With one council member absent, Edgerton Village Council held their Tuesday evening, April 20, 2021 meeting. The minutes from April 6, 2021 were approved and then Courtney and Associates gave the annual Utility Rate Review on each of Edgerton’s utility services.
For Electric: projected revenues at current rates exceed near term projected revenue requirements; revenues could be reduced by approximately 3%; and they recommend reducing large power rate by $0.01/kWh.
For Water: projected revenues at current rates exceed near term projected revenue requirements through 2022; additional rate increase may be required beyond 2022 due to new debt service requirements; and they recommend addressing future rate increase in conjunction with the 2022 annual utility rate review.
For Wastewater: projected revenues at current rates are NOT sufficient to meet projected revenue requirements; revenues would need to be increased by approximately 11% in order to meet the projected 2025 revenue requirements; and they recommend increasing rates by 3% per year effective Jan 1, 2022.
For Storm Sewer: projected revenues at current rates are NOT sufficient to meet the projected revenue requirements; revenues would need to be increased in order to meet the projected 2025 revenue requirements; and they recommend developing rates based on impervious area and phase-in rate increase, as needed, to meet the projected revenue requirements.
Mayor Robert Day made a 2021 Arbor Day Proclamation announcing that the Village has received recognition as a 30 year Tree City USA member.
Edgerton is one of 3600 Tree City USA communities across the US. April 30th, 2021 will serve as Arbor Day and the Village will hold an Arbor Day ceremony in which a tree will be planted in the Town Hall Park in memory of Jim Bowsher, a respected community member and long term member of the Edgerton Fire Department. Edgerton Elementary School will participate in the ceremony also.
Following a lengthy explanation concerning why the 2020 Ford Explorer AWD Police Cruiser, which was authorized for purchase in October 2020, has still not been delivered, Council approved a motion to “cancel purchase order 202-00589 issued 10/6/20 for $32,273 to Larkin Greenewood Ford Enterprises” and a motion “to purchase a 2021 Ford Interceptor from Statewide Ford Lincoln for $33,378.”
From the minutes of the meeting, the history of the MARCs Grant Agreement was given: “On March 16, 2021 Council accepted a 2021 MARCS Grant from the Ohio Division of the Fire Marshal in the amount of $41,436.12. Following this meeting, Council approved the grant to be appropriated for the expenses.
In June of 2020, Williams County Commissioners announced a site for construction of Williams County’s fourth 180-foot tall, 700/800 MHz Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) tower to be located at 13065 County Road D.50, northwest of Bryan.
The tower is intended to improve and modernize emergency communication capabilities in Williams County and give the county’s first responders complete coverage via the state-managed, digital radio and data network, which extends across Ohio and a 10-mile radius beyond its borders.
In December of 2020 it was announced that ten fire departments in Williams County received a little more than $287,000 in the first round of the 2021 MARCS grant awards.
The 10 local fire departments were among 242 fire departments in 46 counties throughout Ohio to receive about $1.5 million in funding in this first round of MARCS grants. The request submitted to you in March for authorization for Edgerton Fire Department to accept was in the amount of $41,436.12, for 15 portable radios, 3 mobile radios and for the fire trucks to be fitted with radios.
Since this time, some Fire Departments in Williams County have decided to not move forward with the MARCS system and additional grant funding has become available for our county. The State of Ohio Fire Marshal has awarded us an increase in grant funding of an additional $4,097.37 for three additional portable radios.
Tonight we are asking for Councils to accept the additional grant funds and allow us to appropriate the funds for the Fire Department to expend for the MARCS radio system.” Council voted to approve the motion to accept the revised 2021 MARCS Grant Award Agreement Letter with an increase of $4,097.37 totaling $45,533.49.
Council also voted to approve an Ordinance providing for a supplement to the 2021 Annual appropriations.
