Village of Attica
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2026, 7:30 AM
I. Call To Order Regular Council Meeting – Roll Call
Roll call was conducted. All council members were present.
Others Present: Village Administrator Shock, Maintenance Supervisor Scott, Fiscal Officer Phillips, Solicitor Niedermeier
II. Approval Of Warrants And Minutes
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to approve the minutes as presented, Councilman Gray seconded the motion, vote 5-0 with Councilman Beamer abstained.
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to approve warrants, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, vote 6-0.
III. Written And Oral Communication
No visitors were present. There was no written or oral communication to address.
IV. Committee Matters
1. Public Safety
Village Administrator Shock reported that AEP had shut off power to the town, causing all traffic lights to go out. Village Administrator Shock requested council's authorization to engage AEP to install a drop box connection point, allowing a generator to be quickly connected to restore traffic signal power during future outages. Discussion touched on the impracticality of switching to an alternative provider, as AEP serves the area and would be unlikely to relinquish the service area. It was noted that the cost of the electrical work was estimated to be modest, and that funding could come from the state highway fund, which currently holds approximately $30,000. Council agreed the improvement would be beneficial for both short and long-term outages, given the hazard created when drivers do not respond appropriately to the lack of operating traffic signals.
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to authorize the engagement with AEP to install a generator connection drop box for the traffic signal system, Councilman Hopple seconded the motion. Vote 6-0, the motion carried unanimously.
2. Streets And Properties
Village Administrator Shock reported visiting a property near the bank and instructing the owner to address overgrown weeds. Councilman Beamer raised concern regarding a recent house fire and expressed a desire to prevent the property from falling into a prolonged state of disrepair similar to another blighted property. Village Administrator Shock indicated he would contact the county health department to request an inspection and potential condemnation. Village Administrator Shock noted the village has suspended water service to the fire-damaged property as a precautionary measure, given unknown conditions of the interior plumbing, and will not restore service until the situation is assessed.
3. Parks
Village Administrator Shock reported that the sheriff's department contacted him following an incident in which children jumping on the bleachers at the ball field broke a board. While the parents offered to replace the damaged board, Village Administrator Shock and Maintenance Supervisor Scott inspected the bleachers and determined that approximately eight additional boards were also in poor condition, making replacement of a single board inadvisable. The damaged bleacher section has been taped off and will be removed when schedules allow. Councilwoman Lenhart committed to exploring grant funding opportunities to replace at least two sets of bleachers and noted that she had previously been in contact with the baseball and softball organizations about fundraising toward that goal.
4. Trees
Village Administrator Shock reported that a tree at 412 North Main Street requires removal, as the trunk is significantly rotted and the entire tree was observed shaking during nearby excavation work. Councilman Tanner raised the broader issue of low-hanging limbs on boulevard trees throughout the village that pose a hazard to vehicle traffic, including pickup trucks. Discussion indicated that AEP typically addresses limbs near power lines. It was agreed that the village's tree contractor would be contacted for trimming work, though it was noted he is currently working through a backlog following a recent storm in Upper Sandusky.
5. Fire
Councilwoman Lenhart reported that the fire department is selling raffle tickets. A cracked fire hydrant near the school was identified. Councilwoman Lenhart noted that the village is currently awaiting parts for fire hydrants and highlighted that Maintenance Supervisor Scott had traveled to Dayton and obtained a replacement hydrant at no cost. Council was asked to sign a thank-you card to be sent to the organization that donated the hydrant.
6. EMS
No new business was reported. The next EMS meeting is scheduled for the following Thursday.
7. Cemetery
It was noted that mausoleum work has been completed to the extent possible at this time and that Cemetery caretaker Doug Heyman will be retiring.
8. Personnel
Councilman Gray requested an executive session to discuss personnel at the end of the meeting.
9. Zoning Commission
Village Administrator Shock presented a zoning request from Bradley and Cheryl Hamilton on Stump Pike for the construction of a 24×24×10-foot outbuilding. The application was reviewed and found to be compliant with setback requirements, with fifteen feet on one side and ten feet on the other. Council indicated no objection and the permit was cleared to proceed.
10. Finance And Rule
The Fiscal Officer presented the 2027 Municipal Tax Budget, clarifying that its purpose is not to establish appropriations but to certify to the county that the village requires its current levies to balance the upcoming budget. The only active levy is the Parks Levy, which, while modest, was described as vital to operations. It was noted that the levy passed the previous year by fewer than ten votes. The Fiscal Officer cautioned council not to read too deeply into the budget figures, as many assumptions were made for the coming year given outstanding unknowns, particularly regarding the water regionalization project details and timing. The tax budget is due to the county by the third Monday in August, after which the county will issue a certification in September or October, at which point council will formally accept the tax rates.
A motion to accept the 2027 Municipal Tax Budget was made by Councilwoman Lenhart and seconded by Councilman Gray. The motion carried 5–1, with Councilman Stanfield opposed.
