- Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 5:30PM 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:
- Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer; Dawn Fitzcharles – Village Administrator; Amanda Knecht – Administrative Assistant
Media Present:
- Cindy Thiel- The Edgerton Earth, Brianna Balogh- The Village Reporter, Brian Koeller- The Bryan Times
Public Present:
- Ed Bohn
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 03.19.25:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y 2ND |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Mayor Day read the Arbor Day Proclamation which proclaims April 25, 2025 as Arbor Day for 2025. Mayor urges citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well being of this and future generations. The Arbor Day program on Friday, April 25th will take place at 10am, dedicating a tree near the home of and in honor of Levi Tyler Hess, a junior at Edgerton High School who was killed in a car accident last August.
Mayor’s State of the Village: 2024 was a year that featured forward movement on several fronts. The repaving of the 4 blocks of Oak St., moving electric supply underground on Maple Lane & Stauffer Dr, upgrades to Town Hall and Ball Fields. 2024 also represented the calm before the ‘storm of progress’ coming in the next 24 months to this Community. Funding has been secured, while behind the scenes, i’s are being dotted, t’s are being crossed. All in preparation of improvements that will help us ‘do things in Edgerton that will live long beyond us.’
The next 24 months will see paving of Rt 49 from the Defiance County line to Fish Creek Bridge to the north and paving of US Rt 6 from Rt 49 to the Indiana State line. Approximately 4-5 miles of sidewalks throughout the village will give pedestrians the opportunity to safely travel around town. Tied to the sidewalk project will have an improved crossing at N Michigan Ave & River St for students to and from school, along with a new crossing in the middle of the downtown business district. Children and adults alike will be able to access Miller Park by a sidewalk.
A new Community Building will be erected in Miller Park that will be larger and attract more groups, outing and celebrations to our Community & Park. The new Disc Golf Course has baskets ready, concrete tee pads poured as we work our way to develop 4 holes through wooded property that was donated to the Village by Edgerton Development Corp.
But beyond all these things, the most notable accomplishment of 2024 for me, was the response of our Village team through ‘unforeseen’ adversity. You never know exactly how employees will react until those winds of adversity blow. 2024 found us in a position of vulnerability, where leadership and departments were without full staff for periods of time. Our team’s reaction was for other departments, when needed, to willingly step up and fill the void to keep projects moving. And step up they did… it has created a confidence that no matter what comes our way, our team will quickly respond to the benefit of all.
We look forward to 2025 with anticipation and great expectancy as we tackle the seen and unseen challenges that we will encounter as we continue to do those things to improve Edgerton and do those things that will live long beyond us!
WEDCO Community of the Year: Village of Edgerton received this honor from WEDCO, along with a certificate of acknowledgment from Frank La Rose, Secretary of State. This is a great accomplishment for our community and wonderful that we are being recognized outside of our community.
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- March 2025 financials complete
- Per request of the Mayor, Denise shared updates regarding the interest earnings over the last several years. The Village has earned much more interest in the past few years than previously due to higher interest rates, more funds to invest and exploring different investment opportunities. From the years 2019 through 2022 the annual average interest earned was $16,824. In year 2023 the total interest earned was $37,117 and in 2024 earnings were a record high $183,378. Through March 31st we have earned $74,911 in 2025. Currently we hold 11 certificates of deposit at an average annual percentage yield of 3.7%, with a minimum APY of 1.35% and a maximum APY of 4.5%. Terms of the CD’s range from 82 days up to 24 months with various maturity dates from now, April of 2025 through January of 2027. We also hold one large CDARS investment at 5.01% APY, maturing at the end of May 2025. The Village began investing in CDARS through IntraFi in 2024. CDARS (IntraFi) helps consumers with large deposits keep their money insured by staying under the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000 per depositor per bank. Customers who use IntraFi deposits have a single account at one local bank, rather than at many banks across the network. Approximately 75% of our cash is invested in time deposits, leaving 25% liquid, in holding and operating accounts for daily operations.
