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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Vandalia City Council Meeting - July 20, 2026

City Council — Monday, July 20, 2026

BodyVandalia, Ohio

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, July 20, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 44:29

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

0:03

All right, the Monday, July 20th, 2026, City of Andalia Council meeting is now called to order.

0:08

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

0:17

Please stand for the pledge.

0:22

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

0:27

And to the Republic of Product Stans.

0:29

One nation invisible liberty in justice for all.

0:41

All right, Council, you've had an opportunity to review the study session meeting minutes along with the council meeting minutes of April 6th and April 20th.

0:50

Are they are there any questions or comments regarding those?

0:54

All right, being none, they stand approved.

0:56

And that brings us to communications petitions and awards where we have to start off this evening with a proclamation.

1:02

And we're going to start with the uh 2026 of July Parks and Recreation Month.

1:07

So if those from Parks and Rec could join me at the podium.

1:35

I got you a microphone.

1:49

All right, this one is a little bit different from last year, so it's really good, so I want to go through all of that.

1:54

You ready?

1:55

All right.

1:55

Whereas Parks and Recreation is a Integral.

2:00

I cannot say that word, and you always put that in there.

2:04

It's underlined, highlighted.

2:06

All right, say it one more time.

2:08

Part of our communities throughout this country, including the city of Andalia.

2:12

That just kind of flowed, didn't it?

2:15

All right, and whereas parks and recreations promote health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks, and whereas parks and recreation promotes time spent in nature, which positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance and well-being, and alleviates illness such as depression, attention deficit disorder, at ADHD LMNOP, Alzheimer's, and whereas Parks and Recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, trails, swimming pools, and many other activities designed to promote an active lifestyle.

2:54

And whereas Parks and Recreases a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction, and whereas parks and recreation is a fundamental and environmentally well-being of our community.

3:16

And whereas of 1985, the U.S.

3:19

House of Representatives designated July as Parks and Recks month in and has been honored ever since.

3:26

Now therefore, I, Richard Herbst, by the authority vested in me as the mayor of the City of Vandalia, do hereby proclaim July as Parks and Recreation Month here in Vandalia.

3:37

Congratulations.

4:14

Thank you, Your Honor.

4:15

It's our privilege to recognize and introduce to council and our audience tonight three new employees that have recently joined the City of Andalia.

4:23

So our first tonight is our new building inspector, Roy Dagley.

4:27

So Roy, if you would stand, I'm gonna read your bio here, and then we're gonna welcome you to the city.

4:32

Roy is a graduate of Northmont High School and joined the city on June 15th as our new building inspector.

4:37

He fills the position vacated by Robert Martin, who is promoted to chief building official following Chris Mastrino's retirement.

4:44

Prior to joining the city, Roy spent 13 years working as a general and Finnish carpenter, including the last five years as a self-employed contractor.

4:53

He and his wife Amanda reside in Troy with their three kids.

4:56

This spring, Roy earned his Ohio Commercial Building Inspector and Commercial Plans Examiner license.

5:03

He is currently being trained by Chief Building Official Robert Martin and our building electrical inspector Paul Barnett as he transitions into his new role.

5:12

Please join us in welcoming Roy to the city team.

5:14

We're glad to have you here and look forward to working with you for the years to come.

5:17

Thank you.

5:17

Thank you very much.

5:23

Our second employer we're going to introduce tonight is Coi Vassbinder.

5:29

So Choy started his employment here on July 6th as the head mechanic for the public works department.

5:36

He has 20 years of mechanic experience, 11 plus years of experience installing water main and sanitary sewer installation, 11 plus years of street repair experience.

5:46

So he comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

5:49

Coy will be greatly appreciated.

5:51

He's part of our public works department and the city of Vandalia.

5:54

He resides with his wife and son in New Carlisle.

5:57

He's looking forward to working with Van Day to keep our city a top tier community.

6:00

So please join us in welcoming welcoming Coi Vice Vassbinder to the public works department in the city of Vandalia.

6:12

And finally, Aidan Griffith.

6:16

Aidan Griffith has two and a half years of manufacturing experience and then a year and a half experience as a plumbing apprentice.

6:23

He proudly resides in Vandalia with his fiancee and stepdaughter.

