November 10, 2025 Minutes passed November 24, 2025
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, Kallas, Bowers, Agler, Roberts and Marshall were present.
Agler made a motion to approve tonight’s Consent Agenda and minutes from the October 27th meeting. Moore seconded; all concurred.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC SPEAKERS
Andrew Davis and Steve Bailey from the Van Wert County regional airport were in attendance at the council meeting. Davis referenced an email sent to council prior to tonight’s meeting giving a summary of his proposal. The proposal being a request of $40,000 from the city, to match last year’s request. These monies are used for operating expenses throughout the year. Davis shared that The Airport has a commitment from the County Commissioners to match the city contribution each year. Davis gave an update on current projects, operations, goals and grants occurring at and for the airport.
Agler made a motion to grant the request of Davis by providing The Van Wert County Regional Airport with $40,000.00 with city funds by adding it to the 2026 budget. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
MAYOR: Mr. Markward shared that leaf pickup will begin two weeks from tonight on November 24th and will run continuously for four weeks; not to be confused with a brush pick-up.
City offices will be closed tomorrow for Veteran’s Day.
SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR: Mr. Fleming reminded council that an ODOT Ordinance that was prepared will need passed tonight as an emergency. Additionally, the engineering department has a Ford Explorer they wish to auction off which will require an Ordinance (-052) the law director is requesting to be passed tonight.
Plans for THM Correction at the Water Plant went to EPA on Friday to be reviewed. This work will take place at some point next summer once approved. Blowers, mixers and bubblers have already been installed in water towers in preparation for the project.
Fleming shared ribbons with council representing neuroendocrine cancer in remembrance of his son on the 6 month anniversary of his passing.
Agler inquired on water level concerns in the reservoir. Fleming stated December, January and February are typically recharge months for the reservoirs and we’re currently sitting around half full. Concerns and issues do not arise until the reservoir reaches around 10 feet.
AUDITOR: Mrs. Blackmore went over an end of year schedule to share 3 ordinances that should be ready to go through 3 readings for the last 3 meetings of the year, but still prepared as an emergency. The first of three being the 2026 budget, she plans to have a second draft to council by next Friday; including all funding requests. The second of the three ordinances is the safety, service and municipal court salaries. The final ordinance being end of year transfers.
LAW DIRECTOR: Mr. Hatcher updated council on THC being sold at convenience stores. Hatcher shared there is a statewide litigation to stop this practice of selling this product with low level THC. There is currently a 90 day hold on any prohibition to sell it; this “hold” expires on December 2 unless further action is taken in court before then.
Agler asked Hatcher if the property owner on Chesnut and Central has been notified on the status of their blighted property. Hatcher confirmed yes.
COMMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE: Ringwald made a motion to prepare, as an emergency, the budget appropriation. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to prepare, as an emergency, a salary ordinance for safety. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to prepare, as an emergency, a salary ordinance for service. Moore seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to prepare, as an emergency, a salary ordinance for municipal court. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to prepare, as an emergency, end of year transfers. Bowers seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 25-11-049. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 25-11-050. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to pass on it’s first and final reading, Ordinance Number: 25-11-050; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE FOR THE COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT INCOME TAXES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Kallas seconded; all concurred. Ordinance Passed.
STREETS AND ALLEYS: Kallas made a motion to have the law director prepare an ordinance for construction of a pathway/sidewalk along Fox Rd/State Route 127, as an emergency. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Kallas made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 25-11-051. Ringwald seconded; all concurred.
Kallas made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Ringwald seconded; all concurred.
Kallas made a motion that Ordinance Number: 25-11-051; AN ORDINANCE ENACTED BY THE CITY OF VAN WERT, OHIO, HEREINAFTER TO APPROVE PRELIMINARY LEGISLATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SHARED USE PATH AND SIDEWALK ALONG FOX ROAD AND ON US 127 (SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET) INCLUDING CURB RAMPS AND CROSSWALK LYING WITHIN THE CITY OF VAN WERT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Ringwald seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
JUDICIARY AND ANNEXATION: Bowers made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number 25-11-048. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT: Agler made a motion for the law director to prepare, as an emergency, an ordinance to allow the Safety Service Director to auction a Ford Explorer from the engineering office. Roberts seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number 25-11-052. Roberts seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Roberts seconded; all concurred.
Agler made a motion to pass, on it’s first and final reading, Ordinance Number 25-11-052; AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE AND TO SELL THE CITY’S UNUSED, UNNEEDED, OBSOLETE, OR UNFIT VEHICLES BY INTERNET AUCTION, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Roberts seconded; all concurred. Ordinance Passed.
PARKS AND RECREATION: No report.
HEALTH, SERVICE AND SAFETY: No report.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: No report.
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL and PUBLIC: Hall Block, 401 S. Washington St., is advising council to do more review on Ordinance Number 25-10-047 where council is reading to update private/public definitions in the Code of Ordinances. Secondly, he reminds council that just a year ago, he came to council about some updates to the Crawford/Washington intersection where a child had been hit by a vehicle while attempting to cross the road. This instance has unfortunately occurred again even after the city took some measures to attempt to slow drivers down at this intersection. Block is reminding council of some ideas he brought to council last year along with ideas from other city residents including a “raised” intersection similar to a speed bump, narrowing the roads, rumple strips, flashing/warning lights, paint “slow” on intersection, a cross guard, and many other options to make things safer. The mayor clarifies that the definition change was intentional and shared the scenario of the pedestrian/child that was hit.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: President Eikenbary reminded everyone of the public hearing in the council chambers at 6:15 on December 8th for two zoning changes. One with WWKL Holdings for an Edwards St. Parcel going from an R-2 to I-2 zoning and second, with Toasted Buckeye, LLC for a parcel on Route 127 going from R-2 to B-3.
RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:
Third and Final Reading for Resolution Number: 25-10-043; A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RATES FOR EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION AND EMPLOYER’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CITY OF VAN WERT’S HEALTHCARE PROGRAM AND HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA) PROGRAM EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 1, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Ringwald, Kallas, Bowers, Agler, Moore and Marshall voted yes. Roberts abstained due to conflict of interest. Ordinance passed.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 25-10-047. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 25-11-048. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 25-11-049. All concurred.
Agler made a motion to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Kallas seconded; all concurred.
MINUTES PASSED AT NOVEMBER 24 MEETING.