The City of Vandalia City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included the introduction of a new mobile crisis responder, approval of several resolutions and ordinances, a contentious second reading debate on the Riverdale subdivision, and decisions on zoning variances and a conditional use permit. Key votes included the approval of the Stonequarry Crossings subdivision (6-1), all four first‑reading ordinances (7-0), and the Riverdale final plan (4-3) with conditions on traffic improvements. The Council also denied a chicken variance and a Dollar General floor area variance, approved a porch setback variance, and approved a conditional use for a warehouse.
The Monday, December 1st, 2025 City of Vandia Council meeting is now called to order. We'll begin 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 in the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Um, where we have an introduction. And I'll turn it over to um Captain Cram. Mr. Mayor, City Council, thanks for allowing me to fill in for Chief Sucher, uh, who was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but he did provide me with his uh his notes and speech, so hopefully I'll give it the same vigor that's a good idea. Do it better. Brandon does. I'll do a better job. Yeah. So I'm here to share some information about our mobile crisis responder program and introduce the newest member of that effort. Let me start uh with why this program matters. Back in 2019, we took part in a mobile crisis uh response pilot program in conjunction with the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addition, and Mental Health Services. What we learned in that pilot program was clear. When someone in our community is facing a mental health crisis, struggling with addiction, or experience a situation where traditional law enforcement isn't the only or best tool, we need more options on the table. So in 2020, the Crisis Responder Program moved from pilot to full operation. The purpose was simple but powerful. Pair law enforcement with certified mental health specialists and give those specialists the ability to respond with care, skill, and the right resources. It's about meeting people where they are in their hardest moments and offering support that can truly change the direction of a life. Our goal has already has always been twofold. Reduce the impact of those situations on our community and our officers, and to provide real help to our residents in crisis. Since the program's inception, we partnered with the Butler Township Police Department through a shared cost model, and we've seen the direct measurable benefits. Calls or service involving repeat crisises have gone down, and just as importantly, follow-up has become a cornerstone of this work. Those frequent follow-up calls and visits may look simple on paper, but they've been transformative in practice. Educating residents about local resources they didn't know existed, helping families navigate the next steps, working alongside team uh sorry, care teams to support treatment and medication plans, and offering a steady human connection where there once was only an emergency response. These efforts have improved the quality of life for people who need a hand, and they've helped reduce strain on law enforcement by letting trained professionals step in with expertise that fits the moment. That's not just good public safety, it's good community care. Now, as many of you know, funding for programs like this can be a moving target. Over time, support shifted from partner grants to the participating community shouldering most of the cost. Through all of that, we've stayed committed. The Vandalia Division Police remains committed to this program as it provides valuable resources to our residents and truly makes up makes us a top-tier community to reside in. We remain committed to seeking outside funding uh sources to ensure these resources remain available and to ensure we remain fiscally fiscally responsible with our citizens' tax dollars. With that being said, I am pleased to announce that we have been awarded a grant worth nearly 191,000. That funding will cover the full cost of this program through 2026 and likely through the fall of 2027 for both Vandalia and Butler Township. That means stability. It means continued service, and most importantly, it means continued care for the residents who rely on this program. Today we partner with South Community Behavioral Health, who provide the professional professional responders we deploy here in Vandalia. Now with that foundation in place, I want to introduce someone who will help carry this work forward. It's my pleasure to introduce Trina Stewart, our new mobile crisis responder. Trina began working with us uh the first week of September. She's a resident of Vandalia and she knows our community. Not just as a professional, but as a neighbor, that matters. When someone shows up to at your door during a crisis, trust and understanding can make all the difference. Trina brings an outstanding background to this role. She previously served as a case manager coordinator with the Ohio Rise program where she specialized in coordinating health services for children and families. She also worked as a student resiliency coordinator with uh Dayton Children's Hospital, supporting young people through some of the most challenging times in their lives. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Rehabilitation from Wright State University and a Masters of Science and Social Work from Capella University.