Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 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:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
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
- Jeremy Scott, The Village Reporter
- Lynn Thompson, The Bryan Times
Public Present:
- Justin Coffman
Mayor Day opened the meeting by extending warm welcomes to both Dawn Fitzcharles, recently appointed Village Administrator returning after a three year hiatus, and Chis Walker, new Law Director. We are glad to have these key people with us and to be a part of what we have going for the future.
Dawn thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to serve the citizens and businesses of Edgerton. She has been incredibly humbled by the kind gestures and words of confidence received from the community and council members on her abilities as Village Administrator. She appreciates the chance to prove it and commits to the hard work ahead of her. If anyone has concerns please get ahold of Dawn. She is working now, in a part time capacity, to handle time sensitive items and is aware of the long list of goals and tasks that the Village wants to achieve. She looks forward to completing these tasks in the near future. Dawn will be with us full time beginning Feb 1, 2021.
Mr Walker thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to come to Edgerton and he looks forward to working with Council, Mayor, Dawn and Denise. He suggested that we reach out to him with any questions or concerns.
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 01.04.21 :
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y 2ND |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Mayor Day addressed Council with his State of the Village for 2021.
2021 STATE OF THE VILLAGE
- A year that will live in infamy for many of us due to a virus, with its never-ending unpredictability, providing a roller coaster of emotions, constant stress of having to analyze every decision we made whether it fit proper ‘Covid protocol’. Masks, handwashing, social distancing, touchless as much as possible, sanitizing, wipes etc. etc. Cancellation of many community events were the norm but as discouraging as it might have been, Edgertonians adjusted and went on…
In the Village of Edgerton, the Village Team met the challenges straight on, pulling back in certain areas and yet pushing forward in others. Accomplishments were made in the area of infrastructure by completing one block in each direction of Hull St with new storm and water lines while repaving streets and adding new sidewalks. Business Alley West was repaved with savings from the Hull St project. General cleanup was begun in several areas of the community with volunteerism being displayed on many small projects such as fire hydrant painting and landscaping in Town Park and the Miller Park Shelter House. Generosity flowed through donations allowing much of these projects to be funded by residents at a minimal cost to the Village. Utility help was also made available for those in need, provided mostly anonymously by Edgertonians for Edgertonians… total donations in 2020 were somewhere in the vicinity of $10,000. Something to be promoted and celebrated. In times of trouble, Edgerton takes care of not only themselves but friends and neighbors. New residential home construction along with new business construction in the midst of uncertainty during a pandemic reveals the underlying hopeful positive outlook to the future in 2021. The Village website updates and the beginning of a Facebook page has reconnected local government with its people and provided a listening ear and avenue to communicate with its shareholders.
Looking into this year, the Laubach Dr / Miller Park project will continue with a new phase working to eliminate the decades long problem of flooding in the eastern portion of the property, it will take time. In our parks, new equipment, lighting and overall cleanup will continue to lift pride in areas that have been in some places, embarrassing… our youngest residents deserve safe, quality equipment to play on. The start of sidewalk projects will be a focus to make sure our students can safely travel to and from school. One of the biggest untapped resources is the river, we will be looking for ways to access and utilize it along with developing our crown jewel property with unlimited potential, the Town Park.
We have many challenges in front of us, but with new faces in place with our already outstanding team of employees and a new resolve, let’s continue to work together and find ways to do things in Edgerton that will live long beyond ourselves, like those who have before us..
DISCUSSION: Ordinance No 1072 to establish date and time for Council meetings. A brief explanation was given to the purpose of this Ordinance allowing for moving meeting dates to Tuesday’s (1st & 3rd monthly) at 7:00pm.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1072
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE TIME AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF EDGERTON, WILLIAMS COUNTY, OHIO AND DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY
- Motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No 1072:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y 2ND |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1072:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y MOTION |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y 2ND |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
DISCUSSION: This Ordinance allows for the appropriation of funds for a grant received through the PEP+ Grant program. This grant will provide the Village an opportunity to purchase 24 – 42” safety cones with 16 pound bases for the street department in the amount of $990.00.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1073
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2021 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1073:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2ND |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Amanda Herman entered at 7:11pm.
Discussion: Denise Knecht informed Council that the Dependency Board currently consists of Mike Krill, Scott Blue, Chad Schlie, Robert Day and Denise Knecht. Mike Krill has agreed to continue on the board. Leslie VanAusdale asked what this board does. Knecht explained the board would be responsible for assisting Ohio Dept of Commerce in matters concerning an injurie to firefighter -permanently disabled or killed while discharging duties of a VFF.
- Motion to approve 2021 Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund Board Members :
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y 2ND |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion: It was recently discovered that Exhibit A of Village of Edgerton Electric Department General Rules and Regulations (Ordinance No 1057) & Exhibit A of Village of Edgerton Water Department General Rules and Regulations (Ordinance No 1058) contains a typo that lists the current Electric Only Utility Meter deposit amount as $100.00 (previous amount) and should be $150.00 as approved by Council on 10.19.20. Exhibit A will be amended to reflect the increase.
- Motion to amend Exhibit A as part of Village of Edgerton Electric Department General Rules and Regulations adopted on 12.01.20:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y MOTION |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y 2ND |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to amend Exhibit A as part of Village of Edgerton Water Department General Rules and Regulations adopted on 12.01.20:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2ND |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion: With the passage of Ordinance No 1072, the 2021 council meeting schedule has been updated to reflect meetings being held on the first and third Tuesday’s of the month.
- Motion to approve updated 2021 Council Meetings Schedule:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion: Tracy Harding has been with the Edgerton Police Department for over 18 years and due to personal reasons he has decided to step down from his part time position.
