GETTING STARTED … Wauseon City Council members and Mayor Kathy Huner get ready to attend to that evening’s agenda. (PHOTO BY ANNA WOZNIAK, STAFF)
By: Anna Wozniak
The February 6th, 2023 Wauseon City Council meeting started at 5 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance, a moment of silence, and roll call. All six council members were present.
Fire Chief Phil Kessler started the department head reports by introducing the newest member of the fire department: Casyn Schaffner.
Schaffner, who is also an air national guard member, started with the fire department last month.
Chief Kessler stated that they “look forward to having him as he continues his education.” Kessler then thanked the public for their patience and understanding in both the recent fires and the power outage caused by an accident on Shoop Avenue.
Mayor Kathy Huner furthered this thanks, stressing that the occurrence of the accident during “peak times” made for an extremely dangerous situation.
She stated it was helpful having Glenwood Avenue for diverting traffic and thanked the fire and police departments for their great performance.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden then detailed how the police department is currently sifting through internal applicants to fill an open sergeant position, as well as how they are currently interviewing to fill other open positions.
Keith Torbet, Director of Public Service, spoke of two grants that have been applied for. They are looking to receive an $11,000 EPA grant that would ensure they could allocate their own manpower to detecting costly water leaks.
Without this grant they will need to pay a third-party company to scout for the leaks, which occur when pipes burst due to freezing temperatures.
The Fulton County Economic Development has applied for a grant that would help small businesses complete energy audits.
These businesses can then apply for aid to help them become more energy efficient.
Jamie Giguere, Director of Finance, shared how she has posted an open HR/Clerk position, and is currently going through applications.
Council President Scott Stiriz then began reporting on the committee effort that has been made towards the tree commission.
The first reading of legislation or emergency was focused on Resolution 2023-2: A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a Federal Local Project Agreement for installation of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon at the Wabash Cannonball Trail Crossing on North Shoop Avenue.
Motion to place Resolution 2023-2 on the first reading was moved by Councilor Harold Stickley and seconded by Councilor Brandon Tijerina. The motion was carried unanimously.
The second reading of legislation or emergency was Resolution 2023-3: A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Paylocity for human resource and payroll services; and declaring an emergency.
The motion to place Resolution 2023-3 on emergency reading was moved by Stickley and seconded by Councilor Sarah Heising. Resolution 2023-3 was placed on emergency reading with a carried motion of 5 yeas and 1 nay.
Conversation was then held on the benefits of Paylocity, with Mayor Huner stressing the importance of training material provided by Paylocity, in addition to the convenience of one central application for all city employees payroll, taxation and onboarding services.
Tijerina discussed the benefits of upgrading to Paylocity versus the overall cost increase that Paylocity will incur.
Motion to place Resolution 2023-3 and pass the final reading was moved by Heising and seconded by Stiriz.The motion carried with 5 yeas and 1 nay.
A motion to approve and pay the bills as presented was moved by Councilor Steve Schneider and seconded by Councilor Shane Chamberlin. The motion was carried unanimously.
Council then unanimously carried a motion to enter into an executive session that was moved by Tijerina and seconded by Heising at 5:33 p.m.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com
