Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. Welcome to the December 9th council meeting. May we all please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And we have Pastor Peters here for the invitation.

Let's pray. God, we thank you so much for uh [sighs] just the opportunity to start off with you. It certainly brings joy to my heart. uh we can just start talking to you and u we appreciate these people. We're blessed. We just uh got through Thanksgiving and we're just so very thankful so many things. Um but we're thankful for these guys uh these men and women who who just sacrificed a bunch in our behalf, maintenance people, law enforcement, those on the council here. And uh we're just very thankful. We're blessed to live in a a little community that's just really a neat community. It's a wonderful community and uh we just want to start off this meeting with you to just say that we just want everything that takes place certainly to to bring honor and glory to you and and also things that will take place will only make our community better and we'll thank you and praise you for it. So God, we give this meeting to you. We praise you for it in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. All right. May we call the meeting to order? Mrs. Wright, roll call, please.

Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, here. Here. Mr. Todd. Miss Gregory here. Mr. Fowl here. Mr. Solders here. Mayor Meds here. Is there any motion to excuse absent members from the previous month's meetings? I think you were from the um I thought I might No, one was not. Great. There were no

Thank you. Moving on. Uh, is there any motions or discussion to approve the minutes from the November 11th regular council meeting or the November 25th council workshop? I'll make a motion to approve the November 11th, 2025 regular council meeting minutes and the November 25th, 2025 council workshop meeting minutes. Second roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Yes. Mr. Fowl. Yes. Mr. Solders. Yes. Mayor Matt. Yes. Mr. Sheridan. Any correspondence to the council? No, Mayor. None was received. All right. Thank you.

Are there any [clears throat] comments tonight about the legislation?

None. We will move on with the ordinance and resolutions. Our first one is CM-25-61. A second reading. This is an ordinance to appropriate funds necessary for the various departments and offices of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio for the year 2026. And we discussed this at the workshop when Jill was here. Is there any discussion about the appropriation of the fun? All right. Any motion to approve CM2561?

Motion to approve CM25-61.

Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Solders, yes. Mayor Mets, yes. Next, we have CM2-62. Another second reading. Miss Brush, it's an ordinance amending all prior ordinances [clears throat] and resolutions relating to the organizational structure with job classifications by title staff levels and assigned pay grades with ranges. Again, something we talked about at the workshop. Is there any discussion?

I have a question. Um, when I was reviewing this, and I know we've had, and this is my missing because we've had a lot a lot going on. Um there is under the administration positions municipal manager, administrative assistant and then a housing enforcement officer. Was that something that we had discussed previously or is that just the or is that the always been on there? I just I remember when we were talking about hiring the assistant village manager and it was put in as assistant to the village manager and I just don't remember seeing that housing enforcement officer position in there. I thought we had a code enforcement officer. Is that

it wasn't added. It's always been in there. I think it probably is for code enforcement. I believe so. Because I I don't believe we have code enforcement officer anywhere else in there, do we? No. No.

Okay. Because we we actually added that in a long time ago. Um I just don't remember it being reflective as housing enforcement officer. I mean that's something we can change down the road if we want the title to reflect the job being done. Uh correct. [clears throat] Okay. But currently there is no one that's in that position. That is a position that is open other than me. Yeah. Okay. You're you're filling that role by title.

Yeah. With your time. And is that also what Chief Wright is doing as well? The code enforcement. It wouldn't have that title. He does a lot of the work under the housing enforcement officer. Okay. Anything else? Are there any motions for CM25-62? I'll make a motion to approve CM25-62 as written in red. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Solders, yes. Mayor Mets,

yes. All right. Next, we have CM-25-63. Another second reading of the ordinance. Miss Brush. An ordinance increasing the salary of council members and the mayor council member. So, we've discussed this several times. I know councelor Fogle um just really explained kind of the reason why and the time that council and mayor spends you know just not with the meetings but outside of the meetings as well and so just to get West Milton up kind of similar to the other communities around us is the reason for which the pay will not affect any of the current sitting members on council.