- Motion to accept the resignation of part-time police officer, Tracy Harding as of 12.31.20:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y MOTION |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2ND |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion: With the resignation of a part time police officer, Fitzcharles would like to seek permission to advertise and recruit part time officers for the Police Department.
- Motion to advertise for part-time police officer position:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2ND |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion: While advertising for part time police officer, Fitzcharles would also like to advertise for a part-time laborer position that would serve the Village as a fill in in multiple departments. This will allow to maintain the services that our departments provide; mowing, plowing, leaf pickup, etc. The salary for this position will be funded from the General Fund.
- Motion to advertise for part-time laborer position:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2ND |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion: In October of 2020, Knecht brought forth suggestions for the style of audit for future years that were made after the completion of the 2019 audit by Doug Zimmerman with the State Auditor’s office. An AUP audit is a shorter, less intense and less expensive audit as it does not go into as much detail. However, with 2020 Coronavirus funds and opinion from Administration and LGS we feel it would be wise to continue with an annual audit. Knecht prefers and recommends the annual audit option and is seeking approval to engage for auditing year 2020. Fitzcharles supports that recommendation and expressed that it is important to stay with annual full audit at this time.
- Motion to approve engaging in a full annual audit for year 2020:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2ND |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Open projects– familiarizing herself with open projects and have started filling out applications for grant funding; prioritizing based on due dates in the 1st quarter
- Small/Large businesses– reached out to see what issues Village can assist with, have multiple meetings scheduled within the next couple of weeks
- School District- Met with school district to discuss goals and would like to partner together with certain situations such as safe routes to school and crosswalk on State Route 49
- CRA– working on guidelines and applications; take action to form Housing Council consisting of: 2 appointments by Mayor, 2 by Council, 1 by Planning Commission, 2 by Housing Council with a term length is 3 years. CRA Housing Council has 2 functions; make annual inspection of properties within Community Reinvestment Area in which exemption has been granted, and to hear any appeals. Will bring to Council at the first meeting in February.
- Poggemeyer–Laubach Drive Drainage Project– Spoke with Tim, Laubach Project should be coming before Council with full review of the scope of the project, will ask for approval to go out for bids at time of presentation
- Employee Meetings– started conversations on 1st quarter Capital Spending, PO’s are in process for smaller items that were already in budget
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- December 2020 Financials
- Credit Card Monthly Review – 12/16/20-01/15/21
Mayor Update by Robert Day
- Would like to commend employees that have worked to make the nice updates at the Town Hall.
Council Discussion:
CRA- Gruver would like to be involved in that process if possible.
NOCAC- Would like to explore opportunity of NOCAC managing donations to Village residents. Dawn has reached out to the Director of NOCAC to verify the process. Fitzcharles also spoke with the school district to see if they were in need of any assistance if this were to become a community fund. The school district is currently only in need of “Bulldog Bags” which is a program that involves sending food home on the weekends for approximately 15-20 families. Dawn asked Council if there is any kind of community need that would be a valuable resource to the Village of Edgerton. Council sets the criteria where the funds would be allotted to go to.
LMI– Gruver asked if there was an update on LMI study. Day responded that the Village is on the hook to knock on doors to collect the remaining resident income information. Austin from MVPO is going to get some numbers and information to Mr Day this week.
LAPTOP FORM– VanAusdale has written up a form for Council issued laptops and asked Mr Walker if it sounded acceptable. The form will be printed and passed out to Council members at the next meeting.
FLEX TIME- With the passage of the revised Policy and Procedure manual, flex time for salaried employees is currently suggested to be made up within the 80 hour pay period. VanAusdale would like to suggest that it be made up within the quarter instead. It’s not feasible to make that time up in that short of a time period. After discussion among Council members, it was decided to set a Rules Committee Meeting for Tue, January 26, 2021 at 6pm. Rules Committee members are Leslie VanAusdale, Tom Karnes, and Dean Thiel.
PUBLIC SAFETY– VanAusdale suggested holding a Public Safety Meeting following the Rules Committee Meeting next Tuesday to discuss staffing levels in the Police Department, as well as the updates to the Procedure Manual for the PD that are being made by Chief Griffin. Karnes would like Griffin to be present. Public Safety Committee members are Tom Karnes, Leslie VanAusdale, and Roger Muehlfeld.
ASSET MANAGEMENT– Karnes asked if Dawn has been involved in any discussions regarding Asset Management. Fitzcharles responded she attacked the Laubach Project first because it was the most time sensitive but Council will be seeing information from her soon on this topic once Laubach gets rolling.
WW1 TRAINING- Karnes questioned if the charge on the credit card was for waste water training. Knecht informed Karnes that 2 charges were for testing and 1 charge was for training. Dawn stated the sewer department employees will attempt to pass the test a final time before they will be required to go back to school.
FD BREAKFAST- Wallace thanked the community for their support of the Fire Department breakfast over the weekend. Next month they will be holding a donut sale.
SCADA- Gruver asked if the bugs have been worked out on the sewer SCADA radio issues. The gentlemen from MESA are still working to get everything set up correctly. Karnes asked if we are ready to start the process with the other SCADA projects (electric, water). Dawn stated she has a meeting scheduled for February 8th to discuss fiber connectivity and will have more information following that meeting.
Cindy Thiel brought an issue to Council that there is a large semi sitting uptown on the weekends that is blocking traffic views and is a safety concern for multiple residents. Mayor Day has been contacted on this issue as well and he is working to get an area for semi-trucks to park and it will be somewhere other than next to the Town Park.
- Motion to pay bills 01.19.21:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2ND |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y MOTION |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to adjourn at 8:07 PM:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y 2ND |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y MOTION |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0