City Council

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS; MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF LEWISBURG, OHIO, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:00 P.M., JUNE 4, 2025, 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, Jackie Sewert, and Ted Thies. Also present were Municipal Manager Jeff Sewert, Fire & EMS Chief Bob Sewert, Police Chief Gary Parker, and Law Director Steve Hobbs. Motion to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2025, regular Village Council Meeting. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Barb Foster. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Motion to approve the check disbursement report. First by Ted Thies. Second by Lori Pheanis. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Motion to approve the purchase order report. First by Ted Thies. Second by Lori Pheanis. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. CITIZENS: Jackie and Josh Miller shared about their new food trailer, Jackie’s Kitchen, and their desire to set up the food trailer in town during lunch time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Motion to allow the Millers to set up their food trailer, provided they obtain all the proper food/health permits and subject to the Municipal Manager’s approval of location, dates/times, and any fees for electric use. First by Marla Colville-Brown. Second by Mary Nelson. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. MAYOR: None. LEGAL: 1ST READING (Read by Mary Nelson): A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO AFFECT A GOVERNMENTAL NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM WITH OPT-OUT PROVISIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 4929.26 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE, DIRECTING THE PREBLE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO SUBMIT A BALLOT QUESTION TO THE ELECTORS. Motion to waive the three-reading rule. First by Mary Nelson. Second by Barb Foster. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-07: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO AFFECT A GOVERNMENTAL NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM WITH OPT-OUT PROVISIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 4929.26 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE, DIRECTING THE PREBLE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO SUBMIT 1 A BALLOT QUESTION TO THE ELECTORS. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Jackie Sewert. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Law Director Hobbs shared about a seminar he attended at the Lewisburg Post Office and that the Postmaster shared that the Village would be able to use the postage meter they already have for the utility bills and then they could stay at the Lewisburg Post Office for sorting/distribution. Motion to use the postage meter for mailing the utility bills so they can stay in Lewisburg for sorting/distribution. First by Barb Foster. Second by Lori Pheanis. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Law Director Hobbs shared an update from a recent meeting with a State Historical Consultant regarding the Village owned property at 303 West Cumberland Street. Law Director Hobbs shared that the Planning Commission approved the proposed lot split of 303 West Cumberland Street earlier this evening. The Planning Commission recommended to Council to approve the requested change in zoning from R-2 to CBD for the property located at 111 East North Water Street. Motion to set a Public Hearing on July 17, 2025, at 7:00 P.M., on a proposed change of zoning for the property located at 111 East North Water Street, to allow a change of zoning from R-2 to Central Business District. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Ted Thies. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. MUNICIPAL MANAGER: Manager Sewert shared about the recent Ways and Means Committee Meeting. Fiscal Officer Wagoner shared about the utility program upgrade proposal from GASI that Council approved earlier this year and the online bill look-up, emailing bills, and credit card payment features. Motion to approve moving forward with getting the upgrade as proposed with the online features and start accepting credit card payments when available. First by Marla Colville-Brown. Second by Jackie Sewert. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Manager Sewert gave updates on the South Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Project, the West Side Storm Drainage Project, the potential main street paving project, the potential new north water well project, RITA: income tax collection proposal and upcoming presentation, upcoming tax budget, and 503 paving repair. Manager Sewert explained the desire to hire another part-time employee for the service department that has their CDL and could drive the trash truck. After the recommendation from Manager Sewert, Motion to hire Timothy Shepherd part-time for the service department. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Jackie Sewert. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Motion to approve a park bench donation from Preble County Public Health WIC Program with any of the three proposed messages about breastfeeding. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Jackie Sewert. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. 2 Motion to approve the Employee Organizational Chart as presented by Manager Sewert. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Ted Thies. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. SAFETY: Chief Sewert shared an update on the Firehouse Improvements Project. POLICE: Chief Parker shared the monthly call log and a graph of the recent data from the speed trailer on Orchard Street. LIBRARY: Barb Foster shared about upcoming events at the Library. PARK: Ted Thies shared updates about trees in the park and updating the football tower. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. MISC. BUSINESS: None. Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and have Manager Sewert, Fiscal Officer Wagoner, Law Director Hobbs, Chief Sewert, and Chief Parker join. First by Mary Nelson. Second by Lori Pheanis. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. The meeting moved into Executive Session at 8:33 P.M. Motion to come out of Executive Session, back to regular session. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Barb Foster. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. The meeting moved back into regular session with no action taken at 8:41 P.M. Motion to adjourn. First by Lori Pheanis. Second by Marla Colville-Brown. Roll Call Vote: 7 Yes 0 No. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned at 8:42 P.M. DATE MAYOR _________________________________________ CLERK OF COUNCIL __________________________________________________________ 3