PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ACTING ADMINISTRATOR … Doug Zimmerman, serving as acting village administrator, updates council members on multiple ongoing projects — among them a transformer repair estimated at $435,000 that could prompt a special council meeting.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
brianna@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton Village Council approved many employee resignations at its Wednesday, June 17, meeting. Mayor Bob Day called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and a brief prayer before getting into the agenda.
Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht took roll call with all members in attendance. Village Council members are as follows: Sharon Blinzler, Brian Bowsher, Jason Gruver, Leslie VanAusdale, Chuck Wallace, and Pam Wampler.
Also in attendance were acting Village Administrator Doug Zimmerman, Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht, Police Chief Ken Jacob, Jeff Lyons from the Mainstreet Edgerton Organization, and several student athletes being recognized at the meeting.
Day moved straight into communications, first introducing Kayla Beldon, newly appointed Administrative Assistant. Beldon grew up in Edgerton and is now moving back.
Beldon stated she was thankful to the council and administration for the opportunity. She stated she was very glad to be here.
STUDENT ATHLETES RECOGNIZED
Next to be introduced was the Edgerton High School softball team and coaches, who finished runner up in the regional tournaments.
Day listed several accomplishments from the recent past, the season ending with an 18-5 record.
Over the last four years, the team has had 68 wins and 28 losses, which is an approximate 70% win ratio. They were also regional finalists in the 2023 season. The exiting seniors thanked the community for all the support over the years.
Moving along, the next student athlete to be recognized was Ty Leppelmeier, who recently competed at the state level for both shot put and discus, finishing tenth and sixth place respectively.
Day also noted Leppelmeier broke a couple school records as well. When Leppelmeier was asked what he was focusing on for his senior year, he stated both power and technique.
MAYOR’S REPORT
The council then moved on to reports, with Day presenting the mayor’s report. He highlighted a flag that was donated in honor of Flag Day.
Day provided a brief history lesson, noting that on June 14, 1777, a congressional resolution declared that the flag of the 13 US colonies be stripes in alternating red and white and that the union 13 stars represented the colonies. Plans are to display the flag in the village offices.
Also being donated was several flowers and landscaping hours. The flowers lining the downtown streets were donated by Nye’s Greenhouse and have been diligently taken care of by Blinzler.
Flowers at the city limits were donated and planted by the Fit and Trim 4H group.
Lastly, Day had two events to note. The Red Cross will be having a blood drive at the village offices in the council room on June 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration can be done online or at the village office.
Also upcoming, the village offices would be closed on Friday in honor of Juneteenth.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Zimmerman followed with the Administrator’s Report, starting with several updates to projects he discussed at the last council meeting. Unfortunately, Zimmerman did not have the formal agreement for the sidewalk project as it was with the legal department at the moment.
The approximate cost is $188,000. After the agreement is approved, they will also be working with a local attorney, not yet determined, for some property acquisitions.
Moving on to the water treatment project, the project is moving ahead and the village has been working with the engineer. An update meeting is scheduled to take place the following week.
Continuing with water topics, the wastewater project is still on track since OPWC, Ohio Public Works Commission, has extended some deadlines.
Zimmerman stated they are looking into several design engineers to partner with on the project.
The lift station, which was approved at the previous meeting, is in progress with electric upgrades ordered, the estimate being around $128,000. Zimmerman hopes to have more updates in the next few weeks.
Zimmerman had several new items to discuss as well. First was a faulty transformer at the substation, which will need to be repaired or replaced. Repairing would be the better, more economical option.
Currently, the village has some engineers preparing quotes with estimates being around $435,000. Zimmerman also stated he would need to consult legal counsel as well on some issues before bringing it to council.
Refinishing of the gym floor is scheduled for September at a cost of $12,000. Denise Knecht elaborated that this was not the normal refinishing process.
The more intensive project will have the floor completely stripped and repainted, with added lines for pickleball courts. Zimmerman also noted this was planned for the non-busy season but was unable to be completed.
Lastly, Zimmerman updated on the Lewis Brown Community building having the final inspection scheduled for the following day.
Day added that with the urgency of the sidewalk project, they may call a special meeting to approve it once it is reviewed and approved by the legal department. Possibly, the transformer would also be approved at that meeting.
Wallace also asked about the final locations. Day stated it has been finalized but there is a process that must be completed before the locations can be communicated to the public.
Bowsher also asked if this was the same transformer that had been serviced. Denise Knecht stated it was the same transformer that had been inspected.
