Written with the help of AI from the Vandalia City Council minutes, August 17, 2026.
Notable actions
This recap is based on the approved minutes of the Vandalia City Council meeting held Monday, August 17, 2026. Mayor Richard Herbst called the meeting to order at 7:19 p.m. A resolution is a formal statement of the council’s decision, and both resolutions on the agenda passed on 7-0 votes. The minutes list no public hearing, no action items, no old business and no ordinances (city laws) for first, second or emergency reading.
Resolution 26-R-42 authorizes the city manager or his designee to prepare and submit an application to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for the State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program(s). It covers the Marcellus, Desales, Neri, Paula and Pius watermain replacement project. City Manager Kurt Althouse told council the city plans to submit an application for what the minutes call the MDNPP Water Main Replacement project. The work includes replacing water mains, fire hydrants and residential service connections along Marcellus, Desales (S), Neri, Paula and Pius, followed by roadway milling and resurfacing.
Althouse said the total project cost is estimated at $1,600,000. The city will request $500,000 through OPWC, made up of a $150,000 grant and a $350,000 loan at 0% interest over five years. An approved resolution is required by the August 26, 2026, application deadline. Council had no comments or questions. Councilmember Cindy Doogan moved and Councilmember Aaron Hathaway seconded, and the resolution passed 7-0.
Resolution 26-R-43 gives the same kind of authorization for the Little York Road and South Brown School Road Intersection Improvements Project. Althouse said the project includes turn-lane extensions, a new westbound right-turn lane and drainage improvements, with a total estimated cost of $2,203,365. The city will submit it under both programs, known as SCIP and LTIP. It will request $1.4 million through SCIP, in the form of a grant and a 0% interest loan, and $800,000 through LTIP as a grant. The August 26, 2026, deadline also applies. Council had no comments or questions. Councilmember Amber Aivalotis-Weaver moved and Councilmember Emily Bradford seconded, and the resolution passed 7-0.
Ceremonies and introductions
Mayor Herbst presented a proclamation to the family of Mary Lou Kreusch designating September 5, 2026, as Mary Lou Kreusch Day, to remember and celebrate her life and legacy and the ways she helped make Vandalia a stronger, warmer and more connected community.
Chief Follick presented Paul Kleinhenz with the Vandalia Division of Fire Lifesaver Award for saving the life of a patron at the Vandalia Rec Center. City Manager Althouse also introduced Collin Sloan, a public works technician who began employment July 27, 2026.
In council comments, Althouse welcomed new Councilmember Steve Clark and congratulated Vice Mayor Rick Ford. Councilmember Clark thanked the mayor, council and city staff, and recognized former Councilmember Corey Follick for serving the city. Clark also noted that, to his knowledge, the Kleinhenz rescue was the third incident at the Rec Center in which a patron or an employee saved a life.
Public comment
Under the city’s rule on speaking time (Ordinance 84-01), no one may speak longer than five minutes on the same matter until others who wish to speak have had a chance. Mayor Herbst said comments are not a question-and-answer debate and that personal attacks would not be permitted.
One resident, who gave an address on South Dixie Drive, raised complaints about what he called fake records, being harassed by police, a violation of his rights, and his service dog being leashed. Councilmember Aivalotis-Weaver responded about his recording of interactions with the Vandalia Division of Police and about his service dog being harnessed and leashed, and said she was offended by what she called false accusations toward the police.
A second resident, who gave a Kenneth Avenue address, noted that Vandalia is a Purple Heart City and described himself as a Marine, Iraq war veteran, Purple Heart recipient and 2005 Vandalia-Butler High School graduate. He told council about a book on his first deployment, The Warriors of Anbar, and shared information on modern portfolio theory, the share plan act HR 4739 and his vision for Vandalia.
Routine items and announcements
Council approved the minutes of the May 4, 2026, study session and the May 4, 2026, council meeting as presented. Mayor Herbst asked for comments on minutes from several boards: the Arts Council (May 19 and June 16, 2026), the Charter Review Committee (July 30), the Civil Service board (June 18), the Planning Commission (July 28) and the Board of Zoning Appeals (June 10 and July 22). There were none.
The mayor also reviewed the July 2026 bill listing of $4,146,686.85 in monthly expenses over $25,000, and the monthly purchasing card detail of $34,637.93. No one had comments or questions.
Althouse said city offices will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day, while the Recreation Center will be open from 7:00 a.m. to noon for the fitness area, gymnasium and track only. The first council meeting in September is Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., with a study session tentatively starting at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmember Aivalotis-Weaver asked whether other councilmembers would volunteer at upcoming city events by setting up a table with activities and being more visible in the community. Vice Mayor Ford thanked council for its trust in him as vice mayor. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Source: Vandalia City Council minutes, Monday, August 17, 2026.
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