Council Meeting Minutes October 7, 2019

by | Oct 7, 2019 | Council Minutes

Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 7, 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                                  

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

5 Members Present

Other Village Representatives Present:

  • Charles Butler – Solicitor
  • Zachary Dohner – Village Administrator

Media Present:

  • Cindy Thiel – Edgerton Earth
  • Lucas Bechtol – Bryan Times
  • Jeremy Scott – Village Reporter

Public Present:

  • Leslie VanAusdale
  • Motion to designate Village Administrator Zach Dohner as Clerk of Council for this meeting on October 7th, 2019 during the absence of Denise Knecht, Fiscal Officer:

Muehlfeld, Roger                                 

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Motion – Y

Perry, Jackie

Second – Y

Motion Carries 5-0

  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 09.16.19 :

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Second – Y

Day, Robert

Abstain – Y

Wallace, Chuck

Motion – Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

Motion Carries 5-0

VILLAGE OF EDGERTON ORDINANCE NO. 1041
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A SUPPLEMENT TO THE 2019 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS

Village Administrator Zach Dohner commented that Ordinance 1041 is for the 2019 Annual Appropriations of the Solicitor Salary Line in the General Fund and the Income Tax Refunds Lines both in the General Fund and Income Tax Capital Fund; mentioning that Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht had sent this information out towards the end of September. Zach also explained that to date, RITA had refunded more dollars to our customers than in 2018 in its entirety, and the Village has utilized their solicitor significantly more this year at this time.

  • Motion to suspend the rules for an immediate effective date for Ordinance 1041:

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Motion – Y

Day, Robert

N

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Second – Y

Motion Fails 4-1

Discussion: Council Member Bob Day commented with questions asking if this was a budgeting issue and why the money needed to be appropriated. Bob also questioned whether or not the office was continuing to be fiscally responsible. Zach commented that the amount of money RITA had refunded customers is a number that has well exceeded last year’s total, and that the solicitor fees are higher due to more frequent utilization of the Village Solicitor. Council Member Jackie Perry commented that this refund would be for residential and commercial Village Residents; followed by a question of how many entities were refunded. Zach commented that he would get back with her and Council on that number. Zach also mentioned that if this ordinance does not pass, there will be a lack of money to pay the Village Solicitor.

Council Member Bob Day then commented to go ahead and get the ordinance passed then.

  • 2nd Attempt of a Motion to suspend the rules for an immediate effective date for Ordinance 1041:

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Motion – Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Second – Y

Motion Carries 5-0

  • Motion to pass and adopt Ordinance 1041:

Muehlfeld, Roger                                  

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Motion – Y

Gruver, Jason

Second – Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

Motion Carries 5-0

Administrator Update by Zach Dohner:

  • Yellow Jacket Issue: Miller Park Shelter House
    • There was an infestation at the Miller Park Shelter House that was taken care of last week. Yellow Jackets had drilled into the east wall of the shelter house and had a nest. Frames was called in and sprayed a dust in the nest area to kill off the hive. So far, there has been piles of Yellow Jackets dying off.
  • Electric Rate Study: John Courtney with Courtney and Associates
    • John Courtney will be visiting Edgerton on Thursday, 10/10/19 to discuss the results of the electric rate study.
  • Halloween Update:
    • Zach made note of the blue flier that was sent in the utility bills this month that had the Halloween times for Trick or Treat (5-6pm), Trunk or Treat (6-7pm) and a Costume Contest at Town Hall (7:30pm – ?) on Saturday, November 2.
  • Electronic Waste Clean Up:
    • It was also discussed that the bottom half of the blue flier consisted of the details for the electronic clean-up day on Saturday, October 12 from 8am – Noon. Also, this event is being put on by Earth Friendly Recyclers, LLC.

