Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2022 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
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
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:

  • Lynn Thompson, The Bryan Times; Ben Cooley, The Village Reporter

Public Present:

  • Richard Blinzler, Gary Plotts, Ashlyn Morey

Oath of Office for newly elected and re-elected Council Members

  • Sharon Blinzler
  • Pam Wampler
  • Thomas Karnes
  • Jason Gruver

Mayor Day welcomed the newly elected Council members to the legislative branch of The Village of Edgerton. Day also suggested using available resources, such as the Administrator. “We are public servants of this community. Get out there, next to people, partner with people and make yourself known.” Gruver added that this is a learning process, so don’t ever be afraid to ask questions.

Election of 2022 Council Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:  Mayor Day explained the first duty for new Council members is to elect a Council Pro Tempore. Mayor Day opened the floor for nominations. Councilman Jason Gruver nominated Thomas Karnes for 2022 Council President Pro Tempore. Chuck Wallace seconded that nomination and then motioned to close nominations.

  • Motion to close nominations for Council President Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to name Thomas Karnes as 2022 Council President Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y2
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Police Update by Chief Gary Plotts:

  • Police Chief Gary Plotts introduced new part-time patrol officer Ashlyn Morey. Ashlyn graduated from the academy in 2017 and jumped right in to this part-time position. She has been a great asset to the PD and look forward to working with her. Morey is new to the area and is excited to learn it. She has a degree in Criminal Justice Technology. Ashlyn thanked Council for the opportunity.
  • Spillman complaint system- better way to document and record complaints; appreciate Council’ support with the new system.
  • Police cruiser should have been completed yesterday, small hiccup on installation but will go straight to Dietsch’s upon completion for decals; plan is for both cruisers to be at Dietsch’s by middle of January.
  • PD is moving forward in positive direction; Plotts thanked Dawn for everything that she has done to help; thanked Council, community and Mayor for being a great team to work with.

Chuck Wallace asked if Chief Plotts has looked at surrounding communities and noticed the logos that have been incorporated on police cruisers. Plotts responded that they are entertaining new different idea.

  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 12.21.21:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y2
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion passes 5-0

Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:

  • Would like to hold a Wage & Compensation meeting before the next Council meeting on January 18 @ 6pm; this committee includes committee members Wallace, Gruver, and Wampler
  • Asplundh tree service will be in town for next 3-4 weeks conducting line clearance on electrical lines and removing dangerous trees; keep in mind they will not remove stumps, that will be completed by a 2nd company at later date

Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:

  • December 2021 financials are complete and will be e-mailed soon, 2021 year-end is successfully closed with some loose ends that remain to be completed; currently operating in financial year 2022
  • Contacted Walter Drane to update Village Codified Ordinances with 2021 passed Resolutions and Ordinances
  • With Fire Department having fire run on last day of year and timing of payroll processing, we are requesting permission to pay monthly payroll scheduled for January 6 with the 2nd biweekly payroll on January 20th
  • Motion to process monthly payroll #1 on January 20, 2022 along with bi-weekly payroll #2:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to pay bills 01.04.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Discussion- 2022 Legal Representation Agreement with Richards & Walker: There is no change to Mr. Walker’s rate, this agreement is renewed annually. Dawn added that it has been a pleasure working with Mr. Walker. He has been very responsive to all requests.

  • Motion to approve Legal Representation Agreement with Richards & Walker:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y2
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Discussion- In our budget approval there were 2 funds, ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) and SRTS (Safe Routes to School), included in appropriations but would like to make it formal with this Resolution establishing the funds. It has been several years since FEMA was active, so we are asking to reactivate to enter in to our general ledger system. Karnes asked the status of SRTS. Fitzcharles stated we are still working through the process, there will be a public meeting soon and the application will be submitted formally during March 2022.

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO. 2022-001
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW FUND CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ORC 5705.09 (F) AND RE-ACTIVATION OF A PREVIOUS FUND

  • Motion to pass and adopt Resolution No 2022-001:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Mayor presentation of Committee Assignments – Leslie VanAusdale asked to remain on Public Safety Committee, switched with Pam Wampler for Wage & Comp Committee given Pam’s business background. Denise advised that she has reached out to Mike Krill to inquire if he was willing to stay on Firefighter’s Dependency Board which expires January 31st, 2022. This information will be brought to the next meeting. Mayor Day is excited about the Public Service Committee; this community has always been willing to step up and provide labor, materials, financial assistance to better this community.

  • Motion to approve 2022 Committee Assignments appointed by Mayor Day:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Mayor Day nominated Chuck Wallace to Maple Grove Cemetery Board replacing Dean Thiel. The Cemetery Board meets monthly. The Township representative attends meetings quarterly

  • Motion to approve appointment of Chuck Wallace to Maple Grove Cemetery Board:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Council Discussion:

  • Chuck Wallace welcomed new Council members
  • Karnes added there are valuable resources at the front table that are more than willing to help
  • Sharon Blinzler questioned where SRTS and ODOT programs originate; Dawn addressed that we are working with ODOT to put plans in place to correct issues as well as finding/providing funding; there are multiple entities involved in the SRTS program all with the same goal of providing safety to students
  • Wallace questioned Chief Plotts on being able to redirect traffic after school; Plotts responded that there are options to keep the flow going and they are currently working with the school to come up with the best one
  • Pam stated she feels very honored to be in this new position and asked for patience as she learns the process
  • Jason Gruver informed that the wheels of government turn slow and may at times be very frustrating but just have patience, be relentless, stick to your goals and enjoy it

Dawn congratulated the new members; she looks forward to serving with them and welcomes all conversations because that is where ideas are developed. Dawn also sent a special thank you to Denise and Amanda. 2021 books were closed out and the new budget year was opened very quickly. For a fairly large entity, that is exceptional work. Denise and Amanda thanked Dawn in return for her guidance and knowledge.

  • Motion to enter into executive session to discuss acquisition of property and employment and compensation of a public employee @ 7:58PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to exit executive session 8:58PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y2
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Action taken:

  • Motion to reclassify Matthew Krill to part-time probationary Captain at $25.79 per hour on 1/8/2022 PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom Y2
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to adjourn at 9:00PM:
Blinzler, Sharon                                       Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom YM
VanAusdale, Leslie ABSENT
Wallace, Chuck Y2
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0