PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NEW CHIEF … Archbold Village Council appointed Kyle Brodbeck to serve as AFD’s new fire chief upon Chief Dave Davis’s retirement.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
The Archbold Village Council convened for its second regular meeting of the month on Monday, June 15, with members Gary Dominique, Mike Evans, Kevin Eicher, Aaron Babcock and Karla Ball in attendance while Councilor Chad Kern was absent.
Also on hand were Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Aaron Alt and Clerk Cassie Storrer.
Addressing routine matters, the council approved its meeting minutes from June 1, accepted May 2026 financial reports, and authorized the payment of $427,477.36 in bills and payroll.
NEW FIRE CHIEF
By way of Resolution 2026-24, the council approved the appointment of Kyle Brodbeck to serve as Fire Chief for the village following the retirement of Chief Dave Davis.
In addition to the duties that his new role will bring, Brodbeck will continue to serve as EMS Supervisor for the department.
Thanking the council for his appointment to his new position, Brodbeck said to the council, “I hope that I continue to build on the leadership that we’ve had over the years.
“I truly believe that communication builds trust and trust builds relationships, and that’s what this job is all about: relationships with the department members, with elected officials, and then with the community as well. So that’s what I hope to continue on too.”
Mayor Grime commented that the department is expected to face some challenges in the coming year. Brodbeck concluded his remarks by pointing out that EMS contracts are up for negotiation soon and also that the department will be working to keep pace with the community’s anticipated growth.
Looking at the AFD Fire & EMS Calls for Service report for May 2026, the department logged 85 total calls, which is an increase from 73 calls during the previous month.
Year-to-date, the department has responded to 418 incidents. Brodbeck noted that with five to seven calls daily in the past two days alone, June is shaping up to be a busy month as well.
APD MONTHLY REPORT
Moving on to law enforcement activity in May, the Archbold Police Department processed 167 reports and 94 traffic stops, with 87% of those stops resulting in warnings.
There were 12 arrests within the village on incidents including defrauding creditors/complicity, warrant execution, domestic violence, disorderly conduct, and aggravated menacing involving a firearm.
The APD also reported seven vehicle unlocks, 67 house checks, 37 community service calls, and 202 business checks in May.
The council also took a look at the June 1, 2026 Police & Fire Committee meeting minutes with no discussion.
CASEY’S GENERAL STORE AND TACO BELL
In New Business, before the council for review was an Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control Application for a liquor permit on behalf of Casey’s General Store, which will be located at 705 South Defiance Street.
The mayor asked if the permit covered only Sunday sales. Administrator Alt responded that he believed it was a general liquor sale application.
The administrator added that if no objections from the council are filed, the state would likely approve the permit.
However, any opposition to the application would require a formal request for a hearing from the village.
The conversation then shifted to other development updates in the area, and it was noted that construction on both Casey’s General Store and Taco Bell is currently underway.
Alt further reported that work on the David K. Aeschliman Memorial in that same area has recently commenced as well.
Councilor Eicher asked if the ongoing construction will affect planned intersection improvements at West Barr Road/Lafayette Street and South Defiance Street.
Administrator Alt said that the timing of the work would depend on Gerken Paving’s schedule.
He acknowledged that the area would likely experience some disruption, but also pointed out that much of the heavy construction activity, including excavation work at both sites, is expected to be completed before the intersection project reaches its later stages.
WATER SUPERINTENDENT VACANCY
Notices of retirement were received for Fire Chief Dave Davis and Class IV Water Treatment Superintendent Scott Schultz.
Council members discussed plans to fill the water superintendent position upon Schultz’s departure, and Alt noted that the assistant superintendent has applied for his Class IV water operator’s license.
Until that position has been filled, Schultz will return on a contractual basis through Jones & Henry, working 10 hours per week to satisfy state requirements that a Class IV-certified operator oversee the plant.
Alt explained that the village’s water demand averages only 2 million to 2.5 million gallons per day; however, the plant’s production capacity exceeds 5 million gallons daily, which classifies it as a Class IV facility under Ohio regulations.
With no members of the public requesting to speak, the council proceeded to the Mayor and Council Comments section of the agenda.
ROADWAY SAFETY CONCERNS
Councilor Eicher raised questions about golf cart use after observing an individual driving a cart south slowly on State Route 66 with a line of traffic following.
He pointed out that golf carts are not permitted on certain state routes and asked whether additional enforcement or signage may be needed.
With Administrator Alt confirming that golf cart travel is restricted on State Route 66 south of Short Buehrer Road, Councilor Eicher suggested the matter should be brought to the attention of the police department. Mayor Grime shared that he believed the incident was likely an isolated occurrence.
Expanding on the roadway safety discussion, Councilor Babcock expressed concerns about the growing popularity of electric scooters and e-bikes, particularly among younger riders.
He stated that while he enjoys seeing residents use the devices, he worries that some riders ignore traffic signals and crosswalks.
Referencing a recent “Ride Safe” post shared on the police department’s Facebook page, Councilor Ball pointed out that scooter and e-bike safety is being addressed.
However, she said that she too is concerned about riders traveling at high speeds on downtown sidewalks, which could lead to safety issues for pedestrians entering and leaving businesses.
Mayor Grime suggested asking the police department to keep a closer eye on the issue.
SOLICITOR REGISTRATION
Shifting to a new topic, Councilor Babcock then asked whether or not solicitors must obtain a permit to engage in door-to-door sales in the village, as he has noticed an increase, particularly contractors offering roof inspections and hail damage repairs.
Babcock added that he recently spoke to one of these solicitors who said that he did not have a permit.
Councilor Evans questioned whether the village charges a fee for permits or only maintains a registration system, while Councilor Dominique asked if background checks are required of individuals who sell door-to-door.
Administrator Alt said that the APD handles permitting for solicitors and noted that permits are time-limited rather than indefinite.
He suggested the police department could publish a list of active permit holders on Facebook but acknowledged that without registration, no such list exists.
“And, I know some communities are doing, you know, ‘do-not-solicit’ lists,” Alt offered as an additional step that could be taken.
Council member Evans requested an update on asphalt repairs near the Police Department following a recent waterline break, with Alt responding that the repairs are scheduled to be completed by Gerken Paving as part of the Miscellaneous Street resurfacing project.
ROUNDABOUT REDESIGN UPDATE
Revisiting the roundabout conversation, Administrator Alt provided the council with an update on the project, explaining that engineers from Tetra Tech have developed a revised design following discussions with nearby businesses.
Alt said Marathon representatives had expressed concerns that the original placement of the roundabout would impact their property, including the location of the gas station’s sign.
The redesign shifts the roundabout slightly to the south, which, according to Alt in a follow-up statement, would result “in an estimated project cost reduction of approximately $255,000, inclusive of right-of-way acquisition, sign relocation, site damages, and other improvements.”
“And again, we’re not responsible for a majority of that, but it’s still – it’s still public dollars,” Alt added during the meeting.
Alt pointed out that figures are ODOT estimates rather than final costs.
The updated design maintains the planned roadway reconstruction, new sidewalks and replacement of aging storm sewer in the area.
The Archbold Village Council will reconvene on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