Yep. There was one question that I do have because we did talk about this, but I think it's going to take um another ordinance or resolution, what have you. I believe it's probably an ordinance. Um we talked about also increasing um the uh salary that planning board members and board of adjustment also get, but that isn't included in this. So would that have to be an amendment later to this ordinance or it would have to be separate? Uh because I know we talked about it. We just It would just be a separate ordinance.

Separate ordinance. Okay. So I would recommend that we look into doing that as well after the after the first of the year. We can't do it now. Uh but if we can do that after the first of the year, we maybe we should talk about it at a workshop to figure out what that amount is that is appropriate uh for those positions. U I don't know if uh manager Sheridan if you can look into other communities around us like we've done before to see what other planning board or board of adjustment members are uh making. I think that Jill put that together for us. Um, if we could work with her and you to to provide that to us, then we can make a, you know, good decision of what best to move forward.

Sounds good. Thank you. Are there any motions for CM-25-63? I motion we approve CM-25-63. [clears throat] Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle? Yes. Mr. Solders? Yes, Mayor Mets. Yes. Next, we have CM 2566, another second reading of the ordinance. Miss Brush, an ordinance amending chapter 53, garbage, refues, and recyclables, and to specifically amend section 53.25H, titled municipal billing provisions of the code of ordinances, municipality of West Milton, Ohio.

Any questions or discussion about this? I just thought about this a little bit more. Um, manager Sheridan, I don't know if this is something that we can do when the next bill goes out u for this is going to start in January of 26. Is there a way to put some type of notice on there in bold that just lets folks know that, you know, there is this increase, you know, some details about how the increase came about, that type of thing. So, at least folks are aware, they're not surprised. uh because of course not everyone watches our council meetings or stays in tune with that. So if there's something we could just alert

um folks to of the increase, I think that would be great. That way probably will alleviate a lot of questions that you might receive as well if it's I'm sure we'll get the questions. Uh there's a a bit of a you have to plan far enough ahead and they have to be notified for any verbiage that's going to go on the utility bills. Okay. So, we don't know what the deadline is for the next cycle, but certainly we can have it as soon as possible on there. That and no matter what we do to try to inform, you're always going to get questions and that's that's fine. Yeah. And I'm sure we'll put something on our village website and Facebook page as well to let folks know since this, you know, is going through tonight.

Okay. Thank you. Are there any motions for CM25-66? Make a motion we accept ordinance CM-25-66 as written and read. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fowl, yes. Mr. Solders, yes. Uh, Mayor Mets, yes. Next, we have an ordinance, first reading, CM2569. Miss Brush,

an ordinance to amend the 2025 appropriations and declaring an emergency. Whereas council by ordinance CM-24-47 adopted 2025 appropriations for the various funds utilized by the municipality and whereas it is necessary to adjust the appropriations to reflect unanticipated expenditures. Now therefore, be it ordained by the council of the municipality of West Milton that section one, the following amendments to the 2025 appropriations of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio are hereby made. The general fund personal service for general government uh current appropriation is 298,675 amended by 4500 amended appropriation of 303,175. Total personal services uh current 1,565,225 amended by 4500 amended appropriation of 1,569,725. Total other expenditures 1 million current appropriation is 1,464,250 amended by 120,000 amended appropriation of 1,584,250 for a total general fund of current appropriation of 3,286,475 amended by 124,500 for an amended appropriation of 3,410,975. Special revenue funds, street construction and maintenance. Total other expenditures current is 691 691,29 amended by a negative 362,39 for an amended appropriation of 328,900. Total street construction and maintenance current 868,459 amended by a negative 362,39

