Vandalia City Council hears concerns about unpaid water bills
DEBORAH SIMCOX
Correspondent
At the Monday, August 4 Vandalia City Council Meeting, under Announcement & Concerns,
Scott Stratton of First Spear, with Atlas 46, offered information about their manufacturing and cutting facility which serves local and international customers.
Between 10-12 local residents voiced concerns about what they had seen on the radio stations’ FaceBook Page regarding a landlord’s responsibilities for an unpaid water bill if their renters moved out without paying the City. The issue will be revisited in the next water & Sewer Committee.
In New Business Public Questions & Comments these items were approved:
•Request for TIF Redevelopment Agreement Extension for Liberty Theatre Foundation to be extended to June 30, 2026,
•Ordinance #2025-08-04-A, which would amend the Vandalia Municipal Code at Title 11 Lake Ordinance at Section 11.18.020 Camping Fees (To increase Transfer Fee from $100 to $500),
•Bids for two Police squad vehicles, from Hosick Motors,
•Bids for demolition at 309 North 4th Street and 319 North 4th Street,
•Bids for sale of surplus lots on Jefferson Street,
•Ordinance #2025-08-04-B, which would amend the Vandalia Municipal Code at Title V Business Licenses and Regulations at Section 5.08.070 Number of Licenses (Reduce Class B to three – South Central FS change to M1),
•Pay estimate #2 for OSLAD Grant Project at Vandalia Lake ($149,685.50),
•Change Oder #3 for OSLAD Grant Project at Vandalia Lake (+$4,925),
•Fayette Water Agreement for Lake Meter, and
•Ordinance #2025-08-04-C, for vacation of unimproved alley located between Old Theater Drive and Sunset Drive.
In Unfinished Business, the Veteran Memorial Park Wall is in progress. Regarding the Comprehensive Plan, Mayor Doug Knebel thanked Council Members for the time and work they have put in and said that there would be another meeting later in August.
In Individual Reports, Mayor Doug Knebel reported that he had received the legal description from the engineers for the proposed Business District. It will then be brought before the City Council, then to a Public Hearing before the October 1 cut off deadline. City Attorney Ryan Connor stated that the Donato lawsuit had been settled. City Clerk Carla Huhn said that the issues with the Solicitors Ordinance, such as the background checks and fees would be addressed at the next Public Safety meeting.
In Standing Committees:
Streets Chair Steve Barker stated that the crosswalk on Fillmore Street was still unfinished. Water & Sewer Chair Bret Brosman said that applications for the position of Water Treatment Plant Supervisor are still coming in. Cemetery & Landfill Chair Kenny Lewey reported that the cemetery was in need of at least one mower, maybe two. Lake Chair Russ Stunkel related that all but three of the watercraft (that the storms had loosened) was claimed.
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is Monday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall. The Public is encouraged to attend.
