Council - Regular Meeting

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All I want. All I want you. So long. So long. Why you keeping me waiting? All I want. [music] All I want you so long. I want so long. Why [music] you keeping me waiting? Who's crossing us? [music] Me and you. Me and you. Who's me and you? Me and you.

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Good evening and happy new year. Um, welcome to the January 6, 2026 council meeting. Let's all stand for the pledge of allegiance 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 I ask um elect mayor elects to open us in prayer. Dear heavenly father, we ask you to bless those gathered here tonight and all those throughout the village of West Milton. We ask you to guide our minds and our hearts so that we may lean on you on your divine wisdom as we perform and work that on the work that lies ahead of us this year and beyond. We thank you for the opportunities and the gifts you have given us to serve our neighbors and glorify you our God in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. [clears throat] And we're doing a call to order

here. Mr. Fowl here. Miss Gregory here. Miss Max here. And now it's time for the swearing in of the mayor elect and council members. Okay.

I state your name. I do the newly sworn according to law. They will sworn according to law. Say that I will support the Constitution of the United States. say that I will support the Constitution of the United States. the Constitution of the State of Ohio, the Constitution of the State of Ohio. Charter and the codified ordinance of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio. the charter and codified ordinances of the municipality of West Ohio. and that I will faithfully, honestly, and partially And that I will faithfully, honestly, and impartially discharge the duties as mayor of the municipality of West Milton discharge the duties as mayor of the municipality of West Milton.

in Miami County, Ohio during my continuence and set office. Um, in the in Miami County, Ohio during my continuence and settlements. Congratulations. Thanks. [applause]

[snorts] And I guess I'll just Mr. Fogle. [cough] Sir, sir. I state your name. I, Scott Bogle, being dy sworn according to law, being duly sworn according to law, say that I will support the Constitution say that I will support the Constitution of the United States of the United States the Constitution of the State of Ohio the Constitution of the State of Ohio the charter and codified ordinances the charter and codified ordinances

of the municipality of West Ohio of the municipality of West Ohio and that I will faithfully honestly and impartially and that I will faithfully honestly and impartially discharge the duties of council member of the municipality of West Milton. discharge the duties as council member of the municipality of West Milton in Miami County, Ohio during my continuence in office. Sorry, in Miami County, Ohio during my continuence in said office. Thank you, sir. [applause] Miss

you're great. raise the right hand. I say your name I Casey Smith being dy sworn according to law being dy sworn according to law say that I will support the constitution of the United States say that I will support the constitution of the United States the constitution of the state of Ohio the constitution of the state of Ohio the charter and codified ordinances of the municipality of west Ohio the charter and codified ordinances of the municipality of west Ohio that I will faithfully honestly and impartially that I will faithfully honestly and impartially discharge your duties as council member to discharge the duties as council member of the municipality of West M of the municipality of West in Miami County, Ohio during my continuence and settle

in Miami County, Ohio during my continuence and settle [applause] Mr. Hurst. I say I Scotthurst being duly sworn according to law being duly sworn according to law say that I will support the Constitution of the United States say that I will support the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of Ohio constitution of the state of Ohio the charter and codified ordinances the charter and codified ordinances of the municipality of West Milton Ohio of the municipality of West Milton Ohio and that I will faithfully honestly and impartially and that I will faithfully honestly and impartially

discharge the duties as council member of the municipality of West Milton. discharge the duties of a council member of West Municipality of West Milton, Ohio. In Miami County, Ohio in Miami County, Ohio

during my continuence and set office. During my continuous inside Awesome. [applause] Going down. Congratulations. Congratulations. There you go. Thanks.

