Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 7, 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 ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
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, Gary Plotts – Police Chief

Media Present:

  • Lucas Bechtol- The Bryan Times, Cindy Thiel- The Edgerton Earth, Dan Cooley- The Village Reporter

Public Present:

  • Hugh Perry, Julie Osmun, Butch Moffett, Dennis Gryzch, Roger Muehlfeld
  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 02.15.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to Approve Special Meeting Minutes from 02.22.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Mayor Update by Robert Day

  • Thanked the community for their call to action during the water main break on 03.01.22; lots of jumping in and stepping up; incredibly appreciated
  • Water issues amplify need for updated water department infrastructure
  • Tomorrow, March 8th, Park Board members will be serving the community at Rita’s Family Dining as part of a fundraiser. A percentage of proceeds will go to upgrade the picnic pavilion at Miller Park.

Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:

  • Extended thank you to everyone involved during water main break including Vernon Nagel who was exceptional and worked alongside our guys to repair as quick as possible; the initial report has been sent to the EPA and there will be more to report at a later date.
  • Part of water tower project will include valve and transponder as the 1st step to SCADA system
  • Sidewalks have been staked on West side of Oak St; 3 frontier poles will need moved & possibly 1 Village utility pole; hoping to begin construction after June 1
  • Water treatment plant nominated for funding; project is to address deficiencies and degradation of equipment and install SCADA at the plant
  • Safety study & systemic safety and SRTS application has been submitted; early figures of match amount from Village is approximately $428,000 over the course of 4 years

Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:

  • Credit Card review 01.16.22-02.15.22
  • February 2022 financials completed
  • Waiting to hear from Doug Zimmerman to set up bi-annual audit for 2021
  • Motion to pay bills 03.07.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Police Chief update by Gary Plotts:

  • Great to see how everyone worked together during the water main break
  • Move was made to the front office, very nice transition and is working out well
  • Requesting 2 part-time police officer hires for Kyle Thurwell and Austin Cape

Discussion with Cemetery Board and St Joseph Township Trustees- Dennis Gryzch spoke on behalf of the Cemetery Board and St Joseph Township Trustees. They are present tonight to find out what potential options there are to maintain the current head caretaker position. They would like to offer some sort of incentive such as health insurance or a stipend to entice the current employee to stay, or to draw in a new caretaker if necessary. Wondering if adding to Village payroll was an option. Day questioned what local cemetery boards do as far as wages & benefits. Day also mentioned possibility of increasing tax levy in order to maintain employees. Wallace believes that the cemetery board needs permission from Village Council to provide insurance for employees. It was stated that cemetery board is able to look for own insurance and figure out costs. Gryzch informed that there are multiple groups willing to financially assist cemetery board. Fitzcharles questioned if it may be the most beneficial of offer a stipend and allow for the employee to look for and purchase their own insurance. Gryzch stated the are basically looking for a blessing and guidance to move forward with either an incentive or insurance benefit. Fitzcharles will get the proper contact information to the cemeteryboard.

Part-time Police officer hire- Chief Plotts respectfully requested the hire of Kyle Thurwell and Austin Cape as a probationary part-time police officer.

  • Motion to hire Kyle Thurwell as a probationary part-time police officer @ $17.52 effective 03.07.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to hire Austin Cape as a probationary part-time police officer @ $17.52 effective 03.07.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

Employee status change-Elias Carter- Dawn recommended Elias Carter to be released from 6-month probationary period and established as regular part-time employee.

  • Motion to update Elias Carter employee status from probationary part-time to regular part-time effective 03.13.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck YM
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

PD LEADS/OHLEG Security Update- To continue to be in compliance with OHLEG support team it is necessary to amend current policy and procedures following an audit last week. This request is to approve required changes.

