Residential trash pickup talked about at City Council Meeting

DEBORAH SIMCOX

Correspondent
At the Monday, October 6 meeting of the Vandalia City Council, under Announcement & Concerns, Lake Chair Russ Stunkel related that the back of his water bill was filled with information regarding events in Vandalia, including various Treat or Treat activities. Stunkel said that he thought it was a great way to communicate for no cost.
In New Business Public Questions & Comments Pat Click brought his Students from CEO Presentation. The four Students shared their names, why they got into this program, stated their goals, what businesses they were building, what businesses were sponsoring them, what they liked about Vandalia and what they would change.
Also, these items were approved:
•Resolution #2025-10-06-A, regarding financial commitment for Illinois Safe Routes To School Program-Cycle 2025,
•Change Order #3 for Randolph Street Project, deduction of $27,574.94,
•Pay Estimate #4 for Randolph Street Project, $164,036.80,
•Resolution #2025-10-06-B, committing local funds for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) – Jefferson Street – water main replacement from 3rd to 4th Streets,
•Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes – September 24, 2025,
•Transfer of Lake Lot #67, from Douglas Garrett, Granite City, Illinois, to Brett Heinzman, Mt. Vernon, Illinois,
•Transfer of Lake Lot #6, from Roger Boker, Vandalia, Illinois, to Jason Robertson, Cowden, Illinois,
•Ordinance #2025-10-06-C, regarding modifying Solicitors within Section 5.28. The fee for the Solicitor’s license will now be $100 per individual Solicitor for 90 days and the time allotted for the Solicitors will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
•Resolution #2025-10-06-D, authorizing road closure for the 2025 Veterans’ Memorial Park Ceremony and Parade November 8. Questions regarding insurance were discussed. A meeting is being scheduled between Steve Barker and the American Legion to discuss logistics of the parade.
In Unfinished Business, regarding the Comprehensive Plan, Mayor Doug Knebel said that a conference is planned with the Economic Development Commission to review the Comprehensive Plan.
In Individual Reports, Mayor Doug Knebel related that traffic was a problem last Saturday near the YMCA, with cars double parked. He said there needs to be cooperation between the City and the Schools to keep the kids safe.
City Attorney Ryan Connor said that he is not seeing any movement with Donato and no returned calls, regarding the solar farms and their draining, mowing, and their fence.
City Clerk Carla Huhn reported that she has received a lot of phone calls about Residents’ trash pickup and received pictures of trash bins overflowing and/or trashed surrounded but not in the bins. Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) delivers the trash service and their contract runs until 2027. The rules and regulations for the trash and bins were spelled out in the original contract, but have not been consistently enforced. Huhn said that she will send letters regarding trash out to Residents.
Resident Terry Robbins spoke up about disabled or elderly residents who cannot get their bins to the street. Comments were suggested such as “friends and family” to help these residents. Another Council Member said that Chicago has a volunteer organization called Back Door that helps their citizens get their trash to the curb. Such an effort would be the responsibility of the trash company.
City Administrator LaTisha Paslay related that the Vandalia Halloween Treat or Treat is October 25. She has been spending her time with calls about (street) oiling.
In Standing Committees:
Streets Chair Steve Barker reported 70% done and that “this week the guys are back into their regular routines,” including fixing a small water leak. There are plans to take care of a couple of street issues.
Water & Sewer Chair Bret Brosman reported that the ground had been broken for the Water Treatment Plant and that there were no problems.
Public Safety Chair Mike Hobler referred back to the previously discussed trash issue.
Cemetery & Landfill Chair Kenny Lewey said he is waiting for the new garbage contracts and that “I don’t agree with what they do.”
Lake Manager Scott Workman reported that “We have a plan to seal the joints and cracks, and we are verifying the details and questions.” Lake Chair Russ Stunkel said a lot of research was done, which provided what kind of material would most effectively. A material called “crafco” which is said to wear well underwater is under consideration and a supplier of that material is meeting on Monday with the Lake Crew to assess how well it will work on the Vandalia dam. Andy Lester asked if the bags (of silt) would run parallel to the shoreline. It was confirmed that they would. Lester also stated that the “Vegetation (which is growing in the cracks of the dam) has to go.” *Note: This writer learned Friday that the vegetation has been removed from the dam by the City Workers. The City is working on Watershed Grant paperwork regarding application for the 319 Grant. Matt Kabbes will be at next City Council meeting regarding the Lake silt issue.
Railroad, Economic Development & Tourism Chair Ken Hubler said he recently went to the Kinmundy Log Cabin Village, who had over 175 vendors. He collected cards from many of the vendors, including the ham & beans vendor, which has been missing from Vandalia’s Grand Levee.
Economic Development & Tourism Director Amber Daulbaugh said that she considers the signature event as being Vandalia’s Olde Tyme Christmas. Carla Huhn said she hopes that that entire crowd continues on to the Festival of Lights.
Mayor Knebel reported that he attended the fundraiser for the Liberty Theater on October 2. Dana Miller Leskera thanked the City of Vandalia for its support. The event raised $52,000.
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting is Monday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Vandalia City Hall. The Public is encouraged to attend.