By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council held their meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026. The meeting began at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence and the approval of the prior meeting’s minutes.
The first portion of the meeting included a presentation from Diane Scherer and Stephanie Moore, representing the Fulton County Humane Society, along with Jennifer Pershing, of Compassionate Care Sanctuary.
The group spoke to council about community cats in Wauseon and the need for a TNVR partnership, which stands for trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return.
The representatives said they had recently met with Mayor Huner and the police department and would like to see Wauseon become a pilot program for TNVR in Fulton County.
They explained that the issue has also been addressed in Swanton, where officials formed a committee, partnered with the Fulton County Humane Society, and established a TNVR program after concerns were raised over the village’s previous ordinance regarding feral cats.
They said Swanton invested $10,000 into the program and has made it part of the village’s permanent budget going forward. According to the presentation, Swanton has sent 26 cats through the program in six weeks and would be willing to meet with Wauseon officials to share how its program was developed.
The group also said Compassionate Care Sanctuary has TNVR treated 135 cats within Wauseon city limits. They told council that the current cat population outweighs available Fulton County Humane Society donations and asked the city to consider adopting an ordinance to help control feral and outdoor cat populations.
They also discussed the Fulton County Humane Society’s barn cat program, which allows cats to be healed, altered, vaccinated, and then either placed in barns or released back into the community. Cats that have been altered and vaccinated are identified by having the tip of one ear clipped.
INDOOR SPORTS FACILITY
Council next heard a presentation from Brock Nagel and Jason Blonstein regarding a proposed indoor facility for Dorothy Biddle Park.
The proposed facility would include 65,000 square feet and feature basketball courts, a field house, an indoor track, three retractable batting cages, a fitness and training center, and classrooms that could be leased by educational contractors, tutors, and fitness coaches.
The proposal also included outdoor and community features such as a great lawn for community festivals, open-air activities, youth field days, a community stage, and other civic uses.
The Wauseon Recreation Association is asking for the formation of a Joint Recreation District involving Wauseon City Council and the Wauseon school district, while also seeking support from local businesses.
The goal discussed during the presentation is to authorize the Fulton County Economic Development office or the Maumee Valley Planning Organization to begin formal grant drafting for the 2027 cycle.
The WRA is also working with the schools on a plan to create a Joint Recreation District that would include the WRA, City Council, and the public schools.
Council President Chamberlin asked what would happen in the event of a financial shortfall. Nagel said the funding structure would create reserves, with revenue from the facility helping it pay for itself. He said additional support would come through the WRA, with reserves creating a general fund.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Fire Chief Phil Kessler reported during department head reports that the week was EMS Week and said the department had numerous levels of EMS providers celebrating their skill sets.
He also reported a small structure fire on North Fulton Street, which resulted in one minor injury. Kessler said the Memorial Day Parade would be held May 25, beginning at the corner of Elm Street and Clinton Street at 9:30 a.m., and that the Fourth of July fireworks would be held July 2.
Assistant Police Chief Nathan Hartsock reported that the previous week had been Law Enforcement Week. He said Rebecca Roller worked with local businesses, which put together donations.
Finance Director Jamie Giguere reported that she had been working to put together information for the accountant’s packet.
Public Service Director Austin Abbott reported that the high service valve project at the water plant would begin soon and is expected to be completed in August.
Abbott also said a meeting was scheduled with public works regarding paving with Gerken, the pool would open Memorial Day weekend, and the opening for Biddle Park baseball and softball would be held May 26.
Law Director Tom McWatters reported that he had sent the first batch of information to Giguere regarding the Glenwood assessment.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Council then approved the first reading of Ordinance 2026-6, which requests that the Ohio Department of Transportation establish a 45 mile per hour speed limit on both lanes of State Route 108, also known as South Shoop Avenue, between Leggett Street and Orth Road (County Road D).
Abbott said the current 35 mile per hour speed limit remains in effect until the change in August and asked drivers to follow the current limit. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
Council also approved the first reading of Resolution 2026-13, authorizing the mayor or her designee to enter into a client services agreement with Medicount Management, Inc. for Wauseon Fire Department billing services.
Resolution 2026-14, authorizing the mayor or her designee to enter into an agreement for software services with First Due, was placed on emergency reading.
Councilor Heising asked what the software services involved, and Chief Kessler explained that the fire department currently uses multiple platforms for patient care reporting, state reporting, and inventory management.
Kessler said First Due would merge those functions onto one platform once the other software services expire and said the change would save money. Council approved both the emergency reading and final reading.
Council then approved Ordinance 2026-4 on emergency and final reading. The ordinance authorizes the creation of the Ottawa Way Incentive District within the city, declares improvements to certain real property within the district to be a public purpose, describes public infrastructure improvements, declares certain property exempt from real property taxation, requires annual service payments in lieu of taxes, provides for minimum service payments, and establishes a municipal public improvement tax increment equivalent fund.
Council also approved the third reading of Resolution 2026-12, authorizing the mayor or her designee to apply for an Ohio Drinking Water Revolving Loan Account for the design of the emerging contaminant treatment project at the city’s water treatment plant.
In new business, council authorized the appointment of Fire Chief Kessler and Lt. Sean Rossman to possess powers of attorney for DEA Forms 222 and electronic orders pertaining to the city’s DEA license for handling controlled substances.
The mayor then introduced the year-end reports before council moved to approve the bills. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.