Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Oath of Office for re-elected Council Members Chuck Wallace, Leslie VanAusdale & Mayor Robert Day
- 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 | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| 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 & Kelly Kunesh- Police Department
Media Present:
- Cindy Thiel-The Edgerton Earth; Liam Jackson- The Bryan Times; Anna Wozniak- The Village Reporter
Public Present:
- Michelle Day
Election of 2024 Council Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:
Councilman Gruver nominated Leslie VanAusdale for 2024 Council President Pro Tempore. Pam Wampler seconded that nomination and with no other nominations, Blinzler motioned to close nominations.
- Motion to close nominations for Council President Pro Temp of Edgerton Council:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y M |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0
- Motion to elect Leslie VanAusdale as 2024 Council President Pro Temp of Edgerton Council:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y M |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2 |
Motion PASSED 5-0
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 12.20.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0
Mayor Update by Robert Day:
- Congratulations all around for public servant elections
- Gym, locker rooms, Town Hall looks great; VanAusdale commented all the work done has been a great improvement to the building & Fitzcharles added she hopes to continue improvements throughout the main hallway if we can work it into the schedule
- United Way will be here, Historical Society will be open before and during the Throwback game, Ric Heisler coming out of retirement to announce the game
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- BWC Safety Grant awarded in 2023 for power wind storage rack with 8 rollers to place TH3 gym mats on; will help to prevent accidents & strains; will receive monies within next 120 days
- Oak Street project moving along- primarily funded through CDBG grant, county has received agreement & release of funds, expected to have design completed by February 2nd; goal is to have contractor here to begin work on or after June 1 and complete by August 15
- Rig drilling core samples- streets on list to be re-paved needed tested to see what we need and where; able to shave $60,000 off original estimate because we had a clear picture
- Auction to sell assets coming soon, in process of finalizing list to be sold; purchase orders have been put in place for new capital purchases
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- 2023 bill’s list- short check run to close up odds & ends if anyone would like to view
- 2023 Financials completed, closed out of 2023 and moved in to 2024 budget year
- 7th invoice from August Mack for ODD Brownfield project with motion to receipt the revenue, also requests to pay as Then & Now as it is coming from 2024 budget
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 #79487 to August Mack Environmental in the amount of $124,649.90 for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project (Edgerton Revitalization DEV-2022-193553) for project invoices through November 12, 2023:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0
- Motion to pay bills 01.03.24:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y M |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0
Full-time Police department- Kelly Kunesh started January 7, 2023 as part-time patrol for EPD, with a total of 6 years full-time and 2 years part-time and prior military experience we respectfully request the reclassification to full-time probationary police patrolman at proposed rate of pay of $23.50. Chief Jacob added Kelly is very dependable and is glad he chose to come on to the department full-time.
- Motion to re classify Kelly Kunesh from part-time Police Department patrolman to probationary full-time PD patrolman:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y 2 |
| Gruver, Jason | Y M |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0
FD Resignations: Christopher Gaskill submitted resignation as of 12/31/23. CJ was a dedicated servant for 14 years, served 8 years as volunteer firefighter and has been a second call firefighter for last 6 years. Gaskill recently accepted promotion @ Noble Township Fire Department where he currently lives. Best of Luck in future endeavors!
- Motion to accept resignation of Fire Department employee Cj Gaskill effective 12/31/23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y 2 |
Motion PASSED 5-0
Jason Blue served 28 years and 8 months as volunteer firefighter for EFD. Jason has submitted his resignation for retirement as of 12/31/23. We wish all good luck, success, and happiness to Jason in his retirement!
- Motion to accept resignation of Fire Department employee Jason Blue effective 12/31/23 due to retirement:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y 2 |
| Gruver, Jason | Y M |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0
Lexipol Police Department Policy: This is the 3rd and final reading.
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1133:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0
Council Discussion:
Jason Gruver wished everyone a Happy New Year and is excited for another successful year in Edgerton.
Chuck Wallace is excited for the 3 junior firefighters through the new program. The loss of 2 firefighters to our department is huge when there are only 20 members on the roster. VanAusdale asked what can be done to spark interest. Wallace commented you’ve got to want it in your heart, it’s a huge commitment that is hard to get people to want to make.
- Motion to adjourn at PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y 2 |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Absent |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y M |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSED 5-0