for an amended appropriation of 56,50 for total special revenue funds current of 1,173,959 amended by 362,39 for an amended appropriation of 811,650. Enterprise Funds water capital improvement current is 946,600 amended by a negative 34,000 for an amended appropriation of 912,600. Sewer capital improvement total other expenditures current appropriation is 829,500 amended by a negative 619,000 for an amended appropriation of 210,500. [clears throat] Total SO sewer capital improvement current is 836,021 amended by 619,000 for an amended appropriation of 217,021. [cough] The refuge fund personal services current appropriation is 218,150. It's amended by 1,000 amended appropriation of 219,150. Total other expenditures 781,950 amended by 297,000 for an amended appropriation of 484,950. [clears throat] Total referees fund current appropriation of 1,100 amended by a negative 296,000 for an amended appropriation of $74,100. Water fund total personal services current is 510,500 amended by 1,00 amended appropriation is 511,500 for total water fund of current 1,237,400 amended by 1,000 amended appropriation of 1,238,400. sewer fund. Total personal services current is 488,600

amended by 1,00 for an amended appropriation of 489,600. Total other expenditures current 298,550 amended by 25,000. Amended appropriation of 323,550. Total sewer fund is current 787,150 amended by 26,000 amended appropriation of 813,150. Total enterprise funds uh current is 4,87,271 amended by a negative 922,000 for an amended appropriation of 3,885,271. Total appropriations of all funds current appropriation is 9,318,7258 [cough] amended by a negative1,159,89 for an amended appropriation of 8 bill158,916.58. Section two, any previously drawn warrants on these funds in excess of the original and amended appropriations are hereby authorized. Section three. This ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare and shall be effective upon passage.

All right. Any questions or discussions or need Len to reread any of those numbers? [laughter]

What was that again? I'd just like to make it clear so folks understand because that's a lot that is being uh removed from the budget and the reason why that is uh is because that is something that is going to be used on the [cough] next uh budget uh year 2026. Is that correct? U all that all those funds are ultimately being moved over to 2026 uh for those projects for those construction projects and so forth. So, it's being transferred to the the incoming year of those funds. So, that's why all that money is being moved over and being removed from the 2025 budget.

Thanks, Scott. Are there any motions for CM-25-69? [clears throat] Oh, wait. First tree. Just kidding. It's an emergency. No, it's an emergency. Oh, emergency. Yes. Okay. I motion we approve CM-25-69. I'll second. Roll call, please. Mr. [clears throat] Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory? Yes. Mr. Fogle? Yes. Mr. Solders? Yes. Mayor Mets? Yes. Next, we have a resolution CM 2570. Miss Brush,

it's a resolution to approve the purchase of an emergency backup generator for city hall, which serves the administration, police, and fire divisions. Whereas it is necessary to have emergency backup power at the municipal building located at 701 South Miami Street. And whereas the director of service secured a quote from a local authorized colar distributor. And whereas the director of service is requesting that council wave the formal bidding process for this purchase by an affirmative vote of five council members pursuant to section 33.18a9 of the West Mountain codified ordinances based on there being no benefit to the municipality to undertake formal bidding and it being in the best interest of the municipality to wave the formal bidding process due to the fact that this generator is being sold to the village at state of Ohio bid price and that Buckeye Power Sales is our authorized solar distributor. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, that section one, the council approves the purchase of a Colar model KG80 natural gas permanent generator, including an 800 amp NEMA 3R automatic transfer switch from Buckeye Power Sales of Westchester, Ohio. The total cost for this purchase will not exceed $60,000, including unknown freight costs. Section two, the director of service is hereby authorized to execute all the proper documents required to complete said purchase. Section three, this resolution shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage. Thank you. Any questions for Ben about the generator? Seems like something we need.

All right. Thank you. Um, approve it. I'll make a motion to approve resolution CM25-71 as written and read. Second. [clears throat] Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Solders, yes. Mayor Mets, yes. Okay. Next, moving on to CM-25-71. Ms. brush.

