September 22, 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, Moore and Marshall were present.
Bowers made a motion to approve tonight’s Consent Agenda and minutes from the September 8th meeting. Agler seconded; all concurred.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC SPEAKERS
Joe Jared, 113 W. Main St., spoke EPA arbitrary lead limits in water. Jared requested the Law Director review a court hearing of Mays vs Snyder. Jared is also requesting that lead detection in city plumbing be listed under unfinished business for the duration of the issue.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
MAYOR: Mr. Markward reported one informational item on trash vouchers. As of today 129 vouchers were used. As a reminder, the voucher is good through September 30th.
SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR: Mr. Fleming reported brush pick up will continue until the whole city has had an opportunity to be picked up.
Mill crew will begin grinding for paving October 2nd for around 10 days. Bids came back low enough a few other streets will be added to paving including: Spencer Street from Walnut to Williams, all of 2nd Street and a couple blocks of Temple Street will be added to the paving list. PSA for Walnut, this street will be milled and then chip and sealed until it can be addressed further down the road.
Fleming also provided print-outs to council on several property annexation requests. The first page highlights properties on Dutch John Road in relation to the BDC acquiring property to expand Vision Park. The BDC has requested that that be annexed into the city. Another 47 acres is highlighted on this page that is the city’s dump site and wastewaters equalization basin property that they acquired several years ago. Fleming is requesting this be annexed into the city as it was not when it was originally acquired. The next page, shows a subdivision likely to be sold where the city has negotiated a 60 foot right-of-way to allow a road to be constructed from Vision Dr. to Dutch John Road. The BDC or seller will dedicate the property to the city once there is an owner. The final page shows 2.5 acres connected to Smiley park that the city purchased early this year that needs annexed into the city.
AUDITOR: Blackmore reported August Financials.
She also reported one that one of the amounts on the previous “Then & Now” was incorrect, so it is being redone tonight. One invoice will be paid to J&K Communications for Radio Upgrades for the fire department in the amount of $18,397.25. A second invoice for $6,010.00 will be paid to Fire Safety Services for Fit testing.
Mrs. Blackmore also presented several supplemental appropriations that will need passed tonight via ordinances. Supplemental appropriations with items covering: inflation, technology upgrades to several departments that are being required to upgrade to Windows 11 including a server upgrade, new tax software for the city (a requirement due to the old software being retired at year end), fire department donation, and a change in insurance at municipal court.
Health Insurance Rate will be increasing by 5% for full time employees. The city pays 87% of employee premiums.
Lastly, Council all received an email from the State of Ohio on stating city employees need to take a cyber security course which the auditor is aware of and on top of.
LAW DIRECTOR: Mr. Hatcher announced travel plans and he potentially will miss the next meeting.
COMMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
Mark Davis, 402 S. Tyler St., asked how the vouchers are billed to the city. The mayor stated it is on a per load basis. Additionally he thanked Fleming for Spencer St. being paved.
Joe Jared, 113 W. Main St., rementioned the law director reviewing the Mays vs. Snyder 2016 case.
Andrew Davis, on behalf of the Van Wert Airport Board, is here thanking the city for their contribution for the additional runway funds. He also stated ODOT is releasing large funds of money which the Airport plans to request/utilize including a fuel tank expansion and maintenance vehicle storage/weather protection,
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE: Ringwald made a motion to pass the Then & Now’s suggested by the city auditor. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to have the law director prepare an ordinance to allow the city auditor to make supplemental appropriations to accounts 101, 201, 301, 305, 601, 602, & 840 and declaring such as an emergency. Roberts seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance No. 25-09-041. 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 No. 25-09-041: AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO FUNDS 101, 201 301, 305, 601, 602 AND 840, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Agler seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 25-09-039. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 25-09-040. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion for the law director to prepare an ordinance on health insurance rates effective January 1, 2026 as an emergency. Agler seconded; all concurred.
STREETS AND ALLEYS: No report.
JUDICIARY AND ANNEXATION: No report.
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT: No report.
PARKS AND RECREATION: No report.
HEALTH, SERVICE AND SAFETY: Moore explained that after having a meeting with administration, they feel as though Ordinances -036 & -037 have penalties that seem to go “backwards” instead of becoming more strict. Moore is proposing that the option/penalty of jail time be added back into the ordinance. The law director gave council and public a reminder of how penalties and jail time would work with this ordinance.
Agler made a motion to amend Ordinance 25-08-036 to add jail time to the fourth offense. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Moore made a motion to amend Ordinance 25-08-037 to add jail time to the fourth offense. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: No report.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL and PUBLIC: None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number 25-08-036. All concurred.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number 25-08-037. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number 25-09-039. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number 25-09-040. All concurred.
Agler made a motion to adjourn at 7:27 p.m. Bowers seconded; all concurred.