Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 3, 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 | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| 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
Media Present:
- Lucas Bechtol – The Bryan Times; Cindy Thiel – The Edgerton Earth; Dan Cooley – The Village Reporter
Public Present:
- Khris Sines, Nick Sines, Lisa Siebenaler, Chuck Harding, Shelby Gillen, Michael Kimpel
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 04.19.22:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
- Motion to Approve Special Meeting Public Hearing Minutes from 04.19.22:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Communications, Petitions, and Claims of Public
- Proclamation for National Day of Prayer- Mayor Day announced a proclamation for National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5.
- Community Service Award- Day introduced Michael Kimpel and asked him to speak on his current projects around town. Kimpel discussed the Edgerton Scrap Fund that was put in place to assist Edgerton community members who are going through hard times. Edgerton Scrap Fund has also contributed to Bulldog Bags through the school, Edgerton Food Pantry, Joyful Bird programs, presents at Christmas time for struggling families, house fire victims, etc. Kimpel also introduced his new venture, St. Joe Canoe & Kayak. He is unsure of a launch date at this time but is hoping to bring something fun and new to Edgerton, and keep people here in town instead of having to travel for a day of canoe or kayaking. It will be a 6.5 mile run but there will be an option for a shorter run. Day presented Mr Kimpel with the Community Service Award on behalf of The Village of Edgerton and spoke on his dedication of stepping up, volunteering time and helping people. His work is recognized and greatly appreciated.
- Business of the Year- Shelby Gillen, Edgerton State Bank branch manager was present to accept the Business of the Year Award. The State Bank’s presence has been well received and they have been very involved in the community. Shelby stated how great the support of the Edgerton community has been and she’s excited to be back in the Village.
- Industry of the Year– Matsu representatives Lisa Siebenaler and Chuck Harding accepted the Industry of the Year award. Matsu completed an expansion of 4.5 million in machinery equipment and added 104 new jobs. Matsu also received the Business of the Year from WEDCO earlier this year.
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Special meeting will be held next Tuesday, 5/10 to consider the award of Water Tower Rehab project #2 and Oak St Sidewalk project
- Road painting will begin 5/9 and will include railroad crossings, school zones, parking spots, etc.
- Miscellaneous pavement repair projects and crack sealing throughout Village is in the works
- Ohio Division of liquor control notified of application by The Black Cow restaurant to serve beer, wine & spirits; there is option to request a hearing to attest the permit, but have spoke with team and see no need to do so
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- April 2022 Financials are complete, emailed and ready for signature
- 2020/2021 Financial audit is near completion
- Motion to pay bills 05.03.22:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Reports of Committees
- CRA Committee– met April 20 for kick-off meeting but currently have no items of business for discussion or action
- Tree Commission-met April 19, added new member Becki Wilmot, met with Stephanie Miller from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry to begin talks of master planting plan, would like to include citizens in the process
Discussion- Utility employee reclassification- Yvonne Pierce: Yvonne has completed the 6-month probationary period. With 29 years of customer service, sales and retail management experience she is well known and respected within our community. She has been a fast learner and great with customers.
- Motion to reclassify Yvonne Pierce from probationary to regular full-time employee effective 5.15.2022:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Discussion- GPD contract price decrease, 69kV Relay: On March 7th Council approved the engineering agreement with GPD Group for the 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. GPD Group is same entity that designed our electric substation so there should be a level of familiarity. During the preliminary stages of this project, GPD gathered information that led them to recommend not replacing the 69 kV relays that protect the incoming transmission line from First Energy. This recommendation is based on the following information: 1. The Village performs regular testing on these relays. 2. The relays are kept in a climate-controlled building. 3. There are three levels of protection on the incoming 69 kV. If one of the relays were to fail the Village would still have two relays as backups until the failed relay was replaced. 4. Many utilities are finding microprocessor-based relays can reliably perform within specification beyond the 20-year useful life mark according to the white paper supplied by Schweitzer Engineering Labs. 5. The secondary goal for replacing the relays in the substation is to prepare the Village for a new Electric SCADA system. Based on the proposed relaying scheme, the Village will still be able to obtain all relevant 69 kV information for their future SCADA System without replacing these relays. GPD believes that these relays can last another 5-7 years and will keep the Village from having to take 2 or 3 outages during this project. They recommend continuing with our regular testing and maintenance to monitor the status of these replays and only replacing them if they test outside of recommended specifications. The revised scope change presents an $8,000 decrease in contract price.
