By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Village of Ada Council met in regular session on May 19. The meeting was conducted by Mayor Dave Retterer. Among discussions and legislation, Council learned about the Village’s response to a large water main break near the entrance to War Memorial Park on Sunday, May 17. Council approved making a donation to the June 28 Patriotic Pops.

The meeting packet is available here.

WATER MAIN BREAK
Mayor Retterer, Council member Xander Wells and Village Administrator Amanda Sears each spoke about the exceptional service provided by Public Works employees in response to the May 17 water main break. A 12” water main developed a 10-foot crack. This occurred across the street from the new concession stand.

Sears explained that the Village decided to turn off water to some residents because it was flooding yards. Nine homes were without water, so crews began work immediately and worked through the night. Columbia Gas didn’t arrive until next morning, so they had to work very cautiously.

Sears also issued the reminder to stay out of work zones. If anyone goes across barricades, work has to stop. Repairs were slowed by two hours to people not paying attention. She noted that this was two hours without water and two hours of overtime.

OPEN FLOOR
Resident Kevin Wagner addressed Council about what he characterized as “administrative obfuscation.” He asked for the manufacturer and model number of the Ada Police Department’s NVR system (Network Video Recorder). Wagner also asked for proof that the resignation of Village Administrator Amanda Sears was not related to his presentation at the May 5 Council meeting. Wagner left the meeting after speaking.

During her report later in the meeting, Sears said that she has resigned to take a position with the Village of Gibsonburg to be closer to her family and that her resignation was submitted before Wagner’s presentation.

Becca Hibbard presented a request from the Ada Schools asking to close Grand Ave. from Turner to Montford for the Patriotic Pops concert on June 28. The schools were asked to send letters to the residences that would be impacted, and Police Chief Alec Cooper said that his department would place flyers on the windshields of cars the night before.

RESOLUTIONS
Council approved accepting a bid in the amount of $137,663 from Bluffton Paving Inc. for the 2026 Village of Ada Street Paving Project.

OLD BUSINESS
Council discussed how to spend $3,500 awarded by Hardin County for America 250 celebrations and approved a $2,338 donation to the June 28 Patriotic Pops concert featuring the Lima Symphony Orchestra and $1,162 for 20 “Home of the Free” banners for Main St. A request for funding for fireworks had not been received.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Safety Services
Council approved a request from the Ada Police Department to donate use of the Municipal Pool at War Memorial Park for the Village’s first celebration of National Night Out on Wednesday, August 5.

Committee member Sheila Coressel scheduled a meeting on June 2 after the regular meeting to discuss whether Council should create a policy on public urination.

Personnel
Following a 15-minute executive session, Council approved hiring Madeline Kelly as a full-time police officer and Kaitlyn Marshall as a part-time police officer.

Buildings and Grounds
On behalf of council member Sean Beck, who was not present, Amanda Sears presented a request from the Ada Lions Club to pay for the first 300 swimmers at the Municipal Pool during the Farmers & Merchants Picnic on Saturday, August, 8. Last year, the number admitted exceeded 300 for the first time. Council asked that users with pool passes not be counted to provide the greatest benefit.

Ada Police Department
Chief Alec Cooper reported that since the last council meeting, there were 125 calls for service, 11 incident and offense reports and 1 vehicle accident. He said there were several calls about parties during the past weekend, which was the end of ONU’s spring semester and graduation weekend.

Village Administration
Amanda Sears noted that Spectrum has requested a permit to dig in the right-of-way. A date for work has not yet been set.

The public portion of the meeting ended at 7:45 p.m. for an executive session with no action expected.

NEXT MEETING
6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2.