October 13, 2025
Council President Thad Eikenbary called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Judy Bowers gave the invocation.
On call of the roll: Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Agler, Roberts, and Moore were present.
Ringwald made a motion to excuse Marshall. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Bowers made a motion to approve tonight’s Consent Agenda and minutes from the September 8th meeting. Agler seconded; all concurred.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC SPEAKERS
NONE
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
MAYOR: Mr. Markward explained that the Then & Now presented by the auditor will be for the clean up vouchers. There were twice as many vouchers used and 3x the tonnage as the last time this was done by the city.
Just a year ago, council made an Ordinance to make the east side of the end of Tyler as a no parking space. At that point the city thought this would be far enough to allow trash/recycling/emergency vehicles, etc, but the mayor is proposing the extend it clear to Cavett instead to make it most accessible.
SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR: Mr. Fleming reported that paving is progressing well. Cherry will be finished tonight with a few roads left, all paving will be finished up by the end of the week.
Also, the Bonnewitz lanes intersecting with Washington Street have switched to left and straight and a right turn only. There is now paint, a sign on the side of the street, and hanging with the traffic lights to allow plenty of opportunity for drivers to see.
An ordinance will come up tonight on right of way clearance for a “walkway” that is/was technically hospital property. The location of the right of way is in between the hospital emergency driveway and the water plant. (Ordinance -044).
AUDITOR: Blackmore reported two Then & Nows for the evening. One, to Young’s Waste in the amount of $14,694.75 to cover the trash vouchers of the city; the second to Griffen Pavement Striping, LLC in the amount of $3,098.51 for additional pavement markings.
The auditor also gave a summary of the supplemental appropriations being prepared tonight including IT updates and insurance.
She also reiterated the insurance rates. Open enrollments begin October 28th and multiple representatives will be present to educate city employees. In addition to open enrollments, the insurance premium increase ordinance will need to go through a first reading tonight in order to pass in time.
The auditor hopes to have the first draft of the city budget in council’s hand by October 27th. Along with this, she is also going to work on a five year plan that will present a plan through year 2031.
LAW DIRECTOR: Mr. Hatcher reiterated that there is a lot of movement/land transfer on the outskirts of the city.
COMMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
Mark Davis, 402 S. Tyler St., thanked the city for the trash vouchers. Also, Davis wanted clarification on why Walnut was paved and then chip & seal was laid on top. Fleming clarified that “pavement” was actually leveler that will hopefully help Walnut last another 5 years. Lastly, he asked about the game plan for the proposed walk/bike path. Fleming said eventually the goal, with help of grants, would be to connected to the Richey road path west of town (through Dickinson Landing as well as around the school)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE: Ringwald made a motion to pass the 2 Then & Now’s presented by the city auditor. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance 25-10-042. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to pass, on it’s first and final reading, Ordinance 25-10-042; AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO FUNDS 101, 201, 212, 301, 601, 602 AND 701, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Kallas seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance 25-10-043. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to prepare an ordinance authorizing the mayor to accept the transfer property located at fox road and us 127 and declaring an emergency. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance 25-10-044. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to pass, on it’s first and final reading, Ordinance 25-10-044; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ACCEPT THE TRANSFER PROPERTY LOCATED AT FOX ROAD AND US 127 AND DECLARING THE SAME AS AN EMERGENCY. Agler seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
Agler made a motion to prepare an ordinance authorizing the mayor to sign a deed granting an easement to the owners of the property at 125 Brooks Avenue and declaring the same as an emergency. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to introduce Ordinance 25-10-045. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to pass, on it’s first and final reading, Ordinance 25-10-045; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN A DEED GRANTING AN EASMENT TO THE OWNER’S OF THE PROPERTY AT 125 BROOKS AVENUE AND DECLARING THE SAME AS AN EMERGENCY. Bowers seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
STREETS AND ALLEYS: Kallas asked if the ordinance the Safety Service Director discussed in his report will also resolve an issue on Parking brought up by a resident on Tyler Street. Fleming said it should help address the issue. With that in mind, Kallas made a motion to amend Ordinance 24-08-046 as an emergency as described in the Mayor’s report. Moore seconded; all concurred.
JUDICIARY AND ANNEXATION: Reported that in honor of the country’s 250th birthday, the county was chosen by The Heritage Tree Project to plant a white oak tree this Sunday, the 19th at 3:30 pm at the Historical Site on North Washington Street.
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT: No report.
PARKS AND RECREATION: No report.
HEALTH, SERVICE AND SAFETY: Moore turned a couple properties in to administration to be assessed as blighted properties. Also a sidewalk issue that was turned over to administration was addressed and resolved.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Not present. Bowers had no report.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL and PUBLIC: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Hatcher reported on Blighted Property #17 has a trial scheduled for a time in February. The owner is trying to make some changes and updates to the property.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
Third and Final Reading for Ordinance Number 25-08-036; AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VAN WERT CODE OF ORDINANCES 96.99 PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THE JUNK AND RUBBISH ORDINANCE. All concurred. Ordinance passed.
Third and Final Reading for Ordinance Number 25-08-037; AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VAN WERT CODE OF ORDINANCES 98.99 PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THE NUISANCES ORDINANCE. All concurred. Ordinance passed.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number 25-09-039. All concurred.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number 25-09-040. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number 25-10-043. All concurred.
Agler made a motion to adjourn at 7:06 p.m. Bowers seconded; all concurred.