By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Village of Ada Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 15 will all council members present and council president Bob Simmons presiding. Meeting packet is provided at https://www.adaoh.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/combined_7.15.25.pdf 

OPEN FLOOR
During the public comment opportunity, Ada resident Kevin Wagner presented his ideas on providing water for a single flat rate for commercial and residential customers. He said, “We should take care of people first. Residents are paying for businesses’ water.” Council and legal counsel Jane Napier discussed infrastructure costs. Wagner also raised the subject of a Zoning ordinance that prohibits alcohol sales within a certain distance of churches and schools. Napier responded that state authority has superseded local ordinances since 2021 but that “laws change all the time,” so the ordinance will stay on the books.

ORDINANCES
Council approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing council salaries from January 1, 2026-December 31, 2029.

COMMITTEES
Reporting for the Streets committee, Linda Mason said that following the July 1 committee of the whole meeting to discuss on-street parking near the EMS facilities on N. Gilbert, that they are working on a resolution of needs and requirements with no timeline set for a decision.

Buildings and Grounds chair Jason Campbell presented a motion to accept free swim during the Farmers & Merchants Picnic from 1-8 p.m. The Ada Lions Club will pay for the first 300 in attendance. Council approved the motion.

ADMINISTRATION
Police Chief Alec Cooper reported the following activity since the last council meeting: 68 calls for service,  3 incident reports, 0 accidents. He noted the second quarter Community Policing activity report by Officer Penny Keller Clark, packet pages 17-19.

Zoning Inspector Michele Chambers noted that she has received lots of inquiries on vacant properties for duplex and triplex developments, but that in most cases the properties aren’t large enough. Open building permits and permits issued during the second quarter of 2025 are in the council packet, pages 29-30.

On behalf of Code Enforcement Officer Clayton Eichman, Chief Cooper said there have been some issues with “street grass” mowing on Grandview Blvd. A log of code enforcement work for the second quarter of 2025 is on pages 31-34 of the packet.

Village Administrator Amanda Sears updated council on S. Gilbert storm sewer and sidewalk projects.

Last week Sears participated in a committee for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) with Allen, Hancock, Putnam and Van Wert counties. A housing coalition has been formed to create a housing study. The plan is to inventory the cost, age, value and type of existing housing and to gauge buyer wants.

Council entered an executive session. The Icon will amend this article if resulting action is received.