It's a resolution to specify the date upon which an election shall be held to consider the renewal of the current 1/ half of 1% income tax for the period commencing January 1st, 2027 and expiring December 21st, 2031 for the specific purpose of police and fire safety service expenditures for the municipality of West Milton, Ohio. Whereas council desires to place upon the ballot a measure before the West Milton electorate to renew the 1 half of 1% income tax for the express purpose of providing funding for municipal police and fire operations. And whereas section 718.04 of the Ohio Revised Code stipulates that in order to place a municipal income tax measure on the ballot, the legislative authority must first specify the date of the election and direct the board of elections to conduct the election. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Miami County, Ohio, that section 1, May 5th, 2026, shall be and is specified as the date of the election to be held to submit to the electors for their approval to renew the 1/ half of 1% local income tax for the period commencing January 1st, 2027 and ending December 31st, 2031 for the specific purpose of funding police and fire safety services for the municipality of West Milton. Section two, the board of election of Miami County is hereby directed to place this issue on the May 5th, 2026 ballot. Section three, this resolution shall be effective from and after its passage. All right. So, any discussion? I know we talked about this at the workshop and just getting it on the ballot sooner than later.

All right. Any motion for CM25-71? I'll make a motion that we accept CM-25. First reading resolution resolution. Oh, sorry. Sorry. Sorry. My my mistake. Okay. Any second? Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Farwell, [clears throat] yes. Mr. Sers, yes. Mayor Matz, yes. Okay. Next we have first reading of ordinance CM2573 two two two two two

two two

it's an ordinance to renew the levy of the 1 half of 1% income tax expiring December 31st 2026 without repres reciprocity for the specific purpose of funding police and fire operations in the municipality of West Milton Ohio for an additional 5-year period commencing January 1st, 2027 and expiring December 31st, 2031. Whereas since January 1st, 1997, the municipality of West Milton, Ohio has had a 1 half of 1% income tax to support police and fire safety service operations, including a renewal in November 2001, November 2006, November 2011, November 2016, and November 2021. And whereas the revenue produced by this tax is vital to maintain and enhance these public safety services for the community. And whereas the funds generated by this tax are bound by the terms of this ordinance to be used specifically to fund police and fire operations. And whereas these vital public safety services are essential to the health and welfare of citizens both working and living in the community so that it is deemed necessary by the council that no reciprocity shall be permitted for payments to other communities. And whereas section 718.04 of the Ohio Revised Code requires that a municipal corporation levying a tax on income at a rate in excess of 1% must obtain the approval of a majority of the electors of the municipality at a general primary or special election. Now therefore be it ordained by the council for the village of Weston, Ohio as follows. In accordance with the current laws and regulations governing section one, sorry. In accordance with the current laws and regulations governing the collection and payment of local income taxes to the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, the current 1 half of 1% income tax which was levied for police and fire operations is hereby renewed for a period of 5 years beginning January 1st, 2027 and ending December 31st, 2031 subject to the approval of

the majority of the electors of the municipality of West Milton upon the conduct of the primary special election scheduled for May 5th, 2026. Section two, this 1 half of 1% income tax over and above 1% otherwise levied by action of this council should not be subject to any reciprocal credit for payment made to any other governments. Section three, the ballot measure for the election as specified by resolution should be CM-25-71 municipal income tax the municipality of West Milton. A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage. Shall the ordinance providing for the renewal of the municipal income tax levy in the amount of 1 half of 1% for an additional five years with revenues being used only for police and fire safety services for the period commencing January 1st, 2027 and ending December 31st, 2031 with no credit or I cannot say this word reciprocity for payments of local income taxes to other municipalities for this 1 half% as is currently provided for in the West Milton codified ordinances be passed. Section four, the income tax and a section against the income tax. Section four, this ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage.

Thank you. Any discussion? Reciprocities are hard.

I'd just like to say one thing. Um, we have an awesome police department. We're very fortunate uh to have Chief uh Doy Wright that leads our police department. How many police officers do we have total now that are on staff? currently on staff eight. Okay. And again with the fire department, u it's a volunteer fire department. Uh they're very strong. They're very dedicated. They do a lot of training. We have great vehicles. Uh and that's all because of this with the half percent um uh income tax that we have. Um I know if I'm not mistaken still pretty much a wait list to get on the volunteer fire department which is saying a lot because um with a small community like ours um you know that's a testament to what they do on a daily basis. So thank you.

