Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 16, 2020 at 7:00 PM
- Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 7:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance
- 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 |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
5 Members Present
Other Village Representatives Present:
- Charles Butler – Solicitor
- Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer
- Zachary Dohner – Village Administrator
- Amanda Herman – Administrative Assistant
Media Present:
- Jeremy Scott, The Village Reporter
- Cindy Thiel, The Edgerton Earth
- Lucas Bechtol, The Bryan Times
Public Present:
- Pam Fitzcharles
- Scott Hartley
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 03.02.2020 :
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Abstain |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y 2nd |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Abstain |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y Motion |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
Scott Hartley with the Summer Recreation Association was present. Mayor Day gave Scott the opportunity to speak to Council. He asked if the Summer Rec could possibly be allowed to spray at Gerhart Ball Fields with weed killer throughout the infield. Scott and his wife put in many hours or labor in last year pulling weeds by hand and are unable to dedicate that time this year.
Mayor Day commented that he would like to work some details out with the Summer Rec Association by meeting with the Village and Summer Rec Officers to establish a game plan. The Village appreciates what Summer Recreation does for the kids and wants to make sure they are aware of that. In the past, the Village has not allowed chemicals to be sprayed at in Gerhart Field area due to the location of the wells. This policy is per EPA recommendation. Mayor Day asked Roger Muehlfeld if he had any suggestions as he works for Edon Farmers Co-op. Councilman Muehlfeld’s recommendation was “manual labor”. Chuck Wallace stated chemicals cannot be sprayed within 300 feet of the Village’s wells that are located under the Gerhart ball fields. Administrator Zach Dohner said it’s very important to remain compliant with the EPA, and not do anything to jeopardize the relationship that has been built over the last few years. “Approval from the EPA is imperative”. Zach will pull the information received from the EPA previously and circulate to council members.
Chuck Wallace understands the situation with the chemicals but he wants to know what the Village is going to do to help with dragging the fields, garbage pickup and field maintenance. He stated that in the past, Village employees have assisted with dragging fields.
Discussion Codified: This will update the replacement pages in Edgerton Codified Ordinance book, as well as an online update provided by Walter Drane Co.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1050
AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE EDGERTON CODIFIED ORDINANCES.
- Motion to waive the rules on Ordinance No. 1050:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y Motion |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2nd |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No. 1050:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y 2nd |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y Motion |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
Discussion Electric Rates: As recommended by John Courtney, this Ordinance will allow for a service charge increase, not a rate increase. Chuck Wallace asked Council if this is really the time to move forward with a rate increase amid the panic of Covid19 that is happening right now. Wallace questioned if it would be possible to move the June 1st effective date back to at least August 1st. Although the rate study has been in progress for quite some time, Roger Muehlfeld agreed that at this time the appearance of raising rates as places are having to close business would not be in our favor. Denise Knecht suggested the earlier notice would be helpful before all the documentation is printed out. Charles Butler informed Denise that he would assist with the change and should be able to write in an August 1st effective date without having to reprint. It was decided to proceed with the first reading.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1051
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES TO BE CHARGED TO ELECTRIC CONSUMERS FOR SERVICES SUPPLIED BY THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF THE VILLAGE OF EDGERTON, OHIO
- Motion to approve 1st reading of Ordinance No 1051:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y Motion |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y 2nd |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
Discussion Memorandum: This resolution involves Ohio’s portion of settlements against the opioid crisis in lawsuit action against manufacturing. The Village has already committed to participate, so we will be included in receiving a percentage of payouts.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO. 2020-001
AN EMERGENCY RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE ONE OHIO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
- Motion to suspend the rules on Resolution No. 2020-001:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y Motion |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2nd |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
- Motion to pass and adopt Resolution No. 2020-001 as an emergency:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2nd |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y Motion |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
Administrator Update by Zach Dohner:
- New Ferris mower has arrived
- Backhoe has been ordered
- Laubach Dr Project- amended contract including 15% discount has been signed; waiting for updated schedule
- Large trash pick-up scheduled for May 9, 8-Noon, behind Town Hall; enter on Oak St as done in previous years
- Michael Kimpel collecting scrap @ Auto Salvage East of town for school bagged lunch program during Covid19 break from school
- Trying to get a date planned by working with Earth Friendly Recyclers for Electronic Waste Pick-Up Day
- Meeting being held Tuesday, March 17 for East and West Hull St Improvements to allow residents to ask questions about project
- Cup O’ Joy Coffee Barn site structures have been leveled; working hard at getting the process moving
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- February 2019 Financials are complete and ready for signature
- Credit Card Review (Feb 16- March 15, 2020)
- Annual Audit started today (3-16-2020); Eric Jesse, Assistant Auditor expects to be on site for next 4 weeks; Council and Mayor can expect pre-engagement letter along with questionnaire for Council to fill out and return
- Looking for resolution at the next meeting for salt contract with ODOT, deadline is April 24
- OML newly elected Council training postponed for Leslie VanAusdale; Local Government Officals Annual Conference was also postponed for Denise Knecht- make-up dates have not been provided yet
Council Discussion:
Mayor Day informed Council that the Village is taking precautionary steps to limit public interaction and prevent unnecessary foot traffic during the COVID-19 dilemma. Village office doors are locked, although employees are still working and are available to serve by phone or email. “We can only serve if we are healthy.”
