Based on the minutes from the August 9 City of Vandalia Board of Alderman regular meeting.
The board unanimously approved the proposal to re-up with Dayne’s Waste Disposal for a new, 3-year contract.
The previous five-year contract has a 3-year renewal option in the contract the two entered.
Historically, there has been a 15-cent 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 adds a collection fee and a limb fee.
In 2019, Dayne’s had to increase the recycling fee by 35 cents which increased the cost of recycling from 55 to 90 cents per customer.
To offset the increase to recycling, the city lowered the limb fee from 75 cents to 40 cents and changed the grinding schedule from every year to every other year.
In March of this year, Dayne’s had to increase their limb fee rate by 60 cents per customer, due to the excessive fuel increases. Another increase of 50 cents was instituted in June, a direct result of higher gas prices.
Those present at the meeting were: Aldermen Edna Wheeler, John Weiser, Janet Turner, Larry Shaw, Teresa Wenzel and Debbie Hopke; Mayor Ralph Kuda; City Administrator Darren Berry; Administrative Assistant Jennifer Young; City Clerk Brandie Gay, City Attorney Amy Rost; Public Works Superintendent LeRoy Schlueter and Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dave Sanders and Utilities Superintendent Aaron Rentfro.
OTHER ITEMS:
• The council unanimously approved the assignment of a new commissioner to become a part of a five-person, Housing Authority of Commissioners. These persons would be residents of Vandalia for at least five years prior to the appointment. Mayor Ralph Kuda has recommended the appointment of Ryan Eskew as a Vandalia Housing Authority Commissioner. After some discussion, Alderman Debbie Hopke made the motion to approve the mayor’s recommendation.
• The council unanimously approved the mayor’s recommendation of Raymond Legg as Vandalia Municipal Judge starting on Sept. 1. The appointment comes after the resignation of Jason Newton.
• The council unanimously approved the request to approve Katlyn Holcumbrink a permit for a daycare in her primary residence. The move had been discussed and recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission in July.
• Ordinance #22-1228 – the repeal and replacement of certain sections of Chapter 510 Electrical Standards of the city code were passed unanimously by council.
• Ordinance #22-1229 – the repeal and replacement of Section 155.70 of the city code, was unanimously approved by council. Staff recommended changes be made to the length of time that a new employee is on probationary status. It was recommended that the length of time be changed from 180 to 90 days. During discussion, department heads said they usually know if an employee will work out in the first month or so of being on the job.
• The interior of the water tower was painted on Aug. 5 and needed to sit through the following weekend (Aug. 12-14) to cure. Once the water tower passed a Bact inspection it was expected to be operational once again by the end of the month.
• Osage Nation has asked for a culture background done on demo properties that could put the CDBG Grant project on hold from one to six months. There will also be a CDBG Grant Community meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at the Farber Community Building. This is a demolition project of dilapidated houses for Ward II. The city has been working on the grant for the project since last year.
• The city still has four job openings within the Street and Utilities Department. Staff has conducted interviews and is currently working through the process of getting one of the positions filled.
• Sharon Myers has agreed to return to work at City Hall part time as the city’s financial officer to assist with operation following the death of JoAnna Borgmeyer.
• Vandalia resident Chuck Copelin spoke to the council to thank them for considering the request to amend the age requirement for the golf cars/UTVS in town and for making the change to the ordinance.
• Audrain County Sheriff reported that there were 315 calls for service in July.
