Council - Regular Meeting

Second. Uh, all in favor. I I All right. Welcome to the council meeting for February 10th, 2026. If you'd stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge 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. Is there somebody for the invitation? Do you want to do it? I'll do it. You can do it. Yep.

All right. Bye, guys. Dear heavenly father, uh we ask you for your guidance and your wisdom as we join together uh and have this opportunity to make decisions and uh help decide the future uh of this village that we all love so dearly. We thank you for this day and uh these opportunities and amen. Amen. All right. Next, we'll have call the meeting to order. And so now we will excuse any members. Roll call. Absent from Oh, call the meeting to order. Roll call. Roll call, please. Sorry. Mayor Sers,

present. Mr. Todd, present. Mr. Fogle, here. Mr. Hurst, present. Mrs. Gregory, present. Miss Max, here. All right. Next, we will excuse any members absent from last month's meetings. I don't think we had any. We didn't have any. All right. Um, next is approval of minutes for January 6th, 2026 regular council meeting and January 27th, 26 for the council workshop. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from the January 2 or excuse me, January 6th, 2026 regular council meeting and the January 27th, 2026 council workshop. Second. Uh, roll call. Miss Mets.

Yes. Miss Gregory. Yes. Mr. Hurst. Yes. Mr. Fogle. Yes. Mr. Todd. Yes. Mayor Saters. Yes. So, we have two things we have to add in really fast. First would be um opening the floor for an appointment to the open council position. There's any nominations. I'll nominate Jennifer Richardson for the open council seat. Um Is there a second? Is there a second? Yeah. All right. Um, so now we just do a roll call, I guess. Yeah. So, roll call, please. Does anybody have that?

Sorry. Okay. Miss Mets? Yes. Miss Gregory? Yes. Mr. Hurst? Yes. Mr. Fogle? Yes. Mr. Todd? Yes. Mayor Sers? Yes. All right, Jennifer, if you will accept, we will come on up or up here.

Raise your right hand and repeat me. I state your name. I, Jennifer Richardson, and being dually sworn according to law, being duly sworn according to the 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 Milton, Ohio. The charter and the codified ordinances 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 as council member of the municipality of West Milton.

in Miami County, Ohio, during my continuence in set office. In Miami County, Ohio, during my continuence in set office. Thanks. We need the chair person too. You have to vote for chair person. Mayor Solders, I would like to make a nomination for uh Miss Casey Mets as the council chair. Second. All in favor? Oh, no. Sorry. Roll call, please. Sorry. Sorry. Uh, Miss Mets. Uh, yes.

Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Hurst, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Uh, Miss Richardson, yes. Mayor Sers, yes. So, now we'll have to Yeah, we'll do that. Is it the same for chairperson as council? No, there's a chairperson one. I don't have that. I don't think I should have that. That's counsel. Sorry. I didn't think that was

since she's already a council member, does she also have to swear in as council chair? Yeah. Yeah. Oh, council member. I don't have one. Oh, here it is. Sorry. I passed right over it. Like a well sh.

Okay. I say your name. I see nothing. Being dy 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 ordinance of the municipality of West Ohio of the municipality of West and that I will faithfully, honestly, and impartially I will faithfully, honestly, and impartially discharge the duties of chairperson discharge the duties of chairperson of the municipality of West of the municipality of West

in Miami County, in Miami County, Ohio during my trans now we now now Jeff will be presenting the 2025 employee of the year.

Thank you mayor. Towards the end of each year, municipal staff are tasked with submitting their individual nomination for the annual employee of the year award. The award is based on items such as outstanding performance, dedication, teamwork, and problem solving. The nominations have been obtained, and for 2025, there is a tie for this award of recognition. At this time, we'd like to recognize the following two employees for their selfless efforts and dedication during the calendar year of 2025. Our award winners are Mr. Tim Schwarzber and Miss Megan Hall. All right.

Did we say anything? Pardon? Did we say anything? You can Can I just say congratulations to Megan and Tim? You two do an amazing job and we're very grateful for all the work that you guys put in here in our village. Amen. Yeah. Just say they'll get a plaque and they'll get a $50 Amazon gift card. Very nice. Nice. Both very welld deserved. Absolutely. Yes. Right. Next. Is there any correspondents to council?

