Village of Edgerton Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 7, 2021 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:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
6 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; Rebecca Miller- The Village Reporter
Public Present:
- Amber Simmons-NOCAC, Sadie Griffin, Sonya Griffin, Hannah Carrillo, Manny Carrillo, Tori Flower, Daniel Griffin, Jana Griffin, Kermit Riehle, Steve Suchocki, Matt Krill, Justin Coffman
- Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 08.17.21:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2ND |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y MOTION |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to Approve Special Meeting Minutes from 08.31.21:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | ABSTAIN |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Karnes, Tom | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 5-0
Daniel Griffin Retirement– Mayor Day applauded Chief Griffin for being a special kind of human being and stepping up to fulfill the call of being a First Responder. On behalf of The Village of Edgerton, Village Administration, Council and the residents of Edgerton Mayor Day thanked Chief Griffin and presented a shadow box that held tokens of his service to the Edgerton Police Department. Day also thanked Colleen Hennessey for her efforts in researching and arranging the shadow box presented tonight.
Mayor Day respectfully requested a motion to remove Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles from probation and reclassify her as a regular full-time employee. “Dawn has been a very good fit for the Village; we work well together. She possesses strength where I lack and I can throw things at her knowing we can attack situations together.”
- Motion to reclassify Dawn Fitzcharles from probationary Village Administrator to full-time Village Administrator as of August 1, 2021:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2ND |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Park Board Committee Update by Robert Day:
- Park Board meeting tomorrow, Sept 8 @ 5:30pm
- Park Board report from last meeting- cleaned up survey in order to get it sent out; put in with utility bills and will be accepting surveys until end of September
- Park Board bylaws– Chris Walker, Village Law Director prepared packet of information for Council review and input- includes statute from ORC regarding park boards and multiple Ohio communities park board guidelines
- Halloween- would like thoughts on moving Trick or Treat hours to 4-6pm on Saturday, October 30th, in order to accommodate the local campground Trick or Treat schedule; Wallace suggested holding Trunk or Treat at the Town Park but Day stated it’s held on the main street for lighting and music
Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission Presentation by Amber Simmons:
Dawn Fitzcharles welcomed Amber Simmons to present information on all of the programs that NOCAC provides. For 55 years NOCAC has served six local counties as a social service agency, with the home base being located in Defiance, OH. Simmons listed and described each of the programs and benefits that NOCAC offers. All services are income based, serving low to moderate income families.
Some of the programs offered are:
- Head Start & Early Head Start- 3-5 year school readiness, home visitation
- Early Childhood Education- 4 year old school readiness
- Summer Food Service- 1-18 year provided lunch during summer months
- Publicly Funded Child Care- find/pay for child care assistance
- Housing Assistance- rent & utility assistance
- Weatherization & Home Repairs- reduce energy consumption, improve health & safety, repair for elderly
- Financial Opportunity Center- employment & financial coaching, free tax prep, reduce debt, save money
- Emergency Services- COVID funding; HEAP; transportation, rent, food, shelter crisis funding
- Homeless Assistance- emergency shelter, food, rental classes, risk mitigation, soup kitchen
Amber is interested in offering a financial opportunity class here in Edgerton. This helps individuals understand financial competence, give financial confidence and more financial capacity. There are incentives that are included in this program, such as Wal-Mart gift cards and a Chromebook after the completion of the 16 week class. This class takes individuals down the path of financial discovery, and opens the door for 1 on 1 coaching, building one’s credit score to help buy a car, buy a home, etc.
Additionally, Simmons is a member of Cancer Assistance of Williams County and is passionate about spreading the good word about what the assistance center does for victims facing the fears and struggles of cancer. There are no income guidelines. The program assists with paying for hotel stays, gas vouchers, gas cards, rent, utilities, etc. Amber asked everyone at the meeting to refer anyone that is actively seeking treatment to the assistance center.
Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:
- Aqualine Leak Detection– in town surveying 16 miles of water distribution over next 2-3 days during working hours
- OPWC- Council authorized VA to apply for OPWC grant funding, finalized paperwork and traffic counts for Railroad St improvements from S Michigan Ave – ¾ mile west, proposing resurface of 2.5 inches and minor widening, install catch basins and man holes; cost estimated to cost $350,000 and applying for 50% grant funding to be completed after July 1, 2022
- Electronic waste recycle day– Saturday, September 25, 8am-2pm behind Town Hall; Mike Kimpel will also have a trailer behind Town Hall for recyclable scrap only to benefit the Edgerton Scrap Fund where all profits go to Edgerton organizations in need
- Asplundh- tree removal company to provide electrical line clearance, pruning, tree removal; work jointly over other departments (street, electric) to handle tree issues; residents should be careful
- ODOT Annual Salt Contract– pricing came in at $58.90/ton from Morton Salt on State purchasing contract
- Water Main Break (at Water Plant on 08/10/21) Update – report has been finalized, submitted, and accepted by Ohio EPA
- AMP OMEA Annual Conference– Village Administrator & Mayor will be in Columbus at OMEA conference during next regularly scheduled meeting, request Council to consider moving from Sept 21 to Sept 28 at 7pm
- Motion to move regularly scheduled meeting from Sept 21 to Sept 28, 2021 @ 7pm:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y 2ND |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y MOTION |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:
- August 2021 Financials – request for Council to sign as received
- 2022 Budget – Currently in the gathering documentation phase
- Motion to pay bills 09.07.21:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y MOTION |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y 2ND |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
DISCUSSION: The Village received notice in May that we are on the water supply revolving loan account priority list to receive funding in 2022, specifically submitted for larger 1 million dollar water tower rehabilitation project. Council has to authorize Dawn to submit the remaining paperwork. This project will include interior power wash wax removal, sandblasting, epoxy protective layer and strip on the inside, as well as paint the exterior of the tower. The project kick off meeting for design and specifications was held last week with Kleinfelder Group and has also been submitted for funding through HB 168.
VILLAGE OF EDGERTON RESOLUTION NO 2021-010
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR TO APPLY FOR, ACCEPT, AND ENTER INTO A WATER SUPPLY REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT AGREEMENT FOR THE WATER TOWER REHABILITATION PROJECT #2 AND DECLARING IT AN EMERGENCY
- Motion to suspend the rules for Resolution No 2021-010:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y 2ND |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to pass and adopt Resolution No 2021-010 as an emergency:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y 2ND |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y MOTION |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to enter into executive session for discussion regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline or dismissal of a public employee/employees and other matters required to be kept confidential @ 7:59PM:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Karnes, Tom | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to exit executive session 8:52PM:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y MOTION |
| Thiel, Dean | Y 2ND |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Action taken after executive session: Administrator Fitzcharles began with a request for some employee status/employment changes and updates. Based on his exemplary performance she requested that Bowen Aldrich be removed from 6 month probationary period and reclassified as full time Street Maintenance position. Fitzcharles request that we accept the resignation of Stacy Pelland and approve hiring Elias Carter at the position of part-time Laborer. Also Fitzcharles informed Council that she received a letter of resignation from Colleen Hennessey, Utility Clerk, with an effective date of 9/21/2021. Mayor Day jumped in to say the Colleen is a very welcoming and friendly face in our front office and will be missed.
- Motion to reclassify Bowen Aldrich from probationary Street Maintenance to full-time Street Maintenance as of September 7, 2021:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Karnes, Tom | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to accept resignation of part-time laborer, Stacey Pelland effective September 7, 2021:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y MOTION |
| Karnes, Tom | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to approve hire of part-time laborer Elias Carter effective September 13, 2021 at $13.00/hour for a maximum of 29 hours per week:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y MOTION |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y 2ND |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y |
Motion PASSES 6-0
- Motion to accept resignation of full-time utility clerk, Colleen Hennessey effective September 21, 2021 and to allow for advertisement of this position:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y MOTION |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y 2ND |
Motion PASSES 6-0
Council items of discussion:
Landscaping upgrade at Miller Park – Community work date to be scheduled for this project including the uncovering of the Lewis E Brown Memorial rock
Police Cruisers update – Car #1 is due to be delivered in October and Car #2 is to go into production in November
Habitat for Humanity information – Several available properties were listed by the Village Administrator and given to the Habitat Board and are in the review process
Noxious Weeds at the old Edgerton Metals property on E Bement Street – Mayor Day addressed this issue with the owner previously; this was partially taken care of; he will make a follow up phone call
Campers in Village – concern was raised about allowing campers to be inhabited within the Village limits either on residential property or on the Village rite-of-way; including the dangers of extension cords running from personal property across sidewalks servicing the campers
- Motion to adjourn at 9:17PM:
| Muehlfeld, Roger | Y |
| VanAusdale, Leslie | Y |
| Thiel, Dean | Y |
| Wallace, Chuck | Y 2ND |
| Gruver, Jason | Y |
| Karnes, Tom | Y MOTION |
Motion PASSES 6-0