Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 2, 2025 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 | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
5 Members Present
Other Village Representatives Present:
- Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer; Dawn Fitzcharles – Village Administrator; Amanda Knecht – Administrative Assistant; Ken Jacob – Police Chief
Media Present:
- None
Public Present:
- Danielle Tanner, Jeff Lyon
Election of 2025 Council Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:
Councilman Gruver nominated Lance Bowsher for 2025 Council President Pro Tempore. Sharon Blinzler seconded that nomination and with no other nominations, motioned to close nominations.
- Motion to close nominations for Council President Pro Temp of Edgerton Council:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y 2ND |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
- Motion to elect Lance Bowsher as 2025 Council President Pro Temp of Edgerton Council:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y 2ND |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Mainstreet Edgerton– Danielle Tanner and Jeff Lyon were present on behalf of Mainstreet Edgerton formerly known as the Chamber of Commerce. They wanted to provide some updates about the organization’s name change and what the plans are for the future. The mission of Mainstreet Edgerton is to be a volunteer organization for Edgerton. “We are interested in improving the cultural and economic welfare of our Village.” This is strictly a name change. The by-laws are the same, but we are trying to improve all of the events that we have already been doing. The mission and values of Mainstreet Edgerton include; integrity, transparency, community, relationships, diversity, innovation and sustainability. Lyons requested the Village to consider being the first platinum sponsor with an annual investment. There are 4 levels of sponsorship which will serve as the new funding method of the organization. They will be having a Launch party on January 14 at 6pm in the Church of Christ.
- Motion to approve of becoming a platinum-level member of Mainstreet Edgerton at cost of $2,500.00:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y MOTION |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y 2ND |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 12.18.24:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Abstain |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 4-0
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Preparing for Asset Management Plan Audit on January 7- required for WTP project
- 3 year PWS sanitary survey on January 21
- Leak detection company will be in town next week
- 3 year full rate review of all utilities initiated through utility rate consultant, John Courtney including cost of service study
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- December 2024 is closed out, officially operating in 2025- e-mail with financials will be sent in next couple of days
- Motion to pay bills 01.01.25:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y MOTION |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 5-0
PD resignation: Dana Phipps joined the department under the former Chief as a DARE officer. Phipps has submitted his resignation as he is a Defiance County Commissioner and no longer has the time to focus on being an officer. When asked about future plans for the DARE program, Chief Jacob would like to eventually get an SRO in at the school that could continue the program duties.
- Motion to accept resignation of Police Department part-time employee, Dana Phipps:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y 2ND |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Street Department hire: Devin Herman started with the Village in November 2024. He has been an asset to our team. Herman submitted the only internal application. Devin has a background in turf management and has shown a strong willingness to be part of our team. We propose to hire to a full-time position at the same rate of pay.
- Motion to hire Devin Herman as probationary full-time street/park maintenance at proposed rate of pay at $20.00/hr effective 01.01.25:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Part-time laborer advertisement: With the reclassification of Devin, we respectively ask Council for permission to advertise for the part-time general laborer position.
- Motion to advertise for part-time general laborer:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y 2ND |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y MOTION |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Legal Services contract: Recommendation to hire Reid Rothenbuhler and would be effective Jan 1, 2025- Dec 31, 2025. Payable on an hourly basis @ hourly rate of $135.00 for an annual fee that shall not exceed $30,000 without Council approval. Council members inquired about the satisfaction level; Day, Fitzcharles, Knecht and Chief Jacob have been very satisfied with response time and knowledge of issues.
- Motion to approve contract for Law Director Services with Reid Rothenbuhler effective 01.01.25 through 12.31.25:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y MOTION |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Council Discussion:
Chuck Wallace asked if the electric department had been notified of his request to add lighting in front of the library. Dawn discussed with Jeremy but wanted to clarify with Chuck where he believes the light needs to be placed. Fitzcharles will follow up with the electric department.
Wallace also inquired if our building is used as a public meeting space for individuals who have to exchange children. The office ladies and Ken verified that they have witnessed exchanges take place at the Town Hall.
- Motion to adjourn at 6:33PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2ND |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y MOTION |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Absent |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0