Vandalia council approves airport cost share, vehicle purchase and sewer capacity fee; several zoning items advance

Vandalia City Council on Aug. 25 approved a series of motions and ordinances that fund regional infrastructure, replace police vehicles and update sewer fees for new sewer system users.

The council voted unanimously on each recorded action (6–0) during the meeting, approving a cost‑sharing agreement for regional roadway work tied to the Dayton International Airport, awarding a bid for three patrol vehicles, and adopting a second‑reading ordinance to collect a new sewer capacity fee on behalf of the Tri Cities Wastewater Authority. Council also approved several first‑reading ordinances that would rezone and amend planned unit developments and confirmed a citizen appointment to the city’s bicycle committee.

The most substantial fiscal commitment approved was Resolution 25‑R‑35, which continues a cost‑sharing agreement with Montgomery County for the Dayton International Airport Northeast Logistics Access Project. The Montgomery County Engineer’s Office is seeking approximately $17,600,000 in ODOT funding for a roughly $22,000,000 construction phase for roadway, stormwater and shared‑use path work near the airport. Under the agreement presented to council, Vandalia’s share is about 6 percent of the total construction cost—approximately $1,320,000—based on roadway length in each jurisdiction. Council approved the resolution 6–0.

Council also approved Resolution 25‑R‑36 to award the purchase of three 2026 Ford utility police vehicles to the apparent low bidder for a total bid of $147,000. The council packet showed the city had budgeted $180,000 in the 2025 capital budget for the replacements; the bid is $33,000 under that amount. The city manager clarified that equipment retrofit and upfit costs are a separate procurement to be bid after vehicle delivery. The resolution passed 6–0.

On utilities, council approved Ordinance 25‑16 in its second reading to add a schedule of fees that includes a capacity fee charged to new users of the sanitary sewer system on behalf of the Tri Cities Wastewater Authority. City staff said the fee would be collected at the time of new connections and would not affect existing customers. A public hearing was opened and closed with no oral comments; the ordinance passed 6–0.

Several land‑use measures advanced in unanimous first readings, including: - Ordinance 25‑17 — a repeal and replacement of Chapter 1044 (Sewers Generally) to align local sewer use rules with Ohio EPA permit requirements; first reading approved 6–0. - Ordinance 25‑18 — a major PUD amendment and revised preliminary plan for subarea B of the Redwood Vandalia development to allow about 59 multifamily units on roughly 27.6 acres; first reading approved 6–0. - Ordinance 25‑19 — a planned unit development and zoning change for land at 600 Corporate Center Drive (about 14.494 acres), approved in first reading with an amendment to allow patios, porches and decks to extend up to 12 feet into the required rear yard setback; first reading approved 6–0. - Ordinance 25‑20 — rezoning about 5.219 acres at 3675 Wise Road from Office/Industrial Park to Highway Business and Industrial districts; first reading approved 6–0.

Council also confirmed the appointment of Rodney Reeder to the Vandalia Bicycle Committee (motion passed 6–0) and approved a motion to excuse Councilwoman Cindy Dugan from the meeting (6–0).

Votes at a glance (selected): - Appointment: Rodney Reeder to Bicycle Committee — approved 6–0 (motion by Vice Mayor Blakesley; second by Councilman Folick). - Resolution 25‑R‑35 (DIA Northeast Logistics Access Project cost‑share, Vandalia share ≈ $1,320,000) — approved 6–0. - Resolution 25‑R‑36 (award bid for three 2026 Ford police utility vehicles, total $147,000) — approved 6–0. - Ordinance 25‑16 (capacity fee for Tri Cities Wastewater Authority, second reading) — approved 6–0. - Ordinances 25‑17, 25‑18, 25‑19, 25‑20 (first readings as described above) — each approved in first reading 6–0.

Council members who voted in the roll calls recorded at the meeting cast unanimous recorded votes on all items that reached a vote that night. The city manager and department staff provided the background memos included in the council packet for each item. Future meetings and any required subsequent readings or contract awards will return to council for further action as projects progress.

The next regular council meeting was announced for Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at 7 p.m.; the study session was tentatively scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.