sale, and distribution of adult-use marijuana. Council discussion included:
- Councilmember Blakesley read a prepared statement defending the opt-out decision, noting that the ballot initiative itself allowed municipalities to prohibit sales. He cited health and safety concerns and noted a dispensary already exists just outside city limits.
- Councilmember Weaver reported speaking with 25 residents, many of whom supported allowing dispensaries for safe, regulated access. She argued that marijuana is already widely available to teens and that a dispensary would not increase youth access. She voted no to ensure diverse representation.
- Police Chief Althouse voiced strong opposition, citing increased traffic crashes, impaired driving incidents (including a local crash), and difficulty hiring employees who can pass drug tests. He noted that as a federal contractor, the city must terminate employees who test positive.
- Superintendent O'Leary's earlier public comment was also referenced.
- The ordinance passed on first reading by a vote of 5-1, with Councilmember Weaver dissenting.
Ordinance 24-16 (Second Reading): Approved a major amendment to the 40 West Planned Unit Development (PUD) to add personal services/fitness studio as a permitted use for Lot 1, owned by Mills Barnett Pavilion, Inc. (CrossFit XS). A public hearing was opened and closed with no comments. Passed 6-0.
Ordinance 24-17 (Second Reading): Approved the final development plan for Lot 1 of the 40 West PUD, establishing a 6,000 sq. ft. CrossFit studio. A public hearing was opened and closed with no comments. Passed 6-0.
Reports from Boards and Commissions: Civil Service meeting minutes from June 24 and July 24, and Planning Commission minutes from June 25 were acknowledged.
July 2024 Bill Listing: Total bills of $4,252,818.38, monthly expenses over $25,000, and purchasing card detail of $24,177.00 were approved.
Council Comments: Councilmembers welcomed new staff (Leann Hanf, HR Manager), congratulated fire promotions (Derek Copp as Captain, Chris Willoughby as Lieutenant), noted recent park signage upgrades and staff promotions in Parks & Rec, and reported high cost recovery rates for the golf course (111%), pool, and recreation center. Councilmember Weaver requested excusing Councilman Dave Lewis from all meetings (approved by acclamation) and noted the passing of Union City Councilwoman Adrian Draper.

Key Outcomes

Approved appointments: John Wheeler to Housing Code Board of Appeals (6-0).
Approved Resolution 24-R-48: Salt purchase contract with Cargill (6-0).
Passed Ordinance 24-18 on first reading: Prohibition of adult-use marijuana sales/cultivation in Vandalia (5-1).
Approved Ordinances 24-16 and 24-17 on second reading: PUD major amendment and final development plan for CrossFit studio (6-0 each).
Approved July 2024 bills and purchasing card report (6-0).
Excused Councilman Dave Lewis from meetings by acclamation.

Meeting Transcript

The Monday, August 19th, 2024, City Council meeting is now called to order. We'll start with a moment of reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Please stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Being none, they stand approved, and that brings us to communications, petitions, and awards, and we have some introductions. So at this time, I'd like to turn it over to our city manager, Mr. Swedeman. Thank you, Mayor. We have uh three introductions this evening as well as some uh two oath of office. Uh the first, I'd like to introduce you uh to our new human resource manager, Leanne Hamp. Uh we are very excited to welcome Leanne as our new HR manager to the city of Vandalia. She has six years of HR experience and is dedicated to supporting the employees, passionate about all things HR. She's thrilled to be joining us and looks forward to helping the city grow and succeed. We are we are confident that her expertise and enthusiasm will make a positive impact on our team. And uh, I'm here to tell you in just a few short weeks, she has made a very positive impact on our team. So welcome Leanne to to the city's team. All right, welcome. Thank you. As I mentioned tonight, we'll also introduce uh two members of our fire division who are uh taking the oath of office this evening. The first is Derek Kopp. Derek started with the division of fire as a part-time firefighter EMT and started his full-time employment as a firefighter paramedic in 2018. In 2023, Derek was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He is a graduate of Greenville Senior High School. In his time employed with the city, Derek obtained his degree in EMS Fire Science from Sinclair Community College and continues today working towards his bachelor's in fire engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Derek also holds many years of professional certificates and training that makes him a valuable asset to the division of fire. Derek has been the recipient of multiple awards over the years within the division, the most notable being awarded Firefighter of the Year in 2018, EMS Person of the Year in 2019, and for good measure again in 2021. Derek was also named the 2023 Officer of the Year. Derek delivers top level service and will continue to be an asset as he moves to his new role of captain within the division of fire. I'll now introduce Chris Willoughby. Chris originally started with the division as a part-time employee and came back as a full-time firefighter paramedic in March of 2020. He is a graduate of Wayne High School in Huber Heiss, and since being with the Division of Fire, has continually furthered his education and knowledge by attending classes and obtaining several certificates applicable to his job and new position. Additionally, Chris has been recognized multiple times over the year at multiple times over the years at the Division of Fire's annual awards, but most recently Chris was awarded the Division of Fire Firefighter of the Year Award. He delivers top-tier service and will continue to be an asset as he moves to his role as lieutenant within the division of fire. With that, uh, I'll move down and we'll do the oath of office. All right, here's the tough part again. Raise your right hand. And repeat after me. I dare come solemnly swear or affirm. That I will support the Constitution. That I will support the Constitution. And will obey the laws of the United States. I will obey the laws of the United States. And of the State of Ohio. And of the State of Ohio. That I will in all respects observe the provisions of the Charter. Observe the provisions of the Charter. And ordinances of the City of Vandalia. And the ordinances of the City of Vandalia.

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