Council Meeting Minutes 2026 03 04

by | Mar 4, 2026 | Council Minutes

  • Mayor Day called the meeting to order at 5:30PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.
  • Y – Yes, N – No, A – Abstain, Abs – Absent
  • Roll Call:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y

     6 Members’ Present

Other Village Representatives Present:

  • Denise Knecht – Fiscal Officer; Dawn Fitzcharles – Village Administrator (via phone); Amanda Knecht – Administrative Assistant; Ken Jacob – Police Chief; Scott Blue – Fire Chief; Bob Adkins – Assistant Fire Chief

Media Present:

  • Cindy Thiel – The Edgerton Earth; Brianna Balogh – The Village Reporter; Brian Koeller – The Bryan Times

Public Present:

  • Pat Bowsher, Greg Jennings, Jason Landis, Josh Elliott, Alivia Farnham, Ava Swank, Kaitlyn Burke, Jade Saul, Addie Bowers, Kaylynn Steffes, Ayden King

 

  • Motion to Approve Meeting Minutes from 02.18.26:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y MOTION

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y 2ND

Motion PASSES 6-0

Edgerton Girls Basketball Team: Pat Bowsher, Greg Jennings, and the Edgerton girls Varsity basketball team were asked to be in attendance by Mayor Day to receive recognition for their appearance in District Finals for the 2nd year in a row. Mayor Day shared how proud he and the Edgerton community is of hard work and dedication. Seniors Alivia Farnham and Ava Swank are thankful for the community that supported the girls basketball career and will miss this team. Mayor Day offered to buy EDT ice cream for the girls.

Edgerton Summer Recreation, Jason Landis:  Fitzcharles asked Summer Rec president to provide an organization update to Council plans and expectations. Landis reported there are 215 registered for 2026 season. Summer Rec planning to bring back “Support the Teams” day; the Boys All-Star Tournament will be held at Miller Park during Homecoming. He has asked for field work/improvements to be done at Gerhart and is waiting to hear back about that. The intention is to remove dirt mounds & bring in portable mounds. Currently Gerhart fields are full of large rocks, so something needs to be done this year. Landis’ suggestion is to bring in loads of dirt. Fitzcharles shared we are currently working on a ground squirrel issue. We have solicited some proposals for the same work to be completed at Gerhart that was completed at Miller Park. Games will begin May 1st at Gerhart.

Mayor Update by Robert Day:

2026 STATE OF THE VILLAGE

 2025 is now in the books for the Village of Edgerton.  We are in the midst of manifesting several projects throughout the Village that were previously awarded state, county and/or federal funds.  A list of accomplishments during the 2025 year includes the groundbreaking for the 1.6 million dollar Community Center in Miller Park with the completion in mid 2026, Phase One of the ODOT Highway Project that saw new paving of State Route 49 through the Village and US Route 6 west to the Indiana state line including ADA pedestrian upgrades and a portion of County Road 5 reconstruction which featured a partnership between the County, St Joe Township and the Village.  Also, our Electric Reliability upgrade, new Disc Golf Course in Miller Park, along with new picnic tables, benches, dog waste stations and new grills in several parks, the purchase of 30 acres on County Road 5 in anticipation of future needs in regard to Water & Sewer processing. Looking forward, 2026 projects will total over $7 million dollars and include Phase Two of the ODOT Highway and Pedestrian Improvement Projects, including almost 5 miles of new sidewalks Village wide, Water Treatment upgrade, Stadium Dr project connecting Dairy Drive and State Route 49, a release of the Metals Property which will allow us to move forward with rehabilitating that area for recreational use, refurbishing the Town Hall gym floor to add 2 pickleball courts, along with 2 pickleball courts to be lined in the new Community Building to encourage midweek use of that building, rain or shine. All these are scheduled but at the mercy of governmental timing.  Finally, three new homes are on the books to be built in 2026. Six years ago, I began my journey as mayor. During the beginning stages of Covid, I opened a Facebook page to have an avenue to communicate directly with shareholders of our Village.  I had several people tell me that I wouldn’t last 6 months as people on social media would eat me alive.  On the contrary, I found people that were appreciative of knowing what was going on in the Village, fielded questions, listened to suggestions all under the banner of ‘mutual respect’ which doesn’t always happen on social media.  In the last year, that Facebook page has grown to a total of 1.5 million views annually.  Even with 5-10% of bot views, it’s a lot.  We are promoting Edgerton, and people are watching.  Local people, people who grew up here and have moved away, and those that are curious about what is going on in Edgerton.  As we continue to move forward as a Village, we search for opportunities to better the experience of life in Edgerton. Obstacles are a given, some predictable, some a surprise, but we work to be problem solvers and continue to move forward. We look to partner with those within and without, young or old, encouraging volunteerism at every turn to accomplish things that will ‘live long beyond ourselves, like those that came before us. 

