PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
COUNCIL MEETING … Stryker Village Council members, from left, Shawna Leupp, Sean Ingram and Kenny Williams discuss the first readings of two ordinances and a resolution at their meeting on Monday, July 20.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Stryker Village Council met in a regular session on Monday, July 20, with council members Rebecca Miller, Shawna Leupp, Kenny Williams and Sean Ingram present and Vicki Cameron and Nick Wlasiuk absent.
Pastor and U.S. Army veteran Israel Aguilar of the United Brethren Church gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting minutes of June 8, 2026, were read and approved.
Village Administrator Al Riegsecker updated council on the village water tower project on West Railroad Street, which is halfway completed.
Riegsecker said he has no exact timeline, but the first coat of paint is on, and they’re working on the inside.
The majority of the project’s estimated $700,000 cost is being picked up by grants, with the village’s share at $149,900, fiscal officer Beth Rediger said.
The work is similar to an upgrade of the village’s other water tower near the school in 2023.
Riegsecker noted the village will be striping roadway markings such as crosswalks, railroad crossings and stop signs/lights. He expects the work to be completed before school starts on August 19.
Council also approved first readings of two ordinances and a resolution.
The first ordinance amends the number of standing council committees from six to four: service and safety, audit/finance, health/welfare, and judiciary.
The second ordinance revises the village’s permanent appropriations to account for costs associated with the water tower project.
Rediger was seeking approval for the appropriations ordinance, but council was unable to suspend the normal three readings and approve it as an emergency, as two of the six council members were absent from the meeting.
At least five votes are necessary to suspend the rules and approve the first reading.
She said a special council meeting would be necessary if the appropriations are required prior to the next meeting on August 17.
The resolution is a yearly action to accept the amounts and rates as determined by the county budget commission.
Rediger also reported on the year-to-date revenues (about $894,000), exceeding expenditures (about $872,000). For the period from June 15 to July 20, revenues were a little more than $129,000, and expenditures were about $143,000.
In other council action:
-Riegsecker said the village is seeking a new employee. The candidate will either hold a Class 1 EPA license for both water and wastewater operations, or be willing to work toward the licenses, with the expense covered by the village.
-Village Solicitor Kevin Whitlock reported he had, at council’s direction, researched the village’s ordinance for junk vehicles.
He said it was “well-written,” but some of the language in the ordinance is weak and could be updated. Council agreed to have the judiciary committee meet at 5 p.m. on August 17, prior to the regular meeting.
-Mayor Joey Beck and Police Chief Steve Mendez said they have identified a handful of blighted houses and are working to identify and work with the owners to take care of it. They also advised residents to cut their grass as required by village ordinance.
-Council was informed the Stryker Fall Fest and Trick or Treat will be held on Saturday, October 31.
The meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m. Next meeting will be on Monday, August 17, at 6 p.m.
