Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 21, 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; Gary Plotts – Police Chief; Jacob Ferrebee – Police Patrol Officer
Media Present:
- Dan Cooley – Village Reporter
Public Present:
- Louie Herman, Sarah Perez, Avery Perez, Ashley Epling
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 02.07.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abstain |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion passes 6-0
Communications, Petitions, and Claims of Public
- Safety Project Recognition – Avery Perez, Edgerton Boy Scout Troop #29
Mayor Day presented a certificate to Avery Perez in recognition of his contribution to the safety of the Village of Edgerton. Avery’s Eagle Scout project consisted of placing house numbers on residents’ homes that were without numbers as well as updating the EMS map. Mayor Day commended Avery for the work put in to this project and the importance of the houses having numbers for public safety personnel.
- Ashley Epling- Williams County Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO)
Epling is a lifelong Williams County resident and the new director of WEDCO. Prior to taking the WEDCO director position she was a territory sales executive for Republic Service so she has worked with many of the Williams County businesses. In her new role with WEDCO, Ashley is trying to get out to all of the communities and understand what each community is working on, how she can help new businesses or businesses looking for assistance, what struggles they are facing, what works well, what doesn’t work, and most importantly how can WEDCO help. She is working to find ways to collaborate and work together and use each other as resources for the betterment of Williams County. Mayor Day and Administrator Fitzcharles expressed their excitement to have Ashley fill this new role and are looking forward to working with her!
Mayor Update by Robert Day:
Mayor Day addressed Council and the public with the State of the Village for 2023 “Why not in Edgerton?”
STATE OF THE VILLAGE 2023
“In 2022, the Village of Edgerton began to see fruit from all its labors over the last few years. The team that has been assembled represents a finely tuned vehicle that is hitting on all cylinders. From the brain trust inside Village Hall that not only efficiently tackles the day-to-day operations but also is never resting by looking to the future for ways to improve our community through networking with others, endlessly seeking funding as we implement our vision with the mottos, “Let’s do things that will live long beyond ourselves” and ‘’Why not in Edgerton?’’ Out in the field, our Electric, Street, Water, Sewer and Park Departments continue to move from a reactionary mindset to one of proactive preparation through improvements and plans for the future.
In 2022, we began Phase 1 of a multiphase, multiyear, multimillion dollar plan to improve pedestrian infrastructure in Edgerton focused on getting our students safely to and from schools. With the Oak St project that was bid at $23,000 under engineer’s estimate and CDBG funds, it left the village’s portion at 54% of the cost. We added 1,280 feet of new and updated sidewalks, that will allow students to use sidewalks and not street to get to and from school. The improved esthetics was a bonus for that block of Oak St as well. The Laubach Dr project was completed and has shown great improvement of drainage of our decades old problem at Miller Park, also with a portion funded by CDBG. 1, 720 feet of new asphalt was laid on West St, Hull St, Crane St, Railroad St, River St and in Maple Lane Addition. New playground equipment was installed at both Miller Park and Burkhart Fields on Gerhart St. The Picnic Pavilion in Town Park had original rotting wood support posts replaced with new and safer steel ones and was installed by volunteers. The Water Department had 2 new low service pumps, 2 Check valves and 4 Gate valves installed replacing 1966 original ones. Last year we also saw the beginning of both water towers being renovated, which will add approximately 40 years of life to the existing structures. $300,000 was awarded to the Village by the Williams County Commissioners through the County ARPA Fund to help finance the project. The June 5th weather and train related power outage event, which took down 16 of First Energy’s utility poles east of the village, caused several days of havoc but, in the end, provided an unplanned multi–million dollar upgrade to the transmission lines to the benefit of the Village of Edgerton.
The Edgerton Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gary Plotts, continues to transition into a fully functioning department, with growing numbers, improved morale and the restoration of the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in our schools. The addition of a K-9 police dog, Jaxx, has been well received in the schools and community. Our Fire Chief Scott Blue celebrated his 50th year in the Edgerton Fire Department as we continue to look for ways to grow the department.
The year ended with the Village of Edgerton being notified by the Ohio Department of Development that the funding request made by the partnership of Edgerton Development Corp and the Village of Edgerton, along with current Metals property owners, Edgerton Acquisition, was being fully funded for 4.95 million dollars through the State of Ohio’s Brownfield Remediation Program to clean up the Metals property on Bement St. This decades long eyesore on 4.4 acres will provide an opportunity to develop this once dismal property into something positive for the community. The additional match of 1.3 million dollars from the current owners will make this a 6.2-million-dollar project and the entire property ownership will eventually be transitioned to the village. 4.4 acres of riverfront property cleaned up, ready for development and turned over to the village at no cost. A true modern-day miracle and an example of God’s blessing and answer to the prayers of our community. A total of 5.5 million dollars more in funding was applied for ibn 2022 and these applications are still in process so we anticipate that there is more to come…
So, as we turn our attention to 2023 with high expectations of even more infrastructure improvement projects on several fronts…we are determined to not take our foot off the pedal. We are closing in on our goal of filling all downtown buildings with thriving businesses and our industrial buildings as well. The area is taking notice of what is happening in Edgerton…With all of us, working together, along with God’s Hand guiding us our future potential is limitless… and begs the question… “Why not in Edgerton?”
