Vandalia City Council Meeting Held

DEBORAH SIMCOX

Correspondent

      The long-running issue of a solar farm project by Pike Solar LLC was resolved during a two hour meeting Monday of Vandalia City Council. The developer, Birch Creek Energy, had met with opposition from homeowners Zachary and Kadi Ledbetter who had built a house not knowing that the solar project had been approved by the county over a year ago. City Council had received a letter from Birch Creek stating that Pike Solar LLC and the Ledbetters had “agreed to confidential terms that resolve the Ledbetter’s objections to the Project.”  The passing of this Modification of Ordinance #2024-8-19-A will allow the project to move forward. 

      Reports by Mayor Ricky Gottmann included a) unnamed liquor store being sold and will be applying for Liquor License Transfer, b) Discount Tobacco bought the original Kroger building and is considering tearing down and rebuilding due to the back wall. (The proposed new building will house a laundromat and a convenience store in addition to Discount Tobacco), c) letter from the Dispatchers’ Union, d) Saturday’s Car Cruise was attended by 169 cars, not including those cars who were not registered, and e) opening of the new Evans Library. City Clerk Carla Huhn said that the Packet for Election Candidates (April 1, 2025) will be ready for pick-up beginning Tuesday, August 20 at the City Clerk’s Office and will need to be turned into the Clerk’s Office between November 12 and November 18 during normal business hours. City Administrator Latisha Paslay reported that a) the next Farmers’ Market is Saturday, September 14, b) a second location for the Vendor’s Fair, and c) plans are beginning for this year’s Olde Time Christmas.

      Reports from Standing Committee Chairs included a) Street Chair Steve Barker, who said that a lot of brush was picked up after storm, and that the painting of the streets would be completed after the streets were oiled, and b) Lake Chair Russ Stunkel who asked for stronger language in the insurance requirements. Vandalia City Chief of Police Jeff Ray reported changes to the intersections of some of the City’s streets. Alderman Kenny Lewey commented on seeing children who appeared to be no more than 12 years old driving golf carts and electric scooters in an unsafe manner, including running stop signs. He appealed to Chief Ray to monitor this.

      New Business these items were discussed and approved:

• Ordinance #2024-8-19-B, amending the Municipal Code regarding Alcoholic Beverage Sales (Circle K),

• Ordinance #2024-8-19-C, regulating Public Camping within Corporate Boundaries (relates to homeless persons),

• A sales tax override requested by Mike Wehrle, who has a prospective buyer for some property. Wehrle is asking for a 1% sales tax override to be paid to him annually. This tax would be on the sales that the new business generates,

• Lowest bid by for a Boom Mower Tractor, by Sloan Implements for $190,954.78,

• Bid by Richey Painting for $21,600 for painting the lower level of the City Hall,

• Ordinance #2024-8-19-D, amending Title 2, Administration and Personnel of the Municipal Code regarding salaries of the Mayor, City Clerk, and Aldermen,

• Ordinance 2024-6-17-B, amending Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment, regarding Bryan Hosick – Hosick Motors, and

• Ordinance 2019-19-17-C, amending a Redevelopment agreement with OctoChem, Inc.

In Unfinished Business City Engineer Lee Beckman reported progress on 16 items of ongoing projects:

• Octochem Street Project has been completed,

• Randolph Street Upgrades Project is waiting for IDOT to bid out,

• Main Street Lift Station Project has been completed,

• Michel’s Feed Store Project has been completed,

• Lake Dam Upgrades has voids in concrete under spillway,

• Lead Service Line Replacement needs to verify funding,

• Safe Routes to Schools – Phase I biding will open up in September,

• Safe Routes to Schools – Phase II is not yet funded,

• Water Treatment Plant is anticipating receiving permit this week,

• Vandalia Lake Siltation/319 Grant has nothing new to report,

• ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program) Sidewalk Project has elevation issues with four properties (This item was tabled.),

• NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) – Sewer Plant has plan in development,

• Unsewered IEPA(Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) Grant – City has not received NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity),

• CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Watermain Grant – Jefferson Street bid is out for 1st quarter of 2025,

• OSLAD (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development) Grant – Lake Campground Improvements is waiting for a signed agreement, and

• Energy Efficiency Grant – Sewer Plant project has been completed.