(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
AGREEMENTS … Wauseon Council members approve first readings of resolutions that form agreements with the police unions.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Wauseon City Council members recently held a meeting on Monday, November 4th. The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence led by Mayor Kathy Huner.
Council then moved to approve minutes from a council meeting held on October 21st, as well as minutes from a Committee of the Whole meeting held on October 31st.
Committee reports came next, with topics from a recent personnel meeting being stated. These topics included the current HR situation, ideas revolving around compensation, and the current clothing allowance.
In regard to the HR situation, it was stated that the current representative’s contract was only for one year and that she is requesting to stay on with an additional one hour per week.
It was further stated that department heads showed their support and made it known what the HR representative has done to help and how things have been going.
As for compensation ideas, a formula was brought forward that could ensure compensation between job levels (a chief to assistant chief for example) stays clear from becoming to close between the two. It was stated that the committee would like to see an example of this in action first before deciding.
Moving to the clothing allowance, a request was made to increase the allowance due to the cost of items now. The cost of a pair of boots per year alone was touched on.
It was stated that this request seemed reasonable. No recommendations were put forward to council from the personnel meeting.
The council then heard from department heads, with each one delivering a report. Fire Chief Phil Kessler spoke first and stated that October was a busy month for fire prevention.
Around 509 kids and 95 adults were interacted with through activities like tours and education sessions.
This number does not include members of the public that were interacted with during trick or treat, which also went very well this year. As for incidents, October saw 128 which brings the yearly total to just under 1300 so far.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden spoke next and echoed Chief Kessler’s statement of this year’s Trick or Treat going well.
Chittenden also informed council that the department has received its thirteen portable radios that were purchased from a grant.
This makes the department up to date with radios for portables and in the cars, with dispatch radios being the only ones left to update. Lastly, information regarding this year’s Christmas for Kids was recently put on Facebook.
Public Services Director Keith Torbet then spoke and stated that he was able to get ahold of US Utilities and that they informed him the poles had been received. They are supposed to come back out to finish the work but no date for that was received.
It was stated that bids were opened for the 2025 chemicals purchase. Prices were up but not outrageous according to Torbet.
Also, all paperwork had been signed for the partial Fulton Street resurfacing project. Cornhusks at Biddle Park were also discussed along with the feasibility study.
Finance Director Jamie Giguere was next to speak and stated that insurance open enrollment had reopened and that three meetings were scheduled for next week to discuss this.
Taxes for the month of October were then discussed with it being stated by Giguere that business revenues were down. She followed that up by stating some businesses may not be doing as well this year compared to last year.
Law Director Tom McWatters III then informed council of upcoming legislative items for their approval.
Council then moved on to approve the following items. The first reading of Resolution 2024-30 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Patrol Officer’s Union.
The first reading of Resolution 2024-31 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Command Officers Union.
The first reading of Resolution 2024-32 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Records Technicians and Full-Time Dispatchers Union.
The first reading of Resolution 2024-33 authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for indigent defense services in county court with the Fulton County Commissioners.
The third reading of Resolution 2024-29 for a clinical affiliation agreement between Rhodes State College and the City of Wauseon Fire Department.
Council also approved a motion to authorize the mayor, or her designee, to accept the Undivided Local Government Fund amount allotted to the city.
Council members were then reminded that the Christmas Parade is on November 23rd this year, with each one being invited to participate in the parade. Councilor Stickley then informed council that his son who is a Master Sgt. in the Air Force, just retired the day before after 38 years.
Council then moved to pay the bills as presented before entering into executive session at 5:20 p.m. Following council’s exit from executive session, with no action taken, the meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.