The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
April 20, 2026
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield met in Regular Session on April 20, 2026.
I. Roll Call:
Present: Council Members; Tom Kirkland, Bill Allen, Alicia Gardner, Kim Schaber, Tiffany Ramsay,
Matt Schaber, Mayor Carol Hehr, Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard, Solicitor Ryan Regel, and Village
Administrator Kevin Brooks.
II. Pending Meeting Minutes Approval:
Mayor Hehr said in the minutes from 2 Council meetings ago during Steve Eikleberry’s report it
stated the pool was getting a gliding board. It was corrected at last Council meeting to say sliding board,
but it should have been diving board. The pool is getting a new diving board and not a new sliding
board. Matt Schaber made the motion to accept the April 20, 2026 meeting minutes with corrections.
Bill Allen second the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
III. Registered Visitors:
Kris Ogden – Kris Ogden attended the meeting to discuss the pool. She said the season passes says
admittance up to six people, but nowhere does it say they have to be in the same household. Last year
they did not let her take her son and grandchildren into the pool on the pass and she is the one who
generally takes them. Mayor Hehr said that for years it had to be in the same household but after
discussing it with other Council members and Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard, she believes it should be
changed to six individuals, not needing to be in the same household, but it will be up to the Park
Committee to meet and decide details then bring it back to Council for vote. Kevin Brooks spoke up and
said he believes this issue was already resolved when the Park Committee met a few weeks ago. He said
when pool passes are issued, they are to register the six names associated with the pass. He said the
thing they are trying to stop is the pass becoming a neighborhood pass and every time it gets used the
people on the pass are changing. Bill Allen agreed that with the season pass, the six individuals
associated with it do not have to be the same household, but it does have to be the same six individuals
for the season.
Kris Ogden would like to see the pool offer senior citizen rates; she believes seniors deserve a
discount. She also still feels there needs to be an adult at the pool supervising and if
parents/grandparents are going in but not swimming, they should not be charged to go in since they are
willing to sit and watch their children. She said if they do not want to pay to get in, they just drop off the
children/grandchildren and then the lifeguards have to watch them. Mayor Hehr said kids have to be a
certain age to be without an adult, but Kris Ogden said people ignore that rule because she was at the
pool almost every day last year and she saw parents/grandparents dropping off young children all the
time.
Larry Jeffers – Larry Jeffers attended the meeting to talk about utilities. He said he lives in a small
trailer, and his electric is $300.00/month. He would like to know why Woodsfield does not have a
budget plan for seniors or people on fixed incomes. He said he should not be paying a utility bill that is
as much for a big house and he lives in a small trailer. He said he does not have a washer and dryer, and
he has gas for heat so it doesn’t make any sense to him that his electric bill should be so high. Mayor
Hehr asked if he heats the building in front of his trailer and he does not. Mr. Jeffers said he made a
post on Facebook to see if anyone else has the same issue. Mayor Hehr asked if he had talked with the
Utility Office and he said he went to HEAP and they took care of his bill for him. Mayor Hehr advised
him to contact the Utility Office and get a work order to have the Electric Department come out and
check his meter. Kevin Brooks said the Electric Department did go out and check his meter, it has been
certified and it is not an estimate, we are actually reading his meter each month. January had multiple
single digit days, and February had double digit single digit days and the utility billing as a whole was
much higher in February this year. Mr. Brooks said we can change the meter, but meters tend to run
slower as they age so a new meter may not make any difference. Mr. Brooks said we have not raised
rates, it is consumption. He said we also had a negative power cost adjustment over the last 18 months
which means we are buying energy at the lowest possible rate and passing it on.
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
April 20, 2026
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Kevin Brooks said as far as budget billing is concerned, we are not an investor-owned utility, and we
do not have the customer base or the financial resources to carry people 11 months which is what
budget billing is about. He said you take the previous year’s billing, subtract 10% and divide by 12 to get
the budget payment. No utility is going to get into the situation after the 12 months when they do a
true-up that they will owe you.
Kevin Brooks said the bigger issue is that we operate on the Munibilling software and they do not
offer budget billing so we could not offer it even if we wanted to. Anyone that we would offer budget
billing to would be a manual calculation. With only 2 employees in the utility office, it would not be
feasible for them to have to do manual calculations every month and there would be a margin of error
as well.
Mr. Brooks said he looked at the usage of Mr. Jeffers’ utility account and February was up compared
to the previous year, but other months were relatively consistent. He said they can change the meter
out, but he does not know that will help.
Mr. Brooks did tell Mr. Jeffers that we allow a payment arrangement. We do not tell him how much
he has to pay; he will let us know what he can afford and in turn he needs to sign off on it and do what
he says he is going to do. We can give one payment arrangement every 12 months that can stretch out
over 6 months and we will not charge late fees or penalties as long as he meets the terms of the
arrangement. Mr. Jeffers said he was not told anything about the payment plan arrangement. Bill Allen
also suggested that in the summer months Mr. Jeffers could pay an extra $50.00 or so per month to get
ahead before winter. Mr. Jeffers said that is not as easy as it sounds when you’re living on fixed
income. Kevin Brooks also suggested paying as you go and that works by putting in a meter where you
have to swipe a card to get a certain dollar amount of utility and when it is gone it will shut down until
the card is swiped again for a certain dollar amount.
