Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, July 6, 2020 at 7:00 PM
- Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 7:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and a 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:
- Charles Butler – Solicitor
- Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer
- Zachary Dohner – Village Administrator
- Amanda Herman – Administrative Assistant
Media Present:
- Cindy Thiel, The Edgerton Earth
- Jeremy Scott, The Village Reporter
- Lucas Bechtol, The Bryan Times
Public Present:
- Scott Hartley
- John VanAusdale
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 06.15.20 :
|
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 Approve Special Meeting Minutes from 06.29.20:
|
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: Power Supply Cost Adjustment – Zach Dohner began discussion by stating it is John Courtney’s recommendation that the Village freeze the power supply cost adjustment at a lower rate to try to avoid customer bills increasing due to the forecasted PSCA. Day added that this is the benefit of owning our own power company. We are able to make adjustments and attempt to control the rates. Since we are able to freeze the PSCA, we will be more likely to reduce extremely high electric bills. Day also added that for bills due August 1st, there will be a $.01 cent reduction to the PSCA which will be absorbed by the Village, with savings for the residents. Mayor Day adamantly expressed the importance of peak shaving and the influence that both residents and the business industry can have on the Village’s electric rates. Councilman Muehlfeld asked if late fees and disconnects were going to be suspended for another month and Mayor Day confirmed that was a definite yes. Utility bills due July 10th will not be subject to the 20% late fee, tag fee or disconnect procedure.
Council discussed and agreed to cap the adder at $0.014884 per kWh for bills rendered on August 1st and $0.024884 per kWh for bill rendered after August 1st with the following ordinance.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1054
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING “RIDER A” TO ORDINANCE 1051 REPEALING “RIDER A” TO ORDINANCE 1051 AND DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY
- Motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 1054:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y 2ND |
Motion passes 6-0
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No. 1054:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y 2ND |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y MOTION |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion passes 6-0
Discussion: 2021 Tax Rate Hearing and Resolution – In your packet please see a copy a letter from Williams County Auditor Vickie Grimm regarding 2020 Tax Rate Hearings and a copy of the required Resolution Accepting the Amounts and Rates as Determined by the Williams County Budget Commission for the Village. We are seeking a first reading on this resolution this evening. We can plan to give three readings with reading dates of July 6, July 20, and August 3, 2020. After 3 successful readings this resolution will become effective 30 days after the third reading (tentatively September 3, 2020) and allow plenty of time to take the documentation to the court house to be filed by the deadline of Oct 1, 2020. For you information, the tax amounts for 2020 were $63,291 for the General Fund and $44,020 for the Fire Fund as compared to the new amounts for 2021 with General Fund at $64,146 and Fire at $44,250.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO. 2020-007
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR
- Motion to give 1st reading for Resolution 2020-007:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y 2ND |
Motion passes 6-0
Village of Edgerton Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Revised June 2020
Discussion: Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual- Leslie VanAusdale began the conversation stating she’s had some frustrations while working to update the Employee Handbook. The intention was to bring the handbook to Council for approval at Monday night’s meeting. However, there were several areas of the handbook that were brought to Leslie’s attention prior to the meeting that she felt need to be addressed before it is approved. The two sections of the policy book that she would like to have some input on are infectious disease and drug free workplace. Leslie questioned Mr Butler if these two areas are imperative to the Village Handbook. Mayor Day suggested passing the handbook as is and making any adjustments or amendments as they come up. Leslie did not feel comfortable approving a book that needs more work done. Councilman Gruver asked if VanAusdale would prefer to have a Rules Committee Meeting. It was established to hold a Committee meeting next Monday, July 13 @ 6pm. Leslie informed Mr Butler that she would send him an email with her questions and concerns. No action was taken.
Administrator Update by Zach Dohner:
- Alert86- There is a link on the Village website to sign up for the Alert86 program that will send out local alerts such as severe weather, power outages, and peak shaving notifications. A few things that can be done to help peak shave; turning off all lights and appliances, closing blinds, and turning up the thermostat to recommended 78 degrees. Residents may also contact Efficiency Smart or visit their website to learn efficient and effective ways to save money.
