Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 5:30 PM
- 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:
- Chris Walker – Law Director; Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer; Dawn Fitzcharles – Village Administrator; Amanda Knecht – Administrative Assistant; Ken Jacob- Police Chief; Fabian Aguilar- Police
Media Present:
- Cindy Thiel- The Edgerton Earth; Liam Jackson- The Bryan Times
Public Present:
- Mike Whitman, Erika Lockwood, Cayden Lockwood, Reid Rothenbuhler
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 11.15.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y M |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Williams County Humane Society- Alicia Strup was present from WCHS to address the growing cat issue not just in Edgerton but in Williams County as a whole. Strup presented a TNR (trap- neuter- release) program that the Humane Shelter is looking to partner with the Village for to bring down the number of stray and feral felines. Cats are taken to a clinic for a very low cost to be spayed and neutered as well as vaccinated ($35) with option of deworming and flea treatments ($5). Cats also receive an ear tip which is a visual indicator they have been neutered. Dedicated community volunteers are a big part of this program. Specific dates are provided to bring the cats in to participate. Strup completed this process in West Unity a few years back and saw great success. She believes that WU spent approximately $5,000 to help control the stray cat population.
Mayor Update by Robert Day:
- Reid Rothenbuhler here tonight as potential Law Director candidate; Reid is from Bowling Green, employed by Marsh & Marsh Attorneys since 2019, attended Elmwood HS (2010), Findlay College (2014), Toledo College of Law (2017), passed bar exam, current law director for Bradner and Jerry City
- Employee of the Month- Denise Knecht; Denise has been with the Village for 22 years, “We appreciate what you do and you do a great job.”
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- Credit Card review from Oct 16-Nov 15
- November 2023 financials completed
Police Chief Update by Ken Jacob:
- 1 body armor piece has been delivered
Legal Services contract: Recommendation to hire Reid Rothenbuhler and would be effective Jan 1, 2024- Dec 31, 2024. Payable on an hourly basis @ hourly rate of $125.00 for an annual fee that shall not exceed $30,000 without Council approval. Legal services contract is mirrored from current executed contract.
- Motion to approve contract for Law Director Services with Reid Rothenbuhler effective 01.01.24:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y M |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Part-time PD employee: Jerry Brown from Fulton County worked full time for Archbold PD for 8 years. Involved with MAN unit, well versed in law, search warrants, drug activity, has an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and completed 5 years in the Marines. After moving to Indiana, he contacted Chief Jacob with interest in staying involved with PD in Ohio.
- Motion to hire Jerry Brown as probationary part-time patrolman @ $20.00/hr:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y M |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Committee Assignments: There was no interest in making changes to committees. A few additions but mostly same as 2023.
- Motion to approve 2024 Committee Assignments:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
ODD Brownfield payment: We need to accept the revenue from the ODD and issue the payment invoice to August Mack for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield remediation project. We receive reports and invoices, submit to ODD, ODD signs off on transaction and sends the money, we then pay August Mack.
- Motion to approve revenue receipt from Ohio Department of Development and issue payment for invoice #79235 to August Mack Environmental in the amount of $55,034.10 for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project (Edgerton Revitalization DEV-2022-193553) for project invoices through October 15, 2023:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to approve Bill’s List 12.06.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y M |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Ordinance No 1129 – Salaries & Wages: Every year the Village is required to pass an annual wage Ordinance which includes wage scales and pay grade assignment. This is the second reading and will not take effect until payroll period beginning December 17, 2023.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1129
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES AND WAGES FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE OF EDGERTON, OHIO
- Motion to give 2nd reading to Ordinance No 1129:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y M |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Ordinance No 1130 – Permanent Appropriations 2024: This is all of the information that was presented at 11/15 meeting. This is the second reading for 2024 Budget.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1130
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR YEAR 2024
- Motion to give 2nd reading to Ordinance No 1130:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y M |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Ordinance No 1131- Housekeeping: This is due to miscalculation on ODOT/SRTS appropriations. Fitzcharles commented the cause of the discrepancy is from having grants cross over budget years.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1131 (Housekeeping II)
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2023 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1131:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y M |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
House Bill 33: Ohio House Bill 33 passed in July and made changes to the law pertaining to municipal income tax. Because we have a municipal income tax code, we are required to update when provided. Essentially this update is in line with states initiative to streamline the tax code to try and make it easier for taxpayers.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1132
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 185 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF EDGERTON, OHIO PERTAINING TO MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX
- Motion to give 1st reading to Ordinance No 1132:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y M |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Lexipol Police Department Policy: This was provided to Council by email. This is the 1st reading.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1133
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE EDGERTON POLICE DEPARTMENT MANUAL
- Motion to give 1st reading to Ordinance No 1133:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y M |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y 2 |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Council Discussion:
Wampler commented the Christmas decoration in town look great.
Wallace asked for an update on work being done for the throwback basketball game. Fitzcharles said we are moving right along with getting it ready; the locker rooms are almost completed and the back hallway is in process of receiving paint & donated flooring. Wallace mentioned that having this game is a good addition to what the Village wanted when this building was saved.
- Motion to enter into executive session executive session under Rule 3358:17-1-04.2 (5) Matters required to be kept confidential by federal law, federal rules, or state statutes by division (G)(5) of section 22of the Revised Code @ 6:24PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Newly appointed Law Director Reid Rothenbuhler was invited to join executive session by Village Administrator.
- Motion to exit executive session 6:41PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y M |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
No action taken after executive session
- Motion to adjourn at 6:41PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0