Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 19, 2022 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
Karnes, Tom 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

Media Present:

  • Cindy Thiel, The Edgerton Earth; Lucas Bechtol, The Bryan Times; Dan Cooley, The Village Reporter
  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 04.05.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Arbor Day Proclamation by Mayor Day: There will be a tree planting on Friday, April 29th @ 10am in front of Town Hall. Certain grades from St. Mary’s Elementary as well as Edgerton Local Elementary will be in attendance. Mayor Day reached out to Alicia Krill and is hoping to have some musical entertainment also. Mayor Day then read aloud the Arbor Day Proclamation.

Mayor Day asked the record to show that he recently gathered 3 historical society pictures and 4 pieces from the Day family to give the Council room some personality. We are blessed with a spacious Council room.

Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:

  • Water Tower Project #2 bid opening will be Monday, April 25 in the Council chambers; hoping to receive several bids.
  • Successful Large Trash Day, 24 ton of refuge was taken to the landfill and 16,000 pounds of metal was scrapped

Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:

  • Credit Card Review 02/16-03/15 & 03/16-04/15
  • State auditor are still on site, this is beginning of week 3; projected 4 weeks of on-site work to be done
  • Motion to pay bills 04.19.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 6-0

Discussion- Reclassification of Street & Park Employee: Jeremy Wright has successfully completed probationary period. Notes included on his performance: Jeremy came to the Village with a strong skill set and is capable of performing many tasks. He communicates effectively with supervisors, residents and peers. He serves this community with a smile always and is very helpful to all departments.

  • Motion to reclassify Jeremy Wright from probationary to regular full-time employee effective 04.19.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 6-0

Discussion– Resignation of Street Department part-time employee Elias Carter: Dawn received an official two-week notice on Monday from Elias Carter who has accepted a full-time position elsewhere. In his letter of resignation, he stated that he appreciates the experience and knowledge gathered during his time at the Village and would be more than willing to assist with training the new employee if found before Eli’s notice expires.

  • Motion to accept resignation of part-time employee Elias Carter effective 04/28/2022:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Discussion- Advertise for open part-time employee position: With Eli’s position open we are seeking approval to advertise for the part-time general laborer position.

  • Motion to advertise for open part-time General Laborer position:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam YM

Motion PASSES 6-0

Discussion- Laubach Dr Project change order request #2: Needed to upsize the what well at a cost of $2, 971 increase. Total contract price for housekeeping and paperwork is $293,796; original contract price was $298,325. Due to challenge of contractor getting here because of weather and materials there was a decrease of contract price of $7,500 in the beginning so we are still under contract price. We are now looking for a motion to approve the change order.

  • Motion to approve change order request #2 for Laubach Drive Project:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam YM

Motion PASSES 6-0

Discussion- Norfolk Southern Railway Co lease agreement: Received notification last summer regarding the last known lease agreement between Norfolk Southern and Village of Edgerton which dates back to the mid 1970’s. There particular parcel of land owned by the railroad is located behind fire department and butts up to bulk fill water station, cuts over to intersection of Ash and Indiana St. Village pays roughly $120 annually giving us use of back drive and bulk water fill station. We mow and maintain through this lease agreement. The Laubach Dr Project flagged this agreement and triggered Norfolk to reach out to us to discuss this agreement in hopes of renegotiating. The biggest difference in the renegotiated lease agreement allows the Village rights for beautification from Village limit to Village limit. The purpose of this is to allow us to lawfully access the property to maintain trash, weeds, etc. as long as it can be done in a safe manner. The proposed price is $750 annually.

  • Motion to allow Village Administrator to enter into lease agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Co:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1097
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2022 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS

Discussion- Supplement: This Ordinance will allow the Village to accept grant funding from the Edgerton Area Foundation for Edgerton Police Department in the amount of $7,000 for duty rifles and accessories. The supplement will increase revenue to accept the grant monies and establish appropriation to allow funds for purchase.

  • Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1097:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSTAIN
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam YM

Motion PASSES 6-0

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO 2022-008
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR TO APPLY FOR NATUREWORKS FUNDING THROUGH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Discussion- NatureWorks: Dawn explained that we apply annually for Natureworks grant funding through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The allotment per County is different each year. This year we are applying for handicapped accessible picnic tables and benches for Gerhart Park to be placed near the future playground equipment, similar to tables and benches located at Miller Park. The company that can install the playground equipment can also install the tables and benches. The Natureworks application is due June 1st. Plans have been submitted but may not see funding yet in 2022. Chuck Wallace suggested making the approach handicapped accessible.

  • Motion to pass and adopt Resolution No 2022-008:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y2
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO 2022-009
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTHWEST TARGET AREA WATER FACILITIES AND AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF A FUND WAIVER REQUEST TO THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT

Discussion- RLF waiver: The Village holds a Revolving Loan Fund. Over the years we have made business loans to local entities from that fund and also utilized the fund to help us fund certain projects. We have been working with Maumee Valley Planning Organization and have put together a proposed construction project that will create a loop in our water system that will eliminate two dead ends. This will support water quality and fire protection for the Northwest area of the Village. Currently the available balance is $59, 962.86. Maumee Valley has stated that once funds are expended there will be other resources available that we may have access to in order to replenish the RLF fund. This project also includes sewer facilities that will be separately financed, an additional hydrant and several valves that will allow us to isolate any future issues. This Resolution authorizes Dawn to submit a fund waiver request to the Ohio Department of Development and if approved Dawn will come back to Council with further information and an agreement to approve before funds are spent.

  • Motion to pass and adopt Resolution No 2022-009:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the acquisition of property under ORC 121.22(G)(2); action may be taken; entered at 7:26 PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to exit executive session 8:06PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y M
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Discussion: Law Director Chris Walker explained an available grant opportunity through the Ohio Department of Development. In order to take advantage of this grant opportunity the Village of Edgerton needs to work with Edgerton Development Corporation by agreement of property transfer.

Action taken-

  • Motion to approve the mayor to enter into a transfer agreement with the Edgerton Development Corporation and for the Village of Edgerton to cooperate in the grant agreement application process through Ohio Department of Development:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Council Discussion:

North West Street– Councilman Wallace voiced a concern about the condition of the first block of North West Street especially after the construction traffic from the Laubach Drive Project. In the future we should consider replacing both sides of the road at the beginning of the project, not just the area where underground infrastructure is to be placed. Administrator Fitzcharles explained that we have some patch work to be done and are in price negotiation with Gerken Paving. We are aware of the situation as we walked the project and are awaiting final answers and pricing. “We are trying to make our money go the furthest distance and make the biggest impact,” said Fitzcharles.

Bulk Water Station is under repair. Parts have been ordered and will be operational as soon as parts are received.

Chickens – Council Member Blinzler was approached by a resident wanting to know what they have to do to have chickens allowed in the Village limits. Administrator Fitzcharles noted it would be decision made by this body. Blinzler noted that other communities allow a limited number of chickens but do not allow roosters.

Water issue at River Bend– Blinzler was also approached by Jim Walker with a complaint about standing water. Mayor and Administrator advised the group that this has been an ongoing situation that is being addressed. We are now at the point of obtaining an opinion from a third-party engineering firm to address the water behind his house.

  • Motion to adjourn at 8:20PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y2
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0