Minutes: Mayor Louis Sanders called the September 25, 2025, Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:30PM.
Roll Call: Ed Beamer, Owen Best, Nicole Lenhart, Jim Gray, Keith Hopple, Kirk Stanfield
Others Present:
Absent:
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Best to approve the warrants for payment, seconded by Councilman Hopple. Vote: 6-0 Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Councilman Best to approve 9/11/25 regular meeting minutes, seconded by Councilman Hopple. Vote: 5-1, with Councilman Stanfield opposed. Motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: Resident Chris Armitage addressed council concerning the right to free speech and the council’s ordinance regarding rules of decorum, in reference to the prior meeting on 9/11/25, where Councilman Stanfield was asked to leave the session.
Mr. Armitage reminded council that Mr. Stanfield and Mrs. Lenhart are the only elected officials serving in their current capacities. Councilman Best inquired if those appointed have less worth in representing the people in town because they weren’t elected.
Councilman Beamer made note of the lack of citizens who run for council seats each election.
Mr. Armitage also stressed his concerns of connecting to a new water source and the need for a corrosion control study. Mr. Armitage expressed his concern that the corrosion control study could be a vehicle to avoid or prolong the process in connecting to a new water supply. Mr. Armitage argued that a change in water supply should be brought before the voters. Councilman Best noted that a vote is not required after confirming with special counsel, Mr. Dooley. Councilman Best also suggested a vote would greatly slow the process. Councilman Beamer noted that if the process was paused that the village would lose the $800K of EPA support and would not be guaranteed to receive that award at a later time.
Mr. Armitage inquired if council could guarantee water bills wouldn’t exceed $500 a month within the next 5 years. Councilman Beamer stated he is comfortable saying that, if the village regionalized.
Fiscal Officer noted that the village currently pays close to $300K annually in labor costs to keep the water plant staffed to EPA required levels, and spends in excess of $100K annually for chemicals to treat produced water. While regionalizing would add new debt service of ~$50K annually to the system, the village would be able to cut labor and chemical costs drastically.
Councilman Best mentioned he anticipates the corrosion control will not require the full study or all contingency costs that were outlined in the corrosion control study quote, which would provide a much lower cost than outlined.
Fiscal Officer noted that without the study the EPA would not provide the $800K principal forgiveness for the project. In the worst-case scenario that the village was required to do the full corrosion control study and pay all contingent costs ($594K), the village would still have an excess of over $200K support from the EPA to use towards the project.
Lastly, Mr. Armitage challenged council to do a better job of communicating with the citizens.
While commending Mrs. Lenhart for her social media efforts, he encouraged council to reach more people.
Public Safety: None
Streets & Properties: None
Parks: None
Trees: None
Fire: None
EMS: None
Cemetery: None
Personnel: None
Zoning Commission: None
Finance and rule: Fiscal Officer noted cash balance of $965K.
Fiscal Officer provided Resolution 2025-15 accepting tax rates from the Seneca County Budget Commission.
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to approve Resolution 2025-15, Councilman Gray seconded the motion, vote 6-0. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer: Councilman Beamer addressed the utility billing inquiries from the previous meeting and inquired why the village still is estimating so many bills. Administrator Shock noted that staff has been awaiting parts to pair with the new meters. From previous billing matters, 27 N Liberty, Councilman Beamer suggested Utility Clerk Mason provide a few different options for an adjusted bill for Council to consider. Secondly, 217 Tiffin, who received an elevated bill from previous estimates for months that their pool was filled. Councilman Beamer Suggested forgiving the sewer potion above their normal unit usage.
Village Website & IT: None
Train Derailment: None
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: None
Executive Session: Councilman Best made motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel at 8:39PM, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion. Vote 6-0. Motion carried.
Councilman Best made motion to exit executive session at 8:49PM, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion. Vote 6-0. Motion carried.
Next meeting: Regular meeting on Thursday, October 9th at 7:30 PM.
Motion by Councilman Best, seconded by Councilwoman Lenhart to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:49 PM. Vote: 6-0, Motion carried.
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Mayor Louis Sanders - Fiscal Officer Isaac Phillips