Absolutely. You're welcome. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. What he said. [laughter]

That was touching. Very moving. Thank you. All right, moving on. Next, we have ordinance CM-25-73. Miss Brush, please. It's an ordinance authorizing a second renewal term with Spectrum Mid America LLC for the lease of a building and concrete slab parking area owned by the municipality of West Milton and located on or at 54 South Washington Street in the municipal in the municipality of West Milton, Ohio. Whereas Municipality of West Milton is the owner of an approximately 200 square foot building together with an approximately 520 square foot concrete slab parking area located on or at 54 South Washington Street in the municipality. And whereas said building and lot were leased to Spectrum Mid America LLC, a successor and interest to Time Warner Entertainment Company LP, a successor and interest to Time Warner Cable, a division of Time Warner Entertainment Company LP. on December 1st, 1995 and renewed on January 6, 2010. And whereas Spectrum Mid America LLC has provided to the municipal manager a first amendment to lease said building and lot for a second renewal term from January 1st, 2026 through and including December 31st, 2040. And whereas council believes it is in the best interest of the municipality to continue the lease with Spectrum Mid America LLC. Now therefore, be it ordained by the council for the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, as follows. Section one, the municipal manager is hereby authorized to execute the first amendment to lease with Spectrum Mid America LLC for the term beginning January 1st, 2026 through and including December 31st, 2040 for the building and lot located on or at 54 South Washington Street, West Melton, Ohio, pursuant to the terms in the lease attached here to and incorporated herein. Section two, this ordinance

shall become effect from and after the earliest date permitted by law.

Thank you. Ben gave us a little bit of background about the building at the workshop. Any questions about the lease with Spectre? Okay. Next, we have a resolution CM-25-74. It's a resolution to award a contract for the replacement of a section of the south sanitary sewer trunk line. Whereas it is necessary to maintain our sanitary sewer trunk line delivery system within the municipality. And whereas a section of the sanitary sewer south trunk line is in poor condition and needs replaced. And whereas this project has been properly bid according to chapter 33 of the code of ordinances. And whereas the council agrees that it is necessary to replace this aging section of the sanitary sewer trunk line. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio that section one, the council awards a contract to Brol Construction, Inc. of Arcanum, Ohio in the amount of $797,487 for the replacement of the sanitary sewer line. Section two, the municipal manager is hereby authorized to execute all the proper documents and contracts required to complete said [clears throat] program. Section three, this resolution shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage. Thank you. Any discussion about the sewer line replacement? No. Was this I have a question. Is this one of the things we applied for with the CB

CDBG? No, it was not. Okay. Thank you. Are there any motions for resolution CM2574? Make a motion we accept CM-25-74 is written in red. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Solders, yes. Mayor Max, yes.

Next resolution is CM2575. Miss Brush. Thank you. a resolution to award a consultant for the design and engineering regarding pedestrian safety. Whereas council believes that pedestrian safety is of the utmost importance and there are two frequent crossing areas along State Route 571 between North J Street and Stone Meadows Boulevard that present dangerous crossing [clears throat] abilities. And whereas the director of service has secured systemat systemic safety grant funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation that will pay for 90% of these improvements. And whereas after the consultant selection process was completed, staff had have chosen the consultant that will perform design, engineering, and estimates for this pedestrian improvement project. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, [clears throat] Ohio. The section one, the council hereby awards a contract to choice 1, Engineering of Sydney, Ohio, to perform this service for an amount not to exceed $95,463. Section two, the director of service is hereby directed to execute all the proper documents relating to said project. Section three, this resolution shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage. Thank you. Any more questions or discussion um about the consultant? look forward to all this taking place as fast as we can see it go and as quickly make that area safer and appreciate Ben and everybody's uh attention to detail on making this happen and making it as affordable as it can be for the situation we're in.

