WATERLINE PROJECT PROGRESS … Council members Brad Short, Chad Kern, and Kevin Eicher hear details on South Defiance Street Waterline Project bid. (PHOTO BY AMY WENDT, STAFF)
By: Amy Wendt
The Archbold Village Council convened on Monday, April 17th, 2023, at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers, with all members in attendance.
Council approved Resolution 2023-19 accepting the bid from Bryan Excavating, LLC for Contract 2-2023, the South Defiance Street Waterline Project.
According to Village Administrator Donna Dettling, Bryan Excavating had the lowest bid at $500,405 out of four bidders.
“The engineer’s estimate on this project was $600,000 so we’re going to leave some money in the reserve,” continued Dettling.
Upon suspension of the rules declaring an emergency, Council then approved Resolution 2023-20 accepting a proposal from Terry Henricks Ford for a 2023 Ford Super Duty F-250 SRW truck for the Wastewater Department.
Per Administrator Dettling, the resolution came before council so that some of the formal bidding procedures could be waived.
“It’s been really tough to go through bidding procedures with the local dealers,” explained Dettling. The purchase of the truck is not to exceed $58,500.
Resolution 2023-21 approving the starting rate of pay for a police officer was also approved by council.
The resolution is a requirement of the Village of Archbold employee pay plan.
The negotiated starting salary of the new patrol officer, who is anticipated to start on April 24, will be above the midpoint and only council has the authority to approve the higher starting wage.
It was noted that the new officer will be coming from the Village of Swanton where he has served as their chief of police for 10 years. He also will be bringing with him 18 years of total law enforcement experience.
Mayor Brad Grime noted, “He brings some pretty good experience to our young police department.”
In other items, Council also approved the Meeting Minutes for April 3, 2023, Bills & Payroll in the amount of $391,820.86, and the March Financial Reports.
During the meeting, the Tree Board Minutes from April 6, 2023, were discussed. Mayor Grime shared that several flowering pear trees of an invasive species will be removed along Sylvanus Street as part of the ongoing maintenance program.
Committee and Board Minutes also before council for review included the Park Board Minutes of March 22, 2023, Finance Committee/ITAC Minutes of April 3, 2023, the Police & Fire Committee Minutes of April 3 and April 10, 2023, and Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 2023.
Council also reviewed the following department reports: Hiring Report – Police Officer, Fire & EMS Calls for Service March 2023, the Police Department Call Response for March 2023, and Street Department Labor & Fleet Reports March 2023.
Before adjourning, VA Dettling reminded Council that the Unlimited Trash Pickup Day is planned for Saturday, May, 20.
It should be noted that some items will be restricted, and those guidelines will be released by village officials soon.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The next Archbold Village Council Meeting is slated for Monday, May 1, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com