All right. At this time, I would like to address the vacant council seat and the decision-making process that has gone into how to handle it. Pursuant to section 4.07, 907 article B. This vacancy has been posted longer than 40 days, empowering myself as mayor to fill it by appointment. Several discussions have been had and the answer as to who should fill the seat appears clear to myself and others. I have decided the most qualified person who has the most up-to-date knowledge of our current projects and has been a part of our most recent deliberations should be rec reappointed to continue serving and maintain continuity for the benefit of West Milton. This is further supported by their strong showing in this past November's election showing a clear base of support from the residents of the village. It pleases me greatly to name Levi Todd as my appointee to fill a current vacancy on village council. Uh Levi, would you like to come up to be sworn in? [applause] Raise your right hand. I say your name.

I, Levi Todd, being duly sworn according to law. being duly sworn according to law. say that I will support the Constitution of the United States. Say that I will support the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of Ohio. the Constitution of the State of Ohio, the charter and codified ordinances of the municipality of Western Ohio. the charter and codified ordinances of the municipality of West Hulton, Ohio. And that I will faithfully, honestly, and partially And that I will faithfully, honestly, and impartially discharge the duties as council member of the municipality of West Milton, Miami County, Ohio. Sir, discharge the duties as council member of the municipality of West Milton, Miami County, Ohio.

During my continuence and settlements during my continuous settlements, [applause]

All right. Next, we will excuse any members absent from the previous month's meeting. from last month's meeting. Don't do that. There is none. Oh, there is none. Okay. Next is approval of the minutes. Um, do we have a motion to approve the December 9th, 2025 regular council meeting minutes? A motion to approve December 9th regular council meeting minutes. Second. Roll call, please. [clears throat] Mr. Hurst, abstain. Mr. Fogle. Yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Miss Max, yes. Mr. Ty, yes. Mayor Sers, yes.

Um, next, uh, Jeff, do we have any correspondence to council? None was received, mayor. Next, uh, are there any comments from citizens regarding tonight's legislation? I see none. Um, next, we'll need a motion to approve the change in County Mill. It will require a second role in uh Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to approve the change in the county millillage. Second. Uh roll call, please. [clears throat] Mr. Todd, yes. Uh Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Hurst, yes. Uh Miss Gregory, yes.

Miss Mets, yes. Mayor Sers, yes. Mayor, we u also have one other piece. Uh we have to uh nominate someone for the council chairperson and I would like to uh nominate Casey Mets. Council member Mets second as our council chairperson. All right. So we have to uh Is there any other I forget how to nominees? Any other nominees for chairperson? I'd like to nominate Scott Hurst. Okay. Um, you don't need a second, I don't think, do you? If you do, second. So, now we just vote on voters, right? Yep.

Will you do the first nomination with a vote and then a second one? Okay. So, if the first one doesn't pass, I guess that's kind of how it works. Okay. So, first we'll need a roll call for Miss Nuts. All right. Um, Mr. [snorts] Todd, no. Miss Max, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mayor Sers, no. And Mayor Hurst, no.

All right. Next, we'll need a roll call for Scott Hurst. And then um Mr. Todd, yes. Miss Mets, no. Miss Gregory, nope. Mr. Fogle, no. Mayor, Mr. Hurst, yes. And Mayor Sold? Yes. So that means Miss Mets is chair. So there's another How is she chair? There's four, right? No, three to three. three to three on both. So, we just don't have a chair right yet or

Len. Yeah. How does this looking into it? Yeah, it's never happened before. So, are we allowed to move forward without a chair or think you can come back? [clears throat] Yeah, I think you're going to have to come back once you fill the other seat. So, okay. All right. So, moving on. I guess we're on two ordinances. Uh, first is CM-25-72. Um, Miss uh, Miss Brush,

an ordinance to renew the levy of the 1/2 of 1% income tax expiring December 31st, 2026 without reciprocity for the specific purpose of funding police and fire operations in the municipality of West Ohio for an additional 5-year period commencing January 1st, 2027 and expiring December 31st, 2031. Um Jeff, is there anything you'd like to add? No. Uh this is this is the second reading and this is a fairly routine matter just to renew an existing levy. It's not any new tax. All right. Are there any questions from council? Nope.