There is, mayor. We actually have two correspondents. Um they are as follows. Uh dear village council members and village manager, over the past several years, we've proudly hosted Third Thursdays, Rock the Hill, summer kickoffs, and the annual Christmas tree lighting. These events have strengthened our town by building pride, encouraging residents to gather and support one another, and creating a sense of belonging. When these traditions are present, people feel seen, hopeful, and energized about their community. These efforts create momentum that attracts volunteers, sponsors, and neighboring communities. To date, all of these events have been privately funded through sponsorships, donations, and the volunteer-led group. The feedback we receive about these free events is consistently very positive and encouraging, reflecting the impact they have on our residents and families. As we plan for the upcoming year, we're experiencing a significant funding shortfall. Without additional financial support, we are concerned that we may not be able to continue offering all the planned events. Rock the Hill is our largest and most anticipated community event with costs totaling approximately 10 to$15,000 and increasing each year. With this in mind, we respectfully request that the municipality of West Milton consider contributing $10,000 towards Rock the Hill. This support would allow us to sustain one of West Milton's most valued community highlights and ensure the continuation of an event that brings families, businesses, and neighbors together while also inviting other communities to join us. The presence of Rock the Hill makes residents feel connected, supported, and proud to live here. Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued commitment

to West Milton. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this request further or provide any additional documentation is needed. Respectfully, Sarah Cop, president of Project Revival. I have a second correspondence. Actually, this is from uh Child Care Choices. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the delay in reaching out and my heartfelt gratitude for your participation in our first bookw walk in October of 2025. Your support was essential to its success and I am truly grateful. Community involvement plays a vital role in early learning, and your participation reflects a shared commitment to helping our youngest learners build a strong foundation for kindergarten. With your support, we reached more than 500 children and their families. Each child received a book to take home, and families engaged in fun, meaningful activities that promoted learning and school readiness. Events like the bookw walk are only possible through strong community collaborations. Thank you for your generosity, time, and dedication to our youngest learners. We value your partnership and look forward to working together again. And this is from the child care choices organization. That is all of the correspondence, mayor.

All right. Thanks. I I want to make uh just one plug here for the uh donation that was requested for Rock the Hill for that event. Uh I think it would be good for us to kind of just think about that collectively as council, put it on the agenda for the workshop um at the end of the month and have some more discussion about that. If I'm not mistaken, correct me if I'm wrong, Jill, but I believe last year for the Fourth of July celebration, did we uh put 10,000 towards that or was it more than that last year? For the 4th of July? Yeah. Um I'll have to look it up.

Those are our two biggest events other than the car show, right? Those are our two biggest events in town. I show we put 12. 12. Mhm. Okay. All right. So, and I'm sure we probably already budgeted for that for 20 in this year. How much? 20. 20.

Okay. So, everybody has that information. So, at least we know that we have the money in there. Um, and maybe we need to beef that up a little bit, but think about that and we can add that to the agenda for the workshop. I think it'd be great to talk in more depth. All right. Are there any comments from citizens regarding tonight's legislation? I see none. So, moving on to ordinances.

I'm sorry, I didn't see you. Sorry. Good morning. Evening. Good evening. Um, yeah. So, regarding the the Rock the Hill, does that bring in a hefty income as well? I mean, uh I don't know that we charge, but uh not to attend the Rock the Hill, but um I think you you bring in uh concessions like beer and so forth. Is that correct? So, when it comes to the I just want to be clear when it comes to decision-m about this, I will abstain um because I am involved in Project Revival, but I can give some information. They do sell beer um and that does make a little bit of money, but it's not very much. The bands are very expensive, the stage is expensive, the sound is expensive, and prices keep going up and up. Um we have gotten some funding, but it's not very much. And I honestly didn't even know that letter was sent. But um it it's not an income generator. It's about building community. So at Rock the Hill, we last year had 3,200 people in the park and in our town, which led to those people having the opportunity to go into our stores to purchase things. It also creates a sense of people wanting to stay and people having purpose in their community. So, it's not necessarily about building bringing in money. It's about building our community.

Got any. So, it's not it's not So, the the the village funds it. The village has never funded it before. It has always been I know. And and I don't think Rock the Hill is the largest event we've had we have here. I thought the Fourth of July was the largest event we've had here. So the fourth we annually have here.

Correct. And and we've often times had in the past um um private donations for um for fireworks and so forth. I think last year the village kicked in some money right to the fireworks. $12,000. $12,000. And uh so between that and the and the rock the hill we're we're getting up to what about 20 $30,000. I think what Jill just just if I can jump in I think Jill just said that we had budgeted I'm sorry I can't hear you.

Sorry I think Jill had just mentioned that we had budgeted approximately $20,000 already. Yeah. So so yeah that's that's where I got that number from. Yeah 20,000 and so it's already built Yeah. with the fireworks, then we're looking at 30 uh being funded. That would be if we funded $12,000.

What's wrong with us trying to try trying to see about ways to try and make it um you know, more of an income generator? Not that people have to to pay to go see fireworks. I don't think they ever will, but because most communities have theirs their displays for free. I'm just trying to figure out how we can offset some costs, but you know, it's just throwing it out there. So, I will say that I have obtained from the project, and I'm saying this from project revival side. I have obtained $9,750 so far just in 2025 in project revival spent that much. I personally have obtained for project revival $9,750

for events and programs. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. not effort. So, it is not without effort. But there's also Project Revival, I'm sure you're aware, is a private nonprofit organization that is completely ran by volunteers who are using their time away from work and away from their families to give to this community. That's wonderful.

