Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 7, 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 | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
5 Members Present
Other Village Representatives Present:
- Chris Walker – Law Director; Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer; Dawn Fitzcharles – Village Administrator; Amanda Herman – Administrative Assistant
Media Present:
- Dan Cooley, The Village Reporter
Public Present:
- Byron Adams
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 01.17.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
- Motion to Approve Special Meeting Minutes from 01.31.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Mayor Update by Robert Day:
- Very grateful for A.R.E program to be back in our community, heard only good things so far.
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Presentation on Edgerton Fire Department; been working with Scott to submit application for FEMA grant that will provide SCBA’s @ minimal cost to Village.
- Electric relay project-working hard to complete alongside electrical engineer, hoping to test on February 20
- April 8- Annual Electric waste (e-waste) recycling day from 10a-2p behind Town Hall
- April 15- Annual large trash drop off day 8am-noon behind Town Hall; Edgerton scrap fund trailer will be here too
- Republic Services offering 2-year contract extension option, current contract expires June 30, 2023
- Electric digger truck being towed to shop, will not start to get out of building, expense not yet known
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- January 2023 financials completed
- Roger Muehlfeld will be serving Maple Grove Cemetery Board, fulfilling Richard Moffett’s unexpired term to end December 31, 2024
- 2022 financial reporting & Hinkle filing is in process, will go to Cindy at LGS for review and then submitted to State Auditor’s office for annual filing; on bi-annual schedule so will not have annual audit for 2022
- Motion to pay bills 02.07.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | YM |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Police Chief Update by Gary Plotts:
- A.R.E kicked off this week for 5th & 6th graders at Edgerton Local & St Mary’s; 10–12-week program, kids, teachers & admin all excited and looking forward to program being back
- T-shirts for D.A.R.E graciously donated by Edgerton Scrap Fund & Tribune Printing
- Big thanks to Apryl McClaine from Williams County EMA assisted in obtaining 2 portable radios for Police dept at no cost besides monthly fee
- Responding to more than normal accidents, Chief Plotts commented to be extra safe while driving
PARK board update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Meeting held 01.18.23; welcomed new member Chris Sanchez, replaced Cameron Cochran
- Discussed 2022 completed projects & 2023 proposed capital items
- Placement of ADA park benches
- Ideas from members for Edgerton Metals future
- Stan Tipton in town last week to finalize disc golf course plans @ Miller Park
- Motion to approve resignation of part-time water/sewer operator Doug Imm, effective 2/7/2023:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Republic Service-2-year option: Expires June 30, 2023; additional 2-year agreement, 1st year is $0.66 per month increase or $7.92 annually and 2nd year is $0.69 per month or $8.28 annually; by far the smallest contract increase. Republic Service has had Edgerton Village contract since 2013. Extension will go from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. If Council is not interested, we need to know that now to start on finding an alternative immediately. Fitzcharles recommendation is to continue with Republic Services.
- Motion to approve a 2-year option on refuse contract with Republic Service from 7/1/23-6/30/25:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Ice Miller agreement: Ice Miller is an environmental law firm that will allow us to complete Edgerton Metals project. Will assist us with communicating with Ohio Department of Development. They were intricate part of successfully securing grant funding. This agreement will allow us to continue with services for the rehabilitation project. It is of no cost to the Village as the fees are being covered by Edgerton Acquisition. Fitzcharles requested Council approval to complete letter of engagement with Ice Miller.
- Motion to approve agreement with Ice Miller:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | YM |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Application for placement of farmland: Chris Walker explained the Village received an application for placement of farmland from John Radabaugh; there are 23 acres in agricultural district located within the Village limits. The effect of filing an application protects the individual from nuisance complaints related to dust and odors, and if ever any assessments made to that property it is protected under agricultural use. Radabaugh has owned this property since 2008 and there have been no known issues. This is the first time brought to Council in formal manner. Denise will send this application in to the County Auditor if approved.
- Motion to approve application for placement of farmland in an agricultural district (ORC Section 929.02):
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
AMP Thermostat program: Fitzcharles previously discussed with Council on ways to help lower electric costs to the Village. One of the ways is to join voluntary program for community energy savings smart thermostat program. One of largest portions of total electric bill is transmission & capacity (typically 55% of bill). This is a voluntary opt-in 5-year program through company called Energy Hub. During periods of summer/winter peaks (max of 15 times per year), participants would reduce the electric load through their thermostat. Most smart thermostats are eligible through Efficiency Smart for a rebate. Once resident has smart thermostat, there is little to no participation required. After the 1st year, for each thermostat enrolled we would pay $80 per system. This is a way to take energy in to our own hands and turn it in to dollars. Estimated device savings per thermostat is $93.98. with 150 thermostats we would roughly save $24,303. It is completely voluntary and you can opt in or out of an event at any time. There are a lot of variable and safeguards in place. This is strictly a way to reduce energy without thinking about it.
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 1st reading to Ordinance No 1116:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Council Discussion:
Councilman Gruver asked if we would be able to see the Power cost adjustment on utility bills going forward. Denise told him it has been addressed and will be placed on the next bill.
- 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 7:48PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
- Motion to exit executive session 8:05PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
No Action Taken.
- Motion to adjourn at 8:06PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Abs |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0