  • Remembering Don Buchs and everything he did for the Village

 

Administrator Update by Dawn Fitzcharles:

  • Electric transformer work to be performed on the substation this Friday and Saturday.
  • April 11th -large trash drop off day from 8am-12pm behind Town Hall, Edgerton residents only

Fiscal Officer Update by Denise Knecht:

  • February 2026 financials are complete
  • The Financial report and Hinkle notes for 2025 was submitted, requested notice to be published by local newspaper
  • Request to be put on schedule for the biannual audit for FY 2024 & 2025

 

Fire Chief Update by Scott Blue:

  • Josh Elliott came on EFD in Feb 2025, finished Volunteer FF 36 hour training Sept 2025, passed Firefighter 1 test February 2026; glad to have Josh trained as our new FF 1
  • Presented with letter from State Fire Marshal’s office for EFD’s dedication and commitment to public safety; referencing our smoke alarm program that started in 2019; to date 1,289 alarms have been installed in 434 homes; biggest thank you goes to the public for allowing us into your homes; and for everyone that has helped along the way
  • Received PEP+ grant which will be used to purchase 2 new landing zone kits; remaining balance will be picked up by Edgerton Firefighters

 

Tree Commission: Mayor Day is recommending Brian Bowsher to fill an open position on the Tree Commission.

  • Motion to approve appointment of Brian Bowsher to the Tree Commission:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y 2ND

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y MOTION

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to approve bills list 03.04.26:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y MOTION

Wampler, Pam

Y 2ND

Motion PASSES 6-0

Fire Department employment status: Josh Elliott has completed FF 1 training. We respectfully request reclassification of Elliott to Firefighter 1 and removal from probation.

  • Motion to reclassify Josh Elliott as Firefighter 1 and remove from probationary period effective as of 03.01.2026:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y MOTION

Bowsher, Brian

Y 2ND

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Fire Department Training Grant: This is to accept a State of Ohio Fire Marshal, Department of Commerce Grant for training that was completed in 2025. We had to prove the success of completed courses. Based on specific courses that different firefighters were awarded, we are looking at $4,620 being reimbursed in 2026.

  • Motion to accept Fire Department training reimbursement grant:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y 2ND

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y MOTION

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Fire Department PEP+ Grant: FD plans to order 2 landing zone kits for emergency scenes. This grant is from Public Entities Pool of Ohio which allows for up to $1000 in grant money to help fund safety items that will aid in risk control or risk management efforts.

  • Motion to accept PEP+ Grant on behalf of Edgerton Fire Department:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y MOTION

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y 2ND

Motion PASSES 6-0

 

Edgerton Area Foundation Grant: Edgerton Area Foundation grant donation of $10,000 towards the Community Center Project to be used for interior and outdoor deck furnishings for the new facility. $5,000 is payable now and the remaining $5,000 payable July 1, 2026. Special thank you to EAF.

  • Motion to accept grant donation from Edgerton Area Foundation for the Community Center Project:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y 2ND

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y MOTION

Motion PASSES 6-0

Edgerton Community Center Change Order #2: A 15-inch tile was found buried within the park that we did not know about and did not anticipate. Water, sewer, and storm utilities had to reroute the tile away from the building. We should be in good shape for the future.

  • Motion to approve change order #2 for Edgerton Community Center Project effective as of 02.26.2026 in the amount of $10,529.00:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y MOTION

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y 2ND

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

IT services contract, E K Computer: This is a 3-year renewal and is increasing approximately $70/month. This contract has been reviewed and approved by our law director. In addition to EK’s managed IT services, we will soon be putting together a few infrastructure projects for our server through EK.

  • Motion to approve renewal of 3-year contract for managed IT services with E K Computer:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y 2ND

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y MOTION

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

ODD Brownfield payment: We are continuing with the same procedure we have performed since the beginning, for transparency and clarity. We have already received the revenue.

  • Motion to approve and issue payment for invoice #91897 to August Mack Environmental in the amount of $19853.89 for the Edgerton Metals Brownfield Remediation Project (Edgerton Revitalization DEV-2022-193553) for project invoices through February 15, 2026:

Blinzler, Sharon          

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y MOTION

Bowsher, Lance

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y 2ND

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

Council Discussion:

  • Chuck Wallace asked everyone to be careful and stay on the sidewalks due to the weather warming up as people are out walking or bicycling!
  • March 9th @ 5:00pm will be a Rules Committee meeting
  • Safety Committee Meeting- Brian Bowsher reported he shared concerns about Chief Blue’s fire vehicle needing an additional light bar

 

  • Motion to enter into executive session for the employment and compensation of a public employee(s) @ 6:16PM :

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y 2ND

Gruver, Jason

Y

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y MOTION

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

  • Motion to exit executive session 6:24PM:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y MOTION

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y 2ND

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y

Motion PASSES 6-0

No action taken.

  • Motion to adjourn at 6:24PM:

Blinzler, Sharon                             

Y

Gruver, Jason

Y MOTION

Bowsher, Brian

Y

VanAusdale, Leslie

Y

Wallace, Chuck

Y

Wampler, Pam

Y 2ND

Motion PASSES 6-0