PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COMMERCIAL FIRE INSPECTIONS … Village Administrator Aaron Alt (right) explains that the fire department will be taking a new approach to commercial fire safety inspections by shifting to a more proactive, standardized program to identify fire hazards before they become emergencies.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
The Archbold Village Council met for its first regular meeting of the month with council members Gary Dominique, Aaron Babcock, Chad Kern, and Karla Ball in attendance while councilors Mike Evans and Kevin Eicher were absent.
Mayor Brad Grime, Village Administrator Aaron Alt, Clerk Cassie Storrer, and Planner and Zoning Inspector Grant Schaffner were also on hand.
Addressing the brief agenda, the council approved the June 15 meeting minutes following a motion from Councilor Dominique that was seconded by Councilor Ball.
Looking at bills and payroll, Administrator Alt pointed out that the expenses awaiting council approval for payment included wastewater treatment debt payments and costs for the roundabout project.
Alt reported that following a discussion with Saneholtz-Mckarns Inc., owners of Archbold Main Stop, it was decided that the roundabout design would be shifted slightly south as discussed in a previous council meeting.
“It will cost a little bit more money during the design to shift, but it’s going to save substantial money by not having to replace anybody’s signs,” added Alt.
Upon a motion by Councilor Kern, which was seconded by Councilor Dominique, the payment of $960,263.74 in bills and payroll was approved.
Moving on to committee, board and department reports, Administrator Alt provided an update on June 2026 income tax numbers.
“It’s just an up-and-down roller coaster,” Alt began. “You know, last month, we were at 31% for the month, and this month, we’re down 15.92%, but we’re almost flat.
“We budgeted a 10% drop, so conservatively, we should have no problem exceeding our budget, but never say — you know — never, I guess. But it’s still — it’s still fine.”
The Fire & EMS Calls for Service for June report noted 10 calls on Tuesday, June 30, alone. The AFD usually sees an average of two to four calls a day.
Reviewing the June Street Fleet Report, the village administrator pointed out that the street department saw a significant expense with the repair of a clutch on a John Deere tractor.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Moving on to public participation, the council welcomed Fulton County Commissioner R.J. Lumbrezer, who was appointed to office in April following the retirement of former Commissioner Jon Rupp.
Introducing himself to council members, Lumbrezer shared his background and priorities as he moves forward serving on the board.
Pointing to his experience as a township trustee and his work with the Ohio Township Association, Lumbrezer said he has worked to protect the county’s rural character while also recognizing the importance of economic development.
Requesting to address the council about stray cat issues, Archbold resident Greg Beck referenced recent suspected cat poisonings in the village.
While stating he does not condone such actions, Beck questioned whether residents feeding stray or “colony” cats are violating a village ordinance, noting that an individual had acknowledged doing so on Facebook.
“Are we going to do something about these people feeding cats that aren’t theirs?” Beck asked.
Administrator Alt noted that an ordinance pertaining to stray cats falls under the Police Department’s jurisdiction.
Schaffner, who is a former APD officer, explained that statements made on Facebook alone may not constitute sufficient evidence for enforcement or prosecution. Mayor Grime said he will reach out to Chief Leo Wixom to discuss the matter.
Councilor Dominique suggested the police department could issue a public reminder to residents about feeding stray cats.
“I know we had this conversation two, three, even four years ago,” Councilor Ball offered.
“The residents have to understand that when they’re feeding them, they are responsible for them because they are taking care of them as their own pets. But there’s no — how do you control that?”
NEW BUSINESS
In new business, Administrator Alt shared with the council that the fire department will be taking a new approach to commercial fire safety inspections.
The new system will shift to a more proactive, standardized program led by three full-time staff members and will include routine inspections, site plan reviews for new development, and the use of technology to track inspections.
The department’s goal is to improve public safety, support volunteer firefighters and improve the community’s ISO fire protection rating, which could potentially lower property insurance premiums for residents and businesses.
Moving on to another topic, Mayor Grime asked the council’s opinion on updating the village’s 35-year-old police ordinance prohibiting beekeeping after a resident was ordered to remove a small honeybee hive following a complaint.
The mayor clarified that the resident has one box to house bees for pollination purposes and does not harvest honey.
“I think in the past 35 years, we’ve changed our attitude about bees, honeybees and the use of them,” Mayor Grime commented.
The council members present generally agreed that the ordinance may be outdated, and they would not be opposed to an amendment to allow small-scale beekeeping with defined restrictions.
Alt explained that if the council wished to proceed with amending the ordinance, the Ohio Revised Code would also need to be followed.
Planner and Zoning Inspector Schaffner weighed in, “What I envision is if you guys do end up repealing it, then it would likely become a zoning matter, so then it would go before the planning commission for recommendation to council.”
“I can tell you, I’ve done a lot of research on it,” Schaffner continued. “A majority of communities have a prohibition on beekeeping.”
In the last discussion of the evening, Councilor Dominique reported that four individuals at the Memorial Park ballfields recently questioned why “Archie,” the village golf cart, was out of service instead of providing transportation for elderly and disabled visitors from their vehicles to the games.
“I don’t believe it’s been run very many times at all. People want it, other than a park official,” Dominique continued.
“I know we have tournaments there this weekend. I would even go as far to say I’d volunteer to help run it. But it was paid for by town money to be used for that reason, so let’s use it.”
Alt expanded the discussion to overall park maintenance, citing complaints he receives from residents.
“It goes into our strategy of really assessing how we’re running our parks and continuing to prove that it doesn’t take a lot to make a big difference,” Alt added.
Mayor Grime raised concerns about the condition of memorial trees in some of the parks, saying several have died or been damaged because of poor maintenance, including excessive herbicide use, lack of care, and damaged memorial plaques.
Alt suggested the village consider pausing acceptance of donated trees until it can establish a more effective tree maintenance program.
“We’ll address that as time goes. But it’s good to talk about it, and you know, get some input,” the mayor concluded.
With nothing further, the council adjourned at 7:03 p.m. The next village council meeting is set for Monday, July 20, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