Day added, “Dawn in her leadership role has made everyone around her better. The employees trust and respect her leadership. That’s what good leaders do. There are some awesome things happening and it all starts down here at the end of the hall.”
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Thank you to Ashley Epling for coming to our meeting tonight; everyone has goals and we are excited to look at WEDCO as a partner as we try to continue to cultivate the business environment. Mayor Day added that it has been a breath of fresh air.
- Successfully completed electric substation relay project and is happy to report that it went very well; awesome opportunity for electric guys to work directly with electrical engineer & did a lot of the work themselves with supervision, picked up a lot of skills!
- Working through some challenges to get additional equipment on order in the electric and fire dept; they have the longest wait times for equipment as most of those agencies have not come back from impacts of COVID
- Street department continues to work along railroad cleaning up debris from leaves and trees
- Working on sewer and storm sewer lateral project, 2 NPDES permits allocated to our Village- 1 for sewer dept and 1 for water dept. Our water softener currently discharges into a basin and then into the river, Ohio EPA issues this permit in order to do that; this is treated water used to backflush the softener. Now the rules have changed, so in order to be in compliance we are working with the sewer side of the EPA to reroute the discharge into the sewer system and then into the lagoons.
- Last Friday the Edgerton Metals firm was in town to discuss scope of project, timeframe, visual work to be done and things done behind the scenes. At this time a work trailer will be brought on site and remediation is expected to take around 2 years.
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- Credit Card Review of Statements 1/16/2023-2/15/2023
- At the last meeting it was reported the 2022 Financial Report and Hinkle Notes have been completed and sent to Cindy with LGS for review. We have received the information back and are ready to submit by this Friday 2/24.
- Motion to pay bills 02.21.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y 2nd |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y Motion |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion passes 6-0
Police Chief Update by Gary Plotts:
- Captain Krill approached Chief Plotts and are now working on offering gun safety classes to the community
- Might also venture into bike safety, and offer monthly classes that provide help to the community
AMP Thermostat program- 2nd reading of Ord #1116: At the Last Meeting Fitzcharles discussed with Council ways to help lower electric costs to the Village and presented the smart thermostat program. Dawn has already had multiple residents that have shown interest in participating. We will be prepared to begin taking applications after May 1st, signups are due back to AMP by April 3rd.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1116
AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE EXECUTION OF A SCHEDULE WITH AMERICAN MUNICIPAL POWER, INC FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY ENERGY SAVINGS SMART THERMOSTAT PROGRAM
- Motion to give 2nd reading to Ordinance No 1116:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2nd |
Motion passes 6-0
Ordinance No 1117- 2023 MARCS radio grant, award letter was approved by Council in January for three quarters of a year payment in relation to charges for monthly service fees for MARCS radios in the fire department. Asking for increase to estimated revenue by $2,160 and then an increase to appropriations in dues, fees and memberships expense line.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1117
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2023 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
- Motion to approve and adopt Ordinance #1117:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2nd |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y Motion |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion passes 6-0
Discussion: With Council approval we would like to recommend rescheduling the next Regular Council Meeting from the date of Tuesday, March 7, 2023 to Friday, February 24, 2023 at 3:00pm. We have multiple council members who are unable to attend on March 7th and we would lack a quorum.
- Motion to reschedule Regular Council Meeting from the date of Tuesday, March 7, 2023 to Friday, February 24, 2023 @ 3:00pm:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2nd |
Motion passes 6-0
Council Discussion:
Councilman Gruver questioned how the digger truck situation turned out and was told “much better than expected.” It was a simple fix and the tow bill was much less than anticipated for having to be towed from our own garage.
Playground on Gerhart St is used quite a bit, but Blinzler raised concern that there have been high school aged kids down there intimidating the younger kids. Chief Plotts intends to have officers patrol that area so there is a police presence involved.
Playground vandalism issue out to Miller Park– Wallace asked if it is time for cameras? Fitzcharles explained there is a lacking infrastructure to place cameras as well as elevated costs for quality equipment, but would like to work towards that.
Wallace thanked Edgerton community for turn out at Firemen’s breakfast. Chuck also stressed the importance of needing Fire department volunteers in order to save the department from fading out.
- Motion to enter into executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee under ORC 121.22(G)(1) at 7:45PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2nd |
Motion passes 6-0
Chief Plotts was asked to stay for executive session.
- Motion to exit executive session @7:59PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2nd |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion passes 6-0
- Motion to adjourn @ 7:59PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y Motion |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2nd |
Motion passes 6-0