Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
January 6, 2020 at 7:00 PM
- Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 7:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer
- Mayor Day administers Oath of Office for Councilman, Chuck Wallace
- Y – Yes, N – No, A – Abstain, Abs – Absent
- Roll Call:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Perry, Jackie | Y |
5 Members Present
Other Village Representatives Present:
- Charles Butler, Solicitor
- Denise Knecht, Fiscal Officer
- Zachary Dohner, Village Administrator
Media Present:
- Cindy Thiel, The Edgerton Earth
Public Present:
- Jeff Childress, LeAnn Childress, Viv Welch, Larry Welch, Ronald Sechler, Suzie Studer, Terri Kotula, Roz Stark, Connie Stark, John Nihart, Lee Pahl, Scott Hartley, Dean Thiel, Elizabeth Thiel, Pam Fitzcharles
Mayor Bob Day began the meeting with a mayoral update. One of his first comments was that local government is to serve the community; “serve the many, not the few.”
- Mayor Day will be holding hours in his office weekly- Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings from 8-10am
- Brent Dennis, who drew the original master plan in 1981 for Miller Park was asked to provide insight on the development of the downtown park on his next visit to Edgerton. Mayor Day used the phrase “Let’s do something in Edgerton that will live beyond us.”
- Partnering with Local Government to address areas of concern such as- blight properties, community projects, and getting a sidewalk plan in place.
- Sidewalks- There are 7 main arteries leading towards the school and 4 of these leads have no sidewalks in place. Mayor Day became aware of an incident where a student was nearly hit when a driver could not see them due to bright conditions at sunset on West River St. The student was heading to Westlake Dr where sidewalks are not available once St Route 49 is crossed. “Don’t wait for a tragedy, let’s get a sidewalk project developed.”
- Mayor/Council wages- suggested a decrease in Mayor salary from $5000 to $3000 and Council salaries from $3000 to $2000 upon the next election as that is the only time a salary change can be made. He feels this would free up $8000 that could be used toward the park or something to benefit the community.
- Council Members- Mayor Day would like Council Members to become more active with needs in the Village and assist with issues as it is too much work for the administrative office.
- Income Tax- It is not the consensus around the table to roll tax back at this time, many communities get by on lower tax rate and we need to prudently spend taxpayer dollars.
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from December 16, 2019:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Perry, Jackie | Y 2nd |
Motion passes 5-0
- Motion to Approve Special Meeting Minutes from December 30, 2019:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y Motion |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2nd |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Perry, Jackie | Abstain, Not present |
Motion passes 5-0
- Motion to Approve Special Meeting Minutes from January 2, 2020 :
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y Motion |
| Gruver, Jason | Y 2nd |
| Perry, Jackie | Abstain, Not present |
Motion passes 5-0
Chuck Wallace made a motion to delay election of Council President until there is a full Council. After brief discussion it was decided to withdraw the motion and hold an executive session to discuss the appointment of a candidate to the vacant council seat after John Courtney’s rate study presentation.
John Courtney & Scott Weiging with Courtney & Associates were in attendance to present the electric rate study information. John provided a slide presentation and handouts were available for the 2019 electric rate and cost of service rate study.
Summary: Large Power classes are subsidizing residential and general service class customers. Revenues do not need to be increased in order to meet projected 2023 Revenue requirements. However, it was John’s suggestion to Council that in the near future, base service charges be raised. Overall, the Village has competitive rates with surrounding communities and it is not necessary at this time to increase the electric rates.
Jackie Perry exited at 7:18pm. Re-entered at 7:20pm.
Amanda Herman entered at 7:36pm.
- Motion to Amend 2020 Council Meeting Dates as revised, adding Joint Meeting with St. Joseph Township May 4, 2020 @ 7pm :
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Perry, Jackie | Y 2nd |
Motion passes 5-0
Administrator Update by Zach Dohner:
- Would like to commend the Edgerton Fire Department for a job well done concerning the propane tank that caught fire in the gas station parking lot last week.
