By Paula Scott

The Ada Village Council met on Tuesday, November 21 to hear from the public, consider legislation and receive staff reports. The meeting was conducted by Mayor Dave Retterer. Councilor Jason Campbell’s absence was excused by vote of council.

During public comments, Liberty Township board president Bob Szuch provided a list of proposed War Memorial Park improvements that will be part of grant applications. Szuch noted that grats will be available for fall 2024. He encouraged everyone to visit the park, noting that it saves the Ada Schools thousands of dollars. The schools rent sports facilities at the park.

Szuch asked the mayor and council for a letter or proclamation of support. Grants are typically a matching agreement. The Park Board is lining up funding for half of the total, $1.43M. 

Stadium lighting - $220,000.00
• 60-year old switches have failed 

East restrooms - $200,000.00
• No restrooms are near the baseball fields

Shelter house #2 - $240,000.00
• 63-year old shelter house requires replacement

Concession stand - $350,000.00
•  Old concession is unhealthy and unsafe; replacement would have bathrooms accessible to persons with disabilities.

Storage Building - $200,000.00
• Park equipment is exposed in all weather

Playground Equipment - $120,000.00
• New equipment that is accessible to person with disabilities

New blacktop sidewalks - $100.000.00

Stadium has no paved surface from home and visitor stands to restrooms and concessions, limiting access for persons with disabilities.

During public comments resident Kim Broekemeier passed out a summary of comments made about cat nuisances from a November 6 meeting (attached) and noted that the Facebook group Bulldogs for Alley Cats has been created to provide a forum for the community. (An article on the Safety Services committee meeting that followed and indefinitely tabled the proposed cat ordinance on this will be posted to the Icon.)

OLD BUSINESS
An opportunity to put electricity and natural gas billing aggregation on the spring 2024 primary ballot has a December deadline. Council agreed to wait so that public meetings can be scheduled to invite community feedback.

NEW BUSINESS
Councilor Bob Simmons thanked donors who made Magic on Main holiday decorations a 2023 reality. The village had expected this to be a 3-year project. Donors will receive invitations to a special recognition event.

STAFF REPORTS
Fiscal officer Patty Navin reported that YTD tax receipts are up 5.8% over 2022.

Police Chief Alex Cooper reported that since the last council meeting there were 79 calls for service, 15 offenses, 2 accidents and 3 arrests with transport to jail. He noted that updated expectations for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse are some 3 times the current number of residents to be present in Hardin County.

The meeting lasted from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Ada Council is Tuesday, December 5.