Mayor Kathy Huner called the February 15, 2021 meeting to order and led the council in the beginning routine. Council approved the minutes of the prior meeting, the payment of bills and heard Committee reports.
Council Patrick Griggs provided a summary of the February 10, 20221 Tree Commission meeting, sharing that Stephanie Miller was present via Zoom to alert them that there can be no in person events for 2021.
After discussion, the members voted to move the Tree City USA banquet to 2023. Also some discussion was held about what trees need to be removed. Mayor Huner thanked the Tree Commission members for all the work they did to plan the 2021 Tree City USA banquet.
Council President Shane Chamberlin gave a summary of the February 12, 2021 Personnel Committee meeting, reporting that an Accounts Payable position is being created to replace the Assistant Director of Finance who is retiring soon.
He said that Jamie Giguere, Finance Director, is confident they will be able to find a candidate to fill this new part time position. There were other job descriptions to be considered, but the committee wants to review them and discuss them at a later date.
The Committee recommended to council, the creation of the position to replace the Assistant Director of Finance.
Council voted to accept both reports and the recommendation to accept the part time Accounts Payable position to replace the full time Assistant Director of Finance position.
With no Department Head Reports, council moved into the approval of legislation, voting to approve First Readings of:
-Ordinance 2021-2 An ordinance to amend an exhibit of a section of the Codified ordinances to increase the water and sewer rates by 6% effective April 1, 2021
•Ordinance 3 An ordinance to amend codified ord. To increase the restoration fee after service is disconnected due to no payment to $50, and to add a $100 restoration fee for service restored during non business hours
•Resolution 2 Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Intelligent Mailing Solution for a new Postage meter, and Declaring an emergency. (
In response to a query from Councilor Jeff Stiriz, Mayor Huner explained that it needed to be an emergency because the postage machine is not working and a new is needed as soon as possible. President Chamberlin asked if the reason for emergency could be included in the future. The reason for this one is for the operation of city business.)
•Resolution 3 Authorizing the mayor to enter into a Lease Agreement with TCF Capital Solutions for a new Factor Truck: and declaring an emergency
•Resolution 4 Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Sudsina & Associates to serve as an advisor for Debt offerings and other financings
In new business, a motion o schedule a Public Hearing for Monday, March 15, 2021 at 5 p.m. was approved, for the application to rezone a parcel at 604-606 S. Shoop Ave. from Multi-Family to Mixed Community Use in order to allow for the construction of an addition to the existing structure.
President Chamberlin gave a shout out to the Wauseon swimmers who made it on from sectionals to districts. He said the girls and boys swim teams both did very well.
Mayor Huner added her thanks to Skye Cinema for allowing the swim parents to watch the event at the theater. Huner also thanked Andrea Gerken and John Arps for the Snow Policy and Procedures that have been posted on the city website and social media sites.
In old business, Councilor Jeff Stiriz asked if the tax levy for the fire department was going to be necessary. Mayor Huner said it sounds like they are going to be able to come to an agreement with the county so it won’t be. needed.
Stiriz expressed his pleasure that it might not be necessary because “he wouldn’t want people to be double or triple taxed.”
Jeff Stiriz also brought up the topic of having department heads attend council meetings. Mayor Huner explained that she made a decision a couple weeks ago as a result of questions for which they weren’t prepared that have been asked.
She said the department heads would like to be more prepared. Stiriz asked if they are going to provide written reports for the mayor to read at council.
Huner answered that she plans to have them attend the Committee of the Whole so questions can be asked at that time.
Stiriz expressed his concern that he had followed the “chain of command”, asking President Chamberlin about the matter, who then sent an email inquiring and it went unanswered.
Stiriz said he does not feel the mayor can change an ordinance. Huner countered that she did not change an ordinance and she would like council to read section 5.02 of the city charter.
Stiriz stated that he plans to call the state to see if changing is appropriate and Mayor Huner told him to “go ahead.”
At that point, City Attorney Tom McWatters said if Department Heads need to give a report, each committee needs to also give a report at each meeting.
There was also more discussion on the concern about the fire truck being repaired out of town, brought up by Councilor Griggs. Huner said she agrees that it should be kept local when possible.
With no further business, council adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
