(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
UPGRADES … Wabash Park, pictured here, is scheduled to receive a refresh.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon City Council held their regular meeting on Monday, July 7. The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
With four council members present, council first moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting before turning to department head reports.
Fire Chief Phil Kessler informed council that the Fourth of July fireworks display went off without any technical issues and that the show went well.
He added that the Civil Service Commission will meet this Wednesday to act on two lateral transfer candidates for the fire department and noted that a staff member recently completed coursework that allows an additional EMT to join the roster.
Chief Kessler also reminded council of the Crosley car gathering at the Fulton County Fairgrounds on July 15, 16, and 17, with the event having a parade through town.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden echoed Kessler’s comments, reporting that the park was cleared in roughly forty minutes after the fireworks, a good time frame compared to recent years.
With that major event behind them, the department now turns its attention to Crosley weekend, Homecoming, and the remaining Cruise Night programs.
Chittenden said radio upgrades that include added authentication are complete, and the next step is coordinating phone upgrades, so all systems work seamlessly together.
Mayor Kathy Huner thanked both safety services for their holiday efforts and asked for observations on the crowd size.
Both chiefs agreed that attendance seemed slightly lighter than last year, and for the first time in several seasons the park did not have to be closed to additional vehicles.
Public Service Director Keith Torbet added that crews nearly finished clearing the park before Shoop Avenue traffic dispersed, showing that while the crowd at Biddle Park may have been slightly lighter, a large number of people caught the show elsewhere.
Torbet then focused on long-term infrastructure with his report, stating recently he met with a consulting firm to begin the citywide water audit aimed at pinpointing possible losses and unaccounted usage and expects preliminary findings within two weeks.
Midwest Contracting is compiling cost estimates that would bring the municipal buildings up to code; those numbers should arrive soon.
Torbet is also drafting a job description for a chief water-plant operator and said plans for the Burr Road water line have been finalized and will be ready to bid out next month, pending council approval.
Director of Finance Jamie Giguere presented June month-end figures, noting that revenues are tracking ahead of projections. She is also preparing for the city’s health-insurance renewal.
Law Director Thomas McWatters III reported steady progress on a proposed tax-increment financing district for development west of the Arrowhead Subdivision, pointing to the number of new houses already under construction as an encouraging sign.
During committee reports, the Personnel Committee recapped its June 4 session, explaining that revised job descriptions for several positions, including the fire chief executive assistant and the paramedic and EMS coordinator, were recommended for approval, while two others were sent back for additional review.
The Park Board update then detailed a $72,000 playground upgrade for Wabash Park, funded jointly by the Rotary Club and the city. The equipment has been ordered and should be in place within weeks.
The Tree Commission meeting was then discussed, with it being stated no recommendations were put forward. Council then voted to pay the bills as presented and adjourned at 5:20 p.m.