PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
GAME ON … Mayor Bob Day recognizes Stan Tipton and Andy Miller for the countless hours they spent bringing our disc golf course to life.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Edgerton Village Council met on Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. After calling the meeting to order, Mayor Bob Day led the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer before jumping into the meeting’s agenda.
Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht took roll call with members Brian Bowsher, Jason Gruver, Pam Wampler and Chuck Wallace in attendance. Sharon Blinzler arrived late, and council member Leslie VanAusdale was absent.
Also in attendance was Administrative Assistant Amanda Knecht, and Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles joined via phone.
After roll call was completed, Gruver put a motion on the floor to accept the meeting minutes from April 15. Wallace seconded and all members approved.
Day then moved into communications, petitions and claims of the public, where he honored Andy Miller and Stan Tipton who were instrumental in the design and implementation of the disc golf course at Miller Park.
Day stated the course was first conceptualized prior to COVID-19 but was derailed due to the pandemic. Once back on track, Tipton and Miller volunteered countless hours to help make the course come to life.
Both gentlemen were called to the front of the meeting and honored with plaques from the village. Tipton stated he first documented working on the course in 2020.
He commended the extra land acquired, which allowed the course to cut through the woods, adding a challenging element to the 18 holes. Tipton stated the course has a little bit of everything, even a few geese now and then.
When asked, Tipton stated he has worked on disc golf courses in Bryan, at Opdyke Park, Angola, West Unity, and is currently working with the Village of Montpelier. Randy Weisz, a disc golf enthusiast in attendance, added, “I’ve played quite a few courses around here and I think this is one of the best ones around because of the variety.” He thanked everyone involved in putting the course together.
Tipton closed by adding a special thanks to Bo Aldrich and Kip Pahl, who he claimed were very easy to work with on this project.
STAFF REPORTS
The meeting agenda then moved into reports with Mayor Day first. He highlighted the previous day’s first food truck, which is scheduled to be in town every Monday.
There was also a free tree giveaway in honor of Arbor Day where approximately 125 to 150 trees were given away.
Day continued with items for the upcoming Memorial Day parade where he would be speaking and planning a special ceremony to honor Howard Day.
With his family being hours away, a Facebook Live broadcast is also planned. Plans are also being formulated to have Howard’s sister, who is 104 years old, in attendance.
Administrator Fitzcharles did not have anything to report as she would be addressing items later in the agenda.
Fiscal Officer Knecht shared a brief report starting with the credit card review from March 16 to April 15, distributed to the council to review. Next, she updated the council on the ongoing biannual audit.
Many auditors have been in and out, and Knecht expects that to continue until the audit is complete on June 30. The audit team is working through some new processes as well.
Knecht finished with two items of note, one being the April financial reports, which she distributed to the council.
The second was a note of the renewal letter of authorization from RITA for nonfiling and administrative subpoenas that are sent out to nonfilers or delinquent taxpayers. No authorization was required.
HIRES AND ORDINANCE
Moving into resolution, ordinances and motions, Knecht first asked for a motion to pay the bills with a small addition from the previously shared document.
Bowsher obliged, making the motion to approve with Gruver providing a second. The motion passed unanimously.
Following were several motions all to onboard several seasonal part-time employees. First up was a reclassification for Caden Sinclair, who was an intern the previous summer but would be reclassified as part-time this summer with a starting rate of $16.92 per hour.
Wallace asked for verification of start and end days. Fitzcharles answered it is dependent on several factors but Sinclair is slated to be part-time for the summer only.
Bowsher motioned to approve, and Wampler seconded with all members approving.
The next part-time hire to approve was Jeanette Reas as a backup janitorial position to assist in cleaning of both the Town Hall Gym and new community building at Miller Park.
The starting rate would be the same at $16.92 and would be utilized on an as-needed basis. Bowsher asked for clarification that this was a backup to a previously hired position. Fitzcharles verified he was correct.
The motion to approve was made by Gruver, Bowsher seconded with the motion passing unopposed.
The final personnel approval was for a new summer intern with a starting rate of $13 per hour. Avery Aldrich would be classified as a summer intern working under Kip Pahl, mainly focusing on completing fence installation at Gerhart Field.
Again, Bowsher motioned to approve. Wampler seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
Ordinance No. 1167 followed. An ordinance to provide for the 2026 annual appropriations. Knecht explained several items in the ordinance including the need in the lines of service within the professional and tech services.
The previously approved EK contract changed. Several unanticipated repairs to the electric department bucket truck also contributed to the ordinance.
Fitzcharles reminded that the electric department vehicle is a $200,000 piece of equipment with low miles, making the repairs even more unexpected.
Property and liability insurance also saw a significant increase. The first six months were paid in advance, with the last six-month payment due in June.
The entire ordinance appropriations were approximately $26,250. Gruver motioned to approve Ordinance 1167. Wallace seconded, and the ordinance was approved by all members.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Council Discussion rounded out the agenda with Bowsher introducing the first few topics. He had been approached by a resident on a timeline or plan for dirt being dispersed at Gerhart Field.
Blinzler noted that they had been performing some work there but she was not sure what. Fitzcharles noted the work is in progress and they have been delayed due to the hired exterminator and contractors.
Fitzcharles also stated, “Everyone needs to be cognizant of the fact that we are always going to have these requests and we really just need to decide what we are going to do and stick with it.”
Bowsher also noted that the recent closing of Big C Lumber caught several people off guard and wondered if there was some way of notification.
Fitzcharles stated they try to notify the public in any way possible of all community events, but even the council and administration were unaware of the sudden closure.
Blinzler followed, asking if and when the speed bumps would be installed on Gerhart Street. It was noted that the previous year, radar signs were used in lieu of speed bumps.
Fitzcharles stated either option was acceptable and the village has dedicated radar signs for the street.
Blinzler also wanted to address or at least notify of the increase of electric scooters and one-wheel motorized scooters in town.
These have been observed moving very quickly along sidewalks and not stopping at traffic signs or signals, presenting a safety issue. Day noted he would speak with Police Chief Ken Jacob about it.
Wallace concluded the council discussion by suggesting the village should add lettering to all village vehicles. Wallace stated it would be nice for the community to see how the tax money is being used.
He added, “We’ve done such a good job of updating our equipment but we’ve done a bad job of not letting the taxpayers see what or where their money is being invested.” Fitzcharles stated she would get started on it.
Day then asked for a motion to move into executive session to discuss the acquisition of property and employment compensation of a public employee.
Blinzler motioned and Bowsher seconded. The meeting then moved into executive session at 6:05 p.m.
Upon return from executive session, two motions were approved. Amanda Knecht was promoted to the position of executive assistant. Kayla Beldon was hired to the position of administrative assistant.
The next Edgerton Village Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers.
