(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
COUNCIL … Members of the Wauseon Village Council discuss Resolution 2024-23 which was up for vote at the time. The vote ended with council moving to approve the resolution.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council held their meeting on Monday, August 19th. The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Roll call was then taken, with councilor Shane Chamberlin not present.
Council then moved to approve the prior meeting minutes from August 5th, as well as the Committee of the Whole meeting minutes from August 15th.
Due to councilor Jeremy Simon needing to leave early, the meeting agenda was changed to allow for the passing of Resolution 2024-23, to authorize the mayor to enter into a service contract with Triotech for its services; and declaring an emergency.
In regard to the resolution, councilor Sarah Heising asked about an item stating the company is paid from when they leave their facility and that the rate continues until they return to their facility. The company’s facility is located in Whitehouse.
It was then asked by councilor Brandon Tijerina if there was an end date to the contract. It was stated that the contract was on an as-needed basis and that an end date would not be needed.
The company will be conducting work for the city on a trial basis to see if needs are met. After a trial period, work will be done to see if a contract will be needed for work conducted on a continual basis. Following discussion, council moved to approve the resolution with emergency provisions.
Simon then exited the meeting at 5:12 p.m. before the rest of council moved on to committee reports.
First came the Finance Committee meeting that was held on August 5th. Discussed during the meeting was a feasibility study for both the current building and the building next door that used to serve as the county senior center.
Previously, money in the amount of $56,000 was approved to conduct the study for the current building.
This study is needed due to outgrowing the current building and to find out if it would be better to make changes or build a new building.
A different option however came forward, which involves utilizing the previous senior center building, which is currently owned by Clinton Township. Adding this building to the feasibility study will cost an additional $48,000.
Members of council asked about the cost of the study, particularly in regard to the cost, and asked what would happen if the study came back and says there is no option after the money is spent.
Public Service Director Keith Torbet explained that the study would still be used for the buildings.
For example, if the study showed that a new building would be more beneficial for the city, the study could be used for the building if they wanted to turn it into a community center or something else.
It was further stated that, in order to change what the building will be used for, a feasibility study would have to be conducted first before the change would be allowed.
Following discussion, council moved to approve the Finance Committee’s recommendation, before moving on to hear about the Tree Commission meeting. The meeting took place on August 6th and discussed ways of helping trees better their ability to grow.
Work is being conducted for the Tree City Growth Awards and a strategic plan that was brought to the committee will be worked on over the next few months.
Moving on then to safety and code, the meeting was held on August 8th and first discussed a change to the parade/event permits. Changes being made to the process are almost complete and will later be brought to council.
Additionally, a zoning and code amendment that will require commercial buildings to obtain a zoning permit for changes was recommended for approval.
It was stated this would ensure communication between the city and businesses before changes are made and would ensure no issues would arise, which could cause a fine. The fee for the certificate was set at $100.00.
Also discussed was a second recommendation by the committee regarding rental properties and landlords.
Each landlord in the city will be required to turn information over to the city that includes who is living at the address and how many people are living there.
It was stated this would be a really good thing to have in the event of a fire. Council then moved to approve both recommendations.
Last up came the Park Board meeting minutes. First up from the minutes was the presentation of a World War II reenactment which was brought to the park board.
The event is planned for May 2nd, May 3rd, and May 4th of 2025 and will take place at Homecoming Park.
Torbet explained that there would be different areas where battles would be simulated in and that the park board moved to approve the event.
Next, Torbet discussed an increase in pool prices for next year. Due to the pool being paid for with a levy, the decision was made not to increase the fee for residents.
However, the fee will be increased next year for non-residents from a $4.00 day pass to a $5.00 day pass. Torbet then informed council of a phone call that took place between him and a gentleman from the University of Cincinnati.
The group there would like to team up with the City of Wauseon for a safety and traffic grant to study pedestrians and roadways. The grant is an 80/20 grant with a cost of $300,000.
The total cost from the city would amount to $60,000 but, the group in Cincinnati is willing to cover $30,000 of that.
It is their hope that, through the study, additional equipment and infrastructure funding will become available to the city.
With no other department heads having anything to report, council moved back to the hearing of Resolution 2024-22, to amend Ordinance 2023-8 an annual appropriation Ordinance, by authorizing the director of finance to increase or decrease certain line account appropriations within the various funds listed within the year of 2024. This resolution was approved by council.
Next, council moved to set the date of Trick-Or-Treat for Thursday, October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In regards to a discussion about Biddle Park tournaments that took place at the last meeting, Mayor Kathy Huner informed council that a previous agreement from back in 2020 between the City of Wauseon and the WRA showed that the WRA would give the city 20% of its profits in order to pay for upkeep. It was stated the arrangement was previously being followed but that it had stopped.
It was further stated that the WRA’s change of leadership at the end of the year could have been a contributing factor, and the issue may have slipped through the cracks.
Following discussions, council moved to approve the bills before moving to adjourn at 6:02 p.m.