Vandalia City Council Presents Small Business Awards

DEBORAH SIMCOX
Correspondent
December 16 City Council meeting presented the 6th Annual Small Business Awards. A plaque was given to each winner by Mayor Ricky Gottman. These are the winners for 2024:
1st Award was for the Non-Profit Agency/Group/Club of the Year and was bestowed to the American Legion Post #95. The Legion was involved in the construction of the new Veterans Memorial Wall. The award was received by Commander Bruce Braswell.
2nd Award was for the Female Owned Business of the Year and was given to Sandy Meyers for Mix It Up Boutique. It has grown from a small area to two storefronts. Meyers is also a willing participant in community events and offering her input into how to improve things.
3rd Award was for the Veteran Owned Business of the Year and was awarded to Grubaugh Contracting. Dennis Grubaugh and his wife, Debbie, have several commercial rental properties and own Five Star Rentals.
4th Award was for the Community Involvement Business of the Year and was given to Land of Lincoln Credit Union. They are strong supporters of many local programs including Vandalia’s Shop with a Cop, school programs such as Forging Our Future Campaign. The award was received by Branch Manager Kristen Bowling.
5th Award was for the Small Business of the Year was Sisters Consignment Shoppe. Trina Cage and her sister began the business over 25 years ago and have expanded space and inventory. Since Cage was not at the City Council meeting, the plaque will be awarded to her at a later date by Mayor Ricky Gottman.
6th Award was for the Economic Impact Business of the Year and was given to Wehrle Properties. Having been in the property business for many years, Mike Wehrle has worked to bring businesses to the spaces he owns and to developers to whom he has sold property, which will significantly increase property taxes and will produce more sales tax for Vandalia.
The Engineer’s Report by Lee Beckman, of Milano & Grunloh Engineers included:
• Randolph Street Upgrades Project – no changes,
• Lake Dam Upgrades – one bid still out,
• Lead Service Line Replacement – additional $40,000,
• Safe Routes to School- Phase 1 –projected to proceed February-April,
• Water Treatment Plant – $18.1 million project, 9 million in grants,
• Vandalia Lake Siltation/319 Grant – no changes,
• ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program) Sidewalk Project – nothing new,
• NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) – Sewer Plant – bid is out for plant, construction to start this week or next,
• Unanswered IEPA (Illinois Environment Protection Agency) Grant –working on grant agreement,
• CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Water main Grant – Jefferson – still waiting on grant agreement,
• OSLAD (Open Spaces Land Acquisition & Development) Grant – Lake Campground Improvements – Alderman Steve Barker suggested, “Put the road back in”, and
• Milano & Grunloh Engineers, LLC, made a $5,000 donation to the new Veteran’s Memorial Wall.
In New Business:
• Vandalia High School CEO Group made a presentation to give an update on their projects,
• Transfer of Lake Lot #155 from Mark and Diane Zimmerman, O’Fallon, IL, to David Townsend, Vandalia, IL, was approved,
• Transfer of Lake Lot #131 from Michael Neuhaus, Collinsville, IL, to Stephanie Blankenship, Vandalia, IL, was approved,
• Ordinance 2024-12-16-A, amending and adding the Vandalia Zoning Code at Section 17.06.140 (Solar) was passed,
• Ordinance 2024-12-16-B, amending Chapter 11 – Lake Ordinance of the Vandalia Municipal Code (Lake Lot Signs) was passed,
• Ordinance 2024-12-16-C, amending the City of Vandalia Zoning District Map was passed. (Shane Bowen of Bowen Ventures, LLC requested at the December 2 City Council meeting for a change in Zoning of a property from “Residential” to “Light Industrial” that he wants to buy.),
• Resolution 2024-12-16-D, authorizing an Economic Development Eligible Activity Loan to Todd Stapleton dba I-70 Media, LLC was passed, and
• Ordinance 2024-12-16-E, making the annual tax levy for the fiscal year beginning on the first day of May 2024, and ending on the 30th day of April 2025 was passed. (This will make a 0% tax increase for six years in a row.)
In Unfinished Business, Lake Chair Russ Stunkel reported that the specs were out for bid for an upgrade to the Lake campground.
In Individual Reports, Mayor Ricky Gottman as well as City Clerk Carla Huhn, and City Administrator LaTisha Paslay delivered Christmas meals to City Employees. He also received Congresswoman Mary Miller for her letter praising Gottman for his 32 years of service to the community.
City Attorney Ryan Connor related that the subdivision that the Lake is still holding for the decision of whether to buy, continue to lease, or remain with no changes. That option is to expire on December 31, 2024. Connor suggested a vote on January 6, 2025, to extend the offer to lot holders for an additional three months.
City Administrator LaTisha Paslay reported that the owner of Daylight Donut notified her of additional expenses and is requesting further funds.
Building & Grounds Chair Andy Lester questioned if the old library building, which is being converted to an E911 Center, had estimated a completion date. He was advised that it had not.
Lake Chair Russ Stunkel reported that three additional water hook-ups at the campground have been approved.
Railroad, Economic Development & Tourism Chair Ken Hubler requested that the City advertise for a part time Tourism Director.
Personnel, Finance & Insurance Chair Bob Bowen reported that the interviews for the position of the Economic Development Director were finished and those candidates were under consideration for hire.
There were five different issues brought up during Announcements & Concerns:
• Alderman Russ Stunkel related two incidents with deer hunters, necessitating the involvement of the Sheriff,
• City Attorney Ryan Connor was asked by Merrell Collins if the newly passed Ordinance regarding solar farms would still require someone new having to apply for a permit. Connor said that yes, any new prospective solar farm builder would need to apply and receive a permit.
• Dennis Corridori brought up the issue with the ambulances leaving their lights on while parked at the hospital, and these shine into his windows,
• Jason Edwards asked about undoing the tax sale at 419 South Cyprus,
• Hailey Dalton asked about using the area on the north side of Vandalia Lake (where fireworks are shot off) for her wedding in September. There will be 64 adults and 37 children. The issue will be referred to the Lake Committee for a decision.
The next regular Vandalia City Council meeting will be Monday, January 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall. The Public is welcome to attend.