Village of Attica
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2026, 7:30 PM
I. Call To Order Regular Council Meeting – Roll Call
Roll call was conducted. All council members were present.
Others Present: Law Director Niedermeier, Maintenance Supervisor Scott, Fiscal Officer Phillips,
II. Approval Of Warrants And Minutes
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to approve the minutes as presented, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, vote 5-0, motion carried, Councilman Stanfield abstained
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to approve warrants, Councilman Gray seconded the motion, vote 6-0, motion carried.
III. Written & Oral Communication
Resident Dennis Hammon inquired for contact information of the Village Administrator contact information was exchanged with Interim Admin Phillips.
IV. Committee Matters
1. Public Safety
Discussion arose regarding a business owner storing materials—including pallets, steel, and other debris—on the boulevard between the sidewalk and the road. The group also discussed a large pine tree in front of the property that presents an ongoing safety concern. Council agreed that the business owner needs to be informed that the materials must be removed from the right-of-way, and that the tree situation must also be addressed.
A separate concern was raised regarding a business constructing a new building without having obtained a permit. Maintenance Supervisor Scott noted he would reach out to the business owner. Discussion touched on the current low cost of building permits in the village, and it was suggested that permit fees should be re-evaluated to better reflect the actual cost of associated paperwork. Mayor Sanders encouraged council to research other local municipalities for their respective fee amounts.
2. Streets And Properties
Discussion was held regarding large rocks placed on the boulevard near the alley near the post office. A complaint had been received from a resident whose vehicle was scratched after encountering the rocks while turning.
Concern was also raised about the temporary patching of the roadway where new water line work is being completed, with the understanding that the patches are temporary in nature.
3. Parks
Councilwoman Lenhart noted updates on Veterans Park, where seasonal work has been completed, including grass planting, gravel added to the playground, weed removal, and relocation of trash cans and benches. It was noted that decisions regarding backstops for t-ball fields and player benches will be revisited in the spring, following a recommendation from Brandon Martin to allow the grass to establish fully before adding gravel to the base paths.
A new metal sign frame for Myers Park was reported as complete, replacing a rotted wooden frame. The composite sign itself remained in good condition. Installation was expected to occur the following day.
Discussion then turned to the brush route and the use of the stop environmental crimes grant monies. Maintenance Supervisor Scott provided a quote for a heavy-duty dump trailer that would allow staff to bring back the brush route without the need for a dump truck. Maintenance Supervisor Scott noted the brush route would still need to be done on a once a month basis due to staffing constraints. Maintenance Supervisor Scott also provided a quote for security cameras for the brush pile drop-off site and other village properties. A cellular-based camera system with license plate reading capability was proposed, requiring no Wi-Fi and capable of sending alerts directly to users' phones. The subscription cost was noted to be approximately $20 per month per camera.
After discussion of the appropriate number and placement of cameras, the council concluded that one camera should be purchased and positioned at the entrance to the brush pile/dump site, where it would capture both incoming and outgoing vehicles and read license plates. It was noted that the maintenance building already has camera coverage. The remaining grant funds could be directed towards improvements such as a gate or keypad lock at the dump site, and additional signage.
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to purchase one security camera for the brush pile/dump site and Councilman Tanner seconded. Vote 6-0, the motion carried.
Councilman Hopple made a motion to purchase a dump trailer Councilman Tanner seconded. Vote 6-0, the motion carried.
4. Trees
Maintenance Supervisor reported that a tree service provider had been contacted but was on vacation and had not yet responded. Trees requiring attention were identified at the following locations: corner of Walnut and Ash, corner of Liberty and Atlantic, 210 Liberty, 22 Seneca Street, and 412 North Main Street. It was noted that the tree at Liberty and Atlantic may be removable by village staff. One stump removal is also pending.
A concern was raised regarding a tall dead tree on private property that, if it fell, could bring down utility wires and fall across an adjacent alley, presenting a public safety hazard. Council agreed to consult with the village attorney to determine what authority the village has to act on privately-owned hazardous trees before proceeding.
5. Fire
The fire department reported 23 total calls for the month of August. Of those, 12 were within the village: 1 fire call and 11 rescue calls.
6. EMS
Council was informed that the EMS service is performing significantly better financially this year and is projecting to finish in the black for the first time in its three years of operation. Additionally, the EMS service successfully applied for a rural substance abuse and mental health training grant of $600,000 over two years, to be distributed across all county stations.