- Motion to approve decrease in contract price for GPD Engineering on 69 kV Relay Project:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Karnes, Tom | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Discussion- PDG contract price for Water Tower Rehabilitation Project #2: In August of 2021 Council approved an agreement with Poggemeyer Design Group for the Water Tower Rehabilitation Project #2. In April of 2022, Council authorized advertising for bids. For the work that was identified for repairs in an inspection report from Dixon Engineering completed at the end of 2020. We have submitted and been awarded funding from the WSRLA account to complete the project. Up to this point, we have successfully completed our application, asset management plan audit, design specifications and this is the next step in the process to get the project awarded and completed. This contract change request is for a change in design. After meeting with the team, we would like to add the design of the pressure indicators for each tower to integrate with a SCADA system, similar to the devices that are found around the county at other water towers. The request is for $1,850 for design.
- Motion to approve contract amendment #1 of Water Tower Rehab project #2 with Poggemeyer Design Group:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Discussion- Engineering, construction, inspection agreements with Nelson Tank Engineering & Consulting for Water Tower Rehab Project #2: Nelson Tank Engineering and Consulting is an industry leader for construction inspection and engineering services. They were the successful low bidder for these services for our project. They will come in at different phases of the project and be a 3rd party inspector by getting up there and inspecting paint quality and making sure there is nothing wrong with the process. I am requesting the authorization to enter into an agreement at a base contract of $32,300 in preparation for our project to be awarded on 5/10/22.
- Motion to approve engineering, construction and inspection agreement with Nelson Tank Engineering and Consulting at an estimated cost of $32,300 for the Water Tower Rehab project #2 that will be awarded at the Special meeting on May 10, 2022:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Discussion-Ordinance No 1098: This supplement covers work that has not fully been completed for Laubach Dr project. Manholes and restoration work still need completed. New surface was put in from Sacher St to US 6. There was also pipe movement causing trench repair. This will be move excess capital outlay funds not fully needed from the park budget for the Village walking trail to the General fund. Also requesting transfer in Fire budget for MARCS radio use. Professional and technical services require additional funds for IT recommended projects and HR firm Clemans-Nelson to handle ongoing issues.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1098
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2022 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No 1098:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Discussion- Ordinance No 1099: This addresses re-zoning of real property owned by Pegge Sines at 233 E Morrison St. This has been before Planning Commission and Council previously. The request is to reclassify property from ‘R2’ moderate density residence to ‘C2’ General business. Gruver asked if questions presented by Edgerton Forge at the public hearing were addressed and Dawn confirmed all questions were answered. Khris Sines was present and stated the Opening Day may be pushed back to first weekend of July due to weather.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO 1099
AN ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY UNDER THE VILLAGE ZONING CODE
- Motion to give 1st reading to Ordinance No 1099:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Council Discussion:
TH3 parking lot- Leslie VanAusdale would like to again ask what the vision is and what can be done about the public parking lot at Town Hall. Other entities use the parking lot so is there a possibility of partnering to get something going. We’ve got to do something. A lot of people use it and it is a disaster. There is a building assessment meeting on May 12 and the parking lot will be addressed.
- Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the employment and compensation of a public employee at 7:50 PM :
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
- Motion to exit executive session at 8:17PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y2 |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Action Taken- After executive session Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles address Council regarding Police Chief Gary Plotts. Plotts was hired in November of 2021 and is approaching the end of his 6-month probationary period. Chief Plotts has performed well in his new capacity at the Village. We would like to ask that Council consider his reclassification from probationary to regular fulltime Police Chief at an annual salary of $63,000.00 per year beginning with the next pay period effective May 9, 2022.
- Motion to reclassify Gary Plotts from probationary to regular full-time employee and increase annually salary to $63,000.00 effective with pay period beginning 05.9.2022:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0
- Motion to adjourn at 8:19 PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Karnes, Tom | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Absent |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 5-0