At the regular meeting of the Ada Council on February 7, all council members–Sean Beck, Jason Campbell, Sheila Coressel, Linda Mason, Jeff Oestreich and Bob Simmons– were present. Also present were Police Chief Alec Cooper, Village Administrator Jamie Hall, Zoning Inspector Michael Harnishfeger, and Fiscal Officer Patty J. Navin.
Supporting documents can be found HERE on the village website.
BILLS
Three claims registers were paid including 2023-3A $63,088.52; 2023-3B $57,608.75 Payroll for February 4, 2023 and 2023-3C $14,198.20.
Discussion included questions about Taser purchases. Chief Cooper noted that remanufactured units are being purchased.
OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC
The three guests did not address the council.
RESOLUTIONS
Council approved a resolution “Declaring the Official Intent and Reasonable Expectation of the Village of Ada on Behalf of the State of Ohio (The Borrower) To Reimburse its Construction Fund for the Grandview Boulevard Road Reconstruction project, Project Number CT65Z/CT66Z with the Proceeds of Tax-Exempt Debt of the State of Ohio.” There was no discussion. Beck and Mason abstained from voting.
Council unanimously passed “A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Agreement for Engineering Services for the Ada Water Treatment Plant Improvements Project.”
ORDINANCES
Jamie Hall introduced a resolution to request bids for lease of 33 acres of farmland owned by the village. The current farmer is not able to farm this land. Council unanimously approved legislation by emergency The village will advertise the opportunity for two weeks and award the contract on March 7. The 2019 contract extension was for $276/acre.
NEW BUSINESS
Jeff Oestreich noted that the planning commission meeting earlier that evening approved the rezoning of three parcels from R2 to I2 for Wilson Sporting Goods plant expansion. He also called for a public hearing to allow public comment to be scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on March 21.
Oestreich also called for a committee meeting of the whole on FEb 21 to discuss a proposed water system backflow and cross connection ordinance as required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Safety - Jeff Oestreich: Council approved an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel with no action expected. Council approved a motion to remove Patrolman Sturgill from probationary status.
Buildings and Grounds - Sheila Coressel: Council approved scheduling meeting later that evening to discuss technology updates.
Coressel asked the Village Administrator to apply for a Hardin County Community Foundation grant for two shower benches for the municipal pool. Hall noted that the pool has a zero entry approach with handrails and that the shower stalls have bars but they are inconvenient for those who are unable to stand. He also noted that the Village would provide labor and materials for installation.
Utilities - Sean Beck: A large water bill adjustment was made for a property on S. Johnson. The $1,700 adjustment was for a leak inside the foundation.
Jamie Hall presented a request from a residential property owner to have prorated utility billing when there is no tenant. He noted that the Village carefully considers such requests and that staff will continue to discuss creating this option. Currently some property owners close and reopen accounts to avoid minimum charges. If there is usage detected, such as for repairs or other unplanned activity, the Village automatically reopens the account.
VILLAGE DEPARTMENTS
Police Department - Chief Alec Cooper noted that officers were presented with award ribbons this week. This is the first time that commendation ribbons have been worn on Ada uniforms.
The Chief summarized calls for service, which totaled 85 since the prior meeting, including traffic and parking tickets, arrests, five offenses and one crash. One arrest resulted in charges of resisting arrest and destruction of Village property–the partition in the holding cell.
An injury accident occurred involving an individual from Arizona. He was not breathing and had no pulse. Using an AED and CPR, the officers saved the man’s life.
Administration - Jamie Hall reported that there have been 296 responses to the Village’s request for information on private wells, irrigations systems and backflow prevention. The Village is required to create a list of customer locations with private wells and auxiliary systems.
Hall noted that resuming the annual 2% rate increase on utilities will be on February bills, due March 10.
On a final note, Hall was happy to report that he a request for an additional street light at 111 E Lima would be granted. His inspection showed that comparable mid-block locations have lights. There is already a pole at the location and AEP will not charge for installation. The only added cost is for electricity.