It It's an amazing organization. I'm really I'm proud I am proud to be a part of that organization. Um but these events the costs keep going up and that's I mean that's we ask we are continually asking for donations. Um we if anybody watching this wants to donate we are happy to accept your donations. We are happy to take sponsorships. Um we still have several events because it is we are an official America 250 community. I've even got my kit on today for America 250. We have lots of events going on this year. So, we have three America 250 events. We have a veterans appreciation event that is fully funded privately by the union BFW. We um one of our events, Chief Wright is his band is going to be playing and that is sponsored by Abby Credit Union. Um Flawless Signs does a lot of sponsorship for us. Where are you at with the sponsorship from uh Premier?

Mr. Sheridan has always handled that and from my understanding they're no longer sponsoring this. Uh because you were looking to have that to be a major funer, but that that fell through then. That's sad. They changed their policy. They did fund it for many years. They changed their corporate policy and greatly reduced sponsorships. And that's that's the only reason it's changed. Yeah. Okay. So, it's not without effort of getting private funding. Yeah.

But there's also I have to work to pay my bills at my house unless somebody else wants to do that, too. Um, I'd be happy to go fund raise and volunteer for for my career, but that's just not what it is. Um, so it's it's not that there we're not getting donations. Um, we are getting a lot of donations, almost $10,000. And I want to say maybe it is 10,000. Um, I can I can put that information available, but it's I mean I don't have to cuz it's a it's a nonprofit, but um it's not we're not trying to just go make money. Project Revival does not make money. We are here for the community and to host community events. We are here to help our downtown. We are here to help our residents to have a better quality of life and that increases people wanting to move into the community. I mean I

Yeah, that's why they call it a nonprofit. Correct. I understand. I think the community understands that. So I I I thank you for your answers to with uh to jump on and kind of piggyback with what the vice mayor had said. Um they're 501 3C's or C3s. Yeah. So it's like it's all, you know, taxdeductible, but they're also usually looking for volunteers to help with the different events and stuff. And so I mean, if you want to get involved, Yes. Not just you, but I'm just saying like for the community and everyone. Yeah. Uh there there's those opportunities are absolutely available for you to uh to get in if you want to get in. Okay. Thank you. If you'll consider me.

Absolutely. We need funders. So, anybody that wants to work on getting funding, that would be the best thing we could do right now. Mhm. Okay. And um and if anyone wants to dress up in a period costume and tell stories along the Still Water, there you go, community.

I'm not not a period dresser. Uh okay. So, um, I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say about Jeffrey Sheridan and the contract here. So, the enter entering into an agreement. I'm not sure what that is, but um, I'd be interested to know. I hope you discuss that. Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Mr. C. He thinks that's the law director, I believe. Yeah. Um, Right. Um, moving on to ordinances and resolutions. First up is CM-26-03.

It's a resolution to appoint a member to the Miami Southwest Joint Ambulance District, Miami County. Whereas the Miami Southwest Joint Ambulance District, Miami County, Ohio, is a five member board of trustees with one member appointed by each political subdivision from Union Township, village of Lello Falls, village of Potts Stam, Village of Laura, and the village of West Milton. And whereas council for the village of West Milton passed resolution CM-25-9 on March 11, 2025, making it mandatory that the person appointed by council to serve on said board be a sitting council member who may serve on said board during that person's term in office. And whereas the village of West Milton's representative on said board ended his term and therefore it is necessary to appoint a board member to serve in this capacity. And whereas the council for the village of West Milton believes it is beneficial to the community to appoint a sitting council member to serve on said board. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, that section one, the council hereby appoints Scott Fogle to the Miami Southwest Joint Ambulance District Board to serve in capacity during his term on council. Section two, this resolution shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage. Okay. Are there any questions?

I have a comment. Comment. Sorry. Well, yeah. Just uh Scott, thank you for uh taking this up and doing that. Sure. No problem. That was my All right. Any motions? I motion we approve CM-26-03. Second. Roll call. Miss Meds. Yes. Miss Gregory. Yes. Mr. Hurst. Yes, Miss Richardson. Yes, Mr. Fogle. Abstain, Mr. Todd. Yes, Mayor Sers. Yes.

