Members of the Wauseon City Council convened for their regular meeting at 5:00 pm on Monday, April 7 with Council President Heather Kost and Councilors Kathy Huner, Shane Chamberlin, Fred Allen, and Rick Frey in attendance. Councilor Don Mathews was absent from the meeting. After approval of the preceding meetings minutes, council moved on to hear a report from the Building and Grounds Committee.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Fred Allen reported that the committee had met on April 3 to discuss the storm water detention facility at the Arrowhead Trails Subdivision. It has been discovered that the property was never deeded over to the City as originally intended. Director of Public Works Dennis Richardson noted that the owner has supplied the City with a legal description and survey of the facility so that the proper deed exchange can take place as well as that the easements for both the incoming and outgoing tiles are in place. Councilor Rick Frey added that the City has been maintaining the property. With all of the information presented, Council accepted the recommendation of the Building and Grounds Committee to convey the storm water detention facility parcel, a total of 4.019 acres, for Arrowhead Trails Subdivision to the City.
Moving on to department head reports, Council first heard from Regional Planning Director David Wright, who reported that he had met with the Committee of the Whole in regards to applying for the Downtown Revitalization Grant. He noted that several good ideas are being presented as well as that the annual Community Reinvestment Housing Council report was presented at the meeting. Wright added that there may be a couple of properties added to the list included in the report.
Fire Chief Rick Sluder reported that the department is working on the year end Fire Prevention program at the schools as well as doing maintenance work in the apparatus bay. Police Chief Keith Torbet reminded everyone that Drug Take Back Day will be held in conjunction with Healthy Choice Caring Communities on April 26. Torbet also noted that Police Chief Secretary Heidi Kauffman has submitted her resignation and that it appears her position will be filled internally. Torbet also reminded everyone that the department is also preparing for both Safety City and the Youth Police Academy for this year. Applications for Safety City are currently being accepted and the Youth Police Academy for 8 to 12 year olds has a tentative start date of July 9. Torbet also expressed his gratitude to Karen Vollmer, who has been running the Safety City program for 32 years.
Code Administrator Tom Hall reported that he has been working with the law office regarding drafting code that will pertain to electrical, plumbing, and heating contractors. He explained that City will now be requiring companies that hold licenses for electrical, plumbing, and heating to have proper insurance and that the draft for the needed code will be presented in the future at a Safety and Code meeting.
Director of Public Service Dennis Richardson informed Council that he had received a note from the Fulton County Historical Society, who is requesting to meet with the Building and Grounds Committee regarding events that they would like to have at the Railroad Depot, which currently does not have a good working restroom. Richardson also reminded everyone that the Public Works Department has started flushing hydrants and that there be some discoloration in water for a short period of time.
Director of Finance Jamie Giguere provided Council with the Income Tax Revenue Report year to date March 31 along with the financial reports and noted that the City’s income tax revenue is up 2.4% from this time last year. She also noted that the City now has a link on its website for water customers to choose to receive their bills electronically. Those who do not opt in to the electronic billing system will continue to receive their bills through the mail.
In legislative matters, Resolution 2014-4 passed on second reading and under emergency language. The resolution authorizes the mayor to advertise for bids for the secondary digester cover replacement project, to accept the lowest and best bid, and to enter into a contract with the corresponding bidder.
The final piece of business addressed by council in open session was to approve the mayor’s reappointment of Keith Torbet as Chief of Police effective May 18, 2018.
After final approval of the bills, Mayor Doug Shaw asked for a motion to enter into Executive Session regarding personnel and investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee. The motion was granted and Council entered into Executive Session with no further action being taken.
The next meeting of the Wauseon City Council will be held on Monday, April 21, at 5:00 pm in Council Chambers.