Kris Ogden spoke up and said a lot of seniors have United Health and they give seniors extra money
each month to pay utilities if the Village accepts it. Kevin Brooks said we would have to look into it, but
he cannot make any promises. He said we do have some limitations with the Munibilling system and
what we can do. Mr. Brooks also said the Utility Committee can look into and discuss a discount on
senior rates. Mr. Jeffers said seniors really need the help right now and he thanked Council for their
time.
IV. Old Business:
None
V. Administrator Report:
Kevin Brooks asked for a motion to hire Essie Wilson as Utility Office Clerk @ $15.00/hr. effective
May 1, 2026. Bill Allen made the motion. Alicia Gardner second the motion. Motion passed 6-0. Mr.
Brooks said along with this Kassie Steele, Utility Office Clerk, will be transitioning from full-time to part-
time with no benefits. We would like to keep her on the roster and use her intermittently to cover for
vacation leave and billing time. Mr. Brooks said this will not be a permanent thing, but we cannot have
a new employee alone when Tina Tubaugh, Utility Office Supervisor, goes on vacation next month. He
would like to make sure Council agrees with this and Council agreed.
Kevin Brooks asked for a motion to hire Jesse Howard on the Water/Sewer Distribution crew @
$15.00/hr. effective April 21, 2026. The department is short of an employee due to long-term medical
leave. Mr. Howard will be working 40 hours per week with no benefits for the next 3 months to bridge
the gap of being short of an employee until we know if our current employee will be returning. Bill
Allen made the motion. Tom Kirkland second the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
Kevin Brooks asked for a motion to hire Crystal Carpenter as custodian for the Municipal Building
and the Brown Center @ $15.00/hr. effective immediately. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Tiffany
Ramsay second the motion. Kim Schaber asked what happened to the gentleman we had already hired
for the Brown Center and Mr. Brooks said he has pursued another opportunity. Tiffany Ramsay asked if
Crystal Carpenter is full-time or part-time and she is part-time. Motion passed 6-0.
Kevin Brooks said per the Property Maintenance Committee, the dumpsters have been ordered to be
at the Municipal Building from June 1 st – 5 th . It has been confirmed with Rosen that they will be
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
April 20, 2026
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delivering 6 dumpsters here at the Municipal Building. They will be monitored by camera 24/7 and P.D.
will review the footage to curb the illegal dumping. Mr. Brooks said the rules are clearly posted as to
what is acceptable. They are also working on a program for residents who have a problem with brush
disposal, and they should have an announcement for that soon. Mayor Hehr said the dumpsters are
very expensive and it is for residents and residents’ homes within the Village only. She said we cannot
afford to continue the program if we are cleaning up the county and not just the Village.
Kevin Brooks said the property at Church and Main Street has been brought up to grade and there
will be topsoil brought in and left to dry out before it is graded again and seeded in grass. Some of the
bricks were removed and the intent is to remove the rest of the brick and pour sidewalk and curb. We
will also be putting in benches and tables for Alumni weekend and possibly for the summer months
depending on how things go.
Kevin Brooks reported that on Thursday, April 30 th , AMP is providing a webinar on demand usage and
peak shaving. There are a few Council members taking the Public Power Certification Course and this
webinar is in addition to the course. Kevin Brooks said if anyone is interested in the webinar it is a brief
program that will give a really good synopsis of demand, metering, as well as peak shaving. He said
Council may want to become more familiar with these topics due to the conversion project the Village is
looking at doing.
VI. Fiscal Officer Report:
Fiscal Officer Lori Cunard stated that Lewis Hill and Crystal Carpenter cleaned and polished the floors
at the Brown Center and they look very nice.
Lori Cunard reported that she will be attending Mayor’s Court Clerk Conference in Columbus this
week from Wednesday – Friday.
Lori Cunard said there are two Ordinances in Council packet for approval.
VII. Committee Chair/Council Reports:
Matt Schaber – Matt Schaber said he is asking for a Park Committee meeting for next Monday, he will
check with everyone to get a time set up.
Matt Schaber said they held a Street Department Committee meeting this morning and they
discussed the possibility of a new or used excavator. They would like to budget for it next year. In the
meantime, John Williams, Street Superintendent, is getting parts for the current excavator. Kevin
Brooks said they are looking at spending $6,000-$7,000 on the parts which should buy us at least
another year with the excavator.
Kevin Brooks asked Lori Cunard what the funds for the Capital Outlay is budgeted for and Lori Cunard
said it is budgeted for salt, cold mix, hot mix, etc. Kevin Brooks said they are hesitant to spend $70,000-
$75,000 on an excavator at the present time so they will be looking into options when it comes time to
do budget for next year.
