Based on the minutes from the July 12 Board of Alderman regular session of the City of Vandalia.

The board approved unanimously the recognition of Juneteenth as an annual holiday. City Administrator Darren Berry explained the number of municipalities that observe Juneteenth as a holiday is growing. Cities such as Bowling Green, Jefferson City, Cameron, Wright City and Perry are just a few that observe Juneteenth as a holiday.

• The board unanimously approved a Master Service Agreement and Project Services Agreement between Missouri Public Utility Alliance (MPUA-RSC) and the City of Vandalia to authorize the mayor to sign both documents.

City Administrator Darren Berry explained that MPUA has many services for its members to utilize. The newest service that MPUA is offering is the Electric Line Services Program. 

This program will consist of a four-man lineman crew. This crew will offer a customized approach to any electric distribution system line work that Vandalia may need assistance with.  

By approving this agreement, between MPUA-RSC and the City of Vandalia, this would be a good way for the city to supplement its city crew with MPUA’s equipment and labor. 

If there is an electric distribution project that the city cannot complete or do, it can hire MPUA-RSC to do the whole job for Vandalia. 

By signing the Master Services Agreement, it will not require the city to use any of the MPUA-RSC services or prevent us from using any other contractor.  

• The board unanimously approved Dayne’s Waste Disposal contract extension for three years.

Berry informed the council the contract with Dayne’s Waste Disposal was originally for five years with the option to renew the contract in three-year increments up to five times.  

Historically, there has been a $.15 increase to the base charge each year and on top of the base charge, Dayne’s adds a recycling fee to each customer.  

The city also adds a collection fee and a limb fee.  In March of this year, Dayne’s had to increase their rate by $.60 per customer, due to the excessive fuel cost.  

Also in June, Dayne’s had to increase their cost by another $.50 per customer directly related to the increase in fuel prices.  

Dayne has requested that instead of the $.15 increase per year and is asking for a 2.5% increase per year.  

• The board unanimously approved a mid-year cost to increase the Intergovernmental Agreement for Law Enforcement Services between the City of Vandalia and Audrain County.

Berry informed the board that law enforcement has become a very competitive field and many sheriff’s and cities police departments around the area increasing salaries, 

The Audrain County Sheriff’s Department needed to increase their salaries in order to stay competitive. With this mid-year increase to the salaries, it will take the city’s law enforcement contract from $338,654 to $380,340 for this year.  

Also, there is an additional savings to the city in assessment cost with MIRMA. 

With Vandalia not having the liability of a police department, its assessment has decreased by over $20,000 per year. 

• The board unanimously approved – with alderwoman Edna Wheeler removing herself – to table a decision to vote on the request from Tri-County Care Center for help with their third payroll payment of $100,000.

Berry explained that TCCC is in the process of reorganizing. One of TCCC’s immediate problems is that they do not have the funds to make their third payroll payment, which is due at the end of the month. TCCC has asked if the city would consider helping them with this payment. 

ARPA funds can be used for this payment, Berry said.