PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
VACANT PROPERTY PROBLEMS … Council discussed concerns regarding vacant properties in disrepair and will review the ordinance in the future, including the possibility of requiring “nuisance” signage and increasing registration fees.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, May 18, the Archbold Village Council met with board members Karla Ball, Aaron Babcock, Kevin Eicher, Mike Evans, and Gary Dominique in attendance, while Chad Kern was absent. Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Aaron Alt, and Clerk Cassie Storrer were also on hand.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer, the council approved minutes from the May 4 meeting and authorized the payment of $416,260.73 in bills and payroll.
Looking at legislation, the council addressed Resolution 2026-20, adopting a cybersecurity policy for the village per state mandate before a July 1 deadline.
“So this is an auditor of state requirement to have actually codified a policy for cybersecurity, and they are not super clear on exactly what they expect.
“But, we are working with Sonit, and on different steps to take for training, for more monitoring that we would do in case anybody tries to get in the system, as well as continue to shift as much from server-based applications to cloud-based systems where we have MFAs in place that handle a lot of that,” Administrator Alt elaborated.
Following a suspension of the rules to pass the measure on an emergency basis, and upon a motion by Babcock, which was seconded by Dominique, the resolution was passed unanimously by all council members present.
The council moved on to Resolution 2026-21, which authorizes Village Administrator Alt to prepare and submit an application to the USDA Rural Development for funding assistance for public water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer infrastructure improvements, and to execute all related documents.
Alt clarified that the legislation pertains to a grant received specifically for infrastructure on the Lugbill Road and Memorial Park subdivision area.
“I want to be very clear and specific,” Alt said, “that this infrastructure is for that area and not any other area that may be perceived as extending services for any other project not related to residential housing in the Lugbill Road, Burke Street, and Schlatter Street area.”
Following a suspension of the rules to pass the legislation as an emergency, Gary Dominique made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Karla Ball and approved by all members present.
In new business, Alt pointed out that Fire Chief Dave Davis has recently submitted his notice of retirement, which will be effective at the end of September, and paramedic Ada Davis will also be retiring in August.
With those departures, the village is currently looking at four internal volunteer applicants and will conduct interviews to bring at least two new EMTs to the force.
Alt also noted that adding another medic would be a preferred solution to reduce the need for overtime, as some have been working additional hours to cover for colleagues on leave.
COMMUNITY GROWTH
During the meeting’s comment segment, Mayor Grime highlighted ongoing projects and recognized Luke Boyers and Austin Dunlap of Iron Ridge Development.
Grime recognized their participation in local residential development and other community initiatives.
“Those guys are doing a world of good. They’ve got their hands in several projects around the community, and we appreciate the work that they’re doing for the village of Archbold and the residents here.
“Now, they should probably be commended for the efforts that they’re making,” the mayor said.
Mayor Grime also noted that an estimated $50 million to $100 million in infrastructure and development projects are expected over the next year.
Upcoming developments include Casey’s, Taco Bell, the expansion of the Fairlawn Retirement Community, the new H&K Chevrolet location in the former Shopko building, and expansion efforts at Miller Bros. Construction.
“We’ve got so many things to be thankful for in the community right now…we’re going to move this community forward with these projects, and we’re going to keep at it,” Grime concluded.
Aaron Babcock asked for a status update on the David K. Aeschliman Memorial project. Alt responded that the project is ready to move forward and is currently awaiting the concrete contractor.
Alt also said that the project recently received a $500 donation from the Women’s Auxiliary and noted that a community member has reached out asking how they can help with the project.
PROBLEM PROPERTIES
The council then held a discussion regarding vacant houses in the village, particularly homes on Ditto Street and South Defiance Street that are in disrepair.
In May 2024, the village passed a vacant property registration ordinance to create a system for identifying and registering vacant residences and commercial buildings. In addition to registration, an annual fee is assessed.
Aaron Babcock began the conversation, “Something that’s been on my mind is a couple of properties, a couple of vacant properties in the town that are really – the one I – I’m almost 90% sure that’s uninhabitable on Ditto Street.
“I think we need to look into, and I would be willing to throw a request out there as far – as far as an ordinance, to make these landlords move on these properties, one way or the other, either to rehab the properties or to sell the properties, or to totally remove the structure.”
Councilor Ball added that a resident with similar concerns had also reached out to her about a different property.
“I know that we have the vacant property registration ordinance in place, and maybe it’s something we need to – zoning needs to pull back out and kind of look back over a little bit.
“You know, we – talking a little bit before the meeting, we’ve structured that to have some teeth in it, so that people that own those properties have to pay a little more and a little more and a little more every time, every year that passes, they’re paying more in a fee to keep it a vacant property.
“But, at what point when they become in that level of disrepair, at what point can we actually do something about it?” Ball asked.
Alt pointed out that demolition assistance was available through the Fulton County Land Bank, which can help property owners remove unsafe buildings.
Council members discussed strengthening the ordinance by increasing fees and penalties. Current fees rise annually, eventually reaching a cap of $6,400 after five years.
Planning and Zoning Director Grant Schaffner pointed out that neighbor complaints and community involvement are important if cases move to court, as judges are more likely to act when nearby residents voice their concerns.
Mayor Grime suggested that placing nuisance signs on problem properties would both pressure owners and show residents the village is actively addressing the issue.
No formal action was taken on vacant properties during the meeting, but the council agreed to revisit the ordinance and explore additional options moving forward.
Immediately following the regular meeting, the finance committee briefly met to discuss the approval of a final payment from a 2016 agreement with ConAgra.
Archbold Village Council will reconvene on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the municipal building.