- TH3 refinance– The office is currently in the process of looking up information by email and in Ordinances on the loan for TH3 in hopes of being able to refinance in the future.
- Hull St– These projects are almost complete. The Village is waiting to hear back from Tim at Poggemeyer to complete the final walk through with Bryan Excavating this week. During this walk through questions can be asked and answered, before final payments are made.
- Laubach Dr is still underway. The plan is to get in to camera the tile located at the park since there have been multiple dry days in a row. Once Tim from Poggemeyer has more information he will be able to finish up the design.
- SCADA– There has been a decision to move forward with the sewer program for SCADA. There are still more details that need to be gathered to make sure all the assets are covered before drawings can be developed.
- Tile work on S Elm St is expected to begin in the next 7-10 days.
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- Credit Card Review (May 16 – June 15, 2020) is available for viewing.
- June 2020 Financials emailed on July 1st. Please sign for approval and see Denise with questions.
- Wage Allocation – Is it safe to move on with budgeting based on the ratios discussed on June 29th meeting for employee wage allocations? Council said yes.
- Summer Crisis Program for the cooling season begins July 1- Sept 30 for more information about eligibility requirements contact NOCAC 419-636-4924
- BWC- 2 packages of masks were sent as a contribution to protect employees. This will not cause our premium to increase.
Council Discussion:
UNGER ST– Roger Muehlfeld questioned if Unger St has been completed. At the last council meeting there was a catch basin and a manhole that needed to be repaired/replaced before payment was issued. Zach assured him everything was taken care of and the project is complete. Payment has been issued to M & M Asphalt.
STAUFFER DR– Leslie VanAusdale inquired about the remaining capital money that was originally intended to be spent on Unger Street. Mayor Day and the Administrator previously discussed taking a drive through the streets of Edgerton to determine other areas that money could be spent to improve infrastructure. VanAusdale suggested Stauffer Dr. There has previously been work done to repair a leak in the ground and it has since only been covered with stone. Dohner informed VanAusdale that Kip Pahl, Public Works Superintendent has Stauffer Dr on his radar. There is a tile that needs repaired, as well as a service line underneath. Leslie said that would be great. Day also mentioned that there are a couple of alleys that need immediate attention. Chuck Wallace suggested chip & seal to prolong the life of Village streets and cover more area. It would be a much less expensive bang for our buck.
COMMITTEES– Tom Karnes asked Mayor Day if there are going to be any Committee adjustments. Day will look at the assignments again and e-mail Council with any changes. Karnes said Chief Blue would like the Public Safety Committee to hold a meeting in the near future. There is also a parcel split taking place that will need the attention of the Planning Commission.
WEEDS– Chuck Wallace asked what is being done about noxious weeds throughout the Village. Are nuisance letters still sent to residents? There are multiple properties coming in to town that do not put out a good first impression for the Village. Mayor Day has been trying to get in touch with the railroad as well to get the weeds cleaned up along the railway. Making contact has not been an easy task.
HEAVY LOADS– Mayor Day is looking to relocate parking for the large/wide loads that have been coming through Edgerton to a different area to ensure safety for those traveling Highway 6. There is approximately 80 more loads that will be making their way through town. Day spoke with one of the drivers to verify his thoughts on changing the location where they are resting. VanAusdale commented that they are eating at the local restaurants. Day stated he does not want to get rid of the large loads, but he would like for them to be safely parked. A couple of adjustments will need to be made in order for the relocation to take place. Mayor Day is looking into it.
GRASS– Wallace asked if the grass seeding on East and West Hull St could be delayed until the weather is not so hot and dry. He was told they have already begun hydro-seeding. Wallace asked how the seed was going to be watered, because it is his opinion that there’s no way grass will grow in the current hot and dry conditions.
- Motion to pay bills 07.06.20:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2ND |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y MOTION |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion passes 6-0
- Motion to enter into executive session for the possible discipline of a public employee @ 8:02 PM :
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y 2ND |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y MOTION |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion passes 6-0
- Motion to exit executive session @ 8:17 PM:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y MOTION |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2ND |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y |
Motion passes 6-0
No action taken.
- Motion to adjourn @ 8:17 PM:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2ND |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Karnes, Tom |
Y MOTION |
Motion passes 6-0