By Alec Keller

The Village of Ada Council met in regular session on August 18. The meeting was conducted by Mayor Dave Retter with all council members present. The meeting packet is here. Two executive sessions were held to discuss employment and economic development. No action followed the executive session on economic development.

RESIDENT CRITICIZES FIRE MARSHAL REPORT
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Ada resident Kevin Wagner addressed council regarding a report on the fire that destroyed the Viva Maria restaurant, two apartments and the former Cask Room bar. Wagner said the Ohio Division of the State Fire Marshal’s incident report includes the statement “During the course of this investigation, no criminal activity was uncovered.” Wagner claims this is a lie. He also asked why the individuals who were displaced weren’t on the news. Wagner said the council president had prevented Wagner from giving a report on what he claimed were "discrepancies" in the incident report, because he is neither a firefighter or a formal investigator.

CHAMBER DIRECTOR INTRODUCED
Tom Murphy, the new director of the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce, made an appearance to introduce himself to council. Murphy mentioned that it is a “big week” with the Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival on August 22. Murphy said that he has been in Ada for about 10 months. He is from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and is a consultant for higher education.

ORDINANCES
Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to vacate Eric Wolber Avenue within the Village of Ada. This action connected with the installation of a rail spur on the south side of Configure Brands’ facility.

Council also approved the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting public urination within the village. It will be enforced as a minor misdemeanor, with the penalty limited to a fine.

PERSONNEL
Council held an executive session to discuss terms of employment and then approved a motion to increase the chief of police’s salary to $91,520 annually.

STREETS
Council member Lucas Rowe reported discussions from the streets committee meeting regarding stop signs and crosswalks in the Village. Rowe asked if Police Chief Alec Cooper had any information on audible crosswalks since the last meeting. Cooper said that he is waiting on a direct quote, and he was told that installing an audible crosswalk would be $3,000 per installation, but estimated $6,000 for installing them at Highland, Lincoln and College avenues. Rowe asked if there was any possible grant funds to be used in this project. Cooper replied that he is sure there “may be some ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) grants out there.”

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Council member Sean Beck asked legal counsel Jane Napier if Council needs to extend the Data Center Moratorium. Napier said the moratorium, which prohibits the construction of data centers in the village, was passed on April 7. Napier wants to revisit the Moratorium in September, since it expires in October. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Alec Cooper said that since the last council meeting, the department has initiated or responded to 121 calls for service, took 13 incident offense reports, and 0 accident reports. Cooper updated the council on a project to add key fob-accessed doors to the police department facility. The Hardin County Municipal Court has agreed to fund the purchase of equipment, including four printers, for the e-citation project. Cooper said the court has done this for other municipalities in the county as well. 

Cooper updated council on the success of National Night Out, which was hosted by the Ada Police Department on August 5. Cooper said they received great feedback from the event and said 176 area youth had been “sworn in” as junior officers. He jokingly said that the department now has the “biggest auxiliary force in the state.”