Village Council Accepts Street Commissioner's Resignation; Approves Paving and ADA Upgrades

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT

Delaynie Potts

Village Clerk-Fiscal Officer and Assistant to the Executive

Telephone: (740) 742-2121, Ext. 1000

delaynie.potts@villageofrutland.org

RUTLAND, Ohio — The Rutland Village Council on Monday convened in regular session in the Mayor's Chambers at Rutland Civic Center-Village Hall, with Mayor Tyler M. Eblin presiding.

Following a moment of silence and a recitation of the pledge of allegiance, the Village Council received communication from Village Clerk-Fiscal Officer Delaynie Potts.

Among the communication received was a letter received from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral Resources Management, communicating the agency's decision not to fund the Rutland Civic Center Multi-Purpose Revitalization Project.

A letter from the Ohio Department of Transportation was received communicating a planned project during the 2027 construction season at the Little Leading Creek bridge near the intersection of Main and Larkin streets, to address failing concrete pavement, during which an approximate 30-day closure on Larkin Street, and one lane closure on State Route 124, will occur to accommodate the removal of the existing concrete pavement and replacement with full depth asphalt pavement.

TetraTech submitted a letter to the Mayor's Office requesting property access for the continuation of the Miller's Gas Station abatement and clean-up project, which was granted by Mayor Eblin.

In personnel matters, the Potts read to the Village Council a letter of resignation from Street Commissioner William Grubaugh, which read in part, "Prioritizing my health, family and personal interests is in my best interest. I am pursuing other opportunities that align with my goals and enable me to make the necessary medical progress for my longevity.”

Following the reading, Mayor Eblin recognized and extended his appreciation for Grubaugh's service, highlighting Grubaugh's oversight of several community improvement projects, including the Rutland Civic Center Gymnasium renovation, Lynn Street and Lynn Street storm sewer improvement projects, Weber Street surface and drainage improvement project, coordinating the purchase of the Village's maintenance truck and commercial mower, among several improvements at Village Hall. Grubaugh's last day of service will be February 20, 2026.

Mayor Eblin announced the following committee chairperson appointments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Appointed as Finance Committee Chair is Councilmember Carol Moore; as Parks, Recreation and Community Services Committee Chair is Councilmember Dakota Smith; as Public Safety Chair is Councilmember McKayla Gilkey; as Public Service Chair is Councilmember Shawna Davis; as Judiciary Chair is Councilmember Madalyn Wood.

Discussed before the Village Council was the loan secured from People's Bank to complete the purchase of snow removal equipment from Southeastern Equipment Company. Mayor Eblin informed the Village Council the loan was executed at the Jackson Branch of People's Bank last week, with a principal of $8,609.65, and an interest rate of 5.33%, and is amortized for 17 months. The Village Council previously passed Ordinance 2025-43 in December, authorizing the Mayor to make applicaton for and secure the loan agreement on behalf of the Village.

Mayor Eblin also communicated to the Village Council his intent to request funding through the state capital budget bill for the Rutland Civic Center Multi-Purpose Revitalization Project. The Mayor's Office has been in contact with State Representative Kevin Ritter's Office, who will provide guidance on the request as soon as it is made available from the state's Office of Budget and Management. Mayor Eblin noted that if funding cannot be secured through the state's capital budget, the Village would need to apply for funding via the neighborhood revitalization program; however, project specifications would need to be revised to ensure the project can remain under the program's award ceiling of $750,000. Currently, the project is estimated to cost $1.1-million.

Representatives from American Structurepoint have met with Mayor Eblin to discuss the Safe Streets For All Program, a federal program aimed at providing federal funding for improvements in pedestrian infrastructure, such as sidewalks. Mayor Eblin explains Aaron Montz, Development Director with American Structurepoint, and also the former Mayor of Tiffin, Ohio, became acquainted with Mayor Eblin through networking with Small Nation President and CEO Jason Duff, with Montz having an interest in reaching out to the Village to offer assistance. A virtual meeting with Montz and American Structurepoint is scheduled for this Friday at the Mayor's Office.

