Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 7:00 PM

  • Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 7:03PM 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; Gary Plotts – Police Chief

Media Present:

  • Dan Cooley – The Village Reporter
  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 12.06.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y2
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Recognition of Service- Thomas Karnes: On behalf of The Village of Edgerton, Mayor Day presented Mr Karnes with an engraved clock as a recognition of service and a Thank You for serving as a council member. Day wished Karnes well and thanked him for his contribution to our community.

Mayor Update by Robert Day:

  • 2023 Committee Assignments-left most council members on same committees; Fitzcharles questioned if some of the committees need to be approved by Council after appointment by the Mayor
  • Village and Edgerton Development combined were awarded $4,957,500 for cleanup/revitalization of old Edgerton Metals property; thank you to all involved in the process, very exciting time for Edgerton

Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:

  • Working through process of award funding with Ohio Department of Development & Auditor’s office, want to make sure it is done properly, will likely bring more information to Council the 1st meeting in January
  • Planning Commission meeting on January 3rd @ 6:30pm
  • Tree Commission will welcome State Urban Forester, Stephanie Miller in January to tour the Village and begin a master tree planting plan; invitation is open to community members interested in attending
  • Received notification that FEMA grant application was declined but encouraged to apply during next cycle in 2023; will remove amount from Permanent Appropriation Ordinance and will be presented as 3rd reading with an amendment

Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:

  • Credit Card Review Monthly/ Quarterly

Wallace questioned payment for solar signs, as he thought they were being paid for by the State of Ohio. Fitzcharles informed that the Village will be reimbursed for full payment.

  • Motion to pay bills 12.20.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Police Chief Update by Gary Plotts:

  • Awarded grant for bulletproof/stab proof vest for Jaxx- should receive in 8-10 weeks
  • Fabian Aguilar doing a great job, has been visiting local business and schools to introduce himself, excited to work with him
  • Interviewed for part-time position & after discussing with panel would like to request Council permission for hire of part-time patrolman, Ashley Kunesh; completed academy with Ashley Eberly and Fabian Aguilar, certified, full-time experience & willingness to work 3rd shift

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1112 (3rd reading)
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES AND WAGES FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF EDGERTON, OHIO AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Discussion- Establishing Salaries and Wages: Council passes a wage Ordinance annually. Council is responsible for determining and administering employee wages and benefits, as well as determining the effective date. This does not set rate in which each employee is paid, only the wage range in which each employee can be paid. Passing by emergency in order to provide for immediate effective date.

  • Motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No 1112:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1112:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1113 (3rd reading)
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR YEAR 2023 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Discussion- 2023 Permanent Appropriations: The goal was to provide 3 readings of budget, which will be completed tonight, however we will need to pass by emergency to allow for an immediate effective date. Please note there is an amendment as the FEMA grant monies that was previously anticipated has been removed.

  • Motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No 1113:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1113:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Village Employee resignation-Grant McMaken was hired during 11/15 meeting and scheduled to begin work Monday 12/19 however, he called to inform he would be unable to fulfill duties as his current employer offered $6 more per hour and 100% insurance paid. Fitzcharles felt that it would be in best interest for this body to officially approve resignation as McMaken was hired by this body.

  • Motion to approve resignation of Street/Park maintenance employee Grant McMaken effective 12/20/22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Village Administrator Fitzcharles requested Council’s permission to advertise for the again vacant parks/street maintenance position.

  • Motion to advertise for vacant Park/Street maintenance position:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

As Gary requested earlier, would like Council permission to hire Ashley Kunesh as part-time police officer.

  • Motion to hire Ashley Kunesh as probationary part-time patrolman at $17.81 effective 12/20/22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Also have reclassification of part-time police officer, Larry Hussey. Hussey is doing a great job, signs up for a lot of activities at the school, has been an asset to the Police Department.

  • Motion to reclassify Larry Hussey from probationary part-time patrolman to regular part-time patrolman:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 6-0

Council Discussion:

Gruver thanked all involved for working so hard to obtain Revitalization grant; secured a significant amount of money that will greatly benefit the Village, much appreciated and excited to be doing something positive with that area.

Wampler thanked the office ladies for doing an awesome job!

Karnes thanked the Village of Edgerton for being his family for so many years. “It has been a privilege to serve.”

Wallace asked Dawn if the crews were geared up for potential storm. Fitzcharles confidently and gladly responded YES! The salt box has been on since around Thanksgiving and there has been enough cross training to successfully perform!

VanAusdale asked if Village offices would be closed Friday before New Years Eve. Office will be closed Monday after New Year’s only.

  • Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, compensation of a public employee per Ohio Revised Code 121.22 @ 7:32PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to exit executive session at 8:05PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to appoint Lance Bowsher to open council seat and to be sworn in on 01/03/2023.
Blinzler, Sharon                              NO
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom Abstain
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck NO
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to adjourn at 8:09PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 6-0