All right. Next is CM-26-04. Mr. Brush, it's an ordinance amending section 33.66, compensation for planning board members, and section 150.31B, compensation for board of adjustment members. Whereas, pursuant to section 33.66 and section 150.301B, each planning board member and board of adjustment member is compensated at a rate of $25 per meeting, not to exceed $50 per month per member. And whereas the current pay for these board members has not been adjusted since March 9th, 1999 with the passage of ordinance CN-99-09. And whereas council desires to adjust the rate of pay to all planning board members and board of adjustment members as these individuals provide a necessary service to the municipality of West Milton. Now therefore be it ordained by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio that section one section 33.66 of the West Milton codified ordinances shall be modified to read as follows. Section 33.66 compensation. All planning board members shall be compensated at the rate of $50 per member per meeting attended, but in no event shall such compensation exceed $100 per member per month. Section two, section 150.301B of the West Milton codified ordinances shall be modified to read as follows. Section 150301, membership and appointment. Section B. Board of adjustment members shall be compensated at the rate of $50 per member per meeting attended, but in no event shall compensation exceed $100 per member per month. Section three, the provisions of this ordinance shall become effective from and after the earliest date allowed by law, and all parts of ordinances or resolutions in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.

Are there any questions or comments? Just well overdue. Mhm. just like with council uh and their um salary as well uh for each meeting uh that was increased as well. So this was well overdue. Yeah. All right. Are there any motions? First reading. Oh first reading. I can read read what I can read. I just asked. All right. That's up to you.

Sorry. That's right. Next is CM-26-05. I think Sarah is reading this.

It's America 250. I got my pin on. Resolution CN-26-05. a resolution to recognize the 250th anniversary of the United States Post Office. Whereas 2025 marked the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States Post Office, the predecessor of the modern postal service, one year earlier than the founding of the country itself. And whereas the US Postal Service is operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the government of the United States, authorized by the US Constitution and created by active Congress to bind the nation together. And whereas the universal service obligation USO and current law enables the population to receive equal and affordable services as a right of all people. And whereas the postal service runs on its own revenue created by postage of postal products and does not receive taxpayer taxpayer money to run its operations. And whereas due to its public mission, the postal service is the lowcost anchor of the $ 1.3 trillion mailing and package industry which supports 7 million jobs across the country. And whereas the postal service is an important source of good living wage jobs with fair hiring practices and equal pay for equal work and is one of the largest employers of veterans. And whereas while communication habits are always changing, the USPS remains a vital source of communications, the exchange of ideas, financial transactions, private and secure correspondence, mail order medications, mail and voting and e-commerce packages. And whereas the United States Postal Service is owned by the people and is a wonderful national treasure encapsulating the best of government of, by, and for the people. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, that

section one that the village of West Milton, Ohio, goes on record in support and appreciation of the role of the US postal service to the American public on its 250th anniversary and salutes the hardworking postal workers from all walks of life who serve the people and business community. And we support a robust and thriving public postal service for generations to come. Section two that this body recognizes that the local presence of postal workers and postal facilities has been an essential part of our civic infrastructure supporting small businesses facilitating government services and contributing to the quality of life and economic vitality of our community. Section three. We wish to honor the men and women past and present who have served in the USPS with dedication in fair weather and foul. Ensuring that every address in our region, state, and nation remains reachable and our na national communication network remains silent. Resilient, not silent, resilient. Almost did it. Right. Any questions or comments on on this? I'll make a motion to approve resolution CM26-05 as written in red.

Second. Roll call, please. Um, Miss Mets, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Herz, yes. Miss Richardson, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Mayor Sers, yes. All right, moving on to CM-26. Oh, 26-06.

It's a resolution to upfitting new police vehicle for use in patrol duties. Whereas municipality has purchased a new 2025 Ford Police Interceptor cruiser for police division patrol duties. And whereas emergency operations equipment is needed to upfit the new patrol vehicle so as to be in compliance with state laws. And whereas the purchase and installation of the emergency equipment exceeds the allowable amount without council approval. And whereas the emergency equipment is appropriated in the 2026 police capital budget. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, that section one, the municipal manager is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with LNW Outfitters of Lawrenburg, Kentucky to purchase and install the necessary equipment at the cost of $18,89763. Section two, the chief of police is authorized and directed to execute all necessary documents to purchase, install, and complete this need.

Any questions? All right. Any motions? I motion we approve CM-26-06. I'll second. Roll call. Miss, yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Hurst, yes. Miss Richardson, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Todd. Yes. Mayor S. Yes. All right. Next is I'm sorry to interrupt. We We are having a meeting. If you could keep comments to yourself during the meeting, that would be appreciated. Thank you. Thanks. Next is CM-26-07.

