Vandalia council approves sewer, resurfacing and signage contracts, emergency budget changes and appointments in unanimous votes

Vandalia City Council approved multiple contracts, budget adjustments and appointments at its May 5 meeting, voting unanimously on each item.

The most consequential approvals were construction and professional services contracts and an emergency supplemental appropriations ordinance that moves city funds to new programs and covers one-time costs. Council voted 6–0 on each item during the meeting at Vandalia Municipal Building.

Key approvals included: a $206,981 award to Insight Pipe Contracting LLC for the 2025 sanitary sewer slip‑lining project; a $1,191,277.21 award to Barrett Paving Materials for the 2025 street resurfacing project (the city reported a $1,330,000 congressionally directed spending grant from Representative Mike Turner allocated through HUD that covers much of the work); and a $72,794 award to Geograph Industries Inc. for wayfinding signage at the Vandalia Sports Complex. Council also authorized transferring custodial investment services to US Bank and amended the list of authorized depositories.

Council approved an emergency supplemental appropriations ordinance that increases or moves funding across several city funds to cover new software, grant-funded training and equipment, a new drone program, electrical repairs at the golf-course pump house and the newly established 911 service system fund. The ordinance was presented as emergency legislation and passed 6–0.

The council appointed Tara Landis to the Vandalia Arts Council (motion by Councilman Lewis; second by Vice Mayor Blakesley), and approved an application to permit limited digital billboards along Airport Access Road by adopting amendments to the interstate and limited access highway sign overlay district (ordinance 25‑07, second reading). The council also approved first readings for two ordinances: naming the Vandalia Art Park Amphitheatre after Bill Jurgens (ordinance 25‑09) and joining a regional coalition to negotiate a single street‑lighting price schedule (ordinance 25‑10).

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: Tara Landis to the Vandalia Arts Council. Motion by Councilman Lewis; second by Vice Mayor Blakesley. Outcome: approved, tally 6–0.

- Resolution 25‑R‑26: Award sanitary sewer slip‑lining contract to Insight Pipe Contracting LLC, $206,981. Motion to approve; outcome: approved, tally 6–0. Funding note: project received a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant from Montgomery County Community and Economic Development.

- Resolution 25‑R‑27: Award 2025 street resurfacing contract to Barrett Paving Materials, $1,191,277.21. Motion to approve; outcome: approved, tally 6–0. Funding note: city reported a $1,330,000 congressionally directed spending grant (Rep. Mike Turner / HUD) to cover the project and to allow adding additional streets that do not require concrete work.

- Resolution 25‑R‑28: Authorize contract with Geograph Industries Inc. for Vandalia Sports Complex wayfinding signage, $72,794. Motion to approve; outcome: approved, tally 6–0. Scope: turnkey design, fabrication and installation; 20 wayfinding signs plus new park signage elements.

- Resolution 25‑R‑29 and 25‑R‑30: Amend authorized depositories to include US Bank and authorize US Bank for investment custodial services. Motion to approve; outcome: approved, tally 6–0. Staff told council US Bank’s monthly custodial fee is substantially lower than the city’s current provider and recommended the transfer.

- Ordinance 25‑07 (second reading): Amendments to the interstate and limited access highway sign overlay district to permit billboards along Airport Access Road. Outcome: approved on second reading, tally 6–0.

- Ordinance 25‑09 (first reading): Naming the Vandalia Art Park Amphitheatre in honor of Bill Jurgens. First reading approved, tally 6–0; council scheduled second reading/final adoption for May 19.

- Ordinance 25‑10 (first reading): City intent to participate in regional negotiations for a single street‑lighting price schedule. First reading approved, tally 6–0. Staff estimated Vandalia’s participation cost at $1,195 (one‑time share of professional services estimated at $60,000 regionally).

- Ordinance 25‑08 (emergency): Supplemental appropriations and budget revisions for 2025 to cover new software subscriptions, grant-funded EMS training and equipment, 911 fund transfers, a police drone program, golf course irrigation electrical repairs, and related items. Outcome: approved as an emergency ordinance, tally 6–0. Detailed line items were provided in the supplemental appropriation memo.

- BZA 25‑0004 (variance): Rear deck setback variance at 1200 Wilhelmina Drive; requested encroachment of 13 feet leaving a 5‑foot setback; Planning/Board of Zoning Appeals recommended approval (4–0); council approved the variance 6–0.

What this means

Council’s votes move several capital and maintenance projects into procurement and contract execution phases and reallocate funds to cover new programs and one‑time costs. Awarded contracts use a mix of grant and capital funds, and staff told council they will follow procurement and project management steps before construction or installation begins.

No votes failed; each council roll call returned unanimous approval.