SMALL GROUP … From left to right Law Director Tom McWatters, Mayor Kathy Huner, Council President Scott Stiriz and Councilors Steve Schneider, Harold Stickley, Sarah Heising and Shane Chamberlin were present at the December 19, 2022 Wauseon City Council meeting. Good discussions were held concerning recommendations brought to council by Stiriz from the Park Board and the Tree Commission. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Wauseon City Council met on December 19, 2022 with all but councilor Brandon Tijerina present.
Four of the five department heads were not present to give reports due to sickness or family events.
Mayor Kathy Huner and council went ahead with the business of the day, approving the minutes for December 5, 2022 regular meeting and for Committee of the Whole on December 14, 2022.
Law Director Tom McWatters was present and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Committee reports were given for Building and Grounds, Finance Committee and Park Board and Tree Commission Joint Meeting.
President Scott Stiriz reported for the Building and Grounds Committee, informing council that the attorney for Jan Bannister approached McWatters to see if the city would be interested in purchasing some property on Glenwood.
It is two different lots that are 16 acres each, separated, and the committee decided after discussion of the pros and cons that it is not necessary at this time for the city to buy it.
For Finance Committee, councilor Steve Schneider reported that the committee met on December 8, 2022 at noon.
They went over the budget page by page and determined there were extremely minimal changes.
Councilor Shane Chamberlin reported on Personnel Committee and asked for approval from council to increase wages for the clerk by 4% to coincide with the rest of the employees. Approval was given.
Stiriz also reported on the joint meeting of the Park Board and Tree Commission, telling council that Stephanie Miller from the Forestry Department was there.
Miller asked to be able to do a risk assessment of the trees at Reighard Park. She is concerned about some of the dead trees or limbs, especially around the playground and wants to do the assessment in January.
Council approved the committee’s recommendation to schedule the risk assessment tree program for Reighard Park.
Stiriz said that the two groups had split up and he went with the Park Board. They are asking approval to plan and implement a native grassland at Homecoming Park.
Following some discussion amongst the mayor and council members at the December 19 regular meeting, it was determined to send it back to the Park Board with the recommendation that they try a grassland in a smaller portion of land to see how it works before doing such a large area.
Mayor Huner also mentioned that the grassy area was originally put there for family and friends to play soccer, football or other sports together.
Councilor Sarah Heising requested that the Park Board do some research in finding out what the residents feel about the possible change to grasslands.
Finishing his report, Stiriz said that the Tree Committee had discussed the upcoming Tree City event.
The commission has planted 27 trees in the streets, 2 memorial trees and 6 trees at Reighard Park. He commented on what great care the Tree Commission give to the city trees.
In legislation, the council approved:
- Ordinance 2022-6 to approve, adopt and enact the 2022 Replacement Pages to The Codified Ordinances; to repeal ordinances in conflict therewith; to publish the enactment of new matter; and declaring an emergency
- Ordinance 2022-7 to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of Wauseon, State of Ohio, during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022
- Resolution 2022-36 Revising Section 6, paragraph B of the City of Wauseon’s compensation plan to eliminate merit raises tied to annual evaluation scores; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 2022-37 Revising Section 623.3 (A)(1) of the City of Wauseon Local Government manual; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 38 approving a wage increase for full-time non-union employees; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 35 – second reading – authorizing the mayor to enter into agreements for engineering services
- Motion to authorize the director of finance to pay all bills through December 31, 2022
- Motion to appoint councilor Shane Chamberlin, Council President Scott Stiriz and Brett Kolb to the Volunteer Firefighter Dependent Board
- Payment of bills
With no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com