It's a resolution authorizing the municipal manager to enter into an agreement for services to be provided by the director of law. Whereas the council for the municipality of West Milton, Ohio approved the municipal manager's appointment of Len Barash of the law firm of Shipman Dixon and Livingston Company LPA as director of law for the municipality beginning February 1st, 2014 with reviews and the adoption of additional legislation occurring every two years thereafter regarding the terms and conditions of the agreement for legal services. and where as a municipal manager desires to enter into an agreement on behalf of the municipality of West Milton for Len Brash to continue to provide legal services as a director of laws described in the attached agreement marked as exhibit A and whereas the agreement requires approval of councel. Now therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, that section one, the municipal manager is hereby authorized to enter into the attached agreement exhibit A providing for for legal services to be rendered by the director of law, Len M. BR. Section two, this resolution shall be in effect from and after the earliest date allowed by law.

Any questions? And that is a two-year contract, correct? It is for paywise. It's a two-year contract. Is it considered an indefinite contract under the charter? But yes, every two years we review it. Every two years. Yeah. Thank you. Any motions? I'll make a motion to accept resolution CM-26-07. I'll second. Roll call. Miss Max. Yes. Miss Gregory? Yes. Mr. Hurst? Yes. Miss Richardson? Yes. Mr. Fel? Yes, Mr. Todd. Yes, Mayor Sers. Yes.

All right. Next is CM-26-08.

It's an ordinance to amend the official zoning map of West Milton as adopted by chapter 150.6 of the West Milton Code of Ordinances. Whereas the West Mountain Planning Board received a petition to modify the zoning district boundary of a parcel of real estate located at 957 South Miami Street in the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, known as parcel number L39-023220, approximately 1.22000 acres from B3 neighborhood business district to R1C residential. And whereas council has received an affirmative recommendation from the West Milton Planning Board to amend the official zoning map of West Milton by changing the zoning district boundaries of the parcel of real estate being described as parcel number L39-023220 from B3 neighborhood business district to R1C residential. And whereas section 150.319C requires council to modify zoning boundaries by ordinance as prescribed by West Milton charter sections 4.13 and 4.14. Now therefore be it ordained by the council of West Milton Ohio that section one council accepts the recommendation of the West Milton Planning Board to modify the zoning district boundary of the parcel of real estate described as parcel number L39-023220 approximately 1.220008. 22000 acres from B3 neighborhood business district to R1C residential see exhibit 1 attached section two. This ordinance shall take effect 10 days after the second reading and approval by council.

Did you have anything on that? Just that this is a parcel that's been residential for many many years but was still zone commercial. uh a question came up about some fencing and that led us to uh discuss with the owner and his request that it be zoned residential moving forward. So went through the proper process. This is the last step in changing that that zoning designation. Any other comments? All right. Any motions? I did that twice. Yep. All right. Moving on to CM-26-09.

It's a resolution to contract with LGB engineering for the service center main building addition and improvement project. Whereas it is necessary to make improvements at the municipal service complex, specifically the main service building. And whereas engineering services are needed for the following completion of plans and construction drawings, construction administration, and project bidding. And whereas the project will be funded out of the 2026 operating budget, street, park, refu, water, and sewer capital improvement funds. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the council of the municipality of West Milton, Ohio, as section one, the council authorizes the director of service to contract with LG LJB Engineering Miamiisburg, Ohio for an amount not to exceed $42,000. Section two, the director of service is hereby authorized to execute all the proper documents and contracts required to complete said program. Section three, this resolution shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage.

Anything uh any comments? Mr. Heron, do you have anything to add?

Um mainly that I we're completely confident in LJB. They're a they're a large firm, but they're locally based their office in Miami. Um the original plans were through LJB um but in our walkthroughs and discussions we definitely make need to make some changes on the 2000 plans were from the year 2000 2001 and secondly um I like to try to do these in-house and did them in house yet but I'm not a building specialist so I decided to this would be best to let them handle the construction uh design plans and the bidding process just to keep that funneled through and I anticipate there might be a large amount of bids to keep track of also. So, but other than that, we're just really looking forward to getting this project going. It'll be a huge plus for our service personnel. Thank you.

Yep. There's no comments then. Um any motions? I'll make a motion to accept CM-26-09. Second. Roll call, please. Sm. Yes. Miss Gregory, yes. Mr. Hurst, yes. Miss Richardson, yes. Mr. Fogle, yes. Mr. Todd, yes. Mayor S. Yes. All right. Next. Mayor, uh, before we move on from ordinances resolutions, I just have a question because I know there was some email traffic uh earlier today and Miss Brch, I believe you, uh, put together a resolution for the personnel board members. Um, is that something that we need to have a resolution or because we all

you did a voice vote at the last meeting. I don't believe you have to have one, but if you want a resolution that's fine just to have it so it's in writing and um on a resolution itself and I did prepare one but I don't know when you guys are going to okay

do it at a meeting. for the rest of council. I think what our agreement was with the voice vote from the minutes at our workshop was that uh two members um Miss Bennington, I believe, uh to continue her position and then we nominated uh Miss Miranda Fox again for a one-year term. So that means we have a full personnel board that is validated and in place. So technically then we don't need to do the resolution if that's in the minutes and that was all agreed to and voted on. Correct. Correct. Okay. So that's good. So do we need to do a resolution? No.

