October 12, 2026 Minutes passed October 26, 2026
Council President Pro Tempore Eric Hurless called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Hurless gave the invocation.
On call of the roll: Ringwald, Johnson, Block, Agler, Roberts, Moore and Hurless were present.
Roberts made a motion to approve tonight’s consent agenda and regular meeting minutes from September 28, 2026 meeting. Johnson seconded; all concurred.
Scheduled Public Speakers:
Dylan Worden is a project manager for the company Standard Fintech and met Mr. Eric Hurless online and was asked to speak at a council meeting. Worden is proposing ways to cut the city’s electric and fuel costs with a federal payment that ends in 2027. Worden has helped Paulding County with energy saving products at the County Jail. Worden briefly explained how House Bill 303 works, how residents could potentially subscribe to smaller local solar projects and receive bill credits. Worden believes that Van Wert could have an important voice in the discussion as the bill moves through legislature. Worden specifically advocates to utilize brown field versus farm ground or green grass areas. The material provided by Worden is attached.
Moore asked about life expectancy of panels to which Worden quotes around 30-40 years with panels that produce from both sides. Worden clarifies that there is a warranty for 25 years.
Johnson asks about the subscription fee specific to HB 303. Worden explains that residents who lock in with this energy would have a credit onto their bill.
Administrative Reports:
Mayor: Markward reviewed CRA processes. A letter was received by the Council on Aging opposing a granting of a tax abatement for QTS (attached) which sparked the conversation. The mayor clarified that if council grants tax abatements, it does not lessen the amount that is received by schools or other city funded businesses. A tax abatement is only granted on the increased value, not on the current value of land.
Safety Service Director: Fleming stated the Blaine Street sewer project will begin this week.
Several manholes on Washington Street will be getting raised to be up to grade. The work will happen at night to help with avoiding traffic.
Fleming also thanked the police, state patrol, CERT Team, Sheriff’s Department and all other entities involved in a serious situation that happened since the last council meeting that ended with no one harmed.
City Auditor: Blackmore reviewed September financials. Blackmore reviewed property tax revenue specifically and points out that $45,000 less was received this year due to the expected tax reduction.
Blackmore is requesting the Law Director split the supplemental appropriations due to several listed items on one ordinance needing to be passed as an emergency which was turned down last meeting due to some timing conflicts with one item while the other several others were time sensitive. Hatcher stated changes can be made if necessary after votes tonight.
Hurless requested information on what the general trend was for the city in fourth quarter to which Blackmore stated it’s normal to fluctuate, but this year has been a high spending year, but expects the rest of the year to be steady.
Law Director: Hatcher asked council to look at the draft ordinance –053. He summarized changes made to the draft including removal of language that did not belong.
Agler asked how the Main Street Building Court case went. Hatcher answered that the owner made an agreement with the land bank and the case was dismissed.
Lisa Luginbill asked if there will be a “through” street behind the hotel being built on Bonnewitz. Fleming answered that that is part of the construction plan. Additionally, Luginbill proposes “beautifying” the railroad blocks throughout town. Fleming stated he will look into it.
Committee Reports:
Finance: Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 26-10-053. Block seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to suspend statutory rules. Block seconded; all concurred.
Ringwald made a motion to pass on it’s first and final reading, Ordinance Number: 26-10-053; AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS, AWARD CONTRACTS, AND SIGN CONTRACTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF VAN WERT FOR THE STORM SEWER CONSTRUCTION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Block seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
Ringwald made a motion to suspend statutory rules on Ordinance Number: 26-09-052. Moore seconded. Ringwald, Johnson, Agler, Roberts, Moore and Hurless voted yes. Block voted no.
Ringwald made a motion to pass, on it’s second and final reading, Ordinance Number: 26-09-052; AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS TO FUND 101, 212, AND 301 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Moore seconded. Ringwald, Johnson, Agler, Roberts, Moore and Hurless voted yes. Block voted no.
Economic Development: No report.
Streets and Alleys: Block desires to restart with noise ordinances that are currently on their Third and Final Reading since there would be an extensive amount of amending needing to be done.