6:26

We are grateful to have Aidan Griffiths as a new public works technician and excited to watch him grow as he learns all the various aspects of his job duties that they form perform in public works department.

6:37

He joined the public works department on July 13th, and he is looking forward to working with Van Ay to keep our city a top-tier community.

6:44

Please join us in welcoming Aidan Griffith to the City of Vandalia and our public works department.

6:52

Well, welcome.

6:53

Glad to have you.

6:55

All right, we have no public hearing, and that brings us to comments from interested citizens.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural██████████████████████████26%

Parks and Recreation█████████████████17%

Community Engagement██████████████14%

Personnel Matters████████████12%

Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%

Public Engagement███████7%

Public Safety██████6%

Veteran Affairs███3%

Water And Wastewater Management███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Vandalia City Council Meeting - July 20, 2026

The Vandalia City Council met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, introduction of three new employees, appointment of a Charter Review Committee, approval of a process to fill a council vacancy, and passage of several resolutions and an emergency ordinance. Council also granted a conditional use for a warehouse and accepted reports from boards and commissions. Vice Mayor Corey Follick announced his resignation effective July 24, 2026, and was honored by council members.

Consent Calendar

Approved the study session meeting minutes and council meeting minutes of April 6 and April 20, 2026.
Approved the Civil Service Commission meeting minutes of May 15, 2026, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting minutes of February 18 and April 22, 2026.
Accepted the June 2026 bill listing in the amount of $3,000,350.42, including expenses over $25,000 and the monthly purchase card detail of $35,564.37.

Public Comments & Testimony

Stephen Abschire, newly appointed Montgomery County Judge, introduced himself. He shared his background as a former prosecutor, guardian ad litem, chief magistrate in Greene County Juvenile Court, and private attorney. He expressed his commitment to community protection, proactive pretrial services, and addressing drug and mental health issues in his courtroom. He stated, "The number one thing I want to do as judge is protect the community at the same time respecting people's rights."

Discussion Items

Proclamation: July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month – Mayor Herbst read the proclamation highlighting the benefits of parks and recreation for health, economy, and environment.
New Employee Introductions – The city introduced Roy Dagley (Building Inspector, started June 15), Coy Vassbinder (Head Mechanic, Public Works, started July 6), and Aidan Griffith (Public Works Technician, started July 13).
Charter Review Committee Appointments – Five residents (Ron Atkins, Eric Blaine, Kristen Cox, Brian Dersham, Holly Wiggins) were recommended and unanimously approved to serve on the committee. They were sworn in by the mayor.
Process for Appointing a New Council Member – Vice Mayor Corey Follick provided written notice of resignation effective July 24, 2026, due to a change in employment. Council approved a process: application deadline July 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM; appointment vote at the August 17, 2026 council meeting.
Resolution 26-R-36 – Water Main Replacement Bid – Awarded to MNT Excavating LLC at $1,506,947 for the Pool and Randler North water main replacement project. Six bids were received ranging up to $2,485,662. Councilmember Dugan expressed cautious hope about performance, noting past issues with the contractor. Passed 7-0.
Resolution 26-R-37 – New Public Works Facility Bid – Awarded to Vancon Inc. at $14,879,122 (base bid plus four alternates), approximately $2.6 million below engineer’s estimate. Passed 7-0.
Resolution 26-R-38 – Low Voltage/Security Infrastructure Contract – Waived formal bidding and authorized $167,907 with Midwest Security Services for network cabling, cameras, and access control at the new public works facility, ensuring compatibility with existing systems. Passed 7-0.
Resolution 26-R-39 – Special Construction Inspections Contract – Authorized an agreement with Bowser Mourner Inc. for soil borings and construction testing services at an estimated $70,000, based on a prior RFP. Passed 7-0.
Resolution 26-R-40 – Street Lighting Installation – Authorized an agreement with Miami Valley Lighting for installation on Worldwide Place and Corporate Center Drive at $108,428, plus $88.56 monthly operating cost. Passed 7-0.
Resolution 26-R-41 – Replacement of Parks Department Truck – Approved purchase of a 2026 Ford F350 with snowplow from Bow Townsend Ford for $71,039 (including $4,000 trade-in for a 2007 F350 with 32,000 miles). Two bids were received. Passed 7-0.
Emergency Ordinance 26-10 – Delinquent Account Assessments – Authorized the certification of individual assessment amounts for stormwater fees, trash collection, sewer and water charges, weed cutting, and property maintenance to the county auditor. A public hearing was held with no comments. Passed 7-0 as an emergency.
Conditional Use PC 26-0004 – 1670 Fieldstone Way – The Planning Commission recommended (5-0) approval of a conditional use for warehouse use in an Office Industrial Park District. The applicant, 10B Partners, intends to construct approximately 335,000 square feet of new industrial space on city-owned land. Councilmember Dugan clarified that approval does not mean a warehouse will be built immediately; it provides a funding option for the bank. Council voted 6-1 (Dugan dissenting) to approve.

