September 28, 2026 Minutes passed October 12, 2026
Council President Thad Eikenbary called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
President Eikenbary gave the invocation.
On call of the roll: Ringwald, Johnson, Agler, Roberts and Hurless were present.
Ringwald made a motion to excuse Hall Block. Agler seconded; all concurred
Roberts made a motion to excuse Julie Moore. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to approve tonight’s consent agenda and regular meeting minutes from September 14, 2026 meeting. Roberts seconded; all concurred.
Scheduled Public Speakers:
NONE.
Administrative Reports:
Mayor: Markward requests council to consider preparing an ordinance to allow the Safety Service Director to live outside of the city limits for the remainder of his term before retirement. Mr. Markward explains it is up to council to make this exception; this exception would apply only to the current Safety Service Director.
Agler made a motion to have the law director prepare an ordinance to allow Safety Service Director Jay Fleming to live outside of the city limits for the remainder of his term. Ringwald seconded; all concurred.
Moore arrived in council chambers at 6:35 p.m.
Markward also reported that the public only has two days remaining to cash in trash vouchers if they so choose.
Safety Service Director: Fleming stated this morning he received the request from ODOT to work on Leeson Avenue Phase II project. This must be back to ODOT by October 28th so he requests an ordinance be prepared as an emergency.
Next, Fleming stated the current Leeson Avenue project goes from Rose Road to John Brown Road; there has been discovery of storm water/sewer issues causing excess water/flooding in the Smiley Park, Airport and Cemetery areas. A storm sewer will be installed from the airport and down to 224. Fleming is requesting another ordinance to be prepared to advertise, bid and award this project because it needs completed before phase II of Leeson Ave.
Roberts made a motion to have the law director prepare an ordinance to allow the Safety Service Director to work with ODOT on the Phase II project. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Roberts made an amendment to his previous motion to declare the ordinance be prepared as an emergency. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Roberts made a motion to have the law director prepare an ordinance, as an emergency, to allow the Safety Service Director to advertise, bid and award for the storm sewer project on Leeson Avenue from the Airport to SR 224. Agler seconded; all concurred.
City Auditor: Not present.
Law Director: Hatcher updated council on statuses of current ordinance requests and legislation tabled at second readings.
Municipal court is busy, with several jury trials schedule through the end of the year including a matter on the old cigar factory building on October 6, 2026 at 1:00 pm.
Committee Reports:
Finance: Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 26-09-051. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to have the law director prepare a supplemental appropriation for parks, a new printer for municipal court, engineering for Bonnewitz Crossing and Leeson Avenue Phase II funds, totaling $1.3 Million, as an emergency. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 26-09-052.
Ringwald made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Roberts seconded; Ringwald, Johnson, Agler, Roberts and Moore voted yes. Hurless voted no.
Economic Development: Johnson reported that QTS will be sending out a community mailer that will intend to give residents some clear next steps of the project.
Johnson also reports VWAEDC is finalizing the setup of the two governance boards that will oversee the benefits package from QTS.
Johnson lastly reports that the comprehensive plan for Van Wert City and County is moving forward and have been narrowed down to 2 finalists of which one will help develop the comprehensive plan.
Hurless asks for clarification on who is controlling QTS funds for the city. The mayor clarifies that only city council can approve funds being moved/used by the city. He went on to summarize PILOT payments and how those funds would be moved if the CRA would approve of such.
Streets and Alleys: Not present. Roberts reported nothing further.
Properties and Equipment: Agler continues to advocate for extending city water lines.
Parks and Recreation: No report.
Fleming reported that there is a contract in place for asphalt to complete the pickle ball courts.
Health, Service, and Safety: Constituents submitted complaints to Moore which were turned over to administration for further assessment.
Judiciary and Annexation: Hurless stated the solicitor and junk & rubbish ordinances are underway and will come to council soon.
Hurless made a motion to take 26-06-034 off the table. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to take 26-08-048 off the table. Johnson seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to take 26-08-049 off the table. Ringwald seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to take 26-07-039 off the table. Johnson seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to rescind 26-07-039. Roberts seconded; all concurred.
Questions and Comments from Council and Public:
Mark Davis, 402 S. Tyler, shared input and disagreeance with some proposals of the noise ordinances, most notable idling semi-trucks and industrial noise. Davis also brings up speed on Woodland and stop signs throughout the city and continues to ask for a speed reader and additional stop signs to slow down traffic.
Joe Jared, 233 Burt St., brought up dewatering during construction and wondered if that should be added specifically into the wells ordinance.
Jody Huth, 668 N. Walnut, suggests a 5-to-10-year plan to achieve the water line extension plan Agler would like to see. Second, Huth would like to see a representative from each ward to distribute funds from the QTS incentive plan. The mayor reminds Huth the goal would be to not have a board to allocate funds, but instead it would be part of the annual city budget to be approved by council.
Faith Wallace, 1014 E. Crawford St., shares input as well on disagreements with not allowing semi-truck idling. Another member of the public clarified the truck idling was specific to industrial areas along with current businesses being grandfathered into the ordinance. Agler agrees that any truck idling should be removed from the proposed noise ordinance.
Unfinished Business:
President Eikenbary is calling a Council of the Whole Meeting on October 12, 2026 at 5:45 p.m. strictly to discuss the two ordinances regarding noise: 26-08-048 and 26-08-049.
New Business:
President Eikenbary was notified from the Ohio Department of Commerce of a transfer of a liquor license on 885 N. Washington St. The transfer would be from the name Lassus Bros Oil, Inc to Ridi Stores, LLC. Council and public has 30 days to request hearing/disagreements to the transfer.
Additionally, Eikenbary shared a letter from ODOT to which they shared the selection of the intersection approvements at US Route 224 and Van Wert-Decatur Road west of the city of Van Wert in Van Wert County. After considering public feedback, ODOT selected off-centered roundabout with temporary right-of-way impacts. This project will follow the following tentative schedule: Fall ‘26/Winter ‘27, preliminary and detailed design, environmental studies, Winter ‘27, right-of-way aquisition, Summer ‘28-Fall ‘28, Construction.
Resolutions and Ordinances:
Third and Final Reading for Ordinance Number: 26-08-046; AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO FUND 301 AND 602. All concurred; Ordinance passed.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-06-034. Ringwald, Johnson and Hurless voted yes. Agler, Roberts and Moore voted no.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-08-048. All concurred.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-08-049. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-09-051. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-09-052. All concurred.
Agler made a motion to adjourn at 7:49 pm. Hurless seconded; all concurred.
MINUTES PASSED AT OCTOBER 12TH MEETING.