March 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, Agler, Moore and Marshall were present.

Ringwald made a motion to dismiss Bowers and Roberts. Moore seconded; all concurred.

Agler made a motion to approve tonight’s Consent Agenda and minutes from the March 10th meeting. Marshall seconded; all concurred.

SCHEDULED PUBLIC SPEAKERS

Rob Richards and Ron Calayo, Co-Owners of R Place Stone Grill were present at tonight’s meeting. The two of them discussed bringing a restaurant to downtown Van Wert and summarized the made from scratch food and aspirations they have for the business including 39 employees. There will be an expansion to come to add more tables to be able to hold more people at a time.

Moore asked about a potential Bourbon tasting experience within the restaurant to which Richards answered it’s a good possibility down the road. Another potential is a smoker for more food options.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

MAYOR: Mr. Markward reports on Chapter 113, an old ordinance that talks about conducting a going out of business sale that dates back to the 1930’s. At one point it must have been seen as a problem, so council implemented a ordinance that has since been amended a few times. As far back as the mayor could see, this was never even used and he is giving council the option to entertain rescinding this ordinance.

Markward also reminds council with only 5 members present they will be unable to suspend rules for one of the pending ordinances.

SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR: Mr. Fleming reported brush pick up scheduled for Monday May 5th, July 14th and September 15th. This will also be announced on the water bills in April and potentially May.

The Main St. Water project is going well. The city building will be out of water for approximately four hours tomorrow while that is getting hooked up to the main line.

March 31 will mark the day the light will be turned to a two way stop at Main and Cherry.

AUDITOR: Ms. Blackmore reported a Then & Now to Sedgwick in the amount of $3465.00 for enrollment fees she would like to get passed tonight.

The auditor also reported most everyone has completed sunshine law training, but once completed, get the certificate to her immediately so it does not get lost; it is difficult to obtain after the fact.

Fraud risk assessments have been sent out to a few members and this is a requirement to complete. The state auditor accepts this via email or you can call him on the phone to complete.

Financial disclosure statements must be done once annually. This is done on the Ohio Ethics Commission and cannot be tracked by the auditor.

3 audits are currently happening within the city. Today the OPERS audit was completed and the auditor said it went smoothly. There is a fire/EMS audit taking place tomorrow and we were randomly selected due to the grant given for the cots. The state audit will occur some time in the near future.

LAW DIRECTOR:  Not present. Mrs. Moore reported on the blighted properties giving updates on each.

COMMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS: 

Joe Jared, 113 W. Main, expressed concern on disclosing the blighted property addresses during Moore’s report. President Eikenbary stated Moore cleared saying addresses in her report with the President prior to the meeting.

Mark Davis, 402 S. Tyler, asked Mr. Fleming for an update on a speed survey on Frothingham for concern on high speeds. Fleming shared the city just received their equipment to be able to conduct these properly.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

FINANCE: Mrs. Ringwald made a motion to accept the Then & Now as presented by the city auditor. Agler seconded; all concurred.

STREETS AND ALLEYS: No report.

JUDICIARY AND ANNEXATION: Not present. Mr. Marshall has no report.

Kallas made a motion to rescind the ordinance referring to the Chapter 113 on going out of business. Agler seconded; all concurred.

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT: No report.

PARKS AND RECREATION: Not present. Mrs. Moore has no report.

HEALTH, SERVICE AND SAFETY: Moore reported a few additional properties to potentially add to the blighted property list. Those were passed along to administration for review.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: No report.

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL and PUBLIC: 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Ringwald brought up from the prior meeting, zooming in to council meeting and how that would count toward attendance. She was clarifying that the law states in person presence must be required to vote. She asks if council could propose an Ordinance to change this. Mayor Markward states ordinances cannot be made that go against Ohio Revised Code. Overall agreement was made that a person must be present to be counted as present and vote.

NEW BUSINESS: None.

RESOLUTIONS & ORDINANCES:

Ringwald made a motion to prepare an ordinance to move $180,000 in the form of a supplemental appropriation to fund 101 and declaring an emergency.

Ringwald made a motion to introduce Ordinance Number: 25-03-012. Kallas seconded; all concurred.

Agler made a motion to adjourn at 7:03 p.m. Kallas seconded; all concurred.