Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 5:30 PM
- Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 5:30PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.
- Y – Yes, N – No, A – Abstain, Abs – Absent
- Roll Call:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | 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 Knecht – Administrative Assistant; Ken Jacob – Police Chief; Matt Krill – Police Captain
Media Present
- Cindy Thiel – The Edgerton Earth; Anna Wozniak – The Village Reporter; Liam Jackson – The Bryan Times
Public Present:
- Justin Thiel
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 09.20.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y2 |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Mayor Update by Robert Day:
- Justin Thiel here tonight as new part-time employee; great personality & great worker, excited to have him and believe he will fit in well, FD experience will be able to assist in areas he is familiar with
- American Public Power Week-celebration of Public Power 1st week of October; started in 1940- 83 years of bringing together public power, serving over 2,000 communities providing public power for over 49 million customers
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Never Let Go Car Show & Fall Fest this Saturday 10/7 in front of Village Hall from 10am-2pm
- Need to schedule wage & comp and finance committee meetings– after several options were discussed it was decided to hold meetings back-to-back on Wednesday, November 8 beginning at 5:30pm, Dawn will send out further detailed information after she has talked with department heads
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- September 2023 finances complete and ready for Council signatures
- Most of our time is being soaked up by budget preparations
Police Chief Update by Ken Jacob:
- Body camera grant has been submitted & patiently waiting for approval
- A.R.E program started up last Friday with Dana Phipps leading, t-shirts donated by Edgerton Scrap Fund
- Firearms/ CPT Training taking place at range this Saturday, certified to offer in house CPT training to our officers
- Working through budget and planning future projects
Wage & Comp Meeting update: Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles gave highlights of the Wage & Comp meeting that took place before the Council meeting. Discussions included the increase in Ohio’s minimum wage, wage proposals for 2024, as well as an update of the increases for insurance. Also discussed open positions and other issues among committee members.
ODD Brownfield payment: We need to accept the revenue from the ODD and issue the payment invoice to August Mack for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield remediation project. We receive reports and invoices, submit to ODD, ODD signs off on transaction and sends the money, we then pay August Mack. Quite the process but try to keep everyone in the loop. This is the 4th invoice. If EPA signs off on proposed plans, they estimate to be in town on October 16 to perform targeted excavations in specific areas and cap off 7 storm drains. Multiple agencies will be in the area checking things out. Excavations are anywhere from 2-10 feet deep; they will then determine how much more needs taken out and in what areas.
- Motion to approve revenue receipt from Ohio Department of Development and issue payment for invoice #78383 to August Mack Environmental in the amount of $84,103.47 for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project (Edgerton Revitalization DEV-2022-193553) for project invoices through August 20, 2023:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Employment Status – removal from probationary period – Ashley Kunesh: Officer Kunesh was first brought on to the department in part-time capacity and then was promoted to full-time. Chief Jacob stated Officer Kunesh is very well organized, he has been able to give her additional responsibilities, she is well liked in the community and very knowledgeable about her job. Jacob is glad she’s on our team and is hopeful that she sticks around.
- Motion to change employment status from Ashley Kunesh from probationary fulltime patrol officer to fulltime patrol officer:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y2 |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Employment Status – Intern resignation – Trinity Nichols: Trinity went to college and left open the possibility of coming back to work over breaks. However, she has accepted a position where she attends school in South Carolina and is spending a majority of her time there so we need to take action to officially take her out of the system.
- Motion to accept resignation of intern Trinity Nichols effective:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Employment Status– hire Firefighter 2 Kodie Carlisle: Kodie comes to us after serving on Bryan FD, Defiance FD, Williams County EMS and is currently serving for Parkview Samaritan as flight paramedic. Possesses all levels of training requirements and will be a great addition to our crew. This is a huge win for the Fire Department and for the County as well.
- Motion to hire Firefighter 2 Kodie Carlisle @ $12.25/hour effective 10/04/23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | YM |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to pay bills 10.04.23:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y2 |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | YM |
| Wampler, Pam | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Council Discussion:
Mayor Day commented that Stevie Kimpel will be at Floral Designs this Saturday to participate in a special book signing. Ohio Representative Jim Hoops will be in attendance to celebrate Stevie’s achievements and declare a proclamation in honor of Stevie.
Admin Fitzcharles acknowledged that there were multiple trees removed today across from the Town Hall that had sustained damaged in the July storms. New trees were planted. We are looking at options to purchasing trees in mass quantities. The goal is to have 30 trees planted by years end which would be 3 times the amount as last year. Mayor Day mentioned there were 3 crabapple trees planted on his grandma’s birthday and those were her favorite. Wallace questioned if residents have the option to not replace trees that have been removed.
Wallace hopes everyone comes out to support and enjoy the Fall Festival. Wallace also brought up discussion about Halloween festivities.
Council member Wampler has been asked when trees will be planted on Oak Street. Fitzcharles reminded her that there will be a paving project taking place next summer, so they are planning to plant next fall. Wampler also brought to everyone’s attention that there is a tree branch in the electrical lines at the corner of Daniel and Oak Street. VA will have electric department take a look.
Leslie VanAusdale complimented the street work done on Stauffer Dr. Mayor Day praised Bryan Excavating on the work that they do.
- Motion to adjourn at 6:07PM:
| Blinzler, Sharon | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Bowsher, Lance | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | YM |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Wampler, Pam | Y2 |
Motion PASSES 6-0