City Council

City Council Regular Meeting March 18, 2024 6:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag was given by all that were present. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gottman called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Vandalia City Council to order at 6:30 pm. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Lester, Bowen, Barker, Stunkel, Hobler, Lewey and Hubler were present. Brosman was absent. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL Motion was made by Stunkel and MEETING MINUTES DATED seconded by Barker to approve City MARCH 4, 2024: Council meeting minutes dated March 4, 2024. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer’s report for period ending February 29, 2024 was reviewed. No action needed. REGULAR BILLS: Motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hobler to approve the regular bills as submitted. Motion carried. SPECIAL BILLS: Motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hobler to approve the special bills as presented: Quill Corporation in the amount of $2,096.68 for supplies; Ritchey Painting in the amount of $2,090.00 for painting; Triple S Tree Service in the amount of $3,600.00 for tree removal; Historical Vandalia, Inc. in the amount of $5,443.66 for reimbursement; South Central FS in the amount of $5,241.27 for gasoline; Haier Plumbing and Heating Company, Inc., in the amount of $92,326.36 for Main Street Lift station; Sandschafer Electric in the 1  amount of $195,417.00 for wastewater treatment plant; Brenntag Mid South, Inc., in the amount of $24,376.36 for supplies; Homefield Energy in the amount of $14,540.63 for electric bill; Vandevanter Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $21,594.98 for pump repair; Vandevanter Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $2,295.00 for maintenance; Milano and Grunloh Engineers in the amount of $10,268.75 for engineering services; Certified Balance and Scale in the amount of $1,891.00 for cleaning. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Gottman noted there would be a change to the agenda as presented. Item D on the agenda will be removed and will be combined with Item E. ORDINANCE 2024-3-18-A: Motion was made by Lewey and AN ORDINANCE AMENDING seconded by Barker to approve CHAPTER 10 VEHICLES AND Ordinance 2024-3-18-A: An Ordinance TRAFFIC AT 10.04.030 Amending Chapter 10 Vehicles and STOP INTERSECTIONS Traffic at 10.04.030 Stop (SIXTH AND JOHNSON Intersections (Sixth and Johnson STREETS): Streets). Paslay will work with Jackson to have flashing signs erected notifying drivers. Roll call: Barker, yea; Hobler, yea; Lester, yea; Stunkel, yea; Bowen, yea; Hubler, yea; Lewey, yea. Brosman was absent. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2024-3-18-B: Motion was made by Barker and A RESOLUTION FOR seconded by Stunkel to approve MAINTENANCE UNDER THE Resolution 2024-3-18-B: A Resolution ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE for Maintenance Under the Illinois (ANNUAL MFT RESOLUTION): Highway Code (Annual MFT Resolution). Motion carried. APPROVE OR REJECT GAMING Motion was made by Barker and APPLICATION FROM KICKN seconded by Stunkel to approve 66 LIQUOR AND MORE gaming application submitted by 2 CORPORATION D/B/A LUCKY Kickn 66 Liquor and More Corporation DOGS: d/b/a Lucky Dogs. Roll call: Lewey, yea; Lester, nay; Hobler, nay; Stunkel, yea; Barker, yea; Hubler, nay; Bowen, yea. Brosman was absent. Motion carried 4-3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING As Mayor Gottman stated under New THE VANDALIA MUNICIPAL Business, this agenda item will be CODE AT TITLE V BUSINESS removed. LICENSES AND REGULATIONS AT SECTION 5.08.070 NUMBER OF LICENSES (INCREASE CLASS D PACKAGE LIQUOR TO 5 – SOUTH CENTRAL FS): ORDINANCE 2024-3-18-C: Amended on floor to increase the AN ORDINANCE AMENDING number of licenses to 3 from THE VANDALIA MUNICIPAL original Ordinance of 2 licenses. CODE AT TITLE V BUSINESS Connor stated the City needed to LICENSES AND REGULATIONS outline clear definitions of what AT SECTION 5.08.070 does and what does not define a NUMBER OF LICENSES school and/or daycare center in the (INCREASE CLASS B City Code. He suggested writing CONVENIENCE TO 3 – JACK clear definitions in the Code to FLASH AND SOUTH CENTRAL ensure everybody knows what exactly FS) it is that can be located near a school or daycare. Gottman said those individuals who attend Fayco receive pay and therefore is not considered an educational center. Motion was made by Barker and seconded by Stunkel to approve Ordinance 2024-3-18-C: An Ordinance Amending the Vandalia Municipal Code at Title V Business Licenses and Regulations at Section 5.08.070 Number of Licenses (Increase Class B Convenience to 3 – Jack Flash and South Central FS). Roll call: Stunkel, yea; Barker, yea; Bowen, yea; Lewey, yea; Hobler, nay; Hubler, yea; Lester, yea. Brosman was absent. Motion carried. 