7. Cemetery
Council received confirmation that a temporary replacement for the outgoing cemetery caretaker has been arranged. Jeremy Smith has begun a three-month trial period. The outgoing caretaker is expected to remain available briefly to assist with the transition.
8. Personnel
A council member requested that an executive session be held at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel matters. Separately, Councilwoman Lenhart formally resigned from the personnel committee, effective immediately, Mayor Sanders accepted her resignation.
9. Zoning Commission
No report.
10. Finance And Rule
Council considered Resolution 2026-9 to amend appropriations in order to budget the recently awarded grant funds to fight environment crimes so that the funds may be expended.
Councilwoman Lenhart made a motion to suspend the three-reading rule and Councilman Gray seconded. The motion carried: Jim – Yes, Nicole – Yes, Ed – Yes, Steve – Yes, Keith – Yes, Kirk – Yes.
Councilwoman Lenhart made a motion to declare an emergency and Councilman Gray seconded. The motion carried: Jim – Yes, Nicole – Yes, Ed – Yes, Steve – Yes, Keith – Yes, Kirk – Yes.
Councilwoman Lenhart made a motion to adopt Res 2026-9 and Councilman Gray seconded. The motion carried: Jim – Yes, Nicole – Yes, Ed – Yes, Steve – Yes, Keith – Yes, Kirk – Yes.
11. Water And Sewer
Maintenance Supervisor Scott reported a water main bell failure in front of the library, which required shutting down water at an intersection further away due to a non-functional valve at the immediate location. The failed valve was subsequently replaced. The repair involved two high-max couplings at approximately $400 each, and a new line valve estimated at $15,000, with total repair costs expected to reach approximately $25,000. The council acknowledged that while the repair was expensive, the new valve adds long-term utility for future water shutoffs in that area.
Significant concern was raised regarding the performance of a weekend water plant operator. The operator required assistance on two consecutive Saturdays, including an incident in which a chlorine bottle was improperly handled, resulting in a chlorine release. Maintenance Supervisor Scott expressed frustration at having to respond on his day off while the paid operator required supervision, and suggested the current arrangement may not be cost-effective at $45 per hour. Councilman Gray noted that the staffing of the water department has largely been delegated to Water Superintendent Rosemark, Councilman Gray noted he would talk with Water Superintendent Rosemark.
Councilman Stanfield started discussion regarding water production and loss figures. Historical data showed water processed at the plant had risen from approximately 35–38 million gallons annually through 2022, to approximately 46–47 million gallons in 2023–2025, while water sales have remained at approximately 20 million gallons. This discrepancy was attributed to a combination of plant use (backwash), undetected leaks, and potentially inconsistent measurement practices. Maintenance Supervisor Scott acknowledged that until leaks surface and are repaired, it is difficult to quantify total losses. Councilman Beamer noted that once the transition to purchasing water from rural water is complete, actual consumption versus purchases will provide a clearer picture of system losses.
12. Village Web Site & IT
Councilwoman Lenhart reported that work is underway to add council members' email addresses to the village website. It was agreed that personal phone numbers would not be published, but that email contact information should be made available to residents.
13. Train Derailment
No separate discussion recorded. This matter was noted for inclusion in the executive session.
V. Unfinished – Old Business – New Business
Council was reminded of a public meeting hosted by the county commissioners the following Tuesday at the Attica Fairgrounds at 6:00 PM.
Council was also alerted to the fact that two upcoming regular council meetings fall on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Members were asked to begin considering alternative dates so that adjustments can be made in a timely manner.
VI. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 8th, 2026, At 7:30PM
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
VII. Executive Session
Councilman Gray made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, Vote 6-0, the motion carried at 8:43 PM at which time Councilwoman Lenhart excused herself from the executive session.
Councilman Beamer made a motion to exit the executive session, Councilman Tanner seconded the motion, Vote 6-0, the motion carried at 9:29 PM.
Mayor Sanders appointed Tom Scott as Village Administrator effective immediately. Roll call was taken accepting the appointment with 5-0 vote, Councilwoman Lenhart abstained.
Councilman Gray made a motion to compensate Village Administrator with an annual salary of $14,000 separate from his hourly rate as Maintenance Supervisor. Councilman Beamer seconded the motion. Vote 4-0 with Councilman Stanfield and Councilwoman Lenhart abstained.
VIII. Adjournment Of Meeting
Councilman Beamer made motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:34 PM, Councilman Tanner seconded the motion, Vote 6-0, motion carried.
