Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 7:00 PM
- Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 7:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.
- Y – Yes, N – No, A – Abstain, Abs – Absent
- Roll Call:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
6 Members Present
Other Village Representatives Present:
- Chris Walker – Law Director; Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer; Dawn Fitzcharles – Village Administrator; Amanda Herman – Administrative Assistant; Gary Plotts – Police Chief
Media Present:
- Dan Cooley – The Village Reporter; Cindy Thiel – The Edgerton Earth
Public Present:
- Kelly Kunesh, Ashley Kunesh, Lucy, Linus & Jack Kunesh
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 01.03.2023:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Mayor Update by Robert Day:
- Firemen’s breakfast-outstanding support & huge success!!
- Asked Chris Walker to speak on Council procedures and allow Council to ask questions, potentially schedule Special meeting in February
Police Chief Update by Gary Plotts:
- Ashley Kunesh here tonight – great hire, chipper personality even covering 3rd shift, gets along great with all other officers, no issues! Ashley thanked Council for hiring her.
- Kelly Kunesh – has law enforcement background, comes highly recommended by Stryker Chief of Police where he is currently employed, would like to request Council permission to hire as part-time police department probationary employee
- DARE program will be up & running January 27 for 5th & 6th graders; anonymous donation of t-shirts for DARE students
Part-time Police Department employee: Kelly Kunesh- willing to cover open shifts & fill spots on 3rd as to not have to rely so heavily on Sheriff’s department for weekend coverage, although it is very much appreciated.
- Motion to hire Kelly Kunesh as probationary part-time police department employee @ $17.81 effective 01.17.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Following Council approval, Kelly Kunesh was sworn in by Mayor Day.
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- OPWC funding list available- Edgerton will receive grant agreement after 7/1/23 to complete Water Treatment plant upgrades; total cost estimated at $681,490; $275,000 received in grant funding, $137,500 in 0% loan; improvements include ion exchange system rehabilitation, change media, add back up aeration system & softening unit, install SCADA system, replace valves & gages, electrical system upgrades, low and high service pump replacement and clear well rehab
- Park Board meeting tomorrow, January 18 from 4-5pm to go over Capital projects of 2023
- Slum & blight project update –Multiple Properties throughout town undergoing cleanup, restoration & demolition if necessary; removal of vacant residential structure on corner of Crane & Hull complete
- Edgemont Colony Apartments owner has submitted for a complete rehabilitation of the property on Gerhart St
Brownfield Grant Agreement: Law Solicitor Chris Walker updated Council on the status of this agreement. Currently there are multiple attorneys working through the draft agreement in an attempt to provide accurate and effective terms. The biggest issue we are wanting clarification on is the timing of payment. We want to have the money from the grant to be able to pay contractors, there also is a 6-month timeline for completion which is not feasible. There will be a requirement for testing that will also need negotiated. This is a brand-new program that hasn’t had all the details worked out yet. We would like councils’ permission to continue working through this agreement and submitting when complete. The alternative is to have to schedule a Special Meeting once the agreement is negotiated.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION 2023-003
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION PROGRAM GRANT AGREEMENT
- Motion to approve Brownfield Grant Agreement:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Park/Street maintenance employee: This position has been open and advertised for since July 2022. Mayor, Kip & VA Fitzcharles have met several times with potential employee, Nick Lloyd. Lloyd has extensive mechanical experience and many other skill sets that make him a perfect fit for this position. Nick has experience working with low voltage electrical levels. He is being brought on with his own desire to further his education. We believe he would be a valuable asset given his experience with a lower voltage background by working on the electrical system upgrades at the sewer lift stations.
Motion to hire Nick Lloyd as probationary full-time park/street maintenance employee @ $20.00 effective 01.17.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | NO |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-1
MARCS Grant agreement: Administrator Fitzcharles and Chief Scott Blue submitted a grant application for equipment as well as monthly subscription fees that are paid for each firefighter to obtain a radio. We were not awarded for the equipment however we have been selected to receive $2,160 for monthly radio subscription fees from the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal. Fitzcharles is requesting permission to execute the grant agreement on behalf of the Fire Department.
- Motion to approve MARCS Grant agreement:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Natureworks Grant: Last spring, Council authorized the submission of Natureworks application for ADA seating at Gerhart Park. $2,500 was donated from the Bryan Area Foundation, the remaining amount has been submitted to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $10,520. Fitzcharles requested authorization to execute this agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
- Motion to approve Natureworks Grant agreement for Gerhart Park project:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
AMP Circuit Rider: Last year during an employment change within the electric department, Council authorized entering into the AMP circuit rider program. Each year we will sign off to continue being a part of this program. This is a backup for our community that allows us to call on AMP line workers in an emergency. This program also offers technical resources. Last summer they completed a thermal scan of our system as well as testing of switches. We are actually requesting 0 hours, but are signing on for 8 hours for $800 to have their services in our back pocket if needed.
- Motion to approve 2023 AMP Circuit Rider
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Ordinance No 1115: Law Solicitor Walker stated he has requested a change be made due to Council’s preference of not wanting to adopt the State’s version of section 1519.04 regarding fireworks. This Ordinance can be passed tonight with the exclusion of 1519.04. This is normally passed as an emergency because it includes state law changes and allows for immediate effective date.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1115
AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE EDGERTON CODIFIED ORDINANCES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
- Motion to suspend three readings of Ordinance No 1115:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1115:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y2 |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- Credit card review 12.16.22-01.15.23
- Utility bill conversion taking place this week
- Started preparing W-2’s & 1099’s for 2022 tax year
- Motion to pay bills 01.17.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Council Discussion:
Chuck Wallace commented that after attending the freshmen tree class that there are a lot of things we should be doing that we are not doing regarding the Tree Commission. He will have more to report after the 2nd class.
Wallace also commented that Gary stepped right in at the Firemen’s breakfast when he had to leave to attend that class and that says a lot about Gary. Mayor Day added that a situation was brought to his attention that speaks volumes about our Police Department and their willingness to help people.
- Motion to adjourn at 7:51PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0