  • Motion to approve LEADS/OHLEG Security and other information policy with revision date of 02.14.22:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y2
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Williams County Board of Health- A little history- The Williams County Health District was created in 1919 and required all townships and Village to merge public health departments in to a single board of health. In 1987 the Bryan City Board of Health and the Williams County General Board of Health merged to become the Williams County Board of Health creating a single health district. State law requires the board to report and take measures to control disease, enforce state public health laws and to promote health and well-being. The Village of Edgerton, Village of Edon, Village of Blakeslee and St Joseph Township trustees are to form and present a nomination, as the current representative Dan Peverly’s seat will be expiring at the end of March, 2022. After speaking with St Joseph trustees, Dawn is nominating Tiffany McBride, a resident of Edon, Ohio to serve on the Board. McBride’s career has been focused on Health and Education promotion to the public. She is certified and has served as an athletic trainer for 17 years and also has experience working the NOCAC as health and safety assistant for one of their programs. McBride looks forward to the opportunity to help promote health awareness and education in Williams County communities. A council consisting of the president of the Board of County Commissioners, Chief Executive of each municipal corporation (Mayor) and the chairperson of the Board of Township trustees must convene to appoint the member to the vacancy.

  • Motion to appoint Tiffany McBride as representative to the Williams County Board of Health:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y2
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

Fitzcharles publicly thanked Dan Peverly for his service to the Williams County Board of Health.

Building Assessment contract- In an attempt to get TH3 facility up to date and up to code, multiple parts need to be assessed including exterior, structural, plumbing, etc. This contract will present a plan and funding options for the projects. The estimated max cost of the contract through Poggemeyer is $8,500.

  • Motion to approve Building Assessment contract with Poggemeyer Design Group for the Town Hall facility:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

Discussion: GPD contract Substation project- This is a local engineering upgrade of 4 relays located at the electric substation that were put in place in 2001 and went online 2003-2004. These relays have surpassed their useful life and it is imperative now to perform upgrades to be able to maintain. Total cost of the project is estimated at $120,000 but final numbers will not be available until the material list is quoted. GPD Group is same entity that designed our electric substation so there should be a level of familiarity. Troy and Trevor will also be on site during the upgrade process.

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO 2022-006
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH GPD GROUP FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS VILLAGE OF EDGERTON SUBSTATION CONTROL RELAYING UPGRADE PROJECT

  • Motion to pass and adopt Resolution No 2022-006:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

Discussion: Ordinance No 1096– Fitzcharles explained that the first appropriation is for the purchase of a new pump for the main lift station @ $17,000.00. Unfortunately, this will be the 3rd rebuild/replacement for the year. It is important that businesses and residents are NOT putting things in to the sewer system that shouldn’t be there. The second appropriation is reallocation of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) unclaimed funds for $418.00. 2nd round of ARPA payment is expected mid-May 2022.

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1096
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2022 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS

  • Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1096:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

Council Discussion:

  • Gruver stated how refreshing it is to see enthusiasm and excitement in the police department; during water main break he witnessed an “all hands-on deck” environment and commended Plotts for his outstanding leadership.
  • Gruver also recognized the great job being done on tree removals, keeping the process clean, orderly and safe; there are a lot of mature aged out trees that are dead and/or diseased so as frustrating as it is for some members of the community to see so many trees coming down, it’s a relief for others that have dealt with the safety concerns of aging trees.
  • Day relayed that Becki Wilmot will be new tree commission member and there is a tree commission meeting on Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Wallace informed Council the final Firemen’s breakfast of the season was very successful and is excited about the fact that it brings out people from all over the county and surrounding counties to support.
  • Motion to enter into executive session for the acquisition of property and employment of a public employee at 8:18p.m.:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y2
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to exit executive session at 8:48p.m.:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason YM
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

Action taken:

  • Motion to approve IT service agreement beginning 3/8/22 with EK Computers:
Blinzler, Sharon                              YM
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie Y
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0

  • Motion to adjourn at 8:53p.m.:
Blinzler, Sharon                              Y
Gruver, Jason Y
Karnes, Tom ABSENT
VanAusdale, Leslie YM
Wallace, Chuck Y
Wampler, Pam Y2

Motion PASSES 5-0