The Mayor also discussed thoughts of delaying budgeted Capital purchases in an effort to be prepared and have a cash reserve on hand should this pandemic continue. Until there is a better grasp on the outcome of this crisis, we should be aware and start the discussion of what we can do to be proactive.
Denise Knecht brought up information that was received from AMP on the suspension of all water and electric shut-offs through April 15th. Council members were asked for their opinions regarding this policy. Mayor Day feels we can continue with the same practices the Village has been carrying out, basing that decision on a case by case basis.
Lastly, Mayor Day wanted to promote and encourage monetary and food donations for the Edgerton School’s bagged lunch curb side pickup program that begins Wednesday, March 18.
Councilmember VanAusdale asked if Denise could make 2 copies of the Village’s employee handbook for the Rules Committee Meeting that will be held on Tuesday, March 17 @ 7:30pm.
Chuck Wallace questioned when the older pieces of equipment are going to go up for auction. As previously stated, he would like to see the Village donate the old Gator to the Summer Recreation Association to assist with some of the hardships volunteers experience using their own equipment. Wallace also suggested getting help from the Village dragging and mowing fields. Mayor Day would like to have a meeting with a couple of Village Council members and Summer Recreation Members to discuss how to work together and find a solution suitable for both parties.
Wallace would like to hold a Special Finance Committee Meeting on March 30, @ 6:00pm. Committee members and Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht said they are available.
Jason Gruver asked if all activities in the gym were suspended. Besides the election that is due to be held tomorrow, March 17th, all extracurricular activities have been temporarily shut down. There is a possibility the Primary Election could also be postponed but that information hasn’t been released yet. Gruver also informed he didn’t have an issue with donating the gator to the Summer Recreation Association but it would have to be with the understanding that it is a full donation. The Village wouldn’t hold any liability for the gator once possession was transferred.
Leslie VanAusdale stated if there is an order in place that 10 or more people are unable to congregate, that may cause an issue for the Hull St Project meeting. Mayor Day provided information that Poggemeyer and Bryan Excavating would both be on conference calls and said if necessary they can shut the door if more than 10 members of the public attend.
- Motion to pay bills 03.16.2020:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y 2nd |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y Motion |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
Motion to enter into executive session for the investigation of complaints against a public employee @ 8:04 PM:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y Motion |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y 2nd |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
Amanda Herman exited at 8:05 pm.
- Motion to exit executive session @ 8:37 PM:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2nd |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y Motion |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
No action taken.
- Motion to adjourn @ 8:46 PM:
|
Muehlfeld, Roger |
Y 2nd |
|
VanAusdale, Leslie |
Y |
|
Thiel, Dean |
Y |
|
Wallace, Chuck |
Y |
|
Gruver, Jason |
Y Motion |
|
Perry, Jackie |
Absent |
Motion passes 5-0
______________________ ______________________________
Mayor Fiscal Officer/ Clerk of Council