CHIROPRACTOR Tyler Schwanz speaks to council regarding his want for Rebel Chiropractic to be allowed to come into Wauseon on Elm Street
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Wauseon City Council held their meeting on Monday, October 2nd. The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Approval of minutes from previous meetings held on September 18th and the Committee of the Whole meeting held on September 28th took place first before council heard from individuals wishing to address council.
Each of the five individuals who spoke to council brought up either positive items or concerns regarding the proposed zoning change for the lot located where the old Elm Street Elementary was located.
The zoning change has been proposed to allow Rebel Chiropractic to place a new building on the lot, as well as a new dog park.
Rory Strugalski was the first to speak and stated that he has known those at Rebel Chiropractic both personally and professionally and that he believes in the care they provide to their patients.
He also spoke about how the company has given back to the community and how their building will take an area of grass and railroad tracks and make it into something the community can be proud of.
Sandra Barber spoke next and thanked the mayor and council for letting people come and give their opinions.
Barber explained that she has been in the neighborhood for a number of years and has seen a number of homes restored.
She went on to say that she believes the building going up where the company wants will be terribly disappointing due to it changing the area’s historic look.
She also stated her belief that home values would go down before asking why it was not able to be located in another area of the city.
Bob Krumm then spoke and stated his appreciation for council wanting to put the vacant land to good use, but then questioned whether or not a two-story building and a zoning change would be what is best.
Krumm then reiterated what was said by Sandra Barber, in that he believed a commercial development would hurt property values.
Next, Krumm asked whether or not Wauseon needed two more chiropractors with the number of them the city already has.
Tyler Schwanz spoke next and stated that he was one of the developers for the project. He went on to state that two chiropractors have already been hired for the new location and that they, as a company do believe Wauseon could benefit from two more chiropractors.
He also explained that their new chiropractors are bilingual, which will help in Wauseon since 21% of those in the school system are Spanish speaking.
Next, Schwanz emphasized the companies want to promote the beauty and green space the lot has going for it.
Schwanz was then asked if the company already has existing customers and where they will go if this property was to fall through.
Schwanz stated that they do have current customers in Wauseon and that if this property was to not get zoned, they would most likely look at Napoleon.
Sue Morgan then spoke last, with her first explaining that she has been a Wauseon resident for thirty years and that she is in favor of Dr. Schwanz bringing his practice to Wauseon.
BUILDING The picture above is a rendering of the proposed Rebel Chiropractic building and dog park
She went on to state that Schwanz and his clinic have purchased and fed over 400 families on Thanksgiving for over 7 years, along with other community outreach programs they have done.
Department head reports were then heard with Fire Chief Phil Kessler speaking first. Chief Kessler explained that October is Fire Prevention Month, and that the department is working on the implementation of their new SOMA dispatch system with the Police Department and sheriff’s Office.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden also reiterated the statement made by Kessler while adding that there may be slight delays for reports to be filed as the system is figured out and bugs are fixed.
Public Service Director Keith Torbet spoke next, and stated bid documents have gone out to ODOT for the new pedestrian stoplight on Shoop Avenue.
The bid should go out and come back in January and will need to be approved by February 1st in order to be on the ODOT schedule for 2024.
Striping is currently planned for Oak, Chestnut, and Depot Streets as well as parking lots. Lastly, it was stated that Jeff Newlove has retired after 31 years on the job.
Finance Director Jamie Giguere next provided council with the month-end reports for September. A motion was made and passed by council to approve the September financial reports.
Law Director Thomas McWatters III then spoke about a process of mapping the trails, with an option to see where benches are located along the trail. This will also allow for the city to look and see where additional benches may be appropriate.
The topic then shifted to the Safety and Code Committee report from the meeting that took place on September 20th. Councilman Brandon Tijerina explained to council that the committee discussed proposed rules and regulations regarding the possibility of having golf carts on Wauseon city streets.
There are going to be stipulations made regarding what streets the carts are able to be on, as well as other items.
A motion was then made to recommend the allowing of golf carts on certain Wauseon streets with council voting 6-0 in favor.
Council next moved to tackle the issue of zoning for the newly proposed Rebel Chiropractic location.
Council first voted to pass the item as an emergency, with the vote ending up 4-2 for the measure.
This, however, was not enough to pass the measure under emergency provisions. An attempt was then made to pass the measure under a suspension of the rules. This vote also passed 4-2.
With this being the second reading of the measure, the item will be up for consideration at the next council meeting for its final reading.
Council then moved to approve local government funds and payment of the bills before moving to adjourn at 6:11 p.m.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com