No. Unless you guys feel more comfortable doing a resolution. No. I'm I'm fine if we have it in the minutes recorded that we all um had a voice vote and those folks um just need to be notified that um they continue. Uh, so, um, city manager, if we can do that, that'd be great. And I had one other question with the ordinances and resolutions. I know we had some email traffic going back and forth, too, about the vacant building ordinance. Uh, but I believe is that not fully drafted and ready to move forward. Is that right? We're still working on it. Yeah, I believe it's ready to go for your review. Yeah, I had sent it out. I think you had also set out the copy. I I did

um where I had changed what you guys had requested. There were some things that maybe I didn't change and I tried to explain why. Um and then I was waiting on a fee schedule that you you did get to me. Um and waiting on the comments and most of you had commented on those. My only question with the fee schedule is it doesn't take into account apartments cuz we had separated those like there was residential single family residential apartments but you know so there was another category in there I just needed to touch base with you about. Okay. Well, we can get that done. Okay.

Okay. So, a couple things to get um you know squared away and then will we would we be able to have um a first reading of that at the workshop or is it better to just wait until the next council meeting in uh March? That is completely up to you guys. Well, Sarah mentioned too we could send it to retail strategies to look over. They were pretty quick last time. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we have two weeks until the workshop. Yeah. I can send that to them today. If everyone's in agreeance, I I think we should include it at the at the workshop. And then that's also a great time for community members that if they have any comments,

uh questions, suggestions that um you know, they they can have the floor then to uh ask those at that time. So, you're doing a special meeting at the workshop or just regular? So yeah, it would be a special, right? Yeah. Special meeting at the workshop. Okay. Okay. Thanks. What if we uh just kind of opened it up, not like a public forum, but if we we have it, right? And then we could the public could come in, but we could still like do the first reading at like the uh the regular March meeting, but during the workshop, it' give people a time to come in and like talk. And then let's say somebody brought something up, we're like, "Oh, we didn't think of that." Then we have to go back and write that in. I mean, it's just a suggestion, but um

I think that would be good because I know there are some community members that were um interested in it and uh wanted to voice their u their opinion, concerns that they might have. So, um so yeah, maybe it's just better to put it on the agenda to open it up for any type of public discussion and then we go from there. Yeah, because I I agree with what uh Vice Mayor Gregory said when she was like, I'd rather go slow and get it right than to, you know, to, you know, potentially miss something,

right? Cuz I think what we talked about too is this would be a gradual u uh type of uh ordinance uh going into it. So, it wouldn't be that folks, you know, have a fee, you know, to start off in the first year. It would be a gradual like six month uh we would walk our way through it. Uh that type of thing. So, yep. Sounds good to me. Yeah, I'm good with that. I think taking your time to do this. To me, I feel like this is a kind of a big one. Yeah, it is.

Um, and I I'm good with taking your time. I like the idea of, you know, opening up to public. I mean, it's all everything's open to public comment, right? But just saying like this is what we're doing. We're talking about this. We, you know, you guys voted for us, so we want those opinions. And I think that's the correct one. Yeah. Right. Next is the municipal manager report.

Thank you, mayor. Just updates on a couple of projects. Uh probably the most significant project that the staff is working on is the new wastewater treatment plant. Certainly, it'll be one of the more expensive. Uh we're to the step where we're going to issue a request for qualifications to multiple engineering firms. And this would be for the work to complete the final design uh to be submitted to the state and also to be used to try to obtain as many grants and lowinterest loans as possible uh for the village to afford the construction. Uh so that uh completed a draft and staff was looking over it uh today and and probably to the end of the week. uh hope to get it mailed out to four or five engineering firms uh if not the end of this week and beginning of next week. Uh the other project is the park uh pavilion committee has been meeting uh every other Friday and uh is wants to meet with a couple of different u engineering or consultants about what direction to take. Um I think we're we're going to be talking with Calabo who was certainly involved in the comp putting the comp plan together and the park is a big part of that. Uh and then level MB uh is going to meet with us and uh someone from Bruns Construction. So meet with all three of them. I think they'll have different approaches and the committee then can decide what direction uh we want to take with that project. So does anyone have any questions?

Nope. I'm just glad to hear we've had two local contractors in that day. That's glad to hear that. All right. Is there any old business?