Do you think it'll still take as long as they originally told you to for the grant funding? Um I don't know for sure. I think once we get through into the design phase and going, then we'll definitely update the timeline as we go. Um, don't we're not going to let anything sit. We're just going to keep on it and keep it going. That way we don't delay it any and hopefully maybe move it up a little bit. Okay. Thank you. Are there any motions for resolution CM2575? I'll make a motion to approve resolution CM25-75 as written and read. Second.

Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Ty, yes. Miss Gregory, no. I love the project. The cost is exorbitant. Mr. Fogle? Yes. Mr. Sers? Yes. Mayor Max? Yes.

All right. Next resolution CM2576. Miss Brush. It's a resolution providing notice to the municipal manager D. Jeffrey Sheridan of council's decision not to renew his employment agreement. Whereas the current municipal manager DJ Jeffrey Sheridan was originally hired in April 26th, 2021 and his current contract was approved on May 9th, 2023 for the term beginning April 26, 2023. And whereas pursuant to section three of the manager's employment agreement, in the event council elects to not renew this agreement for an additional term, employees shall be given 120 days written notice in advance unless the parties otherwise agree. And whereas the council for the municipality of West Milton believes that it is in the best interest of the municipality of West Milton to not renew or continue the services of the municipal manager with a termination date of April 25th, 2026. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, that section one, the council hereby provides notice to the municipal manager that his contract will not be renewed and therefore his employment with the municipality will end April 25th, 2026. Section two, that this resolution shall be effective on and after the earliest day permitted by law.

Thank you. I know council um has had a lot of discussion on this and not something we've taken lightly is um you know we've had a great five years with Jeff and appreciate everything that's been done to this point. Is there any discussion or motion? I would like to see this tabled [clears throat] since we don't have to rush it and we're not taking into consideration the next council's thoughts and there's no really no need to rush this. I believe that the way that the contract is written uh that we have to provide 120 days notice and with the way that the um contract is established that runs out at the end of uh April. So

that's actually incorrect at this point.

His contract does not have an end date. He is required 120 days notice but there is no reason for this notice to be given now. I would say a little bit shame on us for having uh somebody under a contract with no end date. Also, I think that's probably been an oversight when we renewed that in the past. Um it's something in this big word of inepuity that everybody loves. Um that you know such contracts um probably need to be better defined and I would say that might have been an error on our part or an oversight at the very least. But um I I weighed back and forth heavily on whether or not to weigh in on this decision. Um being that I'm going off council and uh in discussing with people that that I value their uh um opinion and uh their [clears throat and cough] input. Um, and how it came back to me was to not vote with having the experience that having worked with and alongside uh the manager and the council would be more of a uh misstep than than voting. um as the new council um a possibility of three new people having no experience or no base of understanding or or um really reference. Um to ask them to make that decision with less information that what I have sitting here today would be more of a burden to put on them than um than the relief it would get myself to not vote. Um so um I just wanted to share that.

Yeah. And I respect your uh you know wanting to table this but in my eyes um I I think that you know we need to move forward and I recommend approval of CM25-76 is written in red. Is there a second? Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Dorman. Yes, [clears throat] Mr. Todd. In the same vein, uh, as Don was mentioning, not having, uh, the ability to accumulate as much information as I'd like, um, and not seeing the need to rush everything, I will abstain.

Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle? Yes. Mr. Sers? No. Miss Max. Yes. Thank you. Next, we have the manager's report. Mr. Sheridan, anything to report?

