Vandalia City Engineer Lists Progress At City Council Meeting

DEBORAH SIMCOX
Correspondent
In Monday’s Vandalia City Council meeting, Lee Beckman, engineer for the City of Vandalia, listed progress for these items:
• Randolph Street Upgrades project – projected April start date,
• Lake Dam Upgrades – getting second quote (for next meeting),
• Lead Service Line Replacement – getting three evaluations,
• Safe Routes to School- Phase 1 – teleconference meeting Wednesday with the state of Illinois and the contractors,
• Water Treatment Plant – bid open – (Cost to “back out” lines will be $200,000),
• Vandalia Lake Siltation/319 Grant – submitted,
• ITEP Sidewalk Project – nothing new,
• NPDES – Sewer Plant – “waiting”,
• Unsewered IEPA Grant – waiting to remove and replace 20’ of pipe,
• CDBG Watermain Grant – Jefferson – waiting on grant agreement,
• OSLAD Grant – Lake Campground Improvements – needs one item to finalize bid, and
• Interpretive Center – met with Jerry Swarm on project list.
Rural Med owner Kim Bouser fielded questions regarding ambulance service for City of Vandalia, which is not under contract with Rural Med. She said that “Calls for service have gone up (while) revenue has gone down,” and that “It is not doable.” The cost for one ambulance is $2,700/day, regardless of the number of calls. There are approximately 130 calls each month for an ambulance. Bouser estimated per call base at $1,400 – $1,800 each. A Public Safety Meeting to find a solution will be held at a later date (to be determined).
In the New Business part of the meeting, these items were approved:
• Ordinance of the City of Vandalia, Fayette County, IL, which authorized a 25% TIF (Tax Increment Financing Assistance) regarding the redevelopment project for Daylight Donuts (This will be in the former location of Little Caesar’s Pizza),
• Ordinance amending the Vandalia Municipal Code at Title V Business Licenses and Regulations at Section 5.08.070 number of Licenses (Class D package liquor) for Guru Krupa II, Inc.
• Ordinance amending the Vandalia Municipal Code at Title V Business Licenses and Regulations at Section 5.08.070 number of Licenses (Class G pouring) for Guru Krupa II, Inc., and
• Video Gaming License Application submitted by Guru Krupa II, Inc.
In Unfinished Business, progress on these five items was discussed: a) Lake Dam is waiting for bids, b) Bicycles Ordinance is to be reconciled before the end of the year, c) Tourism Center Digital Sign specs will be presented by City Administrator LaTisha Paslay at the December 2 meeting, d) Veterans’ Memorial Park Parking Lot ceremony on November 11 attracted over 250 people. There have been $10,000 in donations so far, and e) Kaskaskia Water Supply/City of Vandalia Water have developed three sources of water for the City.
City Clerk Carla Huhn announced that the lights for Festival of Light will be turned on Friday, November 29. City Administrator LaTisha Paslay reported that Olde Tyme Christmas was a success and gave kudos to Cynthia and Travis Fields who donated the City Christmas tree on the top of Gallatin hill.
In Standing Committee Reports, Streets Chair Steve Barker stated that concrete for the street repairs would be poured by this week. Building & Grounds Chair Andy Lester reported that the Interpretive Center was getting costs for their walls. Lake Chair Russ Stunkel said that boat sticker sales have gone up and they are waiting on the bid for the water tank.
On a final note, Mayor Ricky Gottmann assured the Council that the proper license had been purchased for the sale of live Christmas trees on the lot close to a highly decorated house on North 8th Street.
The next Vandalia City Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Public is welcome to attend.
Happy Thanksgiving!