The April 5 meeting of the Ada Village Council began at 6:15 p.m., fifteen minutes ahead of the usual time, for an 2021 audit exit conference with Julian Grube. The audit was filed last week. This meeting ended at 6:33 p.m., followed immediately by the Regular Council meeting called to order by Mayor Dave Retterer.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ada Icon reporter Paula Scott asked if in the event of such an emergency as the March 31 manhunt, would the village use Nixle or other communication to notify residents about lockdowns and an "all clear" announcement.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Retterer explained that Hardin County Sheriff Keith A. Everhart assisted in taking control of the March 31 crime scene. The mayor commended the great number of officers who assisted in the search and investigation. He said they were clearly “all on the same page” and were “an amazing group of people.” On behalf of the village, he also expressed his sympathy for the family of Bluffton Police officer Dominic Francis, who was struck and killed on I-75 trying to stop the 3 suspects.
ORDINANCES
First reading: a petition by Ada Boysz Holding LLC has been presented to vacate a portion of a North/South alley located in the between lots 25 and 24. It was noted that there are no utilities or abutting property owners in this alley. A map of this location accompanies this article.
NEW BUSINESS
Council approved an agreement for an employee assistance program with NextGen through the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize & Hardin Counties. The program will report how many people are served. The provider will make a presentation to village employees and provide a packet on services.
Council member Sean Beck will meet with the Eclipse Committee at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12.
COMMITEE REPORTS
Safety / Jeff Oestreich: Council approved a request to rehire Courtland Fowler as police patrol officer.
Personnel / Bob Simmons: Council approved a request to hire seasonal part-time lifeguards and cashiers for the municipal pool.
Streets / Jamie Hall on behalf of Jason Campbell: Council approved advertising of a request for bids for the 2022 Village Paving Program which is estimated to cost $142K for streets and $15K for alleys. A map of the planned paving accompanies this article.
A second public meeting to review improvements to Grandview Boulevard was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 26 at the Community Health Professionals Building, 1200 S Main St. This is a special council meeting. Hall noted that the village does not currently have the final word on funding. On the 26th, the village will update the project cost and provide a rollout map showing how each property will be affected.
Finance / Linda Mason: A proposed agreement for Pots lines (landlines serving the elevator and lift stations) with Granite Telecommunications was reviewed. Council requested references from others who currently use this service.
Buildings and Grounds / Sheila Coressel: Council approved an agreement with Ada Family Center for Sunday morning rentals of The Depot for six months beginning April 10, excepting two dates that are already reserved.
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Police Chief Michael Harnishfeger: Council approved a request to purchase and install an access control system for the police department that uses key fob technology for fast and easy opening of entrance doors.
The chief commented that he was proud of the Ada police force members, who, if they weren’t already on scene assisting at the March 31 manhunt and investigation near Bluffton, checked to see if they were needed. He was on the scene at 3:30 a.m. working with the Bluffton chief of police. Harnishfeger was impressed by the number of officers working on the scene with spotlights in yards and fields, helicopters flying in extremely windy difficult conditions.
Since the last council meeting, Ada Police Department calls have included the following (selected items; a full report will be available in the meeting minutes):
Officer responding to car complete submerged in flames; two bodies in car (see Icon report)
Officers responding to an intoxicated individual entering the wrong home; he was held being at bay by three agressive dogs when the police arrived
Awards were presented on April 5 to Bollinger, Aaron Crawford and John item for service in medical (Narcan) emergencies
Iten and Andrew Peterman received commendations for their actions in a 2021 stabbing incident.
Aaron Crawford will be recognized at EMS ceremonies at Lima Veterans Memorial for his lifesaving efforts using CPR and AED.
Zoning Inspector Michael Harnishfeger: A letter was presented asking for permission to demolish/remove trailer at 312 Liberty Street. Council approved a bid by Bob Morrison for $3,800 with work estimated to begin in June.
Village Administrator Jamie Hall: The municipal pool will be recoated next week with expansion and perimeter recaulked. The village is investigating water loss from the pool.
On April 21 there will be a kickoff meeting for RCAP-GIS database development to assemble waterline maps and collect new information.
Early bird sale on pool passes has begun.
OTHER BUSINESS
Michele Brunk provided designs for business cards and letterhead to unify use of the village logo. It was determined that letterhead could be printed on all documents and did not need to be ordered.
Brunk also reported that an Arbor Day presentation will take place at the Ada Schools on April 29.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
The full packet of materials provided for this meeting is available at https://www.adaoh.org/board-meeting/april-5-2022-630pm-meeting