Tiffany Ramsay – Tiffany Ramsay stated she would like to discuss extending the D.O.R.A. hours for
the Friday night of Alumni weekend. She has already spoken with Chief Corey Jones, and he is ok with it.
She is suggesting extending the hours from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on June 19 th . Kevin Brooks said the
hours were extended last year for Alumni weekend. Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to extend the
D.O.R.A. hours on June 19 , 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Tiffany Ramsay made the motion. Tom
Kirkland second the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
Tiffany Ramsay reported the next Property Maintenance Committee meeting will be May 4, 2026 at
5:00 p.m.
Mayor Hehr said the Property Maintenance Committee is going to start calling residents in to a
meeting who have issues with their property. They can meet with the committee to discuss what they
are planning on doing with their property. She said they are not trying to harass people but want to
work with them to get their properties cleaned up.
Kim Schaber – Nothing to report.
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April 20, 2026
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Alicia Gardner – Nothing to report.
Bill Allen – Bill Allen handed a copy of Barnesville’s Ordinance regarding golf carts, low-speed
vehicles, utility vehicles and mini trucks being operated within the jurisdiction. He said Barnesville used
the State’s Ordinance. He would like to have a discussion and possibly make a motion to bring this to
light for Woodsfield. Mayor Hehr suggested allowing Council the next two weeks to read over it and it
can be discussed at the next Council meeting. Bill Allen said he has talked to Chief Corey Jones about it
and he has no problem with it. He said he talked to Barnesville and they are a little over a year in and
have had no major issues, just a few tickets issued for minor things. Bill Allen said Kim Schaber told him
that Caldwell has also just passed an Ordinance for the same thing. He said the Village Police
Department would do the inspections which would give them a little boost in revenue. Mayor Hehr
asked how we know that their golf cart, utility vehicle, etc. has been inspected and Chief Jones said they
will have a license plate. Mayor Hehr said they cannot ride on the state highway, but they can cross
over a state highway. Bill Allen said he thinks it would bring more people out to the Village businesses.
Solicitor Ryan Regel asked if Council wanted him to draft an Ordinance for next Council meeting or if
they wanted to discuss more specifics. Bill Allen said he thinks Council should have the next two weeks
to look over Barnesville’s Ordinance and then they can talk more about it at the next meeting before an
Ordinance is drafted.
Tom Kirkland – Nothing to report.
Kevin Brooks said he forgot to mention that the Street Department is starting a street sweeping
program that will begin in May. There will be a schedule published in the paper and the street sweeping
will be done every Wednesday throughout the summer. Mayor Hehr said they might also do an all-call
letting people know when the Street Department will be sweeping in their area and they are also
working on signage.
VIII: Solicitor’s Report:
Solicitor Ryan Regel needs a motion from Council to authorize Mayor Hehr to execute an oil and gas
lease on 20.27 acres pending his final approval. Tom Kirkland made the motion. Matt Schaber second
the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
XI: Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the payment of bills. Matt Schaber made the motion.
Tom Kirkland second the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to approve the Mayor’s Court Report, mid-April 2026. Matt Schaber
made the motion. Tom Kirkland second the motion. Motion passed 6-0.
Mayor Carol Hehr asked for a motion to approve Ordinance #06-2026, An Ordinance Providing for
Amending and Revising Specific Line-Items in the Appropriations of Expenditures for the Village of
Woodsfield for the Calendar Year 2026 and Declaring an Emergency. Let it be noted: A motion to
suspend the three-reading rule and pass this ordinance as an emergency was made. Tiffany Ramsay
made the motion. Bill Allen second the motion. Tom Kirkland – yes, Alicia Gardner – yes, Kim Schaber –
yes, Matt Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance #06-2026 adopted.
Mayor Carol Hehr asked for a motion to approve Ordinance #07-2026, An Ordinance Providing for
Amending and Revising Specific Line-Items in the Appropriations of Expenditures for the Village of
Woodsfield for the Calendar Year 2026 and Declaring an Emergency. Let it be noted: A motion to
suspend the three-reading rule and pass this ordinance as an emergency was made. Matt Schaber
made the motion. Bill Allen second the motion. Tom Kirkland – yes, Alicia Gardner – yes, Tiffany
Ramsay – yes, Kim Schaber – yes. Motion passed 6-0. Ordinance #07-2026 adopted.
X. Un-Registered Visitors/Guests:
None
The Council of the Village of Woodsfield
April 20, 2026
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Fire Chief Mike Young attended the Council meeting. Mayor Hehr had invited him to attend and
bring the new fire truck. She said after adjourning the meeting everyone can go out and look at it. If
there are any questions for Mike Young, they can be asked at that time.
A visitor in attendance asked when the list of what is allowed to be thrown in the dumpsters will be
made available. Chief Corey Jones said it is on the Village Facebook page but there should be no tires,
electronics, or carpet.
XI. Adjourn:
Mayor Hehr asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alicia Gardner made the motion. Tiffany
Ramsay second. Motion passed 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
ATTEST:
___________________________ ____________________________
Carol Hehr, Mayor Lori Cunard, Fiscal Officer