3 ORDINANCE 2024-3-18-D: Motion was made by Lewey and AN ORDINANCE AMENDING seconded by Lester to approve THE VANDALIA MUNICIPAL Ordinance 2024-3-18-D: An Ordinance CODE AT TITLE V BUSINESS Amending the Vandalia Municipal Code LICENSES AND REGULATIONS at Title V Business Licenses and AT SECTION 5.08 Regulations at Section 5.08 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE SALES Alcoholic Beverage Sales (Creating a (CREATING A CLASS M – Class M – Package/Pour License). PACKAGE/POUR LICENSE): Roll call: Lester, yea; Barker, yea; Bowen, yea; Lewey, yea; Hobler, nay; Stunkel, yea; Hubler, yea. Brosman was absent. Motion carried. FIRST READING OF GURU The first reading of the request KRUPA, III, INC., D/B/A submitted by Guru Krupa, III, Inc., HARRY’S 66 GAMING LIQUOR D/B/A Harry’s 66 Gaming Liquor LICENSE APPLICATION License application was done. Action (SEEKING A CLASS M will be taken at the April 1, 2024 LIQUOR LICENSE): Council meeting. APPROVE OR REJECT VIDEO Amended on floor to be first reading GAMING LICENSE of the request submitted by Guru APPLICATION FROM GURU Krupa, III, Inc., D/B/A Harry’s 66 KRUPA III, INC., D/B/A due to addition of floor plan from HARRY’S 66 GAMING: last meeting. Action will be taken at the April 1, 2024 Council meeting. APPROVE OR REJECT BIDS Motion was made by Barker and FOR SURPLUS ITEMS: seconded by Stunkel to approve bids for surplus items with the exception of the Marathon sign and pole at the lake which will be advertised on Marketplace. Bowen said his concern was the City has a process established and by altering the process, it can lead to other issues for purchasing of the sign. Bowen voted “aye”. Motion carried. APPROVE OR REJECT BIDS Motion was made by Stunkel and FOR DEMOLITION AT 1232 seconded by Lester to accept the bid W. JOHNSON STREET: submitted by Barker Trucking and Excavating, Inc., in the amount of $8,200.00 for demolition of 1232 West Johnson Street. Bowen said that 4  City owned lots need to be maintained. Paslay will compile a list of lots that the City owns and maintains. Motion carried. APPROVE OR REJECT BIDS Matt Haake, representing Sloan FOR A MOWER AT VANDALIA Equipment, stated his concern LAKE: regarding the mower bid specifications; specifically the requirement of a welded deck. Paslay recommended approving the bid that offered a lease option for one year and revisit the issue the next fiscal year. Motion was made by Barker and seconded by Lester to approve the bid submitted by Midwest Tractor Sales in the amount of $2,500.00 (one year lease with option to buy) for a mower at Vandalia Lake. Motion carried. APPROVE OR REJECT BIDS Haake expressed his concern FOR A TRACTOR AT regarding the bid specifications for VANDALIA LAKE: the tractor and felt that some of the specifications were over specified. Paslay recommended approving the bid that offered a lease option for one year and revisit the issue the next fiscal year. Motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Bowen to approve the bid submitted by Midwest Tractor Sales in the amount of $5,000.00 (one year lease with option to buy) for a tractor at Vandalia Lake. Motion carried. FIRE TRUCK REPAIR (TRUCK Motion was made by Stunkel and 1451): seconded by Lewey to approve bid in the amount of $24,371.44 submitted by Rush Truck Center, Effingham, for repair of fire truck unit 1451. Motion carried. COUNCIL CHAMBER Lester had no recommendations at RENOVATIONS: this time. 5 APPROVE OR REJECT PAY Motion was made by Hobler and ESTIMATE NO. 2 FOR HAIER seconded by Barker to approve Pay PLUMBING - $92,326.36 Estimate No. 2 for Haier Plumbing - (MAIN STREET LIFT $92,326.36 (Main Street Lift STATION): Station). Motion carried. APPROVE OR REJECT PAY Motion was made by Stunkel and ESTIMATE NO. 1 FOR seconded by Lewey to approve Pay SANDSCHAFER ELECTRIC - Estimate No. 1 for Sandschafer $195,417 (ENERGY Electric - $195,417 (Energy EFFICIENCY UPGRADES AT Efficiency Upgrades at Sewer Plant). SEWER PLANT): Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2024-3-18-E: Motion was made by Hobler and A RESOLUTION IN seconded by Stunkel to approve OPPOSITION OF STATE OF Resolution 2024-3-18-E: A Resolution ILLINOIS PROPOSED in Opposition of State of Illinois REMOVAL OF 1% GROCERY Proposed Removal of 1% Grocery Tax. TAX: Roll call: Lester, yea; Lewey, yea; Bowen, yea; Hubler, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hobler, yea; Barker, yea. Brosman was absent. Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Lee Beckman reviewed the status of current and pending City projects. Milano and Grunloh are securing quotes for concrete which will help facilitate truck access to the docks. These quotes will be presented next month. Main Street Lift Station project is complete. Randolph Street Upgrade Project is tentatively planned to be bid out later this year. The storm sewer has been installed and concrete should be done in the next month at Michel’s Feed Store. Safe Routes to School is in the hands of IDOT with a letting in April/May. The plan is to bid the Water Treatment Plant project this April. Plans are at IDOT for ITEP. The City is waiting on the OSLAD grant agreement. 