Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2019

Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 20, 2019 at 7:00 PM

• Mayor Bowsher called the meeting to order at 7:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance
• Y – Yes, N – No, A – Abstain, Abs – Absent
• Roll Call:

Motion passed 6-0

Other Village Representatives Present:

• Charles Butler – Solicitor
• Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer
• Zachary Dohner – Village Administrator
• Shawn Clifton – Income Tax Clerk

Media Present:

• Jeremy Scott, Village Reporter

Public Present:

• Jim Smith, Representing Republic Trash Services
• Tyler Perry
• Michelle Ryder, ARS
• Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 05.06.19:

Motion passed 6-0

Mayor Lance Bowsher introduced Jim Smith with Republic Services and gave him the floor.

Jim Smith, representing Republic Services explained that our garbage and recycling contract expires June 30, 2019.  He had hoped that an extension to the contract would be possible but with rising costs of recycling this is not possible. Jim shared his concerns about the rising cost associated with recycling while explaining that the biggest issue with recycling is that commodity values are down and the materials are not being accepted. He stated that the recycling center, previously in Napoleon, is no longer available. Jim stated that they have a facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana but there are more costs associated with hauling the recycling materials that distance. Dean Thiel asked about possibly reducing recycling services to once a month to assist with costs. Mayor Bowsher does not want to reduce recycling services because we already have residents calling with overflowing carts when there is an extra week at the end of the month, which happens periodically. Jim shared a few options to consider to keep the cost for services down for residents such as removing the annual large trash day from the contact and invoicing it separately to the Village along with the service for Special Events, and Commercial Containers. Also Republic could provide a dumpster to be set at a specific location for large items to be dropped off by the residents at their convenience instead of offering the fourth Friday of the month large item curbside pickup. Mayor Bowsher voiced concerns with the potential of people dropping off items that are not acceptable or items being dropped off by non-residents. Jim gave an example of a community where a dumpster for large trash is located in a fenced area and is monitored by Village employees. Unfortunately we do not have a fenced in area available nor the manpower to monitor the dumpster. Recycling counts for approximately 20 percent of the cost for garbage and recycling services. Councilman Wallace stated that he doesn’t want to do away with the recycling, as he feels that we are all trying to do our part.  Jim agreed that recycling keeps items from going into the landfill. Mayor Bowsher thanked Jim for coming and sharing information with Council and asked if there are any additional comments or questions for Mr. Smith. Hearing none the following Motion was taken.

• Motion for Village Administrator to advertise for bids for the Garbage and Recycling Services Contract:

Motion passed 6-0

The Mayor opened the floor to other visitors who were not on the agenda asking if they wanted to address Council. Both Tyler Perry and Michelle Ryder declined and discussion moved on to the advertisements of the East Hull ad West Hull Street Projects.

• Motion to approve for Village Administrator to advertise bid invitations for the East Hull Street and West Hull Street Projects:

Motion passed 6-0

Administrator Update by Zach Dohner:

• Planned Power Outage June 1, 2019, at 1:00AM – the Vice President of Generation at American Municipal Power (AMP) verified that two 2 employees from AMP will be here to run our generators. Bob Day asked if we will have our Electric Department assisting and/or receiving training on June 1^st so that we will be able to fire up the generators in the future if needed. Troy, Trevor and Zach will be onsite. Zach stated that he doubts that we will operate the generators in the future without AMP being present because they are AMP’s generators and there could be a liability issue for the Village. Denise mentioned that we only have a two man electric crew which is probably not enough manpower without outside assistance.
• SCADA – we are waiting for MESA to get the final proposal to us along with electrical estimates.
• East Hull Street and West Hull Street Projects -will be advertised from May 29, 2019 to June 5, 2019. Bid opening will be on June 13, 2019. The bids will awarded at the June 17, 2019 council meeting.
• Residential Backflow Certification – Kip Pahl, Ron Brust and Doug Imm attended backflow training and received certification on May 10^th.
• Hydrant Class – Ron Brust and Doug Imm attended a hydrant class in Paulding, Ohio.
• Scrap Metal Project – plans are to invite Mike Kimpel and his crew at the next council meeting. The scrap metal project for the Baker Family has raised $10,932.00. 100% will be donated.

Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:

• Credit Card Statements – circulated for Council for review and Council Presidents signature.
• Field Trip – Village employees welcomed the 3^rd graders from Edgerton Elementary School to Town Hall. They came to learn about local government and to tour the Historical Museum to discover Edgerton’s history.
• Annual Audit for 2018– We are still working with the auditors. When more information is available we will let you know.

Council Discussion:

Jason Gruver commended Mike Kimpel and his crew and all the people who donated scrap metal to the Baker Family.

Chuck Wallace asked if the Water Department will go through a Commercial Backflow Training Class.  Chuck feels that the Commercial Backflow Class would be more beneficial to the Village.

Bob Day asked again to have the HV representative from the company that installed the system in the Council room to come to a meeting.  Zach said it is on the list.

Bob also asked about raising the utility meter deposits and if this could be done right away. Denise asked Charles Butler, Village Solicitor if we need to have formal legislation or if this could be done by motion. Charles asked if the last increase to meter deposits was done by formal legislation. If it was that is how it should be done. Bob stated that if we do raise the meter deposit he would like the Village to send out notification to the landlords as to why this is being done.

Bob inquired as to whether we are mowing the approaches into the Village. He stated that it’s hypocritical to send tags to residents to mow their yards when the Village has foot high grass on our own property. Mayor Bowsher requested for Zach to have Jim Walker with the Street Department to mow farther out.

Bob asked what the Village was doing about sidewalks for the community. Mr Butler mentioned that Zach has previously reached out to him regarding the sidewalk matter and will let Council know where they are on this matter. 

• Motion to pay bills 05.06.19:

Motion passed 6-0

• Motion enter into executive session for employment and possible discipline of a public employee at 7:29 PM:

Motion passed 6-0

7:30 pm Zach Dohner was asked to exit by Chuck Wallace

• Motion to exit executive session 8:01 PM:

Motion passed 6-0

No action taken

• Motion to adjourn at 8:01 PM:

Motion passed 6-0