Do we have any motions for CM-25-72? I'll make a motion for CM25-72 as written in red. Second. All right. [cough] Oh, roll call, please. Mr. [clears throat] Ty, yes. Mr. Fogle? Yes. Uh, Mr. Hurst? Yes. Miss Gregory? Yes. Miss Mets? Yes. Mayor [clears throat] Saters? Yes. Um, next is CM-25-73. Um, Mr. Brush,

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 Municipality of West Milton, Ohio. Um, Jeff, anything?

Yeah, this was discussed at the workshop. Uh we've had that lease with them for quite some time and uh the village requested a modification so that the village would take ownership after the end of this second lease. That's what took a little bit longer. They had to go back and add that language. Uh Mr. Herren explained it at the workshop. I'm glad to answer any questions. It's pretty routine. They've leased it, I believe, for 20 or 30 years. Um, and uh, we just want to make sure that when they're done with it, that the village can utilize the the building if there's anything left, but primarily the space. What is the lease payment again? Um, nominal. That's what I thought. Not not very much. Is it even

$100 a year? I think something like that. Okay. Are there any other questions or comments? [clears throat] All right. Um, is there any motions for CN-25-73? I'll make a motion that we approve CM-25-73. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Todd, yes. Mr. Fowl, yes. Mr. Hurst, yes. Miss [clears throat] Gregory, yes. Miss Met, yes. I told you. Mayor Sers, yes. All right. Next is CN-26-01. Miss Brush,

it's a resolution to approve emergency repairs at the wastewater treatment plant, whereas it is necessary to replace a 20 horsepower VFD pump that serves at the wastewater treatment plant. And whereas after much searching, staff finally located a compatible pump. And whereas due to this emergency, the director of service is asking council to wave the formal quote process located in ordinance 33.18 section 3. And whereas the project will be funded out of the 2025 operating budget capital projects. Now therefore be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio as section one. The council approves the purchase of 120 20 horsepower barn submersible pump from Swigger Electric of Englewood, Ohio for a purchase amount not to exceed 28,500. Section two, the council authorizes the director of service to execute all the proper documents required and to complete said purchase. Section three, this resolution shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage.

Jeff, I believe this issue was also discussed at the last council workshop in detail. Unfortunately, service director Herren's under the weather, but I think all the council is aware of what was necessary. This is just the last step and hopefully keeping it running until we get the new plant started. And the good news was what Ben provided today that those two pumps are being they're going to be rebuilt. So that'll be great that we'll have those two on the shelves. So if this happens again,

we're covered. We're we're we're doing we're looking at the plant much differently now that we know it's in on its last legs. Uh we're going to make sure we have more backup and things to plan because it's more likely that there'll be issues. Any other questions or comments? [snorts] All right. Is there any motions? I'll make a motion to approve CM26-01 as written in red. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Todd, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Hurst, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Miss Max, yes. Mayor Sers, yes. Next is CN-26-02, Miss Brush.

[clears throat]

a resolution to approve the cost to install a new generator and automatic transfer switch at the municipal building. 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 has secured a quote from our local authorized installer that will subcontract the new gas line installation while also installing the automatic transfer switch and all needed wiring and materials for the new emergency generator to perform. 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 33.1889 of the West Milton 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 council would prefer to utilize our local authorized and certified colar generator installer who is already familiar with the current system. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, that section one, the council approves Garber Electrical Contractors of Inglewood, Ohio, to supply all the parts needed and perform the installation of the new color generator at city hall for a cost not to exceed $110,000. 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.

Anything, Jeff? Yeah, this project as well was discussed in detail at the last council workshop. It's something that I think has been badly needed for quite some time and Mr. Haron deserves credit for bringing it to our attention and pushing the project through. It's necessary for the village to actually operate this building if in an emergency and right now we don't have any backup power. So this project will provide that. Uh, one thing with this resolution [cough] was pointed out at the top. It says CM25-02. It should be amended. Uh, 2602. 2602. Absolutely. Yes. Good catch.