Yeah, thank you, Mayor. Uh, earlier this year, uh, then Mayor Hurst, uh, approached me, uh, with a request to come up with a way to show the village's appreciation of one of its employees. And so I came up with a suggestion, ran it back by him. He agreed. And so we have uh something I'd like to present. Mayor, if you will uh take and I'll go get it. Yeah. So a little um change in pace. But um tonight we want to actually honor someone who's done a lot for this village and this town. um

who's had um it's a an over to honor someone who's had an over um overwhelmingly amount of dedication, is a hard worker, gives nothing but heart to help and shape everything that this village of West Milton is all about for almost four decades. Do we know who we're talking about? Mr. Haron, I like the machine. [laughter] you he you

you are the big heart of this town. Um we you joined back in 1987 and just to name a few of what Ben has done. Let's see and correct me if I'm wrong. Maintenance worker one, maintenance worker two, maintenance worker three, foreman, supervisor of the streets and grounds. um acting municipal manager, supervision of streets and grounds, service director, active municipal manager, and currently our service director. I hope I got that maybe right, maybe in order. [clears throat] Uh Ben has been an asset to our team in every way possible. And through your time and commitment and service, um you've really helped West Milton grow to what it is today. So, we would like to honor you. if you want to uh to unwrap this. Several people have been involved in this and this is just a way um you know to show some appreciation and gratitude hopefully for years and years to come and everyone who will see this will also remember all the dedication and work you've done. Not that you're leaving us anytime soon, but it's just like a early Christmas present. And Ben, did you pick up on that when you started [snorts] uh working for the village?

Wow. You know, did you did you pick up on that? The the year that you started working for the village right here. [laughter] Oh my gosh. So, there's something the middle. Oh, are you kidding me? Raming that street Heron Boulevard. Really? Yes. Oh my gosh. That is unbelievable. So that will be on the um that'll be on the street name the north side one of the east west streets will be the main east west street the main east west street through the new development on that golf course side will be heron boulevard. Thank you guys. Thank you Ben. That's awesome. I I mean that's so cool. Welld deserved.

Yes. Thank you very much. Yeah. So we hope that you continue as service director for many many many more years [laughter] many many and and you'll plow that road yourself in [laughter] perpetuity. Okay. [applause] THANK YOU MAN. You do a tremendous job and just like the mayor said, we tremendously appreciate everything you do. [laughter] Grand Marshall, maybe. Thanks. Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Ben.

Do we have anything else, Mr. Sheran? No.

Is there any old business? I want to thank everyone who came out on Saturday night, everyone that was involved, the street department, the police department, um the everyone that was involved in creating the Christmas tree lighting on Saturday night. It was a hit. Um all of our downtown stores were open. There were lines outdoors. It was so much fun. We had carriage rides and I just really appreciate this community and everybody that showed up. I don't know how many people were there yet, but I would guess like 2,000. It was an amazing It was one of the best events I feel like we've ever had. It was awesome.

And for Mayor Mets for turning our tree lights on. Did an amazing job. [laughter]

And just like Fourth of July, that is all volunteers that put that on project revival. So, thank you for everyone involved in that. Uh, one thing of old business, um, we have discussed the funds from Premiere about the park pavilion shelter, what we were to do with that. Um, we were going to talk about it at the planning board meeting. I think we kind of forgot, but Jeff and I talked about um, forming a smaller committee maybe that would work on that project just to get it moved forward. So, um, kind of picking a couple people out of the service department. Ben Heridan, Ben Heron and Joey Smith will help out. Jeff Sheridan will be on it. From planning board, Jennifer Richardson and um, hopefully one other person still need to get interest from someone and then Jeremy and myself from council just to get that moving forward and then hopefully kind of reestablish the park board or have planning board assume that kind of going forward. So that will be the plane if that sounds good.

Yeah. Thanks for doing that. Thank you for doing that. Any other old business? I have something. Oh yeah.

Uh leash season completed today. Um we were a few days late due to when they froze solid and then when they got snowed on a few times. Um but we still had some pretty good piles out there. So the crew uh buttoned it up today u making it all the way through town one more time and um it was a good leaf season. Um but it was a little bit different just because of some of the mother nature events that we had. But um the guys of course did a great job and um so just that they're we're all done with that but we do have yard waste bags if people need them.

That that was going to be my next question for us. uh uh unprepared folks that didn't get that last set to the curb, we can still throw some in a bag and uh Yep. every Monday. All right. Thank you. Then any other old business? I had a question for Jeff. Is there any update on um when they're turning the lights on in the new neighborhood? I'm actually meeting with them later this week. I hope to get some more information. Again, my understanding is all they were waiting on was getting the meter installed and AES has done that. So, I'm not sure what the holdup is. Any other updates with either the north side or the south side with the u uh the the gas station?