- Laubach Dr & Efficiency Smart agreements are in the process of being prepared for Council to review.
- 01.07.20 will be the final advertising date for East/West Hull St Improvement Project. Bid opening will be 01.16.20, and Award date will take place on 01.20.20.
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- December Financials for 2019 are complete.
- 2019 Year End is also complete, auditor reports have been submitted.
- Moving right along into 2020 financially.
Council Discussion:
Roger Muehlfeld– What is going on with SCADA? Are we still looking into it? Zach Dohner informed Roger that we are still moving forward and will be asking for bids and would like to make an attempt to keep it local. The administrator will stay on top of it.
Leslie VanAusdale– One of the main topics of concern when touring Village facilities was video surveillance and she would like to get moving to find a solution. This topic was discussed in 2019, along with the question of switching to key fobs or re-keying the main building. Mayor Day added that he would like to see a long range plan developed for the Town Hall building. He also stated that it would be a good idea to bring Kip Pahl in, as he values his opinion and would like to start making decisions regarding TH3 building. Zach has quotes on his desk that he will confirm numbers and send out.
Chuck Wallace– attended Tree Commission meeting Thursday 1.02.20- suggested that the Village pay volunteers that have been donating their own time using their own tools and limit the hours that can be worked, so they can be covered under workers comp. Otherwise they should be an advisory committee and street department should do the work of trimming trees. Mr. Butler said the Tree Commission members may already be covered. Zach will check in to it. Some Edgerton Summer Recreation members did some work to the concession stand at Miller Park over the weekend. Shelving was put in, walls & doors were painted-Chuck would like to see the Village assist by paying for some LED lighting. Wallace also made the request of putting in a water station that will fill up water bottles-the expected cost is $800-$900.
Jason Gruver– Water/sewer/storm rate study still needs to be completed, we need to keep the ball rolling as this is a requirement. Denise told him she has spoken with John Courtney regarding this.
- Motion to enter into executive session for appointment of a public emplyoyee at 8:08 PM :
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y 2nd |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Perry, Jackie | Y |
Motion passes 5-0
Per Mayor Day’s request, all council members exited to hold executive session in the Mayor’s office at 8:08pm. Council Members and Mayor Day re-entered at 8:25pm.
- Motion to exit executive session at 8:25PM:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y 2nd |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Perry, Jackie | Y |
Motion passes 5-0
Action taken: Councilman Jason Gruver nominated Dean Thiel to fill the vacant council seat.
- Motion to appoint Dean Thiel to vacant council seat:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y 2nd |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Vacant | |
| Wallace, Chuck | NO |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Perry, Jackie | Y |
Motion passes 4-1
- Mayor Day administered the Oath of Office for Appointed Councilman, Dean Thiel.
Election of 2020 President Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:
Councilman Roger Muehlfeld nominated Jason Gruver for 2020 Council President Pro Tempore. Dean Thiel seconded. Leslie VanAusdale motioned to close nominations.
- Motion to close nominations for Council President Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y Motion |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | NO |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Perry, Jackie | Y 2nd |
Motion passes 5-1
Mayor Day asked Councilman Gruver if he would accept the nomination of 2020 Council President Pro Tempore. Gruver said yes. Vote was taken.
- Motion to name Jason Gruver as 2020 Council President Pro Tempore of Edgerton Village Council:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y Motion |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y 2nd |
| Wallace, Chuck | NO |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Perry, Jackie | Y |
Motion passes 5-1
Gruver was named 2020 Council President Pro Tempore.
- Motion to pay bills for January 6, 2020 :
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y 2nd |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y Motion |
| Perry, Jackie | Y |
Motion passes 6-0
- Motion to adjourn at 8:36PM:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2nd |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Perry, Jackie | Y Motion |
Motion passes 6-0
______________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Fiscal Officer/ Clerk of Council