And I'd just like to reiterate what uh Council Member Dorman said uh at a previous meeting. This is way overdue for um this generator. And uh this is the main hub in the village. Uh this is where all the emergency services are at. Uh this is our command post. So um this is way overdue and needed for the generator uh to keep power and everything going here at this building. So uh great deal by Ben making this happen. Are there any motions for CM-26-2?

I'll make a motion. We pass CM-26-2 as read. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Todd. Yes. Mr. Fogle. Yes. Mr. Hurst. Yes. Miss Gregory. Yes. Miss Max. Yes. Mayor S. Yes. So, next is the municipal manager report.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh there's been some discussion about the village looking into some EV charging stations. Uh I think that's an excellent idea. I contacted the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and they have a couple of different resources uh uh that may be able to pay for some grants that would help the cost of installing those here in the building. So I'm going to be meeting with them in the very near future. The other item I'd like to update you on, as everyone in Stillwater Crossings is aware, the street lights are all installed, but they're not functioning. Uh what has happened is uh Miami Valley Lighting puts the street lights in, but AES has to install the meter and for some reason they're not talking to each other. I was contacted today by Miami Valley Lighting to say, "Is the meter installed?" How do you not know that? Well, we don't. So, I drove out to check and unfortunately it was not. Uh, I've been told that they'll try to have the meter installed by the end of the week. As soon as it's installed, I can contact Miley Valley Lighting to energize the system and get the lights on. So, we've been working very hard, but I don't understand how the two entities don't talk to each other.

I'm sorry. Any question? The the village. We'll we'll pay the light bill, the street lights. Any questions? Do you did you when you talked to them because I remember asking this last month. Did you find out like what the delay has been? Nobody can give me a good answer for the delay other than a lack of communication between Miami Valley and AES. Okay.

Which makes I I don't doesn't make sense to me. Doesn't make sense to me. They don't know whether the meter's been installed or they can't find somebody from as to tell them whether it's been installed. And if it's not been installed, put a rush on it and have it installed. They've been done with the lights for quite some time, as you all know. So, there's nothing delaying AES. Not that I'm aware of other than just somebody telling them to go put the meter in. Thank you. That's all I have, Mayor. Thank you. Um, next is old business.

I have one piece of old business, Mayor. Um, I know that uh we've been talking about um the personnel policy for a while and I went and looked at section uh 6 uh.07 of the personnel system and the personnel rules. It says the personnel director shall prepare personnel rules. The manager shall refer such proposed rules to the personnel board which shall report to the manager its recommendations thereon. When approved by the manager, the rule shall then be proposed to the council and the council may uh may by ordinance adopt them with or without amendment. Um so then it goes into details with uh what the rule shall provide and so forth. So I know the rules have been in motion for a good amount of time uh probably well over a year. So, I'd just like to see in the next 30 days or so that at least things get moving to the personnel board. Uh because that's the next step. We do have three valid personnel board members.

Last time we tried to meet we did. Yes. So, if we could get that on the calendar that we could get those folks convened and uh you know get things moving with this, that'd be great. It's it's for everyone in the village. uh it's beneficial and um I think we just need to get moving with that. So um my my two cents from whole business perspective. I have a couple things. Um the comprehensive land use plan, do you have an update on like the schedule for getting that approved and getting that reviewed? And

the uh the the comp plan uh I'm I'm almost done with reviewing the draft. Uh I would expect to get back with the uh consultant to incorporate any suggestions. It would then go to the planning board for their review. Once the planning board has has passed on a version, it would then come to the council. So when's the planning board's next meeting? Planning board meets the first tomorrow. Yeah. Because Yeah. Oh, [clears throat] so they won't be able to review it tomorrow, but they should be able to review it by February meeting, right? Depends on how fast Calabo can respond to any changes. Okay. So, is it ready to go to Calabo? Not quite. Do you know when it will be?