So, I think there were a couple of items that um were uh sent via email today looking for a few updates. I believe uh correct me if I'm wrong, but the comprehensive uh land use plan is with the planning board. they have split it up into different uh chapters, sections that they're reviewing. However, um you did not have a meeting in February. Um so I just wanted to see how things are going with that, if there's been any uh communication uh back and forth with the review, uh any comments, anything like that.

No, but I wouldn't expect any of that would take place in the meeting. So yeah, I would expect at the next planning board meeting that we'll have that on the agenda. I believe there's one or two other requests. So, um I told the board they did not want to meet. There's a lot of a lot of information for them to cover even dividing up the chapters. Okay. So, that individual chapter discussion will happen at the next planning board meeting in March. That's what I was. So, that probably will be a long meeting. Uh very possible.

Yeah. So, I know the zoning code is the next thing that goes to them. Um, correct. I'd reviewed the the comments that we worked with choice one with uh Andy uh and uh uh I reviewed that and didn't have any additional comments. So I know that'll be the next thing that goes over to the planning board. Um so um I would envision that after you talk about the comprehensive land use plan in March that this will be the next thing that'll be sent over to them to review.

I don't know that it would be the next month. I would think the comp plan is well over 200 pages and even dividing it by chapters. I I would expect it'll take more than one meeting, but as soon as it's done, next on the agenda would be the land use plan. Do you know how many chapters are that need to be reviewed in the comprehensive land use plan? I want to say 12 or 14, but that's just a guess off my head. It's about 200 pages. Okay. Might be 16. It divided out to about roughly four chapters per person on the planning board.

Okay. So, do you have like a schedule of what your plan is to move forward? Cuz I know for I will just speak for myself when I don't have a schedule or a plan of something I don't typically get things done. So, I'm just curious if there's like a schedule or plan of how we're going to move. I mean, we've it's been a long time and we have spent $50,100 on this and it's just still not getting done. So, I'm curious like what the plan is, which I've asked before in meetings. I'm asking email, so I'm not sure. Not the the plan is for the planning board to review it and and once they've made approval, it'll come to the council.

Okay. Will we continue to have meetings? because the last time they had a meeting it was canled because there was no um variance requests. It was cancelled because they didn't feel they were ready to meet and go over the plan. They'd only had less than a month to review. So, it was a combination of both those factors. So, they didn't get it until they got it the month before. Okay. And then with planning horn, I do have a question about that. Um, we just lost the planning board number. You did. How do we appoint the new planning board member? Is like if I could do it tonight, I would honestly, but I don't know what the rules are.

We have to have a We have to have a willing volunteer willing to serve. Can we appoint somebody right now? I think you can do almost anything you want. You're the elected officials. Apparently, you have a willing volunteer. So, that sounds good to I'd like to motion to appoint Don Dorman to the planning board. Third and fourth. That's wonderful. Thank you. Chapters. Can you have your four chapters read by next month? We'll be right on. Is that a I thank you.

Thank you. So, u manager Sheridan, I have one last question. I know there was some uh email traffic going around too and uh the personnel policy had been pro provided to our insurance carrier and I know you were giving them some time to review that. I just didn't know how much time uh you were giving them to provide a a review. The insurance company I think it's it's it's almost complete. I would expect to get it back to uh for our review within a couple of weeks less than that maybe. Okay. So the next step after that after we get it back depending on if there's any comments then it will be provided to the personnel board for their review. Correct. Okay. Very good. Thank you.

And I think just the last one on the standing kind of agenda old business um the sidewalk grant that we talked about if there was just a plan or a date maybe of when we're going to send out the letters again. Uh need to coordinate with uh Mr. heroning on on wind or in concrete, but I would expect to do it certainly this spring maybe for the like do the work. But I mean I think Were you talking about sending out the information to get new grant applications? Yeah. Yeah. This spring. Absolutely.

Why would we wait till this spring to get the applications in? I mean, I don't think it makes a ton of sense to get a bunch of people to send in their information, then wait and forget about it or maybe decide they're not in the same position they were in February to want to do it in late or mid-spring time. I was going to bring up a new business, but I guess we can go ahead and just kind of do it this way. Um, from a budget perspective, obviously everything we had set up was, well, I didn't cuz I wasn't there. Everything that was set up was 2025 for that program. We're now 2026. Is that something that we need to relaunch um on the back end? How exactly is this going to work? Because this is a new program now.

Wasn't it budgeted for this year or two? Mhm. Okay. So, the money from 2025 would carry over to 26. Correct. Yeah. I created a purchase order to a miscellaneous vendor so we could carry that over into this year and then we also have the money in there for this year as well. There's money in there for it both years combined and I believe we set aside 50 50 this year and 50 last year. So there was currently at 100. So maybe we could aim for

well I guess complicates things. I was going to say mid to late March and try to get information out and start receiving applications. Uh but we'll just have to see. I would also suggest one of the biggest issues if you're going to focus on the same area, which that was my understanding from last fall. Are you still only going to do the ones who want it or are you going to utilize the ordinance that requires it? I I think the intention of the grant was for people that wanted it and then there were some people that applied and so they should get first. Very small,

right? Which is fine, but I mean, but they should get like the first option. And I think just putting that in I mean cuz we're halfway through February at this point so spring is in March and I'm not sure when Ben's planning to pour concrete but if we can just kind of get the ball rolling to get applications out and give them a longer period of time to get more applications in. What is the concrete pouring window in spring?

