PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FISCAL REPORT … Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht delivers a brief report before leading the council agenda through several action items including personnel reclassification and an emergency ordinance for transformer refurbishment.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton Village Council met on Wednesday, July 1, at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Bob Day called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer. Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht took roll call.
All members were present and included Brian Bowsher, Sharon Blinzler, Jason Gruver, Leslie VanAusdale, Chuck Wallace, and Pam Wampler.
Also attending were acting Village Administrator Doug Zimmerman and Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht.
The meeting minutes from June 17 were quickly approved, with Gruver making the motion and Wallace seconding. The motion passed.
Moving into reports, Mayor Day kicked off his report with a big thank you to Mainstreet Edgerton. Day highlighted the recent truck pulls and continuing Monday Munchies in the town park.
He recognized the amount of work that goes into those events and encouraged any citizens interested in serving their community to join, noting it is not just for businesses or industries.
Circling back to a concern raised by Blinzler at the previous meeting, Day stated Police Chief Ken Jacob has provided information on E-bikes.
And lastly Day shared an email from Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles who is currently on a leave of absence and hopes to be back in mid-August.
The Administrator report followed, with acting Administrator Zimmerman updating the council on several ongoing projects.
Several of the projects would be voted on later in the meeting. First was the sidewalk project agreement which had been approved through legal.
Zimmerman noted the total cost was approximately $188,000, with appropriations to come later into the project timeline. Attorney Chris Walker of Richards and Walker has been selected to assist with land acquisitions.
The water treatment plant was the next topic for discussion. The timelines have been verified through OPWC, Ohio Public Works Commission, and he met with the engineer recently.
Zimmerman stated, “Metalink is looking to tie in the water towers and water treatment plant.” Zimmerman continued with the sewer improvement project, which he also confirmed the timeline.
The engineer selection is in progress, with Zimmerman currently working on requests for statements of qualifications.
The ongoing JW lift station project is moving along with equipment on order and the transformer on site. Two contracts associated with the project are estimated to total $123,000.
A slightly more costly project followed with the transformer and substation, quoted at $435,000 from Sunbelt Solomon.
Even though it is a large amount, the transformer refurbishment is less than half the cost of a new transformer installation.
Zimmerman closed on a happy note with the Lewis E. Brown Community Center passing recent inspections on June 18.
Gruver inquired about the transformer, asking if he was correct in thinking that the emergency is being declared to avoid shutting down power. Zimmerman confirmed.
Gruver also asked about a warranty on the repair work. Zimmerman stated he was unsure but would follow up.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
Fiscal Officer Knecht followed, first by handing out the July financials for signatures which were also shared electronically.
She moved on to the audit, which is coming to a close awaiting the exit review. The IT portion was slightly different this year, presenting a few questions to the team but there were no concerns. Once complete, the village will get the option to hold a meeting or accept the audit.
She noted if there are no concerns it is customary to accept the audit instead of a meeting to review it. The audit was predicted to be complete by June 30.
The agenda then moved into resolutions, ordinances and motions. Denise Knecht had several employee status changes to approve. The first resignation was Junior Fire Fighter Jackson Flower, moved by Bowsher and seconded by Gruver.
Next were two firefighters that Fire Chief Scott Blue asked to be removed from the roster, Brett Payton as Junior Fire Fighter and Cloey Whitman. Wallace moved to approve both and Bowsher seconded.
The last employee reclassification was for Jeremy Wright who has completed module 4 and received certification from Northwestern Lineman College Power Delivery program.
Wright also completed Advanced Lineworker training with AMP, American Municipal Power. This reclassification would move Wright from Line Worker 3 to probationary Line Worker 4.
Denise Knecht highlighted the time and dedication this takes, noting that Wright has completed a Line Worker Class and subsequent certification every year.
The motion to approve was made by Wampler and seconded by VanAusdale. All employee reclassifications were approved unanimously.
The next motion was to approve and issue payment to August Mack Environmental for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project, in the amount of $19,827. VanAusdale moved to approve and Wampler provided a second.
The motion passed. A motion to pay the bills followed, moved by Gruver and seconded by Wampler. All members approved.
COUNCIL BUSINESS AND CONTRACTS
Denise Knecht directed the council to the next two motions on the agenda involving the Lewis E. Brown Community Center.
First was to approve an updated application, rental agreement, and fee schedule.
The forms have been reviewed by legal and simplified, described as more user-friendly. VanAusdale made the motion to approve with a second from Gruver.
VanAusdale spoke on the next motion, asking the council to approve the purchase of refreshments for America’s 250th Birthday party.
VanAusdale explained that a local baker has been contacted to provide approximately 168 cupcakes, ice cream, plates, napkins, and utensils.
The estimate was $350. VanAusdale stated this will be a great way for the community to get a first look at the new building.
Gruver moved to approve and VanAusdale seconded with all members approving.
The next two items were contract approvals, starting with approval of the Environmental Design Group Right-of-Way acquisition proposal.
This is the first step of the previously discussed sidewalk project. Wallace verified that affected property owners would be notified.
Day noted that some areas may not be directly owned by residents but could affect the easements. Amanda Knecht verified that communication, either letters or door knockers have already been discussed.
Denise Knecht also noted that they may be new at it but have a plan. The motion passed, with Gruver moving to approve and Wampler seconding.
Denise Knecht informed council appropriations would be coming in regards to the project, probably stretching over a few years.
The second was the approval of the same company, EDG, for crosswalk design. Denise Knecht explained that the grant, part of the larger safety grant, totaling $166,000 would cover the physical work but the design portion covered by the village would be $39,310 for three crosswalks.
The crosswalks will be at Gas Street, Locust Street and Riverside Drive. VanAusdale moved to approve. Wampler seconded, with the motion passing unopposed.
Resolution 2026-008 followed. The annual action was a resolution to accept the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.
Denise Knecht explained the action approved an estimated revenue amount but can vary based on non-payments or overdue payments being made.
Once approved, it will be filed at the auditor’s office. The resolution also requires each council member to sign. Gruver put the motion on the floor and Blinzler seconded. The resolution passed.
EMERGENCY TRANSFORMER ORDINANCE
The final item was Ordinance 1168, also discussed previously in the meeting. The ordinance authorizes the village administrator to enter into a contract with Sunbelt Solomon for transformer repairs without advertising for competitive bids and declaring an emergency.
To fund the repair, the ordinance authorizes a budget transfer and adjusts the village’s 2026 appropriations accordingly.
The utility fund, created in January and funded by the AMP transmission project, would contribute to the cost as well as $375,000 requested from the electric fund.
Denise Knecht assured that even with the large cost the carry over, budget at 11 months, would drop to 8.11 months, still comfortably above the state minimum of 3 months.
Bowsher and Wallace both questioned individual line items, which Denise Knecht explained they were both due to increasing fuel costs. VanAusdale moved to declare an emergency and Wampler seconded.
VanAusdale again moved to approve the ordinance and Bowsher seconded. Both were approved.
VanAusdale motioned to move into executive session and Wampler seconded. The meeting adjourned to executive session at 6:06 p.m., with no action taken after.
The next village council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, at 5:30 p.m.