Key Outcomes

Charter Review Committee appointed and sworn in; committee to review and recommend amendments to the city charter.
Council Vacancy process established: applications due July 31, 2026; appointment at August 17, 2026 meeting.
All resolutions (26-R-36 through 26-R-41) and Emergency Ordinance 26-10 passed unanimously (7-0) except as noted.
Conditional Use PC 26-0004 approved 6-1.
Executive Session – Council voted 7-0 to enter executive session to discuss compensation of a public employee, purchase/sale of real property, and appointment or employment of a public official.
Next regular council meeting scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

All right, the Monday, July 20th, 2026, City of Andalia 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 of the United States of America. And to the Republic of Product Stans. One nation invisible liberty in justice for all. All right, Council, you've had an opportunity to review the study session meeting minutes along with the council meeting minutes of April 6th and April 20th. Are they are there any questions or comments regarding those? All right, being none, they stand approved. And that brings us to communications petitions and awards where we have to start off this evening with a proclamation. And we're going to start with the uh 2026 of July Parks and Recreation Month. So if those from Parks and Rec could join me at the podium. I got you a microphone. All right, this one is a little bit different from last year, so it's really good, so I want to go through all of that. You ready? All right. Whereas Parks and Recreation is a Integral. I cannot say that word, and you always put that in there. It's underlined, highlighted. All right, say it one more time. Part of our communities throughout this country, including the city of Andalia. That just kind of flowed, didn't it? All right, and whereas parks and recreations promote health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks, and whereas parks and recreation promotes time spent in nature, which positively impacts mental health by increasing cognitive performance and well-being, and alleviates illness such as depression, attention deficit disorder, at ADHD LMNOP, Alzheimer's, and whereas Parks and Recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for popular sports, trails, swimming pools, and many other activities designed to promote an active lifestyle. And whereas Parks and Recreases a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction, and whereas parks and recreation is a fundamental and environmentally well-being of our community. And whereas of 1985, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as Parks and Recks month in and has been honored ever since. Now therefore, I, Richard Herbst, by the authority vested in me as the mayor of the City of Vandalia, do hereby proclaim July as Parks and Recreation Month here in Vandalia. Congratulations. Thank you, Your Honor. It's our privilege to recognize and introduce to council and our audience tonight three new employees that have recently joined the City of Andalia. So our first tonight is our new building inspector, Roy Dagley. So Roy, if you would stand, I'm gonna read your bio here, and then we're gonna welcome you to the city. Roy is a graduate of Northmont High School and joined the city on June 15th as our new building inspector. He fills the position vacated by Robert Martin, who is promoted to chief building official following Chris Mastrino's retirement. Prior to joining the city, Roy spent 13 years working as a general and Finnish carpenter, including the last five years as a self-employed contractor. He and his wife Amanda reside in Troy with their three kids. This spring, Roy earned his Ohio Commercial Building Inspector and Commercial Plans Examiner license. He is currently being trained by Chief Building Official Robert Martin and our building electrical inspector Paul Barnett as he transitions into his new role. Please join us in welcoming Roy to the city team. We're glad to have you here and look forward to working with you for the years to come. Thank you. Thank you very much. Our second employer we're going to introduce tonight is Coi Vassbinder. So Choy started his employment here on July 6th as the head mechanic for the public works department. He has 20 years of mechanic experience, 11 plus years of experience installing water main and sanitary sewer installation, 11 plus years of street repair experience. So he comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Coy will be greatly appreciated. He's part of our public works department and the city of Vandalia. He resides with his wife and son in New Carlisle. He's looking forward to working with Van Day to keep our city a top tier community.

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