Mayor Gottman Honored At City Council Meeting

DEBORAH SIMCOX

Correspondent

      On Monday, April 21, 2025, the final Vandalia City Council Meeting at which Mayor Ricky Gottman would chair, a prayer was offered by Eddie Duke, pastor of Unity Baptist Church. Gottman also introduced his wife Anita Gottman and their son Hayden. He then requested a moment of silence for Nelda Cearlock, a former business owner.

      A special presentation was given by IML (Illinois Municipal League) CEO Brad Cole and Fairview Heights Mayor Mark Kupsky, both of whom spoke of their association with Gottman and presented him with a Proclamation from the Southwest Illinois Council of Mayors.

      An update on the Engineer’s Report by Lee Beckman, of Milano & Grunloh Engineers included:

   •Randolph Street Upgrades – bid openings are better than expected,

   •Lake Dam Upgrades – awaiting a verification from Precise Construction, for $700/hour for the top part of dam to be repaired,

   •Lead Service Line Replacement – making a second application for a grant,

   •Safe Routes to School- Phase 1 – construction has started along Fillmore Street and is estimated to be finished by the end of May,

   •Water Treatment Plant – bids opened on Monday,

   •Vandalia Lake Siltation/319 Grant – late summer bids,

   •ITEP (Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program) Sidewalk Project – being reviewed,

   •NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) – Sewer Plant –        no changes,

   •Unsewered IEPA (Illinois Environment Protection Agency) Grant –not out yet,     

   •CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Watermain Grant – Jefferson Street –should be completed next 30-60 days,

   •OSLAD (Open Spaces Land Acquisition & Development) Grant – Lake Campground Improvements – construction has been started, and

   •Regional Site Readiness Grant – City of Vandalia has received $3 million in Grants. Vandalia has committed to the remaining $750,000 needed.

In New Business the following public questions & comments were discussed and approved:

   •Donation to Love is Love Festival from Tourism Commission,

   •Contract for Stage and Sound for Summerfest with Alverson South for $7,700,

   •Release of Closed Session Minutes and authorizing continuing retention of non-released minutes and authorizing the destruction of associated tapes of closed meetings,

   •Loan Resolution #2025-04-21-A, for incurrence of indebtedness of the purpose of providing a portion of the cost of constructing the Water Plant ($9 million),

   •Loan Resolution #2025-04-21-B, for incurrence of indebtedness of the purpose of providing a portion of the cost of constructing the Water Plant ($5 million), and

   •Ordinance #2025-94-21-C, amending salaries for Fiscal Year May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026 (an increase of 4 %).

      An Ordinance making the annual appropriations for the Fiscal Year beginning on May 1, 2025 and ending on April 30, 2026 was tabled.

      In Unfinished Business the repair on the wall on the east side of the building, which is to the west of the Veteran Memorial Park Wall was passed.

In Individual Reports, Mayor Ricky Gottman spoke of his six terms as Mayor of Vandalia and his two terms of Council Member prior to being elected as Mayor.  He listed some of his achievement including getting Wal-Mart into Vandalia, keeping the prison in Vandalia open, finishing the Downtown Enhancement Program started by the previous Mayor Sandra Leidner, and others.

      City Attorney Ryan Connor reported about the two surplus properties, one at 1607 West Jefferson and the other at 1319 West St. Louis Avenue. City Clerk Carla Huhn reminded City Council Members to get their Statement of Economic Interest forms in by April 30, 2025. She reported that two more individuals would be interviewed for the position on the Clerk’s Staff and six applications had been received for the position of Economic Development Director. City Administrator LaTisha Paslay reported that she had received nine vendor applications for the Farmers’ Market. Streets Chair Steve Barker reported that clean-up from the storms continues. Cemetery & Landfill Chair Kenny Lewey reported that three trees had sustained damaged and would need to come down in the future. Personnel, Finance & Insurance Chair Bob Bowen read a letter from Dana Leskara outlining her progress with the restoration of the Liberty Theater and the plans for beginning of public fundraising

      During Announcements & Concerns, Jerry Swarm introduced the issue of a “Polar Plunge” event in January to raise funds for the Interpretive Center. Council Member Bob Bowen said that he thought the name “Polar Plunge” was already being used by the Olympics. After discussion, an agreement was passed to use such an event as a fundraiser.

      After the Executive session, a statement was made that, on Friday, Mayor Gottman had directed Attorney Connor to file a suit. Without objection in the Executive Session, Ryan was to file suit on Tuesday morning against Austin Holding, owner of Central High Apartments to bring the building up to compliance under the City Ordinance Code.

      The next regular Vandalia City Council meeting will be Monday, May 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall. The Public is encouraged to attend.