As soon as I can finish my my review of it. Okay. And then the zoning codes, the update updated zoning codes. Can you update us on that because I know that's something that's really important. We're actually meeting tomorrow with Mr. Fogle's assistance and uh one of the representatives of choice one and myself uh to hopefully iron out a final version with the changes that the planning board had requested. We're meeting tomorrow afternoon at 3. Okay. And then the sidewalk grant, there were some grant applications that were submitted but they've been misplaced. Do do you have any update on I doc or a plan on how what we're going to do to get

a plan. I just don't have an update. Can you share that with us? I'm going to determine which houses that don't have sidewalks that aren't on the list that said they don't want sidewalks and contact them. Do you have a timeline for that? As soon as I can. Okay. A lot of projects going on. We're not going to do the sidewalks till later in the spring. So, that's perhaps not as pressing as some other items.

I understand a lot of projects. I did also, this is old business, but I wanted to update you guys. So, I have been working with an organization called Heritage Ohio, and I've sent emails out to all the council members, just kind of updates, but I just want to let you know that we are still working on that on um getting some things together to create a Main Street program, which would be beneficial in downtown redevelopment, historic preservation, and some of our events. Um, I have applied for a grant to pay for uh an assessment that they come and do and it also includes a first year of being members of Heritage Ohio. And I just I wanted to share that cuz I I sometimes where I'm not sharing enough of what I'm doing. So, I wanted to share that. I'm really excited about it. I am meeting with Heritage Ohio the next couple weeks to kind of get some next steps. I did apply for a grant. I'm not sure where it's at right now. I'm just waiting to hear back. But we are I'm doing what I can. Um I've been involved in Project Revival as many people here have been as well and we're doing an amazing job and I feel like this is just kind of a step up to do even more for our village.

What is Heritage Ohio? They are a preser, they do historic preservation, downtown development, and they help manage and oversee the um Main Street programs. So like Troy Main Street where they've got all the events in the downtown and downtown Tip City Partnership, I'm working with them as well um to create this. So I'm pretty excited about it. Sounds good. Sounds like you uh you're tapping into some people that already have some experience and they'll be able to help guide you. Yeah, I definitely need guidance. Well, it's a big project. I mean, it's to get that going. So, yeah. Any help you can get, right? Yeah. I'm excited about it, though. So,

any other old business? All right. Any new business? Uh, I have two pieces of new business. Um, one, uh, I believe this goes back to the city manager as well. We have to provide a notice uh with the other vacant seat that is open. Uh and that is a 10-day notice that needs to already been placed. Okay. Okay. How many days ago? I believe it went in January 2nd or 3rd. It was the first time that it could could run.

Okay. Very good. Very good. And then um just this is something that has to happen as well being new in 2026. Um we have a member of the village that is on the Miami Southwest Joint Ambulance Board. And uh there needs to be some type of nomination for someone within council uh to fulfill that position. And then I believe the way things would work, whoever is nominated, then at the next available meeting, there would be some type of um resolution that would uh be read at that time. So, I just wanted to open that up. Uh as well, uh I've been filling that seat here in 2025. U so I just wanted to make sure that we didn't forget about that. this year.

I'd like to nominate Scott Fogle for our representative to the Southwest Joint Ambulance Board. I think I knew that was coming. Did I need a second? Second. Yeah. Oh, then uh roll call. [clears throat] Mr. T. Yes. Mr. Fogle. Abstain. Uh Mr. Hurst. Yes. Miss Gregory? Yes. Miss Max. Yes. Mayor Sold. Yes. Any other new business?

All right. Um any comments by citizens? I see none. So, next we will enter into executive session. Um uh Mr. Mayor, I uh make the motion that we enter into executive session pursuant to section 4.12B 5 [clears throat] uh A and B uh to consider the appointment of a public official and to consider the purchase of property for public purposes. Second roll call. Mr. Ty, yes. Mr. [clears throat] Yes.

Mr. Yes, Miss Gregory. Yes, Miss Mets. Yes. Yes. So, after So, at at this point, there'll be nothing after and we'll be back there for a while. So, you don't have to wait around if you don't want. So,