Versailles council authorizes $175,000 from House Bill 2 for Heritage Park restrooms and lighting

The Versailles Village Council on Sept. 11 authorized Village Administrator Francis to sign a joint-use agreement with Versailles Poultry Days, Inc. to use $175,000 in House Bill 2 appropriated funds for construction of restrooms, path lighting and related improvements at Heritage Park. The motion was made by Council Member Mr. Paulus, seconded by Council Member Mr. Steinbrunner and carried with all yeas from the six council members present.

The vote capped an agenda amendment introduced at the start of the meeting. Mayor Todd M. Dammeyer opened the session at 7:00 p.m. at the village Fire/EMS facility and read a proclamation recognizing Sept. 17–23 as Constitution Week. Earlier in the meeting the council approved the consent agenda, which included the Sept. 11 expenditures list and minutes from the Aug. 28 meetings.

The joint-use agreement directs Village Administrator Francis to accept House Bill 2 appropriated funds totaling $175,000 for Heritage Park improvements, a funding source identified by council action. The motion record shows unanimous support from the council members in attendance; no opposing or abstaining votes were recorded.

The session also advanced other municipal business. Village Attorney Tom Guillozet read by title the second reading of Ordinance No. 24-43, proposing adjusted rates, terms and conditions for water and sanitary sewer services; there was no adoption vote recorded at the meeting. Guillozet also read by title the first reading of Ordinance No. 24-44, which would establish procedures and an application for street-side handicapped parking in the village.

Fiscal Officer Kathy Ording said she and Village Attorney Guillozet reviewed and approved ballot language with the Darke County Board of Elections for a proposed continuation of an existing one-half percent income tax for five years beginning Jan. 1, 2025. According to Ording, the levy would fund street reconstruction, storm drainage, sanitary sewer, waterline improvements and other major repair purposes; the measure will appear on the ballot with the approved language.

Village Administrator Francis delivered a multi-item operations report. He said CSX closed the N. West Street railroad crossing Sept. 9 for rail-tie replacement and expected the closure to last about two weeks. Wagner Paving completed the 2024 street maintenance resurfacing Aug. 28 and centerline striping on Aug. 29; a few manholes on W. Main Street still require adjustment this fall. Francis said restoration from the North Central Waterline Improvement Project is complete pending a final walk-through and punch list. He also reported the Rosecomb Estates Phase II subdivision is under construction with 23 new lots, underground utilities nearing completion, curb installation scheduled to start Sept. 17 and asphalt planned for later this fall.

Francis announced operational outages and repairs: a planned water-plant shutdown to replace a main bearing on the softening clarifier was scheduled for Sept. 14 (the plant will not be able to treat water during the repair and the work was coordinated with large water users and the Versailles Fire Department). Village linemen will perform a non-live disconnection Sept. 15, 5:00–6:00 a.m., to allow a new pole installation tied to the Midmark Plant C expansion project, with reconnection work set for Sept. 28, 4:00–6:00 a.m. He also reported underground primary power work and transformer replacements in the Cambridge Drive area to improve electric reliability.

Francis said the Street Department will provide barricades for the Tour De Sewer Cross Country Invitational and the Versailles Band Invitational on Sept. 21 and that the yard-waste facility will be closed that day. He reported the 2002 Sterling Vac-Con sewer jet/vac truck sold on GovDeals for $35,100 and that additional village equipment and vehicles are scheduled for auction.

In committee reports, Council Member Mr. Weaver relayed resident concerns about obstructed sight lines at stop signs on W. Wood Street during football games and about speeding on N. West Street. A Cemetery Board meeting was scheduled for Sept. 17 at 9:00 a.m.

With no further business, Council Member Mr. Griesdorn moved to adjourn; Ms. Shaffer seconded and the motion carried. Mayor Dammeyer adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

What happens next: Ordinance No. 24-43 remains at second reading and Ordinance No. 24-44 is at first reading; the joint-use agreement is authorized for signature by Village Administrator Francis; the proposed income tax continuation will appear on the ballot with the approved language from Fiscal Officer Kathy Ording and the village attorney.