Fiscal Office Update:

  • September 2019 Financials:
    • Zach commented that Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht had sent the financials out on Wednesday, October 2nd, and if there are questions, to let him know.
  • 2020 Budget:
    • Zach touched base that the Budget Workshop for Department Heads to present their budgetary “wish-list” will be held from 6-7pm before the next Council Meeting on Monday, November 4th

Before Mayor Bowsher opened the table for Council Discussion, he wanted to take a moment and thank the Council for allowing him to represent Edgerton at the AMP/OMEA Conference a few weeks ago one last time with Village Administrator Zach Dohner. Mayor Bowsher commented that it was nice to see everyone and hear how their respected Villages/Towns/Cities and more were doing. The Mayor was also excited to announce that Edgerton was represented very well and was able to keep a seat on the OMEA Board through the election process.

Council Discussion:

Council President Jason Gruver had a few questions in regards to completing the rest of the utility rate studies and when these would be addressed. Village Administrator Zach Dohner commented that Courtney and Associates will be completing these studies at the beginning of the year. Jason also commented on clarification for the media present that a Village Administrative Assistant was hired, not an Assistant Administrator.

From here, Council as a whole and audience members commented on the Halloween Festivities in regards to the Costume Contest, Prizes and Details.

Council Member Chuck Wallace commented that he met with Andy Farnham and Bob Day in regards to Miller Park for a Park Board Meeting. Chuck commented that the Area Foundation is willing to donate $40,000 to the park. They have a plan that consists of 3 phases. Phase 1 is to move the Gerhart Ball Fields to Miller Park where parking for the truck pulls were during Homecoming. Phase 2 would be to fix the other diamonds at Miller Park and then Phase 3 would be to add a road from US 6 to the tennis courts parking lot area. Bob Day commented that there is benefit to only having limited access; especially for the Police and commented that volunteers to help with the work of these phases are becoming sparse.

Chuck Wallace continued stating that he read in the newspaper that Bryan is implementing an AED program, and wanted to know where Edgerton is on this since it has been 4 months with no movement. Council President Jason Gruver stated that Zach did do what Council requested, and it is on Council to make that decision. Gruver commented that Zach received quotes and the challenge was deciding on a plan to maintain the devices; stating that a quote Zach provided was for 100% of the maintenance to be done through the provider. Gruver finished with comments of no matter how Council decides to move forward, it must be done right.

Council Member Bob Day commented that the utility buildings look good with the new color, but wanted to know why he never saw any bidding information. Zach commented that the decision was made to go with a local entity based on time, price and availability. Also, that this was discussed at the last council meeting. Day went on to comment once more that this is another sign of not being fiscally responsible.

  • Motion to pay bills 10.07.19:

Muehlfeld, Roger

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Second – Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Motion – Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

Motion Caries 5-0

Council Member Chuck Wallace went on to question why a check for $23.78 was made out to Amanda Herman. He stated he is sure he knows the answer, but wants to hear why. Zach commented that he took the Village Car for the AMP/OMEA Conference and Amanda needed a vehicle to read meters. Also, on the description of the bills list, it states it was for mileage of the meter reading. Wallace commented with a question that there must not have been any vehicles available in the fleet? Zach commented that there may have been a 1 ton truck available, but that would have cost more in fuel and would take a vehicle away from the rest of the fleet.

  • Motion to enter into executive session for the employment/compensation of a public employee 7:56 PM :

Muehlfeld, Roger

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Second – Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Motion – Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

 Motion Carries 5-0

Council Member Jackie Perry exited at 7:57pm.

Council Member Jackie Perry entered at 7:59pm.

Council Member Chuck Wallace exited at 8:00pm

  • Motion to exit executive session 8:09 PM:

Muehlfeld, Roger

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

ABSENT

Gruver, Jason

Motion – Y

Perry, Jackie

Second – Y

Motion Carries 4-0

Council Member Chuck Wallace entered at 8:10pm

  • Motion to hire Colleen Hennessey for the full-time Clerical Position at the Village of Edgerton:

Muehlfeld, Roger

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Second – Y

Day, Robert

Y

Wallace, Chuck

N

Gruver, Jason

Motion – Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

Motion Carries 4-1

Council Member Bob Day commented that he does not want to hear anymore comments that the office is short staffed and that work cannot be done in an efficient manner due to not having enough time.

  • Motion to adjourn at 8:22 PM:

Muehlfeld, Roger

ABSENT

Thiel, Dean

Second – Y

Day, Robert

Motion – Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Perry, Jackie

Y

Motion Carries 5-0