PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
GAME ON! … Ruihley Park now features newly constructed pickleball courts offering fun for all ages.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
At its Monday, August 4, regular meeting, the Archbold Village Council heard public concerns regarding the roundabout project and the proposed Casey’s store. Two resolutions related to local infrastructure projects were also passed.
Council members in attendance were Gary Dominique, Vaughn Bentz, Kevin Eicher, Aaron Babcock, Chad Kern, and Karla Ball. Also, on hand on behalf of the village’s administration team were Mayor Brad Grime and Village Administrator Aaron Alt.
After calling the meeting to order and observing a moment of silence, the council proceeded through the agenda by approving minutes from its July 21 meeting and authorizing the payment of $506,277.96 in payroll and bills.
Moving to the public participation segment of the meeting, Mayor Grime recognized individuals seated in the back of the room who wished to address the council and invited them to the podium.
Carrie Bechtel, District Manager of Saneholtz-McKarns Inc., shared with the council that the parking lot of one of the stores she oversees, the Archbold Main Stop, was spray-painted by the state as part of the roundabout construction project.
She expressed concern about potentially failing inspections from Marathon’s secret shoppers who visit every three months to evaluate the cleanliness and appearance of its locations.
“It’s an eyesore,” Bechtel added. “People come in and think that now that the roundabout’s going in, that Archbold Main Stop’s gonna go away.”
Alt assured Bechtel that the village would reach out to Tetra Tech, the firm contracted to conduct the survey for the State Route 2 and Township Road 24 roundabout and address the issue.
Bechtel then shifted focus to question the council about the proposed Casey’s gas station and convenience store, which is slated for construction at the corner of South Defiance and Lafayette Streets, pending approval of all requirements by the Archbold Planning Commission.
”Logic of why four gas stations within a 2 1/2 mile radius is? What’s the thinking behind that?” Bechtel asked.
Alt explained the village has no role in bringing businesses to that property, as it is owned by a private developer, not the village. Councilor Ball added, “We also are very limited in our ability to say, ‘you’re not going to be able to put a gas station there.’”
Bechtel further noted that she had researched Casey’s stores and voiced concern that the company’s starting wages of $14 to $15 per hour could pressure other local businesses, such as fast food and convenience stores, to raise their wages as well, potentially leading to higher prices for customers.
Moving on to legislative items, the council heard Resolution 2025-35, which accepts Change Order #1, Final, Contract 5-2025, increasing the contract amount by $5,624.60, for the construction of the pickleball courts at Ruihley Park.
Alt added that the original project bid included incorrect quantity estimates, which necessitated the contract increase. However, with a final cost of $130,771.60, the project remained within budget.
The council unanimously voted to suspend the rules to allow for an emergency passage of the resolution. A motion to approve the legislation was made by Ball and seconded by Bentz. The legislation was then unanimously approved by the council.
Addressing its last legislative item, the council reviewed Resolution 2025-36 accepting Change Order #2, Final, for the Ditto Street Parking Lot, Contract 2- 2025.
The Change Order decreases the contract by $6,627.92, resulting in a final project cost of $135,198.83, which is $39,801.17 below the village engineer’s original estimate of $175,000.00.
The council unanimously voted to suspend the rules to allow for an emergency passage of the resolution. A motion to approve the legislation was made by Dominique and seconded by Bentz. The legislation was then unanimously approved by the council.
With no committee or board minutes to consider, the council proceeded to review the July 2025 Income Tax Report, which revealed that revenue is down 1% for the month and 3.31% down from the same time last year.
The floor was then opened for mayor and council comments, followed by a brief discussion on future improvements planned for the municipal building, which was renovated last year.
It was noted that the sidewalks outside of the building were recently stained. Other upcoming improvements include replacing some of the flooring, which was installed incorrectly using the wrong product, and installing new windows later this fall or winter.
Archbold Village Council will reconvene on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the municipal building.