Council holds first reading on liquor license requests

By Editor | February 28, 2024

DEBORAH SIMCOX
Correspondent
The audience nearly filled the Vandalia City Council chambers, with five citizens standing as two issues drew the meeting out to over 2 1/4 hours on Tuesday.
The first item was the first reading of five liquor license applications and a first reading of a video gaming application.
“First reading” means that the application is reviewed and public comment is heard, but no action is taken.
The vote for the licenses will be taken at the second reading at the next city council meeting, on Monday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the council Chambers.
The four Class D Liquor Licenses (package liquor) are being sought by: 1) Duffy & Associates dba (doing business as) Discount Tobacco; 2) Wal-Mart, Vandalia, who was represented at the meeting by Ken Wamble, 3) Meyer Oil dba Mach 1 (seeking a license for the convenience store), and 4) Wortman Holdings LLC (dba Jack Flash, Vandalia), for convenience store.
A Class E liquor license (for restaurants, hotels and motels) is being sought by SDS Stores, Inc. (dba Eddie’s Rise n’ Dine).
The first reading of the video gaming application was also from SDS stores, Inc. (dba Eddie’s Rise n’ Dine). The prospective location for Eddie’s Rise n’ Dine is the previous Huddle House/Embers building.
Other items under new business were the approval of:
•An Ordinance amending the Municipal Code at Title Business licenses and Regulations at Section 5.08.070 Number of Licenses (Class J increase to five).
•Bid to codify (update) Municipal Code.
•Bid for painting at Public Service Building (Police Station).
•Transfer of Lake Lot #304 from Reyan Rikoric, Chapman, Kan., to Cory Young, Collinsville.• Transfer of Lake Lot #505 from Rodney & Michelle Sampson, Granite City, to Megan Rikoric, Chapman, Kan.
•Estimate #1 of $180,000 to Haier Plumbing & Heating Inc. for Main Street lift station.
•Ordinance 2024-02-20-A authorizing disposal of personal property.
•Low bid for the Vandalia Lake Marina roof.
•Low bid for the concrete replacement at front door of Senior Citizens Center.
•Two bids for structural engineering services for the Clymer building.
The item regarding two local bids for 4 foot by 12 foot lot number signs at Vandalia Lake-north side was tabled.
The second item which drew intense discussion were the proposed plans for the 17,000-square-foot building previously occupied by Kroger, which has been vacant for more than 19 years.
The two developers, Chase Alcorn and Bobby Brenneisen, of Centralia, have plans for restructuring the building into individual units for climate-controlled storage. They report having success with this sort of developmental project in the past.
After vigorous discussion, it was stated by the City Administrator LaTisha Paslay that the issue necessitates going before the Vandalia Planning Commission, as it is different than the municipal code, allowing storage amenities in the downtown area, after which the matter would return to the city council for a final decision.
A motion was made to forward to the Planning Commission, which should take 15-20 days on which to get action. The vote was passed 4-2 to go to the planning commission.
Reports by city council members were as follows:
Mayor Ricky Gottman has called several persons regarding the purchase of County Market and is waiting for responses, and he has also shown Long John Silver’s to have a prospective buyer.
• Gottman said there are new owners of the Mr. Lube in Vandalia.
• City Attorney Ryan Connor said that the American Legion has signed off on the Veterans’ Wall and construction will begin within the next few months.
• City Administrator LaTisha Paslay reported that the digital sign at the Tourism Center is now working.
• Streets Chairman Steve Barker said that work had begun on the street in front of Michel’s Feed Store to prepare for installation of the new sidewalks.
• Water and sewer Chairman Bret Brosman said that work continues on the Main Street lift station, and
• Lake Chairman Russ Stunkel reported that development of the signs for identification of lake lots from both land and water has begun, and he is waiting for the local bids.
During the final session of announcements and concerns from the audience, YMCA Board Member Steve Knebel reminded the city Council of the YMCA’s Grand Raffle on Saturday, March 16.
The city council has sponsored gifts in the past for the raffle. Knebel listed many of the gifts to be offered.
Individuals who have strong feelings about either the proposed liquor licenses or the proposed storage units are encouraged to get in touch with their alderman.