Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 1, 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 | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
6 Members Present
Other Village Representatives Present:
- Chris Walker – Law Director; Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer; Dawn Fitzcharles – Village Administrator; Amanda Herman – Administrative Assistant; Scott Blue – Fire Chief; Gary Plotts – Police Chief
Media Present:
- Dan Cooley – The Village Reporter
Public Present:
- Dana Phipps, Amy Miller, Abigail Witsaman
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 10.18.2022:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Karnes, Tom | Abstain |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Abstain |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 4-0
Gerhart Park – Amy Miller, President/CEO of Bryan Area Foundation joined us to present a Founder’s Grant Award on behalf of The Bryan Area Foundation. A funding application was submitted to the Foundation in request of financial assistance in the amount of $2,500.00. Phase II of the Gerhart Park project includes ADA benches and picnic tables surrounding the park. Engineer estimate is $36,266. Miller thanked Council for thinking of the Bryan Area Foundation to help invest in the Edgerton community and she hopes that we will consider them for future community projects.
Miller also presented a check to the Edgerton Firefighter’s Association on behalf of the Bryan Area Foundation in the amount of $2,500.00 to support the mural that was recently painted along Rita’s Family Dining building in downtown Edgerton.
Fire Chief Update by Scott Blue:
- Assistant Chief position has been vacant for 4-5 months. After careful consideration it is Chief Blue’s recommendation to promote Robert “Bob” Adkins into the Assistant Chief position. Adkins has been part of the Fire Department since 2009 and meets all qualifications required as of right now, there are other requirements that he will be allowed a couple of years to fulfill.
- Motion to approve reclassification of Lieutenant and Secretary Robert Adkins to Assistant Fire Chief with continued per run standard and proposed rate of pay salary of $133.33 per month effective 11.01.22:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Abstain |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Dawn added that there is one township with a 5-year fire contract. The contract is being reviewed by Center Township and will be brought before Council upon approval by Center Township trustees.
Mayor Update by Robert Day:
- Thank all involved with Trunk or Treat & Trick or Treat, received a lot of suggestions for next year and invites residents to get involved and do the work
- Park Board meeting to be held next Wednesday, Nov 9, 2022 @ 4:30pm
- Tree Commission meeting scheduled tentatively Wednesday, Nov 17, 2022
Police Chief Update by Gary Plotts:
- K-9 Jaxx is certified in the State of Ohio; certification is good for 1 year with 16 hours of monthly training required
- Introduced Dana Phipps; would like to bring on as part-time Police Officer with intention of implementing D.A.R.E program back in to school district, has 20 years of experience in law enforcement including serving as D.A.R.E Officer for last 6 years, as well as holding a political background that would make Phipps a prime candidate for this position
- Motion to hire part time probationary Police patrolman Dana Phipps @ $17.81/hr as of 11.01.22:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Council and Administration are excited to bring the D.A.R.E program back into the schools.
Dana Phipps completed Oath of Office and was sworn in by Mayor Day.
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Courtney & Associates completed revenue requirement study; a positive cash flow is projected so there is no recommendation for a rate increase to electric, water, or sewer rates
- Presented a review of 3rd quarter fund finances for electric, water, sewer, storm sewer, street, fire, general and income tax capital; information presented included beginning balances, expenses, revenue, debt, capital improvements, and ending balances. Grant awards and applications were also discussed. “We are doing exactly what we need to be doing, taking the funds, pairing them with grants and investing within our community. Our financial position is strong and we are in a place where we can make investments and impact our community for decades to come.
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- Utility Bill conversion date has been confirmed; going live on the new system in Jan 2023
- Itron training for new hardware will take place in next couple of weeks
- October 2022 Financials completed
- Motion to pay bills 11.01.2022:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion- Morey resignation: Part-time police officer Ashlyn Morey has taken a full-time job in Ottawa Hills working 12 hours days so she can no longer fulfill the job requirements for her position in the Police Department. Morey has submitted her resignation effective 11.01.22.
- Motion to accept resignation of Ashlyn Morey as of 11.01.22:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion- PD job advertisement: With the resignation of Morey, we would like to request Council approval to advertise for applications for the Police Department.
- Motion to advertise to accept applications for Police department employee:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y2 |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion- Fire department advertisement: We also would like to advertise for applications to the Fire Department in hopes of adding volunteer firemen.
- Motion to advertise to accept applications for Fire Department employee:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Discussion- 2022 appropriation: Electric Capital Outlay expense appropriations increase is for materials and supplies required to complete 69 kV project. The General Fund Grant revenue appropriation increase is from Bryan Area Foundation including the expense increase for the purchase of park benches at Gerhart Park.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1111
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2022 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
- Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance No. 1111:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Karnes, Tom | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Council Discussion:
Gruver asked for an update on a Walking Trail plan from Poggemeyer that was previously discussed. Dawn informed him that it was not actually a plan, as much as a preliminary map for a grant application due to applications requiring a PE.
VanAusdale questioned if the Building Assessment received today by email was going to be put on a future agenda. Dawn would like to discuss during Finance meeting next week.
Sharon Blinzler commended the relationship that the police department has established with the school kids. It is good to see the kids looking up to the police.
Blinzler also reported the playground equipment at Gerhart Park was getting all kinds of use and it’s great to see!
Chuck Wallace thought Trick or Treat went well but received many suggestions and ideas to be used next year. He will give contact information to Mayor Day of individuals willing to assist next year.
Wallace also commented that “it is November now, so when are we planning to get Christmas decorations out and put up?” Leaf collection is currently in full force but Day stated he would like to get that process started in the next week or two.
- Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the employment and compensation of public employee(s) at 8:14PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Mayor Day invited Chief Plotts to stay for executive session.
- Motion to exit executive session at 8:47PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
No action taken
The Rules Committee will meet on Monday, November 7, 2022 @ 10am.
- Motion to adjourn at PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Karnes, Tom | YM |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0