Director's Final Findings and Orders (DFFO): The Fiscal Officer presented the Director's Final Findings and Orders from the Ohio EPA, which pertains to past violations at the village water plant. The document has been through multiple rounds of revision and response between the village and the EPA, and this represents the final version requiring the Mayor's signature. The presentation prompted a prolonged and heated exchange, with Councilman Stanfield objecting strongly to approving the document without a detailed point-by-point review, questioning whether the findings were factually accurate, and raising concerns about the role of council members in administrative negotiations with the EPA. Councilman Beamer and the village solicitor noted that the EPA had issued these as binding orders directed to the Mayor, that the document had gone through an extensive revision process, and that council's action was simply to authorize the Mayor's signature. The motion passed over the objection.
Councilman Beamer made motion to approve the Director's Final Findings and Orders (DFFO) for the Mayor's signature and Councilman Gray seconded. Vote 5-1 with Councilman Stanfield opposed. The motion carried.
Change Order – Water Line Project: The Fiscal Officer presented a change order in the amount of $7,743.51 related to the ongoing water line project. The change order reflects the cost of relocating the water line to the opposite side of US Route 224 at the entrance to town, a scope change that was not included in the original project. It was confirmed that contingency funds allocated to the project would cover the additional cost.
Councilman Beamer made motion to approve the change order of $7,743.51 for the water line project, and Councilman Gray seconded. Vote 6-0. The motion carried.
11. Water And Sewer
Water Bill Adjustment: Councilman Beamer presented a request for a water bill adjustment on behalf of a resident whose account was flagged on July 27th. The resident, who typically uses approximately two units of water and two units of sewer per billing cycle, was billed $539.70 after a garden hose was inadvertently left running, resulting in consumption of twenty units of water. Because the water did not enter the sewer system, it was recommended that the resident be billed for twenty units of water and only two units of sewer, reducing the bill to $350.52. Council discussed the situation and concurred with the recommendation.
Councilman Beamer made motion to adjust the water and sewer bill in accordance with the recommended amounts Councilwoman Lenhart seconded. Vote 6-0. The motion carried.
Lagoon Aeration System Replacement: Councilman Beamer reported that the village received an estimate from TriplePoint to replace the lagoon bubbler/aeration system at a cost of $95,410, which reflects a $15,000 trade-in discount on the old equipment. Installation alone accounts for approximately $43,000 of the total, as the work requires specialized equipment including a pontoon. It was noted that very few companies perform this type of work, and that attempts to solicit competing quotes yielded no additional respondents. Council was also informed that while routine yearly maintenance can be handled by village staff, the system will require professional servicing every five years at an estimated cost of $40,000, and that approximately $8,000 per year should be budgeted in anticipation of that expense.
Councilman Beamer motion to approve the aeration system replacement with TriplePoint at a cost of $95,410. Councilman Gray seconded. Vote 5-1 with Councilman Stanfield opposed. The motion carried.
12. Village Web Site And IT
No new business.
13. Train Derailment
Councilwoman Lenhart noted that the village is awaiting a response from the railroad team member that is on vacation. No further details were available for public discussion at this time.
V. Unfinished – Old Business – New Business
Naming of Veterans Park: Councilwoman Lenhart reported that the American Legion contacted the village to advise that the organization has officially named the park on Seneca Street the Attica Area Veterans Park. Council moved to formally adopt this name on behalf of the village.
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to officially name the park on Seneca Street the Attica Area Veterans Park, Councilman Gray seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 6–0.
Public Works Update: Maintenance Supervisor Scott provided a general update on recent activities, including replacement of a section of galvanized water service lines, cleaning of a flooded and debris-filled storm sewer, and continued work on ongoing projects between periods of rain. It was noted that staffing coverage had been irregular due to staggered vacations between the superintendent and other crew members. The new part-time employee, Brad, was reported to be adjusting well and was brought along on water main work as part of his on-the-job training.
VI. Executive Session
Councilman Gray made motion to enter into executive session to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, performance, or dismissals of an employee. Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Council members and Village Solicitor were invited to executive session. Vote 6-0, motion carried. Executive session was entered at 8:19 PM.
During executive session Councilman Stanfield excused himself from the meeting.
During executive session Village Administrator Shock was invited to join by Councilman Beamer.
Councilman Gray made motion to exit executive session at 9:32 PM. Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Village Administrator Shock announced his resignation as of 8/14/2026 at 12PM.
Councilman Gray made motion to accept Village Administrator Shock’s resignation. Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Councilman Gray made motion to name Fiscal Officer Phillips as Interim Village Administrator effective 12:01 PM on 8/14/2026. Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
Councilman Gray requested to make an official comment.
Village Administrator Shock requested that Councilman Gray did not and Councilman Gray agreed.
VII. Next Meeting
The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM.
VIII. Adjournment Of Meeting
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to adjourn at 9:34 PM, Councilman Gray seconded the motion. Vote 5-0, motion carried.
