Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes

November 18, 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:

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

Y

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

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

Public Present:

  • Scott Hartley
  • Tyler Perry
  • Leslie VanAusdale
  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 11.4.19 :

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

Y

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y 2nd

Gruver, Jason

Y Motion

Perry, Jackie

Absent

Motion passes 5-0

  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from Special Meeting 11.12.19 :

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

Y 2nd

Thiel, Dean

Y Motion

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Absent

Motion passes 5-0

  • Motion to authorize Fiscal Officer to administer payroll period #24 on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 due to Thanksgiving holiday on the originally scheduled pay date of 11.28.19:

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

Y

Thiel, Dean

Y 2nd

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y Motion

Perry, Jackie

Absent

Motion passes 5-0

Administrator Update by Zach Dohner:

  • Will be attending OPWC meeting on 11.26.19 for 100 block of Business Alley West
  • The “Eyes of Freedom” is set up at the Edgerton High School for viewing until 11.19.19 at 8pm.
  • The demolition of property at 323 N Crane St. is set to take place 11.29.19-12.2.19
  • Poggemeyer has agreed to pay advertising cost for the 3rd bidding of East and West Hull St Improvement Projects if OPWC extends advertising date. Zach still has not heard from Donna at OPWC.

Jackie Perry entered at 7:03

Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:

  • Amanda Herman, Administrative Assistant and Colleen Hennessey, Clerk are attending a Public Records training in Toledo tomorrow, 11.19.19 as designees for all Council members, Mayor and Fiscal Officer.
  • Village offices will be closed November 28-29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • Our Pitney Bowes contract for the postage meter and inserter is in the renewal period, set to expire in June of 2020. Pitney Bowes is suggesting a 5 year contract with new equipment that will increase our monthly cost by $70. Denise asked for thoughts, opinions, or suggestions on how council would like to proceed.
  • Credit Card Review Policy for date of 10.16.19-11.15.19 is ready for viewing.
  • Motion to pay bills 11.18.19:

Muehlfeld, Roger

Y

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y 2nd

Perry, Jackie

Y Motion

Motion passes 6-0

Council Discussion:

Councilman Chuck Wallace requested information on where and when the OPWC meeting Zach Dohner will be attending is. Zach provided information that it would be held at the Maumee Valley Planning Office at 1:30pm, but he would verify and let Mr. Wallace know.

Roger Muehlfeld had a question regarding a Bill’s List item for Brian Gaskill and where the doors and siding were being replaced. There are doors being replaced at the water and street departments, and the siding will be put up at the Miller Park shelter house.

Bob Day again mentioned that he had been approached about decorating the Community Christmas tree that is located uptown by the Fire Department. This group is willing to donate Christmas lights, and asks that the electric department donate electric service and the possible use of their bucket truck to assist with decorating the top of the tree.

Council switched the topic to the 2020 budget.

Denise Knecht, Fiscal Officer informed every one of the draft changes to the capital budget line items relating to East and West Hull St Improvement Projects and Asset Management.

Councilman Day asked Zach Dohner if he met with the department heads and wanted to know if they came up with anything that these department heads felt was more of a want than a need and could be removed from the 2020 Forecasted Capital Needs. Day expressed opinions that with a 2 million dollar capital outlay budget, we should be able to find money for the community.

Jackie Perry inquired if the amount is 40 or 80 thousand dollars that is being requested as donation to match what the Edgerton Area Foundation is offering for improvements to Miller Park. Bob Day responded that EAF president, Andy Farnham is looking for the Village to donate 80 thousand, or a minimum of 40 thousand to match EAF’s donation. Chuck Wallace stated they are aware that it will most likely be a 2 year project.

Jackie Perry continued on to say that she thinks we have beautiful parks, however she feels it is more important to have safe drinking water or flip a switch and know the lights are going to turn on. “We need reliable water and electricity, and we also need employees to run those departments.”

Other points regarding the 2020 budget were discussed including:

                -the Village capping the HSA employee match at a lower amount as to not give employees another stream of income
                -providing cost of living raise at 1.6%
                -employees contributing to insurance premiums to “get out in front of it”
                -paying 100% of employee medical premiums is not sustainable
                -raises being based on performance and evaluations, not recommended 3% across the board
                -consideration of cutting the backhoe out of the budget
                -having a specific plan for TH3 capital improvements before amount is budgeted

  • Motion to adjourn at 8:23 PM:

Muehlfeld, Roger

Y Motion

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Y 2nd

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

Motion passes 6-0