By Julie Erickson

In attendance:

Therese Dunphy, Mayor

Sean Housley, Clerk-Treasurer

Benjamin Gregory, Director of Public Service

Steve Justice, Chief of Police

Patricia Rubright, Director of Law   

Council Members: Matt Plesich (Council President/District D), Phil Kaplan (Council Vice President/District C), Jim Kurtz (District A), Kevin Rozsa (District B), Betsy Meyer (At-Large), Suzanne Garrett (At-Large), Christopher Scott (At-Large)

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the roll call of council members with all seven members present. 

The minutes from the May 6, 2026, meeting were then approved after a correction to reflect that there is a cost of $3,000 per camera, not of $3,000 per year, for new Flock camera placements at the Silver Lake boat house. Flock cameras target specific makes, models and license plates of cars, and these cameras would replace current nonfunctioning cameras in place at the boat house.      

There were several first readings of ordinances and then discussion of each ordinance to provide to council members clarification of information contained in each.

Ordinance No. 25-2026: An ordinance to amend appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the village of Silver Lake during the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025. Housley reviewed that transferred appropriations are requested for property and casualty insurance and increased appropriations are requested related to bank fees and 2026 election expenses. Declared an emergency, rules suspended and adopted 7 to 0.

Ordinance No. 26-2026: An ordinance to update and revise the village of Silver Lake credit card policy. This ordinance would make the mayor the decision/approval maker on who is authorized to have issued a credit card for business use. The mayor will also designate the credit card limit for each approved user. This ordinance also updates the policy for approved reporting of credit card expenditures by the user. Declared an emergency, rules suspended and adopted with a vote of 7 to 0. 

Ordinance 27-2026: An ordinance resolving the claim directed to the village of Silver Lake from George Coyle for expenses incurred in resolving a sink hole at his property due to a broken pipe located in the city right of way. Rubright walked through the long approval process this claim had gone through and stated that with the pipe located in the city right of way, the claim should be approved at this time for payment without any admission of city liability with full settlement of the claim. Declared a state of emergency, rules suspended and adopted 7 to 0.

Ordinance No. 28-2026: An ordinance that would allow the mayor to adopt a cybersecurity program. Adoption of the new cybersecurity program would bring the village of Silver Lake in compliance with the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, which is aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework best practices. Once in place, the new program will be reviewed and updated annually to include annual training of employees to remain protected against cyberattacks and ransom phishing.  Declared a state of emergency, rules suspended and adopted with a vote of 7 to 0.

Ordinance No. 29-2026: An ordinance enacting new chapter 711 in part seven of the codified ordinances of the village of Silver Lake titled business regulations prohibiting short-term rentals in any residentially zoned district. In response to questions, Ambrose clarified that short-term rentals are defined as less than 30 days and this ordinance does not apply to storage of physical property in another property owners’ garage or on their property. Declared an emergency, rules suspended and passed 7 to 0.

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The mayor received a letter from FirstEnergy advising that they will be taking a rate increase over the next three years. In year one, the rate will increase from the current rate of $6.50 to $8.00, in year two the rate will increase to $9.00, and in year three, the rate will increase to $10.00 or a 54 per cent overall increase over three years. The energy charges are currently at 4.1 cents per energy, and FirstEnergy wants to take that up by a penny.

The mayor reminded council that the garden club was meeting on Wednesday, and there was a large turnout expected. The results of the water supply site survey were to be reviewed. The public was going to be allowed to ask questions at the informational meeting.

The flushing of city water hydrants was completed two weeks ahead of schedule.

Rubright provided to council an update on pending litigation regarding a property on Silver Lake and that the Court of Appeals did provide to the city a favorable outcome, but this is not a final decision.

Justice shared that the police memorial took place last Monday and was well attended. In addition, he provided an update on livestock that was stolen and ongoing investigation.

Housley wanted to share with council that delinquent tax filing audits will take place this year.

None.

The meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.