Block made a motion to prepare a new noise ordinance on Chapter 102. Agler seconded; Ringwald, Johnson, Block, Agler and Hurless voted yes. Roberts and Moore voted no.
Block made a motion to prepare an ordinance amending Chapter 72 of traffic noise. Ringwald seconded; all concurred.
Block made a motion to amend Ordinance Number: 26-06-034 section C, #4 to change the word “available” to “unavailable”. This was the original intention and just a typing error. Hurless seconded. Block, Hurless, Ringwald, and Johnson voted yes. Agler, Roberts and Moore voted no.
Block made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 26-10-055. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Block made a motion to suspend rules. Ringwald seconded; all concurred.
Block made a motion to pass, on it’s first and final reading, Ordinance Number: 26-10-055; AN ORDINANCE ENACTED BY THE CITY OF VAN WERT, OHIO, HEREINAFTER TO APPROVE PRELIINARY LEGISLATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF LEESON AVENUE INCLUDING, CURB, GUTTER, SIDEWALK, STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AND FILLING IN THE DITCH ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LEESON AVENUE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Ringwald seconded; all concurred. Ordinance passed.
Properties and Equipment: Agler continues to be extremely vocal on his position that he believes the city should be extending water lines to any part of the city that is annexed at the cost of the city.
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 city auditor received two pending annexation petitions in records on August 26, 2026 along with zoning petitions. She advised council on September 14, 2026 of the receipt.
Hurless made motion to have the law director prepare an ordinance accepting the petition of the annexation agreement for approximately 684 acres in Ridge Township, North of Van Wert, as an emergency. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to prepare an ordinance to approve a conditional zoning petition I2 zoning area for approximately 684 acres in Ridge Township, North of Van Wert, as an emergency. Aglre seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to have the law director prepare an ordinance accepting the petition of the annexation agreement for approximately 156 acres in Pleasant Township, South of Van Wert, as an emergency. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to prepare an ordinance to approve a conditional zoning petition I2 zoning area for approximately 156 acres in Pleasant Township, South of Van Wert, as an emergency. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 26-10-054. Ringwald seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 26-10-056. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Hurless made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 26-10-057. Agler seconded; all concurred.
Questions and Comments from Council and Public:
Mark Davis, 402 S. Tyler, is requesting a “highlighted” version of the junk and rubbish ordinance to be able to more easily understand what is being changed/ revoked/ added. Davis also was asking about land North of Van Wert Walmart and whether or not the signs needed updated since it is now annexed into the city. Fleming stated the signs are ready and just need erected. Davis requested if Fleming could have a flashing sign coming from both directions of the school sign by Vantage.
Faith Wallace, 1014 E. Crawford St., asked for clarification on the noise ordinance and if the final readings plan to be turned down tonight. Hurless clarified the intention is to start over since the current format/wording will be too much to amend.
Unfinished Business: As President Pro Tempore, Hurless reminds council and public of the Public Hearing for Conditional Zoning Petition that will occur on October 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 515 E. Main St. Van Wert, OH 45891. This meeting will be held for two separate Conditional Zoning Petitions including approximately 684 acres in Ridge Township, North of Van Wert and approximately 156 acres in Pleasant Township, South of Van Wert. Notice was provided to the public 30 days prior to the hearing via website, newspaper and at a previous council meeting. Letters were also mailed to respective adjacent landowners.
New Business: NONE
Resolutions and Ordinances:
Third and Final Reading for Ordinance Number: 26-08-048; AN ORDINANCE AMENDING VAN WERT CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 72 TRAFFIC RULES. All council members voted no. Ordinance dies.
Third and Final Reading for Ordinance Number: 26-08-049; AN ORDINANCE ENACTING VAN WERT CODE OF ORDINANCES BY CHAPTER 102 NOISE. All council members voted no. Ordinance dies.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-06-034. Ringwald, Block and Hurless voted yes. Johnson, Agler, Roberts and Moore voted no.
Second Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-09-051. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-10-054. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-10-056. All concurred.
First Reading Advisory for Ordinance Number: 26-10-057. All concurred.
Johnson made a motion to adjourn at 7:49 pm. Block seconded; all concurred.
MINUTES PASSED AT OCTOBER 26TH MEETING.