Apollo to hold in-person council meeting at new location; vacancy ordinance to be considered

Apollo Council will hold its first in-person public meeting in months on Thursday, and one of the issues to be discussed will be a proposed vacancy ordinance.

Mayor Cindee Virostek is among the happiest of meeting attendees at the new location, the spacious Apollo Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 Fire Hall.

Because of breathing issues, Virostek didn’t attend some council meetings in the second half of 2020 that were held in the small Soldiers and Sailors Hall at Owens Grove Park. Virostek was at risk of health complications if exposed to the coronavirus.

Not everyone social distanced or wore masks at the Soldiers and Sailors Hall.

Recently, council meetings have been held online. But council recently decided to move to a larger venue and open up Thursday’s meeting to the public for the first time in months.

“I think it’s great more people will be able to come to the council meeting so long as everyone social distances,” Virostek said. “This is a start.”

The online meetings weren’t attracting many residents, she added.

On Thursday, council will discuss police needs, a new public works candidate, blighted properties and more.

They will take up a new proposed vacancy ordinance, which they will vote on advertising and making available for the public to review before final passage.

The vacancy ordinance covers regulations for residential, industrial and commercial structures.

The meeting is set to start at 7 p.m. The fire hall is located at 325 North Fourth St.