120 Water is working on the lead service line project. Paslay and Beckman will discuss the next steps on Tuesday. Discussion was held 6  regarding the corner of 3rd and Gallatin Streets. Beckman will meet with the Beautification committee and Streets regarding this project. MAYOR’S REPORT: Gottman reported that the interested parties have tentatively agreed to a contract for the former Purina property. The property at the corner of Sunset and Veterans Avenue is under contract. The former Family Video building is in the process of being sold. Todd Thoman and his office are going to develop brochures for the 120 acres the City owns. The OKAW Center project is moving forward. Gottman and Paslay will be meeting with the owners of Eddie’s Rise N’ Dine on Wednesday. He stated if the 1% grocery tax is eliminated, the City would lose approximately $175,000 per year from the General fund. Gottman stated that he attended the National League of Cities in Washington, DC. Planning Commission will meet on March 19 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss a downtown indoor storage facility. Zoning Board is scheduled for March 20. The draft of the Personnel policy handbook has been sent to the Personnel Committee. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT: Compliance status in the Keiser case was set for April 3. Bench trial for the Silva case was cancelled by her Attorney and has been rescheduled in 3 weeks if there is no compliance. CITY CLERK’S REPORT: Huhn reminded the Council that the Statement of Economic Interest forms need to be turned in by April 26. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S Paslay reported the Career Fair has REPORT: been scheduled for Monday, March 25 at the KC campus from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. She has begun reaching out to food trucks and bands for Summer 7  Fest. She has sent out vendor applications for the upcoming Farming Markets. SAFETY CODE OFFICIAL Report provided in packet. REPORT: STANDING COMMITTEE Barker reported there have been a REPORTS: few water breaks over the past couple of weeks. Chief Ray reported in the past 24 hours there have been 2 drug overdoses that resulted in deaths. He also reported he advertised for officers and had 4 applicants. He recommended possibly offering incentives to attract applicants. Ray and Gottman will meet to discuss. Stunkel reported the Lake Committee will be meeting on April 1 at 4 p.m. One of the items for discussion at that time will be starting the revocation process of a lake lot. Letters regarding sealed bids for Lake Lot 139 will be sent out to those on the lake lot list at the end of this week. Workman and Stunkel will work on drawing up revised specs (vertical or horizontal, type of vinyl, thickness of vinyl, color, etc.) for lake lot number signs. Paslay and Workman will look at options to be able to use credit and debit cards at the Lake. Workman stated employment applications have been completed and will be reference checked. Paslay will follow up with CBT for the status on the metal roof at the lake. Workman and Paslay will work on drawing up specs for mowing at the lake to be sent out this week. Restocking the Lake with fish will be discussed at the April 1 Lake Committee meeting. Budget meetings with the department heads and Aldermen is scheduled for Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. Personnel meeting to review draft of 8  Personnel Policy handbook scheduled for April 22 at 12 Noon. Hubler reported that he attended the Soroptimist Awards Banquet on Friday night. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND None. CONCERNS: COUNCIL MOVES INTO Gottman announced Council would be EXECUTIVE SESSION AT moving into Executive Session. 8:24 P.M. Motion was made by Stunkel and seconded by Hubler to move into Executive Session at 8:24 p.m. under 5 ILCS 120/2 to discuss a personnel matter. Roll call: Hubler, yea; Lester, yea; Bowen, yea; Hobler, yea; Lewey, yea; Stunkel, yea; Barker, yea. Brosman was absent. Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION ENDS Executive Session ends at 8:43 p.m. AT 8:43 P.M.: REGULAR SESSION Mayor Gottman reconvened the regular RECONVENED AT 8:44 P.M.: Council meeting at 8:44 p.m. with a roll call: Hobler, yea; Lester, yea; Stunkel, yea; Hubler, yea; Lewey, yea; Bowen, yea; Barker, yea. Brosman was absent. Motion carried. Gottman reported the City will be advertising for a Class A operator for the Water Plant. ADJOURNMENT: Motion was made by Hubler and seconded by Hobler to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. __________________________________ City Clerk 9