In her Administrator’s Update, Dawn Fitzcharles reported the following:
Annual Joint Meeting with St Joseph Township Trustees on May 4, 2021 @ 6:50; Planning Commission Meeting- Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 @ 6pm to review proposal for lot split on Clarksville Road; Park Board Meeting- Wednesday, April 21, 2021 @ 5pm- continuing to plan, develop, promote, bring ideas forward that can be completed at the Park; Gerhart Wildcat Field fence- installed ahead of May 1 deadline; looks great!; Updating signage for parks, replacing pieces/parts of playground equipment at Park; Laubach Dr Project- bid advertisements will run April 22 & 29 in The Bryan Times; bid opening date is May 7, 2021 @ 10am; Water Tower Project #1- bid advertisements will run April 29 & May 6 in The Bryan Times; bid opening date is May 14 @ 10am; LMI Study- update from MVPO on Monday gave preliminary results that Edgerton community is 43% LMI which is short of the 51% needed to be eligible for funding; SCADA- system is functioning; East side connected to water office, West side connected through administration office; working with IT to get piece of equipment that will allow us to see everything from each location. Finance discussion with company gave estimated quote of $1500-$3000 for this piece; CHIP (Community Housing Impact & Preservation) – public meeting held last Wednesday at Town Hall was well received; several residents have applied; pre-applications are available in the office and are available to homeowners and landlords.
Some discussion was held concerning an Electric Vehicle Charging Station for which Council had given approval for the Mayor to check about. Since that time, they evaluated the cost, complexity and appropriateness of installing an electric vehicle charging station.
Numerous manufacturers including Ford, GM, Chrysler and Nissan have committed to each bringing 10 or more EV models to market in the 2020s.
It was stated, “It is important to further strengthen the state network by installing additional stations along U.S. Highways and State Routes, which we are incredibly lucky to have both in Edgerton.
The preferred locations are within 20 mile radius of existing infrastructure (Toll Road), have ample parking and are adjacent to restaurants or other amenities.
We are currently working to set up an agreement with Powerline Supply and ChargePoint, who is known for creating the world’s largest EV charging network. They install, operate and maintain charging equipment and software.
The goal is to support inter and intrastate travel through our state and community, on routes with high annual average daily traffic and tourism.
The recommendation is to install a level 2 dual-port charger which allows two vehicles to charge at the same time, with roughly a 20 mile range per hour charged. We will be bringing a proposal to the next Council meeting for approval.”
Mayor Day added, “One of the nice things about the ChargePoint app is that you can map your trip based on locations of charging points.
Edgerton would be a logical place to install this station given the lack of charging stations in the area. The biggest benefit would be to the downtown business district as travelers would visit when their vehicles are charging. Anything that could make Edgerton a “destination” is a positive.”
Questions discussed about the charging station included “physical location and cost to install and maintain. After much conversation, the most sensible location is on the north side of the Town Park, and is based on available circuit capacity and the accessibility to place a transformer in this area. We are looking to enter in to a 5 year lease agreement at $2,400 a year.
Make ready work would include setting a transformer and pouring a small concrete pad, but there is not a startup fee or cost for the install. Electric superintendent has looked over the specs and is aware of what it will take to install. Council would set the rate to be paid for electric consumption and collect the power sold.
ChargePoint will be responsible for monitoring the system, and Powerline Supply would have a response time of 30 minutes if complications arise.”
Mayor Day said in other business, that the Large Trash Day went well and he hopes this is a service they can continue to provide for Edgerton residents. The fourth Friday of every month will be One Large Item day. The item can be placed at the curb in addition to regular trash for pick up as part of the Republic Service contract.
Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht gave a credit card review for march and reported that the Town Hall purchase agreement with Edgerton Local Schools final payment is set for April 2022.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included Habitat for Humanity, the TH3 Parking lot, Gerhart St. Speed bumps, Water plant evaluation, Main Lift Station dual purpose Generator backup, standing water, possibility of a solar field and Gerhart ball fields.
Council voted to pay the bills and adjourned at 8:46 p.m. A joint meeting with St. Joseph Township is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. on May 4, 2021 with the Regular Council meeting to follow at 7.