Yeah. So, what'll happen is is once we get an amount or like I can't really quote it out till I kind of at least have some ballpark idea of the the footage um quoting it out will take the longest. Let me just set up whoever comes in low to do the poring. Um, I've already sent out for quotes for curb replacements and stuff for paving and there's a chance I can just kind of piggyback that on that particular quote that I had already sent if the contractors would agree to to that. So, it wouldn't take it won't take very long. like a rural pouring or

no pro really it'll be dependent on the contractor. Oh, more or less like how busy they are in the spring. The one issue we'll run into this year versus the last couple years. We didn't have a very good winter construction season. So, a lot of projects that maybe they count on trying to get done over some of the winter months they didn't. So that leaves us a little bit unsure of that. So So maybe if we had it out I don't what was our um was it 2 weeks or 30 days last time for the applicants? So if we put it out March 1st. Okay. Does that work? So send it out to the same same group same.

Yeah. March 1st. Okay. We'll do. Thank you. Thanks. And then we're still in old business. Yeah. Still I don't believe so. My brain's going 100 miles a minute, so I apologize. Um the community what is the community beautifification award? Can we put something on our website and on social media to promote that to get some applications in? So we could probably start it in April.

Can you give me some parameters? I know we discussed it, but exactly what parameters you're looking for, how many rewards you're going to give, business, whatever. Is it just wide open to anybody who's made things better or there specific attributes that you're looking for? Just anybody that's made their property better. Okay. I was kind of thinking two residential and one How many signs did we have? We got three. Yeah. Two residential, one commercial per month. But it's three signs and then just the same as it was before, right? Like we don't need to that this is at least the third time we've tried it and it never lasts very long because we don't get any applicants and nobody wants to do it. But absolutely, we'll give it a third try. You know what they say about third try. Third time's a charm.

You're right. I I feel good about this. I think somebody's going to get their sign in their yard and c are council members allowed to nominate? Absolutely. Encouraged, I would say. There you go. Have a good one. We'll get it on the website. And thank you very much for getting the emergency services grant posted out there as well for 2026. That was uh good. Uh that's open to uh police, fire, and emergency uh rescue services uh in the in the area. So that's great. Thanks. Any more old business?

All right. Uh new business. All right. Next, um, just one other thing. This probably new business. I just wanted to take a minute to just recognize our service staff this winter.

So, I have a little experience with this cuz back in the 80s, we got winners like this every year. Um, but I got a phone call that some people would call it a complaint, but I would actually call it a compliment because halfway through the storm, I got a call from someone that wondered why we hadn't plotted the rally yet. And again, it's a compliment to me because that means we plow our alley. It just so happens when we were getting pummeled with snow, we didn't get to it quick enough. Um, where other cities would say, "Your alley, I'm going to plow your alley." So, what some people might say is a complaint I take as a compliment, but

I do have other communities that say, "I don't know what you guys are doing, but we're tired of hearing about it." And I tell them all the same thing. Yes, it is hard work. It is monotonous. Plowing, plowing, backing up, plowing. It's very It's brutal. It's very tiring when you're done after long shifts. You can't even go to sleep because you're still wired for plowing. Um, but we got we're getting one of those winters like the 80s. And I just want to say thanks to the service staff because absolutely. Yeah. six or seven plows on the road and our roads are opened up the next morning when you go to work. That's a lot of work and I appreciate it. So, YEAH,

huge thank you, Ben. And I don't know how they do it because when I see them and they're out driving around, they got their windows down and it's uh it's blows to stay away snow blowing and and here's the funny thing. It's great because they're all happy. They wave at you cuz I'm out there shoveling my driveway or with the snowblower depending on how much we get. So, they always wave. They'll always talk to you. So, that's a testament uh as well uh to all the folks that support the village. So, u so thank you very much cuz I don't know if I'd be as happy as they look and with the window down waving and smiling. So,

it's time and a half. I think I'm ready, too. I'm ready for the snow to be gone. We're ready for spring. That's why I wore this shirt. I'm ready for It was warm weather today, so I'm ready to go to Hawaii. So, it's over time to stay awake. Any more new business? All right. Any comments by citizens? All right. Any motions for adjournment? I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor?

Any comments by No, they made them the whole meeting long.