Minutes: President Pro Tempore Nicole Lenhart called the February 12, 2026, Village of Attica Council regular meeting to order at 7:30PM.
Roll Call: Steve Tanner, Nicole Lenhart, Jim Gray, Keith Hopple, Kirk Stanfield
Others Present: Village Administrator Shock, Maintenance Supervisor Scott, Solicitor Niedermeier
Absent: Mayor Sanders, Councilman Beamer
Approval of Warrants: Motion by Councilman Gray to approve the warrants for payment, seconded by Councilman Tanner. Vote: 5-0, motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Councilman Gray moved to approve 1/22/2026 meeting minutes, Councilman Hopple seconded the motion, vote 4-0, Councilman Stanfield abstain, motion carried.
Written & Oral Communication: Village Administrator Shock presented an application from State Representative Gary Click to apply for state funding. Village Administrator Shock recommended the Village apply for State funding to run a 10 inch line from the water plant to the town square so that the line impacted by the train derailment could be abandoned. Village Administrator Shock noted a March 12th deadline for application submission. Councilman Stanfield inquired on the need to replace a line that could be abandoned after regionalization. Village Administrator Shock noted even after connection that line would not be abandoned as it will continue to supply water on the south side of town out to Caroline. Councilman Stanfield questioned why not apply to fix roads throughout town. Councilwoman Lenhart noted roads would be second on her priority list with the potential risk factors associated with the water line near the rail road tracks.
Councilman Tanner made motion to apply State Community Project Funding for a new water line, Councilman Gray seconded the motion, vote 4-0, Councilman Stanfield abstain, motion carried.
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 provided an update from Bonded Chemicals giving notice of a 12% price increase.
Fiscal Officer provided Resolution 2026-1 - Loan Application for Waterline Construction to connect to NORW.
Councilman Stanfield inquired on the purpose of the loan application. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted the application is for the construction of a water supply line to connect with Northern Ohio Rural Water. Councilman Stanfield inquired on the water debt service fund being the repayment source of the loan. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted that is correct as with the other water debt, it is collected as part of water utility billing in the form of a flat rate. Councilman Stanfield noted the legal way to collect this would be through property tax or special assessment and not a flat rate unproportionally to people’s wealth or means. Solicitor Niedermeier noted she would not argue the matter with Councilman Stanfield after having the same discussion previous times about the legality of collecting a flat rate for the purposes of water debt retirement.
Councilman Gray moved to declare and emergency, Councilman Tanner seconded the motion, vote 4-1, with Councilman Stanfield opposed. Councilman Gray moved to suspend the three-reading rule, Councilman Tanner seconded the motion, vote 4-1, with Councilman Stanfield opposed.
Councilman Stanfield left the meeting at 7:52PM
Councilman Gray moved to adopt Res 2026-1, Councilman Tanner seconded the motion, vote 4-0, motion carried.
Water & Sewer: Councilman Gray provided an update on the water regionalization project with NORW.
In recent discussion with the EPA they have established three phases of the project.
Phase 1 - Loan approval through OWDA in March to allow the bidding process to start for the construction of the water line in March. This would allow for the winning bid to be awarded and contracts in place in the May / June timeframe.
Phase 2 – Corrosion Control Study - remains ongoing, the findings of this will allow for the proper chemical feeding to be determined along with the necessary pumps and infrastructure needed to supply water effectively.
Phase 3 – Decommissioning of the water plant – these discussions will take more precedence later in the process.
Councilman Gray noted other key takeaways such as, the Village owning the equipment to feed chemicals, but NORW supplying the chemicals and water operator labor needed. These costs will be billed to the Village.
Village Website & IT: None
Train Derailment: None
Unfinished, Old Business and New Business: Councilman Gray brought a utility billing issue before Council. The old NAPA parts store submitted a request to have their water shut off, we did not shut the water off as we weren’t granted access to the shutoff inside the building. They were billed as if the water had been shut off until a water leak was found brining their bill to $896.75. Councilman Gray noted blame on both parties but thinks the Village should not re-coup the charges due to the miscommunication. Maintenance Supervisor Scott noted when the water was finally shutoff that the service was also shutoff to the American Legion building. This shared water line will need disconnected and the American Legion will need their own line that will most likely need bored under Rte 224.
Village Administrator Shock noted an update on the resident that previously requested her home be re-zoned as residential, as it was previously a dental office, the matter has been resolved with the County Auditor.
Maintenance Supervisor Scott inquired on council establishing a cost for service to provide residents with water service line work to privately owned lines. Village Administrator Shock noted previously established legislation from 2012 of $35 per hour per man and $50 per hour for use of village equipment. Councilwoman Lenhart encouraged Maintenance Supervisor Scott to provide recommendations on updating the legislation at the next meeting.
Maintenance Supervisor Scott inquired with council on the purchase of a work truck for the maintenance staff, Maintenance Supervisor Scott noted the lack of a daily use vehicle for staff other than the dump truck and f250 that are in rough shape. Maintenance Supervisor Scott noted the chevy is useable but starting to show signs of needing transmission work. Councilwoman Lenhart inquired if financing options or outright purchasing was being considered. Fiscal Officer Phillips noted that if staying under $25K, it would be preferential to purchase out right. Councilman Gray asked if $25K would be enough to find what is needed. Maintenance Supervisor Scott noted it would be. Maintenance Supervisor Scott inquired if a motion was needed. Village Administrator Shock noted he has purchase authority up to $75K, but would like Council’s blessing. Council presented no opposition.
Executive Session: None
Next meeting: Regular meeting on Thursday, February 26th at 7:30 PM.
Motion by Councilman Gray, seconded by Councilman Hopple to adjourn the meeting. Time: 8:24 PM. Vote: 4-0, Motion carried.
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Mayor Louis Sanders - Fiscal Officer Isaac Phillips