- Motion to pay bills 04.08.25:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y 2ND |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Administrator Fitzcharles shared that the Police Department was one of 13 agencies that received final certification from the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency. The collaborative was formed in 2015, and we went through the initial certification process 3 or 4 years ago. Overall, there are 667 agencies throughout Ohio, which represents 29,887 officers. We are very excited about this, as the mission of the board is to work collaboratively with the community to ensure accountability, instill greater public confidence, and improve community-police relations. Congratulations to Chief Jacob and the department. The department was also recognized for excellence in policy management and training in 2024 by Lexipol. This is a program available to our Police department with resources and attorney opinions that allow them to more effectively do their job.
Police Chief Update by Ken Jacob:
- Been taking advantage of training; OPOTA, Basic SWAT school, active shooter response training, firearms & rifle requalifications
- Junk vehicles nuisance notices – around 25 issued so far
- This Wednesday, county-wide MOCK crash at the Williams County Fairgrounds
Tree Commission Meeting: Held on April 2nd, discussed receiving Tree City USA designation and Arbor Day program. In honor of Arbor Day/Earth Day we will be giving away 150 seedlings @ Food Truck Monday on April 21st. We continue to work through GIS and approved a list of trees to be taken down. Also been actively reaching out to residents to discuss plantings.
PD resignation: Jerry Brown, part-time patrolman submitted his resignation effective 3.31.25. Jerry was unable to fulfill due to family and work commitments.
- Motion to accept resignation of part-time patrol officer, Jerry Brown, effective 3/31/25:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0
ODD side letter: This is a summary of the action we have taken with Edgerton Acquisition, LLC and Ohio Decorative Products, LLC in regards to the Edgerton Brownfield Project. In 2022 when we accepted the real estate as a gift agreement and fast forwarding to 2023 when we executed a grant agreement with ODD. Essentially this is saying they will be sending us the 25% grant match requirements of 408, 930.96 and we agree that we will restrict the funds to this project only. This was approved by our law director.
- Motion to approve side letter for Ohio Department of Development Edgerton Brownfield project with Edgerton Acquisition, LLC:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y 2ND |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Brownfield Remediation Program Grant Agreement Amendment with ODD: Initially, with the grant term all funds had to be expended by June 30, 2025. At the time the agreement was entered, and all entities involved including Ohop EPA, environmental group and attorneys, it was established that it might be necessary to apply for an extension or come back to the table to try to negotiate an agreement. The Ohio EPA is going to require us to do additional longer-term testing, which essentially means we are meeting all of our goals but would like to make sure we continue to meet those goals. The Department of Development, our funding mechanism) needs to have funds out by the end of their fiscal year. After this is signed and we prove that we have expended the 25% match requirement, the remaining grant funds will be transferred to us and all future invoices will be paid from those grant funds and reported back to the Department of Development. The agreement is executed directly with the Department of Development.
- Motion to approve the First Amendment to Brownfield Remediation Program Grant Agreement with Ohio Department of Development:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y 2ND |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y MOTION |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Miller Park Shelter House demolition: The funding has been approved at the State level. MVPO requires us to execute this agreement before moving forward with the asbestos investigation and demolition. We have now paired our two funding sources together in contact. Contractor questions should be directed to MVPO in Defiance. They will be handling the demolition of the project. Once the bid process is live, they have a place to apply on their website. There is also have a prequalification process.
- Motion to approve commitment and voluntary participation agreement for the Miller Park Shelter House Demolition with Maumee Valley Planning Organization:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y 2ND |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
VOE personnel policy & procedure manual update: These changes were discussed at the last rules committee meeting. The changes include the addition of on-call policy, vacation maximum, addition of holidays approved by Council and the addition of Heath Savings Account as an option for annual vacation buy out.
- Motion to approve updates to VOE Personnel Policy & Procedures Manual:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y 2ND |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
ODOT Road Salt agreement: We are asking for the same amount of road salt that we have historically asked for which is 110 ton. We agree to buy a minimum of 90% and not to exceed 110%. This resolution requires all of Council’s signatures and once submitted to ODOT the contract will be put out to bid. Later this year we will receive information regarding what our area will pay.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO 2025-005
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ODOT ROAD SALT CONTRACTS AWARDED IN 2025
- Motion to pass and adopt Resolution No 2025-005:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Council Discussion:
Chuck Wallace would like to look into getting signs for nuisance properties.
- Motion to adjourn at 6:03PM:
|
Blinzler, Sharon |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Bowsher, Lance |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Wampler, Pam |
Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0