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Burning issue

Because of a resident’s suggestion and an alderman’s recommendation, Vandalia officials will consider making a change on what has been a burning issue – leaves.
At the end of the discussion on the issue at Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Rick Gottman and aldermen agreed to discuss the topic further at a work session, with residents being invited to attend that meeting.
In a letter to Gottman and the city council, Kenny Lewey said that he has spoken to the some of them about banning the burning of leaves.
Lewey said in the letter that leaf burning causes a foul odor and problems for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other breathing issues.
He said that he would like to see the city do what many other communities do – ban leaf burning, and allow residents to dispose of them in another way.
Alderman Andy Lester initiated discussion on Lewey’s letter, and the leaf burning issue.
“I’m asking the city council to reconsider their stance,” Lester said.
Aldermen Russ Stunkel and B. John Clark said that they agreed with Lester.
“It’s an issue,” Lester said. “There are several choices there, and burning is the worst choice.”
The city council last discussed the leaf burning issue in May 2012, passing a new burn ordinance about 3½ weeks as its public safety and streets committees recommended that the city continue to allow leaf burning.
That ordinance allows the burning of leaves, tree trimmings, branches, stumps, brush, weeds, grass and yard trimmings between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
That ordinance was drafted and approved after the city received a number of complaints about leaf burning, including that done by the Vandalia Park District.
At that time, John Moyer, who was then the city’s director of public works, agreed to have his department vacuum up leaves raked together in the parks by park district employees.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the council approved what will be the last request for Tax Increment Financing assistance for the time being.
The council approved a TIF grant to Dr. Joseph Solan (Vandalia Back Pain Center) for up to $34,667.50, half of the estimated cost for repairs to the building and parking lot at 427 W. Orchard, which for many years was the home of Day ‘N’ Night Supermarket.
During a work session on Oct. 16, aldermen, as members of the city’s TIF Advisory Board, recommended the awarding of that grant.
Also at the work session, aldermen agreed to not grant a request from Dennis Grubaugh for additional TIF funds for the demolition of buildings at 121 and 123 S. Fifth St., across the street to the west of city hall.
Grubaugh said that additional asbestos was found in the building and that the estimated cost to remove it was $6,500. He was asking for an additional $4,000 in TIF funds.
In September, the council awarded Grubaugh a grant of up to $82,400 for the demolition of the buildings and for updating drainage and retaining wall of the parking lot just north of those buildings.
Last month, as the council approved two TIF grants, Mayor Rick Gottman said called for a hiatus on TIF awards.
Gottman said that a large development project on the city’s north end is pending, one that may include a request for a large amount of TIF funds, and that there would be no action on requests for TIF assistance until the future of those plans is clear.
Also on the TIF front, the council approved an ordinance amendment that removes Lester Construction from TIF District No. 1.
Gottman explained that Alderman Andy Lester, the owner of the business at 811 W. Main St., had requested the action because inclusion of the business in the TIF District prohibited him from discussing or voting on any TIF action.
The mayor said that Lester asked for the action so that he could better serve his constituents by being involved in all city-related discussions and actions.
Also on Monday:
• The council approved an ordinance regulating development in floodplain areas in the city.
The ordinance helps “to prevent unwise developments from increasing flood or drainage hazards to others; protect new buildings and major improvements to buildings from flood damage; lessen the burden on the taxpayer for flood control, repairs to public facilities and utilities, and flood rescue and relief operations; and make federally subsidized flood insurance available.”
• The board approved the $21,953 bid from Slack Glass Co. for the replacement of windows on the south side of city hall, pending a final inspection of the glass by aldermen Lester and Steve Barker.
The installation of solar grey windows with a reflective coating was requested because of the effect of the sun on that side of the building.
City Clerk Peggy Bowen said that because of the heat from the sun, that area cannot be used for work space and that the heat even causes a copier to shut down.
It will also help to make the building more energy-efficient, Lester said.
“Probably, eventually we need to do the entire building,” Lester said. Gottman agreed, saying that the city needs to do regular maintenance on the building.
• The council held a first reading for a request from Robert Richardson for a Class E liquor license for a restaurant at the northeast corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Gallatin Street.
The restaurant, Anthony’s, will be owned by the owners of Vandalia Bowl and managed by Mike Cunetto. Current plans call for the restaurant, in a building owned by Dennis Grubaugh, to be opened early next month.
The council is scheduled to act at its Nov. 20 meeting on the request to increase the number of Class E licenses. If that increase is approved, Gottman, as the city’s liquor commissioner, will act on Richardson’s request for a license.
• The council approved the transfer of Vandalia Lake lot No. 603 from Amanda Caudill of Oakley to James and Kendra Meyer of Vandalia.
• The council approved the city’s annual contribution to the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association as required by contract. The contribution, which “helps protect city employees, citizens and municipal assets,” is $164,238, up from $155,744.82 last year.
• The council approved a letter stipulating that Witness Distillery will not be required to hold a liquor license until it is ready to sell liquor, at the beginning of 2020.
The letter is being sent to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, asking the commission to approve that request.
• The council approved a resolution supporting Illinois’ Bicentennial Celebration, a year-long celebration that begins this December.
• The council approved the minutes of the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustments meeting on Sept. 27.
At that meeting, the board approved an application from Clint and Marla Simpson for a variance of the city’s sign ordinance for their State Farm agency at 800 W. Randolph St.
• Gottman reported that the city has been granted a court order allowing for the demolition of a home at the northwest corner of Randolph Street and Rock Island Avenue.
• Gottman reported that a sign listing Vandalia’s tourist attractions, painted by Bruce Bowen, has been installed at the Tourist Information Center at Kennedy Boulevard and Fletcher Street.
He also reported that he has been getting a lot of compliments on the work done by the city’s Beautification Committee at the city parking lot at Fifth and Johnson streets, and their work on the north end of the city.
• Gottman and Alderman Dorothy Crawford congratulated the Vandalia Vandals football team for its success in the postseason so far. Crawford asked city residents to show their support for the Vandals and invited them to participate in tailgating in the swimming pool parking lot prior to Saturday’s 2 p.m. game against Anna-Jonesboro.

 

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