The City of Vandalia is taking away some of the financial hurdles to someone that may want to tear down a piece of property in the community. The Vandalia City Council approved an ordinance amending the section on water system disconnection. The change says that “Only the Public
Works Department of the City of Vandalia shall disconnect a private water system from the Public Water System. A request for disconnection shall be made in writing to the Building and Zoning Department of the City of Vandalia. Upon receipt of said request the Public Works Department of the City of Vandalia shall perform the disconnection at no charge to the property owner.” In the past, the property owner had been responsible for the cost of the disconnect, which could run anywhere from $500 to $2000—depending on if concrete had to be taken up to disconnect the line. The hope is, with the city absorbing the cost, this will remove a financial hurdle for anyone looking to take down a property. The matter passed by a vote of 7 to 1, with Ward Three Alderman Mike Hobler voting no on the measure.
In other business, the Vandalia City Council approved a Waiver of Liability for the City to remove a tree that has fallen in the year at 127 West Madison Street. The waiver was requested by the owner for the city to remove the fallen tree. Mayor Rick Gottman called the fallen tree an eyesore and the property owner had no way to remove the tree, so city workers will now remove it. Mayor Gottman says he is also going to have the property owner’s family sign the waiver.