Vandalia council approves police laptop purchase, asphalt contract and Teamsters agreement; denies backyard-chicken variance, approves Kroger sign

VANDALIA — The Vandalia City Council on March 17 approved three resolutions and took two land-use votes, all by unanimous roll call, including a purchase of mobile data terminals for police, an asphalt supply contract for public works, and formal approval of a contract with Teamsters Local 957 that city staff said takes effect March 31, 2025.

The approvals came in a meeting that also denied a zoning variance to keep five chickens on a less-than-one-half-acre lot and approved a sign-area variance for a Kroger store. Council members voted 5-0 on each item.

The most immediate spending action approved was resolution 25-R-16, authorizing the purchase of 14 Panasonic mobile data terminals and related equipment from CDWG LLC at Sourcewell cooperative pricing for $67,573.14. According to the staff report, the Vandalia Division of Police’s existing Panasonic CF-31 Toughbooks are at end of life and not compatible with the current Windows version required for Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance. The police upgrade was budgeted at $67,600. The IT manager recommended waiving formal bidding and buying through the Sourcewell cooperative; the council approved the purchase 5-0.

The council next approved resolution 25-R-17, awarding the city’s asphalt concrete bid to Valley Asphalt Corporation. The award sets prices at $82 per ton for Type 2 (base) asphalt and $88 per ton for Type 1 (surface) asphalt. Public works staff said the material will be used for patching and repairs including utility-repair holes and resurfacing the Castle Hills Golf Course cart paths. Director Borden recommended Valley Asphalt as the lowest and best bidder; the council voted 5-0 to accept the recommendation.

Council members also approved resolution 25-R-18, which the city manager said formalizes a proposed agreement with Teamsters Local Union 957 representing public works employees. Staff reported that the union membership approved the contract and that it would take effect on March 31, 2025; the city said details of the contract were discussed in executive session earlier in the meeting. The council approved the resolution 5-0.

On land-use items, the council denied BZA 25-0001, a variance request from applicant Caitlin Coral to keep five chickens at 995 Forest View Court on 0.34 acres. The Board of Zoning Appeals had recommended approval 3-2; council members said the request did not meet the standards in the city code and expressed interest in revisiting the code for future requests. The motion to deny passed 5-0.

The council approved VZA 25-0002, a variance to allow 327.58 square feet of signage on Kroger’s primary facade at 780 Northwoods Boulevard where the code limit is 250 square feet. The Board of Zoning Appeals had recommended approval 5-0, and the council approved the variance by a 5-0 vote.

The meeting packet also included the February 2025 bill listing for $2,233,835.36 and a monthly purchasing-card detail totaling $33,273.90; staff presented those documents with no questions from council members.

Council members made several procedural and recognition remarks during the meeting: the city manager announced extended income-tax office hours for early April and an online tax filing tool available 24/7 on the city website; council members welcomed newly sworn and promoted public-safety personnel during the communications portion of the agenda and noted recent retirements and local awards.

What the council did not disclose in open session: staff said the Teamsters contract details were discussed in executive session, and public materials did not include the contract terms. The council approved the contract resolution without presenting specific wage, benefit, or term details during the public portion of the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-R-16 (police mobile data terminals, purchase from CDWG LLC, $67,573.14): moved by Council member Farce; seconded by Council member Dugan; vote 5-0; outcome: approved.

- Resolution 25-R-17 (award asphalt bid to Valley Asphalt Corporation; $82/ton Type 2, $88/ton Type 1): moved by Council member Lewis; seconded by Council member Forrest; vote 5-0; outcome: approved.

- Resolution 25-R-18 (approve agreement with Teamsters Local Union 957; effective 03/31/2025): moved by Council member Forrest; seconded by Council member Lewis; vote 5-0; outcome: approved.

- BZA 25-0001 (variance to keep five chickens at 995 Forest View Court, applicant Caitlin Coral): motion to deny (motion text: "Deny BZA 25-0001 at 995 Forest View Court"); mover and seconder not specified on the public record; vote 5-0; outcome: denied.

- VZA 25-0002 (allow 327.58 sq ft signage at 780 Northwoods Boulevard where max = 250 sq ft; applicant Atlantic Sign Company on behalf of Kroger): moved by Council member Lewis; seconded by Council member Dugan; vote 5-0; outcome: approved.

Council members and staff present for votes included the city manager and department directors who presented the items; no public hearing testimony was offered on the resolutions or the Kroger sign variance during the council vote.

Next steps: The items approved by resolution will proceed to implementation per department procedures and existing procurement or contract processes. The city manager indicated the Teamsters agreement will take effect March 31, 2025; no additional public details were provided at the meeting about its terms.