CITIZEN CONCERNS … Director of Public Service Keith Torbet (left) was on hand to address citizen concerns as a result of the Omi Fiber internet installation. (PHOTO BY AMY WENDT, STAFF)
By: Amy Wendt
On Monday, April 17, 2023, the Wauseon City Council met with all members present.
Monthly Department Head Reports before the council included those from: Phil Kessler, Fire Chief; Kevin Chittenden, Police Chief; Jamie Giguere, Director of Finance; and Kevin Whitlock filling in for Thomas McWatters III, Law Director.
Director of Public Service, Keith Torbet was on hand to speak on his department’s monthly report in person.
Torbet shared that on Wednesday, April 19, repainting of a section of the public pool will begin. He also noted that the North Park equipment will be installed later during the week of April 17.
In other matters, Torbet noted, “Our guys are working pretty much nonstop trying to keep ahead of Omni Fiber doing the locates. “
“We’ve had a few minor issues with Omni Fiber, but they have been very good about taking care of the complaints as we get them, not necessarily in a timely manner.”
Councilor Shane Chamberlin interjected, “That’s under new business tonight.”
Mayor Kathy Huner weighed in and explained that she too was concerned when she saw that boulevards and pavement were torn up as a part of Omni Fiber’s internet installation around the city.
However, she went on to indicate that the city was reassured by Omni Fiber that everything will be repaired and put back into place.
According to Torbet, “The out-of-state group, ADG, is actually doing the work for Omni Fiber. Their crews spent all Saturday just addressing issues that they had, and they have assured us that they are going to put it right back to the way it was beforehand.”
Councilor Chamberlin shared that he took part in a conversation on Facebook and two of the concerns that came from that interaction included tearing up boulevards and residents not getting notice from Omni Fiber prior to the work being done.
Torbet explained that the Omni Fiber crews are digging much of the work by hand with the exception of the directional boring, and they are doing the job as “minimally invasive as possible.”
“I have told everyone who has called, that if there’s an issue, please let us know so we can address it.”
Mayor Huner closed out the discussion by summarizing, “It’s gonna be fixed and not at our cost.”
In committee reports, council reviewed the April 3, 2023, Tree Commission report. The report noted that the Tree Commission Committee met to discuss the Annual Tree City USA event that Wauseon will be hosting on May 9th, 2023.
The group is currently finalizing the agenda. Kurt Stuckey will be working on centerpieces and door prizes for the event while Laura Kamp will be tracking the budget.
Ticket sales have already begun, and the committee is utilizing the Ohio Arborist website as an online ticket purchase option.
Also in front of council was a first reading of Resolution 2023-6, authorizing the mayor to enter into an Electrical Supply Agreement for city streetlights.
Upon suspension of the rules and declaring it an emergency, the aforementioned resolution was approved.
The emergency approval authorizes the mayor to enter immediately into an electrical service agreement with either AEP Energy, Inc. or Dynegy Energy Services, East, LLC to provide electricity to the city’s street lights and to obtain cost savings on that purchase of electricity as quickly as possible.
Council also approved the Council Meeting Minutes from April 3, 2023, the Committee of the Whole Minutes from April 12, 2023, and bills and payments.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next Wauseon City Council Meeting will be held on Monday, May 1 at 5:00 pm in council chambers.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com