City Council

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS; MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF LEWISBURG, OHIO, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:00 P.M., NOVEMBER 7, 2024, AT THE LEWISBURG COMMUNITY CENTER. The regular meeting of the Village of Lewisburg, Ohio Council was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Dennis Roberts. ROLL CALL: Eliza Wagoner, Clerk of Council. PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Roberts, Council Members Marla Colville-Brown, Barb Foster, Mary Nelson, Lori Pheanis, and Jackie Sewert. Ted Thies was absent. Also present were Municipal Manager Jeff Sewert, Fire & EMS Chief B.J. Sewert, Police Chief Rick McGee, Assistant Police Chief Gary Parker, and Law Director Steve Hobbs. Motion to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2024, regular Village Council Meeting. First by Mary Nelson. Second by Barb Foster. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Motion to approve the check disbursement report. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Mary Nelson. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Motion to approve the purchase order report. First by Barb Foster. Second by Lori Pheanis. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. CITIZENS: Preble County Prosecutor Eric Marit congratulated Police Chief McGee on his new position as SRO and spoke highly of Assistant Police Chief Parker. Harrison Township Trustee Brady Creech spoke about the Fire/EMS levies and contracts. MAYOR: Mayor Roberts shared about a recent Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission Meeting that he attended and about a coat with the Village logo if any Council members are interested in getting one. LEGAL: 1ST READING (Read by Mary Nelson): AN ORDINANCE INCREASING AND/OR SPECIFYING VARIOUS SALARIES AND/OR WAGES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS OF THE VILLAGE OF LEWISBURG, OHIO. Manager Sewert explained the changes on the attached salary chart. Motion to waive the three-reading rule. First by Mary Nelson. Second by Lori Pheanis. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-16: AN ORDINANCE INCREASING AND/OR SPECIFYING VARIOUS SALARIES AND/OR WAGES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS OF 1 THE VILLAGE OF LEWISBURG, OHIO. First by Barb Foster. Second by Lori Pheanis. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. MUNICIPAL MANAGER: Council members all received a copy of Rick McGee’s letter of resignation as the Chief of Police. Motion to accept Rick McGee’s resignation as the Chief of Police. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Mary Nelson. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. After a recommendation from Manager Sewert, Motion to appoint Rick McGee as the School Resource Officer (SRO). First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Barb Foster. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. After a recommendation from Manager Sewert, Motion to appoint Gary Parker as Interim Chief of Police starting November 8, 2024. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Mary Nelson. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Barb Foster shared that the Community Association would like to host the Holiday Parade/Lighting of the Park Event on December 1, 2024. Motion to approve the event and close the streets during the parade, school parking lot to Dayton Street, to the park, parade starting at 5:30 P.M., on December 1, 2024. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Marla Colville-Brown. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Barb Foster shared about the recent Veterans event hosted by the Library. Manager Sewert shared that he had received letters of interest from two community members interested in serving on the Park Board. After a recommendation from Manager Sewert, Motion to appoint Saundra Baughman and Kenny Pierce to the Park Board. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Mary Nelson. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Manager Sewert shared updates on the Fiscal Officer position, lead service inventory project, health insurance renewal proposal, new well at the south facility, south wastewater project pre-construction meeting, audit email, Rt. 40 & Shields property, and signs on buildings. Police Chief McGee shared about his request for adding a light bar to the black police cruiser that he typically drives. Motion to approve the purchase of a light bar for the black police cruiser for $6,895.92. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Marla Colville-Brown. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. SAFETY: Chief Sewert thanked Chief McGee for the partnership between their departments through the years and shared about the funds the Fire/EMS Departments have received the last couple years from the contracts with Harrison Township. POLICE: Chief McGee thanked everyone for allowing him to serve as the Police Chief and shared that the school will be hosting a Veteran’s Day program tomorrow. Assistant Chief Parker thanked Chief McGee for everything he has done through the years and thanked Council for the opportunity to serve as Interim Chief. 2 LIBRARY: Barb Foster shared about recent and upcoming events at the Library. PARK: The next Park Board Meeting will be on November 18th. OLD BUSINESS: Marla Colville-Brown asked for an update on the lights being installed at the Community Center. NEW BUSINESS: None. MISC. BUSINESS: Manager Sewert reminded everyone that the Village Office will be closed on Monday, November 11th, for Veteran’s Day. Motion to adjourn. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Marla Colville-Brown. Roll Call Vote: 6 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned at 7:53 P.M. DATE MAYOR _________________________________________ CLERK OF COUNCIL __________________________________________________________ 3