The Vandalia City Council on Dec. 2 approved the city's 2025 operating and capital budget as an emergency ordinance, authorized the purchase and planting of street trees not to exceed $75,000, and voted on several Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) variances, while staff updated the council on leaf collection, the annual city calendar and an upcoming tree-lighting event.

Why it matters: adopting the budget as an emergency allows the city to begin its 2025 programs and capital work immediately; the street-tree contract and approved variances affect public right-of-way, private property improvements and local streetscape work.

The council adopted Ordinance 24-24, an emergency appropriation of the 2025 operating and capital budget, by a 7-0 roll call. Interim City Manager Sweeterman told the council that the emergency ordinance would allow staff to proceed with planned 2025 work. "This will allow us to move forward with our 2025 plans," Sweeterman said.

The council also approved Resolution 24-R-65, authorizing the purchase and planting of various species of street trees from Brown and Sons Nursery, Inc., at a cost not to exceed $75,000. Sweeterman said the street-tree replacement program began with a phase 1 earlier this year and staff plans three phases in total to replace 98 trees. Councilwoman Forrest moved the resolution and Councilman Follick seconded it; the vote was 7-0.

Council members approved Resolution 24-R-66, a final plan approving a dedication of right-of-way for the realigned Tuskegee Airmen Drive. Staff said the City of Dayton intends to dedicate 1.73 acres of right-of-way along the realigned road; 0.402 acres of that dedication lies within Vandalia and required the council's final-plan approval. The planning commission recommended approval 4-0. The council voted 7-0 to approve the final plan.

On zoning appeals and variances: the council took votes on four items forwarded with BZA recommendations. The council approved:
- BZA 24-10, a variance to allow five driveway entrance signs for the Little York Medical Center property at 4160 Little York Road (signs proposed at 8 square feet each). Motion passed 7-0.
- BZA 24-11, a variance to permit construction of a 576-square-foot carport at 3075 Stop 8 Road that would cause total accessory structure area to exceed ordinance limits; approval included the BZA's condition and passed 6-1 (one member voted no).
- BZA 24-12, a variance to allow a ground-mounted solar energy system (three 10-panel arrays, 30 panels total) at 675 Walt Smith Way in a residential district. The BZA recommended approval; council discussion noted the property's size (over five acres) and existing screening. Council approved the variance 6-1.

One sign variance failed: BZA 24-13, a request for a 47.75-square-foot wall sign (10.25 sq ft larger than permitted) on a secondary facade at 2 East National Road for Excel Automotive, failed on a 3-4 vote.

Council members asked for clarity about the solar-panel approval and precedent. Several speakers noted that variances are property-specific and the BZA and council had considered screening and the site's unique characteristics; the council did not adopt any change to the city's zoning code.

On city services and community events, Interim City Manager Sweeterman said leaf collection would officially end the next day "weather permitting," but crews may make additional runs while conditions allow. He described the crew scheduling by sections and urged residents to have leaves at the curb because the same trucks are prepared for snow operations. Sweeterman also said the 2024-25 annual report and calendar will be distributed by the Vandalia-Butler High School Honor Society on Saturday, Dec. 21, with packages shrink-wrapped in case of bad weather, and the city will contribute to the Honor Society's scholarship fund.

The council was reminded that the Christmas tree lighting and holiday market is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 8, with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. and a holiday market running 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. inside the recreation center gymnasium.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 24-24 (2025 operating and capital budget, emergency) ' Motion: Vice Mayor Blakesley; Second: Councilman Follett. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved as emergency.
- Resolution 24-R-65 (street-tree purchase, Brown and Sons Nursery, up to $75,000) ' Motion: Councilwoman Forrest; Second: Councilman Follick. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 24-R-66 (Tuskegee Airmen Drive final plan; 0.402 acres in Vandalia) ' Motion: Councilman Lewis; Second: Councilwoman Dugan. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved.
- BZA 24-10 (driveway entrance signs, 4160 Little York Road) ' Motion: Councilman Follick; Second: Councilwoman Forrest. Vote: 7-0. Outcome: approved (per BZA recommendation).
- BZA 24-11 (carport variance, 3075 Stop 8 Road) ' Motion: Councilman Follick; Second: Councilman Lewis. Vote: 6-1 (one no). Outcome: approved with BZA condition.
- BZA 24-12 (ground-mounted solar, 675 Walt Smith Way) ' Motion: Vice Mayor Blakesley; Second: Councilwoman Dugan. Vote: 6-1 (one no). Outcome: approved (BZA recommended approval).
- BZA 24-13 (wall sign variance, 2 East National Road for Excel Automotive) ' Motion: Councilman Lewis; Second: Councilwoman Farce. Vote: 3-4. Outcome: failed.

The council adjourned after brief member comments, including congratulations to Fire Inspector Jacobs on acceptance to the Ohio Fire Executive program and recognition of staff work securing an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for a 2025 water-main replacement project that staff said would be a roughly $1.2 million project with approximately $500,000 in outside funding if approved at the state level.