HEARING REPORTS … From left to right at the February 7, 2022 meeting of Wauseon City Council, are Tom McWatters (law director), Mayor Kathy Huner, Council President Scott Stiriz, Council members Steve Schneider, Brandon Tijerina, Harlod Stickley, Sarah Heising and Shane Chamberlin. Department Heads give reports on the past month within their purview. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Wauseon City Council held their regular meeting on February 7, 2022, Monday at 5:00 p.m. After the approval of the previous meeting minutes, department heads gave reports.
Fire Chief Rick Sluder went first, sharing with council that January was a relatively slow month. He announced the hiring of Hannah Shellenberger as a new Executive Assistant, and said the civil service list has been approved so they are going through that with no action yet.
He expressed his hope they would attend the Firemen’s dinner at Founders Hall on Tuesday, the 15th.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden said that all went well during the bad snow storm. He thanked all the citizens for how well they did with keeping cars from being parked on the streets so the plows were free.
Keith Torbet, Director of Public Services, thanked his crew for the great job they did with all the snow. He informed council that they are working to get a problem corrected from a broken water line that happened right before the storm.
The bids will be opened for the South Bernell St. project at 10 a.m. on February 24th. There was some discussion concerning broken pipes with Torbet explaining that they are old and with all the thawing and freezing plus the deep frost level due to less snow this season, they are vulnerable.
Councilman Shane Chamberlin alerted Torbet to a couple terrible potholes on Chestnut St., at Chestnut and Fulton, and Chestnut and Shoop. Torbet said they will get on those.
Jamie Giguere, Director of Finance, said they are up 13% from last year with taxes being paid. They started a new invoicing system and there have been no complaints about that. There is a new person in their office as well.
Director of Law, Thomas McWatters, brought it to their attention that the TIF ordinance was in the agenda. He said that the plan was to do three readings and make it an emergency on the third.
Councilman Brandon Tijerina asked if anyone had heard comments about the TIF (Tax Increment Fund) since no citizens came to the Public Hearing on it. Council members said no one had spoken to them about it and office staff said they had not gotten any calls.
Council moved into legal business, first unanimously approving the First Reading of Ordinance 2022-1 “An Ordinance authorizing the Creation of the Seneca Drive Incentive District within the City of Wauseon; Declaring Improvements to Certain Real Property within Such Incentive District to be a Public Purpose; Describing the Public Infrastructure Improvements to be Made to Benefit or Serve the Real Property within such Incentive District; Declaring Such Property to be Exempt from Real Property Taxation; Requiring Annual Service Payments in Lieu of Taxes; Providing for Minimum Service Payments; Establishing a Municipal Public Improvement Tax Increment Equivalent fund; and Providing Related Authorizations Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 5709.40©, 5709.42, 5709.43, 5709.832 and 5709.85.”
Also approved was the First Reading of Resolution 2022-1 “A resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Agreement with the Ohio State Attorney General for collection of Delinquent Taxes.”
In the discussion time, Councilor Shane Chamberlin asked if it will still be acceptable for residents with a delinquent account to make payments at the city office of if they will have to send them directly to the Attorney General’s office.
He said that it seems wrong to make it harder to make a payment, so he hopes they can come up with some plan to make it easier on those who need to do so.
McWatters said that he will check into that possibility, but it might be less confusing if all the payments go to the AG.
He added that they are doing a trial run with the AG office with some going to them and some staying with the law department to see which one is working best. They will determine that at a later date.
In New Business, council voted to approve a Motion to accept the Mayor’s appointments to the various boards and commissions, appointing Brandon Tijerina to a 3 year term, from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024, on the Community Reinvestment Housing Council.
Mayor Kathy Huner said that she is in discussion with someone in the community to be on the Park Board.
Councilor Steve Schneider gave a “shout out” to all those in the community who helped others with plowing and shoveling during the big storm.
Council wrapped up the meeting by approving the payment of bills and voting to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of considering employment of a public employee or official.
They did not forsee any action to be taken after the session.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com