I know the developer I'm sorry. I know the developer did meet again with the prospect and they're negotiating an agreement. I believe the sticking point was the perceived cost of uh putting in the gas tanks and because of the limestone. Hm. I haven't heard anything in a while either about Buckeye Burger and what they were working out uh in that commercial. I think that was all contingent upon getting other tenants to start building that building. Whether or not they're going to build the gas station at that same time, I don't know.

And is there any movement with anything across the street on the [cough] north side? Because I know they were talking about, you know, moving the dirt over there. There's still paperwork having to do with the bonds to get all the money released so they can put the contractor under contract to start moving into rocks. Okay. So, go ahead. Was there like last year we were told that we wanted to get the legislation passed so they could start moving that dirt that's on the south side to the north side in like April, March or April that Milcon was contracted. So, do you know what? Like we just had to pass the legislation. it was all going to go through. So, I mean, being what, 8 months later,

it wasn't all the legislation wasn't passed until much more recently than that. It does take some time through the bonding agency as I understand it. If you want more detail, I can ask Mr. Coffin. I think that would be helpful just to get like if we could get a schedule of what is anticipated because we passed it. Definitely not on their time schedule. I know whatever they wanted for it to happen in April. We were not on that. Yeah. But yeah, maybe Jeff and I talked um if possibly Ron could come to the workshop. Come to the workshop in January. That'd be great.

Maybe like an I mean an updated like timeline. So because we don't have to we don't have to do anything, right? Like everything's passed on our end. Not at this point. Nothing I'm aware of as far as moving the dirt. And u couple things with the next two meetings. So I believe do we need to make a motion uh about not having the workshop? Yes. Uh on 23 December 25 because we've done that in years past. Okay. I'll make a motion uh that we um not hold the workshop meeting on 23 December 25. Second. Roll call, please. Are all in favor? Thank you. Mr. Dorman,

yes. Mr. Ty, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Solders, yes. Mayor Mets, yes. So that means the next meeting because of the elected officials and so forth will be January the 6th. Is that correct? That's correct. Okay. First Tuesday of the month. First Tuesday. Okay. And do we have a meeting on the second Tuesday of January also? No. No. Just the first Tuesday and then the fourth. the 4th which will be the 27th. So we'll have two weeks in between that time frame. Are there any comments from citizens tonight? Yes. Can I come off here? Yes, please.

I just I regret here. Okay. I don't know if I was allowed to say something when you were honoring event or not. Oh, please. But, uh, I want to say I came in ' 84 and, uh, I watched you come in and, uh, move up the ranks and, uh, I want to say you're you're a man that's selfless and you're a man that's unpretentious and, uh, that's the kind of people that we need in communities, even when you disagree with me. [laughter] You were gracious, very gracious to me. And, uh, what do you call that? Uh, Chief deescalating. Is that what you call that? the escalating.

You're very gracious with me and uh I just appreciate you so so much. You honored a great guy. Thank you very much. I second that. Yes. Thank you for that. Yes. Thanks. He yelled at me. That's what he was trying to say. He was yelling. [laughter] [laughter] Was there fire and brimstone involved? I don't think so. I don't think he came to my church. So, you know, [laughter] a roundabout way of saying he's sorry.

Is there anyone motion to enter to executive session or read the the charter for executive session? I don't. Sorry. I really need to I think you can just highlight. Oh, we just say the section. I motion we enter into executive session pursuant to section 4.12B5B to consider the purchase of property to public purposes or the sale of property and competitive and also is that it

I think it's to consider the purchase of property right is there a second I'll second roll call Mr. Dorman, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Mery, yes. Mr. Fel, yes. Mr. S, yes. Mayor Mets, yes. Thank you all for coming. Have a merry Christmas everyone. See you in January.