Village of Attica
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
September 10, 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 / Interim Admin Phillips,
II. Approval Of Warrants And Minutes
Councilman Gray made motion to approve the minutes as presented, Councilman Hopple seconded the motion, vote 5-0, motion carried, Councilman Stanfield abstained
Councilman Tanner made motion to approve warrants, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, vote 6-0, motion carried.
III. Written & Oral Communication
Two residents attended the meeting, Tammy Collins and Dorothy Treft, no audience comments were made.
IV. Committee Matters
1. Public Safety
No report.
2. Streets And Properties
Councilman Gray reported driving through the eastern portion of the village and identifying six non-operational streetlights. Badge numbers were recorded for most; one light at the corner of Liberty and Elm Street did not have a visible badge number. The remaining portion of town is to be surveyed on another evening.
Regarding property matters, weed ordinances were issued and nearly all residents complied. One property that did not comply was addressed by village staff, who cut the weeds. Additional properties requiring attention were noted for follow-up the following week.
3. Parks
Significant progress was reported on the Legion/Veterans Park. Grass seed and straw were spread, and a gravel walking path leading to the parking lot is planned. Some hand-pulling of weeds remains. The park is expected to be substantially complete for the season within one more work day, with backstops and player benches planned for the following year.
The Myers Park welcome sign was removed for repair. The original sign is in good condition, but a new metal post is being fabricated to replace the rotted wooden post. Bleachers were removed from both Legion Park and Myers Park, and picnic tables were relocated to concrete pads near the ball field and under the Veterans Park pavilion.
A special acknowledgement was made for Leah Branham, a 14-year-old community member who volunteered her time to assist with spreading straw during the day. Thanks were also extended to Michelle Scott, Brandon Martin, and the maintenance crew for their contributions.
4. Trees
Several trees requiring attention were identified. A dead tree at the corner of Liberty and Atlantic was noted as manageable by village staff. A large, hollow tree on Walnut Street was acknowledged as likely needing removal this season but was deemed too large for village staff to handle independently, requiring outside assistance.
A tree on Seneca/Venice Street was also briefly discussed; it was confirmed the tree is dead and could be removed. It was noted that recent trimming efforts throughout town have addressed most low-hanging branch concerns.
5. Fire
No report. Fire meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
6. EMS
No report. EMS meeting scheduled for the following Thursday.
7. Cemetery
No report. The next cemetery meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 14th.
8. Personnel
A request was made to enter into executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel matters. This was noted and deferred to the end of the meeting.
9. Zoning Commission
No report.
10. Finance And Rule
A successful grant application to the Ohio Attorney General's Stop Environmental Crime Initiative was announced in the amount of $19,103.70. The primary goals of the grant are to purchase a dump trailer and, with any remaining funds (estimated at approximately $3,000), explore the installation of cameras at the dump site, parks, or near other dumpsters around town. The village has 12 months to expend the funds and submit a final report.
Discussion arose regarding whether the grant could be used to bring back the brush pickup route. It was clarified that the grant cannot be used for payroll, but can be used for cleanup and prevention of illegal dumping. The original application referenced a higher amount intended to purchase a truck and trailer to restore the brush route and secure the dump site.
Council discussed the feasibility of restoring the brush route, identifying the primary obstacles as manpower and equipment. It was suggested that rather than a weekly program, a more limited schedule — once in the fall, once in the spring, and once monthly through summer would be more realistic and still beneficial to residents.
A draft updated procurement policy was presented for council consideration. The key change lowers the threshold requiring council approval for purchases from $50,000 to $20,000, with the intent of preventing any single purchase from depleting a fund balance without council oversight.
12. Water And Sewer
No report.
13. Village Web Site & IT
Councilwoman Lenhart acknowledged that council meeting minutes had been uploaded to the website incorrectly for approximately the past year, placed under the wrong tab and therefore not accessible to the public. The error was corrected, and an apology was offered to the council and public.
14. Train Derailment
An update was provided following communication with the village attorney. The attorney met with the railroad the previous day, and the railroad verbally agreed with the village's invoice figures but requested further discussion on specific line items, particularly road repair costs. An updated quote for road repairs is being obtained, as the previous quote is approximately a year and a half old and costs are expected to be higher. A follow-up meeting between the attorney and the railroad is scheduled for the following Wednesday. The overall tone of the update was cautiously optimistic, with council noting that progress appears to be moving forward.
V. Unfinished – Old Business – New Business
Junk Vehicles: Contact was made with the Erie County Sheriff's Office regarding approximately 25 junk vehicles identified throughout the village. The sheriff's office indicated willingness to assist; details regarding vehicle disposition and storage will be coordinated.
Generator/Traffic Light: Contact was made with ADP regarding installing an electrical drop for the generator at the traffic light location. An existing disconnect is already in place, requiring only an electrician to add an outlet or drop cord to enable the generator to power the traffic light during outages.
Weed Ordinances: A few additional weed ordinances remain to be issued, including at least one or two properties on North Main Street. The property at the corner of Liberty and High was discussed; it was noted the property has been sold, though the buyer's plans are unknown and the structure remains condemned.
Under new business, the village's legal counsel informed the council of a scheduling conflict over the next nine months that would cause him to arrive a few minutes late to monthly meetings. She offered to step down if the council preferred to seek other representation. Council indicated they were comfortable with the arrangement and thanked her for the transparency.
VI. Next Meeting: Thursday, September 24th, 2026, At 7:30PM
The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM.
VII. Executive Session
Councilman Gray made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters and the sale of equipment, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, Vote 6-0, the motion carried at 7:52 PM.
Councilman Gray made a motion to exit the executive session, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, Vote 6-0, the motion carried at 8:11 PM.
Councilman Gray made a motion to increase the hourly rate of the Utility Billing Clerk by $2.49/hr bringing the new hourly rate to $20/hr effective the next pay period and to expand the roles and responsibilities of the position. Councilwoman Lenhart seconded the motion, vote 6-o, motion carried.
VIII. Adjournment Of Meeting
Councilwoman Lenhart made motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 PM, Councilman Beamer seconded the motion, Vote 6-0, motion carried.
