PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
LIVE STREAM … Council members Heather Galbraith and Shane Chamberlin, Mayor Kathy Huner and Law Director Thomas McWatters III are pictured during the Aug. 17 council meeting, which marked the first test of the city’s new live-streaming system.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council held its meeting on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. The meeting began at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
The meeting also marked the first test of the city’s livestream system. Council first moved to approve minutes from its Aug. 3 meeting and Aug. 13 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Council then moved to accept recommendations from the Personnel Committee. The approved items included seasonal background-check requirements for employees over age 18, updates to the city’s leave policy and the approval of discipline and personnel-investigation policies.
Council also approved job descriptions and point factors for the assistant superintendents of the water treatment and water reclamation plants and the nurse practitioner-EMT-paramedic position.
A unified social media communications policy was approved as well.
During department reports, council learned that the Wauseon Fire Department responded to 172 calls in July.
The department is also implementing new software and received Civil Service approval to fill an open full-time position, with hopes of holding a swearing-in ceremony at the next council meeting.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden reported that Alexa Miller had been sworn in as a sergeant following the retirement of Will Rogers.
Chittenden also said he, the assistant chief and the school resource officer had met with Wauseon High School’s new principal and assistant principal to discuss expectations for the school resource officer program.
With classes starting soon, Chittenden reminded motorists to slow down and watch for increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Public Service Director Austin Abbot reported that two candidates had accepted positions with the Public Works Department and were scheduled to begin shortly. Work on the Dwight and Douglas waterline replacement was also nearing completion.
Abbot also reported that the Ohio Department of Transportation had approved Elm Street for an Urban Paving Program project anticipated for 2028. The city is still awaiting word on a Small Cities grant application for the Leggett Street project.
Council also asked about two recent waterline breaks on Fulton Street. Abbot said the breaks occurred along an older line and that crews responded within an hour.
The first break pushed up a portion of the recently paved road, while a second break developed nearby about an hour later. Both were repaired, and no additional problems had been reported.
Law Director Thomas McWatters III then reviewed several resolutions before council. Resolution 2026-27 authorized a $2,000 TNVR service agreement with the Fulton County Humane Society. The money must be used for the program, and the organization will provide periodic reports to the city.
McWatters said the Humane Society had also provided information about code changes recently considered by Swanton.
He plans to obtain the legislation enacted by Swanton and review it before returning to council with possible recommendations. This measure was approved by council.
Council then passed Resolution 2026-26, adopting the city’s social media terms of use, 2026 public-meeting livestreaming policy and livestreaming notice.
Resolution 2026-28 authorized the city to apply for, accept and enter into a Water Supply Revolving Loan Account for the design of drinking-water facilities, while Resolution 2026-29 authorized applications through Ohio Public Works Commission improvement programs.
Under new business, council appointed Kim Bowels and Cynthia McNutt to the Tree Commission. Council also set the city’s trick-or-treat date for Saturday, Oct. 31. Next, council approved the city’s bills before extending that authorization through Sept. 21.
Council then entered an executive session at 5:22 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion or compensation of a public employee or official. After returning at 5:32 p.m.,
Mayor Kathy Huner recommended a three percent pay increase for Abbot following the completion of his probationary period.
McWatters explained that the mayor’s recommendation would take effect unless council rejected it by a three-fourths majority. With no objections raised, the increase will begin with the next payroll.
Council also approved a pay increase for Clerk of Council Brandi Galbraith in recognition of her hard work and completion of an associate degree.
A second executive session began at 5:37 p.m. to discuss pending or imminent court action. Council President Shane Chamberlin and Councilman Jeremy Simon recused themselves from the session.
Council returned at 5:55 p.m. and approved Resolution 2026-30 by a 4-0 vote. The resolution authorizes Huner to submit a written request to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners seeking a joint meeting with elected officials from entities whose fire departments provide EMS services in the county.
The requested meeting would focus on the countywide EMS program. With no further action to attend to, council moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 p.m.