By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council held their meeting on Monday, June 1, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for Tony Druhot, a firefighter who had been involved in a serious accident.
Council then moved into business from the Safety and Code Committee, where members had reviewed several items. One of those items was a new policy for underground fiber-optic work in city rights of way.
The policy sets standards for companies that install fiber-optic conduit and cable in public areas, giving the city a clearer process for how that work should be handled. Council approved the standards during the meeting through Resolution 2026-15, which was passed as an emergency measure.
Law Director Tom McWatters said the legislation was being brought forward sooner than normal because the city wanted to get the standards in place.
The committee also reviewed updates to the city’s food truck policy. Officials said the city is not changing the main policy for food trucks but is adding language dealing with violations and penalties.
The change gives the city a way to respond if a vendor does not follow the permit process or other requirements.
Discussion on feral cats and the Fulton County Humane Society was tabled for a future meeting.
Mayor Kathy Huner said she would like to see the matter continue moving forward after representatives had previously tried to speak with council.
Council also continued discussion on South Shoop Avenue, giving second reading to Ordinance 2026-6. The ordinance asks the Ohio Department of Transportation to establish a 45 mph speed limit on both lanes of State Route 108 between Leggett Street and Orth Road.
Officials said the city has limited control over the matter because South Shoop Avenue is a state route. They explained that the proposed change would make the speed limit more consistent through that section of roadway and easier to enforce.
Council members also discussed concerns from residents in the area. Officials said a school zone is expected near the school during certain times, and a roundabout is planned for State Route 108 and County Road D in 2028.
Council also placed Resolution 2026-16 on first reading. The resolution authorizes the mayor or her designee to enter into an agreement with The SpyGlass Group, LLC for telecommunication audit services.
Resolution 2026-13, which authorizes an agreement with Medicount Management, Inc. for Wauseon Fire Department billing services, was also then placed on second reading.
During department head reports, Fire Chief Kessler reported that work continues with Clinton Township trustees regarding placement of the fire levy on the fall ballot. The deadline to place the issue on the ballot is August 11. The city’s fireworks celebration is scheduled for July 2.
Assistant Police Chief Nathan Hartsock said Safety City had started with 36 applicants split into two groups. He also said the department was working with street crews during construction projects in town.
Finance Director Jamie Giguere said income tax revenue had improved slightly from the previous month. She reported that revenue had been down 14.8 percent and is now down 12.44 percent.
Public Service Director Austin Abbott said Gerken Paving had started the city’s main paving projects for the year. Work was expected on Beech Street and Fulton Street, with residents asked to watch for posted restrictions and no-parking signs.
Abbott also said the hiring window for the water treatment plant operator position had closed, and the city expected to make a hire soon.
Under new business, Huner said she had received a complaint about early-morning noise from refuse trucks near homes. The issue involved dumpsters being emptied near residential areas, and Huner said the concern will be reviewed by the Safety and Code Committee.
After council approved the bills, Tucker Fredericksen spoke with council about the city’s storm and sanitary sewer systems following recent concerns involving basement flooding and sewer backups.
With no further business, council adjourned at 6:15 p.m.