The Village Council held the first reading of Ordinance 2026-07, sponsored by Councilmember Davis, to make permanent appropriations for the current expenses and other expenditures of the Village of Rutland during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, and was referred to the Finance Committee.

The Village Council held a third reading of multiple ordinances.

• Ordinance 2025-38, sponsored by Councilmember Smith, to authorize the Mayor to secure a loan in the amount not to exceed $40,000 from People's Bank to finance the Lynn Avenue and Lynn Street Phase II Storm Sewer Construction and Resurfacing Project of fiscal year 2026, and the Weber Street asphalt pavement overlay project of fiscal year 2026, was read and referred to the Public Service Committee for further study in lieu of passage.

• Ordinance 2025-40, sponsored by President Christopher Saber, to levy an annual license tax in the sum of $5.00, was read and referred to the Public Service Committee for further study in lieu of passage.

• Ordinance 2025-41, sponsored by President Christopher Saber, to levy an annual supplemental license tax in the sum of $5.00, was read and referred to the Public Service Committee for further study in lieu of passage.

• Ordinance 2025-42, sponsored by President Christopher Saber, to levy an annual second supplemental license tax in the sum of $5.00, was read and referred to the Public Service Committee for further study in lieu of passage.

The Finance Committee will meet Monday, February 16, 2026 at 6:00 P.M., followed by the Public Service Committee at 8:15 P.M. in the Mayor's Chambers at Rutland Civic Center-Village Hall. All committee meetings will be livestreamed via the Village of Rutland Facebook page, and are open to public attendance.

The Village Council suspended the rules, discussed and passed legislation related to authorizing the Ohio Department of Transportation to complete a paving project along State Route 124 within the Village corporation limits. Mayor Eblin previously explained such process is required by state law.

A concern which was discussed involved the construction of curb ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and a crosswalk connecting walkways at the intersection of Main and Locust streets involving pedestrian safety, due to the intersections close proximity to a "blind" curve.

Kurt Kleski, PE, SIT, Pavement Engineer, with the Ohio Department of Transportation, was in attendance and explained the concern was evaluated by ODOT's safety team, along with several other staff members. Kleski explained the location is in compliance with safety standards in regarding the approach by motor vehicles, but understands the concern expressed by Village Council. A compromise to add additional pedestrian warning signage and to relocate the crosswalk approximately 30 feet westbound will be considered by ODOT.

Ordinance 2026-25, to repeal Ordinance 2025-31, and Ordinance 2026-06, authorizing the Director of Transportation to complete a two-lane resurfacing project using an asphalt overlay treatment on State Route 124 in the Village of Rutland, including ADA upgrades, both sponsored by Councilmember Smith, were passed by the Village Council.

The Village Council suspended the rules and passed additional ordinances and resolutions under immediate consideration and passage. These ordinances and resolutions include:

• Ordinance 2026-08, sponsored by Councilmember Wood, providing for the amendment of the temporary appropriations of public funds, for payroll purposes.

• Resolution 2026-01, sponsored by Councilmember Wood, creating the Urban Forestry Fund, to be utilized for the receipt and expenditure of federal dollars awarded through the IRA Urban Forestry Grant.

• Resolution 2026-02, sponsored by Councilmember Moore, creating the Snow Removal Equipment Debt Service Fund, to be utilized for the receipt and expenditure of municipal income tax revenue for the purpose of repayment of the loan secured for the purchase of snow removal equipment.

In attendance was Mayor Tyler M. Eblin, Village Clerk-Fiscal Officer Delaynie Potts, Village Solicitor Richard Hedges; Councilmembers Shawna Davis, McKayla Gilkey, Carol Moore, Dakota Smith and Madalyn Wood; and visitor Kurt Kleski, with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The Rutland Village Council will reconvene for a regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. in the Mayor's Chambers at Rutland Civic Center-Village Hall.

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