By Paula Pyzik Scott

Beginning with an organizational meeting held in a closed door executive session, the Village of Ada Council held its first meeting of the new year on January 7. Members of the public were present at both the council chambers and on Zoom.

The meeting included the Mayor’s annual state of the Village report, passage of legislation preparing for increases in water and sewer rates, discussion about future EMS traffic that will exit onto Gilbert St. and the 2024 Zoning Inspector’s report.

The meeting packet is provided on the Village of Ada website HERE.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor David Retterer presented his State of the Village address as required by the State of Ohio. He began by saying that Ada was “still a pretty damn good town with some challenges.” He listed the following highlights:

• Ada has an active chamber of commerce.
• The Community Improvement Corporation assists with commercial property development.
• With the closure of Rite Aid pharmacies, the Village is fortunate to have the Ohio Northern University pharmacy to provide prescription medications.
• The new Wilson sporting goods plant is “outrageously wonderful.” Six communities were considered for the new facility, but Ada’s experienced workforce kept the business here.
• New businesses include the Regal Beagle and the Old Route 69 Brewery (under construction).
• The Village has excellent water and waste water plants and operators.
• The Mayor commended the administrators for the Village, its finances and police department. 

Retterer concluded, “I think the Village is in great condition.” He advised, “If you don’t continue to maintain and improve, you go backwards.” He closed, “I applaud everyone.”

LEGISLATION
Council passed the first of three readings for four utility rate ordinances. Pages 19-30 of the council packet detail these ordinance amendments. This includes a memo from Village Administrator Jamie Hall which notes, “The ordinances reflect the rate schedule as presented in projection #4 (Waterworth rate study) and are as follows: 

Storm sewer rate ordinance - 0% increase for 2025 through 2029 and then 3% increase for 2030 and every year thereafter. 

Sanitary sewer rate ordinance – Combining the OMR rate with sewer usage rate with 0% increase for 2025 through 2029 and then 3% increase for 2030 and every year thereafter. 

Water rate ordinance – 12% increase for 2025 through 2029 and then 5% increase for 2030 and every year thereafter. 

Refund ordinance – Updating ordinance from 1983 - ‘Utility deposit refunds of $10.00 or less will not be made unless requested in writing.’ “

Council president Bob Simmons announced that the next regular council meeting will be held at 1200 S. Main St. (the larger meeting space at CHP Home Care & Hospice of Ada).

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Streets Committee - Jason Campbell reported on the December 19 joint meeting with Ada-Liberty EMS and Liberty Township representatives. Police Chief Alec Cooper is researching signs that would identify the presence of ambulance traffic on Gilbert St. Further research will help determine if parking opposite the ambulance bay will be allowed. The new building will likely be operational in March.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Ada Police Department - Chief Alec Cooper reported that since the last council meeting (December 17) officers had responded to 110 calls for service, made 7 incident and offense reports and responded to 2 vehicle crashes.

Council approved a 2025 membership agreement with the Owens Community College Center for Law Enforcement and Processional Development Training Consortium. (Packet pages 46-75.)

Zoning Inspector - Michele Chambers provided detailed reports on quarterly and annual Zoning Activity. The total value of Zoning permits issued in 2024 was $2,981,912.00, which included three home demolitions, two new homes and 11 sheds, as well as demolition of a portion of the Cole Motos building and a $1,000,000.00 commercial addition at 120 E Buckeye. (Packet pages 76-91.)