The transformer must be moved to location and then evaluated so the price could increase. Zimmerman stated, “One of the other quotes we received would have entailed taking an outage to move the transformer.”
Gruver asked what the cost difference was between repair and replace. Denise Knecht stated a replacement would be well over one million.
Zimmerman noted that unfortunately the transformer’s serial numbers are close in sequence so there could be similar repairs in the near future.
The Fiscal Officer report followed, with Denise Knecht providing a copy of the credit card report from May 16 through June 16 to the council members for review and signatures.
Knecht backed up a little bit to ask for a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting.
With the special guests at the start of the meeting, it was overlooked on the agenda. Gruver made the motion to approve and Wampler seconded.
All members approved except Wallace, who abstained due to his absence from the previous meeting.
Lastly, she asked for a motion to pay the bills. VanAusdale moved to approve, Wampler seconded. The motion passed.
Chief Jacob was last with the Police Chief report. He reported that the new full-time officer had started his training on Monday and the new auxiliary officer had been out and about getting to know the community.
Bowsher inquired how long it takes for a new officer to be road ready. Jacob answered that it is usually 12 to 16 weeks to complete training.
RESIGNATIONS AND PERSONNEL
Moving into resolutions, motions, and ordinances, Denise Knecht first presented several resignations, each requiring a separate motion.
Ashley Plotts resigned from the police department, effective June 17. Gruver moved to approve, with a second from Bowsher.
Benny “Mike” Thomas resigned as a reserve auxiliary officer, effective May 31; the motion to approve was made by Gruver and seconded by Wallace.
Orlando Puente resigned from the Junior Firefighter program, effective June 15. Puente is leaving to enlist in the Army. Bowsher moved to approve, seconded by Wampler.
Braelyn Eberly resigned as a seasonal general-labor intern, effective June 4, with a motion to approve by Gruver and a second from VanAusdale.
Casey Everetts resigned as an administrative assistant intern, effective June 26. The motion to approve was made by Wampler, seconded by VanAusdale. All resignations were approved unanimously.
The next motion was to approve the hire of seasonal general-labor intern Cole Gary at a rate of $13.00 per hour, with a start date of June 18.
Bowsher asked how the intern positions were posted or communicated. Denise Knecht explained the village participates in a program with the school and does not advertise these positions in the same manner as full-time openings as the time requirements are more immediate.
Amanda Knecht added that interested students may submit applications at any time, noting that both Gary’s application and another potential applicant were already on file. VanAusdale moved to approve the hire, with Gruver seconding. The motion passed.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Council discussion followed, with Wallace noting the curves on South Michigan Avenue are littered with debris due to the recent rain.
He also inquired about the Truck Pulls, which are being presented by Mainstreet Edgerton on June 27. Blinzler also noted that the curbs uptown are littered with similar debris.
Bowsher followed with a safety concern regarding scooters, e-bikes, and golf carts in town not following traffic laws.
His concern was mainly with the scooters and e-bikes, stating he doesn’t want to see an accident happen. Jacob informed council that there were no distinct laws for either and they are treated similar to a regular pedal bicycle.
VanAusdale noted golf carts need to follow traffic laws. Day stated he would add it to his list of items to be shared via social media.
VanAusdale revisited the community building, asking if it was still on track to be open for July 18.
Day stated there were a lot of moving parts, but feels they are still on track. Once the final inspection is passed they will know more.
With the upcoming festivities planned, VanAusdale asked the village to sponsor cake and ice cream, first asking if it would be acceptable. Zimmerman stated as long as it was for a public purpose, council could make and approve that decision.
VanAusdale noted the meeting held the previous day yielded good conversation and delegated certain responsibilities.
She thanked everyone who has been working hard on what she referred to as a soft-opening. When asked, VanAusdale confirmed she would take on the role as council representative for the opening.
Before adjourning, Wallace asked about the sirens, with the recent storms the siren cannot be heard distinctly in all areas of town.
Amanda Knecht clarified that the siren is meant to be heard if you are outside, not indoors. Day added that the wind can really affect how and where the siren can be heard.
The siren is only one type of alert, to be used in conjunction with Alert 86. Denise Knecht stated that if residents need assistance setting up Alert 86, the village office can assist.
Bowsher also clarified that the second siren heard the previous night was not an all-clear siren. The siren is only used for alerts, never an all-clear, which may have been done in the past.
With no further discussion, VanAusdale moved to adjourn. Bowsher provided a second, and all members approved adjourning the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
The next council meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 1, at 5:30 p.m.
