By: Rebecca Miller
Following the approval of prior meeting minutes at the December 21, 2020 Wauseon City Council meeting which started at 5 pm, council heard committee reports. President Shane Chamberlin reported for the Personnel Committee, that the issue of evaluation of Clerk of Council was discussed at the December 7, 2020 committee meeting.
Following discussion, they had a motion to accept the evaluation and recommended it to council to accept. Council voted to accept the report and the “recommendation to approve the Clerk performance evaluation” with Chamberlin abstaining and with Patrick Griggs voting no. The motion carried.
The Finance Committee report was given by Councilor Steve Schneider, concerning the December 10 committee meeting. They took about two hours to go over all the requests and needs of various department. They heard from Department heads as they held discussion.
Any further questions should be directed to Finance Director Jamie Giguere, or to one of the Committee members. At the end of the Committee Meeting, they recommended acceptance of the 2021 Budget. At Dec. 21 meeting, Mayor Huner said that everyone was aware that it would be a difficult year and the budget would be hard to work with.
They need to follow this budget pretty tightly, she said. She thanked council and department heads for all their finetooth combing. Councilors asked Jamie a few questions, which she clarified for them. Fire Chief Rick Sluder answered some questions for them with a lengthy discussion over whether to lease for purchase a new Ambulance or not, and Director of Public Services, Keith Torbet also responded about possible purchase of a Truck as well as Police Chief Kevin Chittenden about a new cruiser.
Another Budget meeting will be held after Christmas to deal with any final issues. Harold Stickley added that they need to use caution in spending in 2021 as it is not known what will happen in the coming year.
Mayor agreed and said that the committee has worked hard to try to limit the budget to what is really needed. Council voted to accept the Committee Recommendation to approve the 2021 Budget, with Councilor Jeff Stiriz voting No. Motion carried.
Councilor Harold Stickley reported as Chair of the Building and Grounds Committee, on the December 17 meeting of the committee. The committee recommended to “allow for 20-foot access drive to be installed off County Road 15 requested by Eric Richer.
It would benefit the FFA students and make the area safer. Richer will be paying for it, just needs approval from council. All who are involved are in favor and recommend that council approve it. Council voted unanimously to approve the recommendation.
In Department Head Reports:
Fire Chief Rick Sluder reported that other than working on the EMS Contract for 2022, the amount of covid transfers has increased dramatically and is running solid. They have not had any personnel shortages and have been able to cover all the runs with no problems.
Police Chief Kevin Chittend3n announced that a little over a week ago they received a $3000 donation from the Delta Eagles from the September Barbque, to help with the public safety camera. He gave a big thank you to them. Former Delta Mayor Miller did a great job and their support is much appreciated.
They have seen an increase in crashes with all the last minute shopping, and he recommends being very careful with road conditions and shoppers out.
Director of Public Services, Keith Torbet reported that they have been finishing up some projects, including the water line and downtown ADA project has been awarded to Smith Paving. He thanked his crew for the work they did on restoring the Christmas sign after it was damaged.
A bill will be sent to the insurance company of the driver who hit it. Mayor thanked them for that as well. Torbet answered a few questions concerning other projects.
Jamie Giguere reported that there has been a lot of work on the Budget. The electronic bill link is up and running so residents can sign up for that for receiving and paying the bill.
She announced that Robin Shantz has put in for retirement and they will be sad to see her go. Mayor thanked her for all the work. Griggs mentioned that he recommends them being careful that the office is always staffed if they are going to all part timers.
Tom McWatters, Law Director, “fell on the sword” for neglecting the need to have a resolution to approve the revolving loan fund committee’s recommendation. They did get it on at the last minute and he apologized for the lateness.

He gave some clarification saying that Tony’s Pet Shop is trying to expand their business by introducing “self- grooming” and boarding services. He recommended the loan as it would benefit them and the community.
Chamberlin had asked for a sheet explaining what is required for Executive sessions and he will get requirements for reading on emergency. Chamberlin said his goal is to have a desktop “cheat sheet” on their desks for reference. Mayor added that at the end of the year there are a lot of emergency readings caused by time frame required.
In regular business, following some conversation on the importance of always making sure that the declaration of an emergency vote truly is allowable, council voted to approve:
- Ordinance 2020-10 An ordinance to Approve, Adopt and Enact the 2020 Replacement Pages to the Codified Ordinances; to repeal ordinances in conflict therewith; to public the enactment of new matter; and declaring an Emergency
- Ordinance 2020-11 An ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures of the City of wauseon, State of Ohio, During the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2021
- Resolution 2020-27 A resolution to amend the compensation plan by adjusting the Employee Wage Scale; and declaring an emergency (Griggs voted no on emergency and on passage; motion carried)
- Resolution 2020-28 A resolution approving a wage increase for Full time Non-union employees to be effective the first full pay period in 2021; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 2020-29 A resolution accepting the recommendation of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee; authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Tony’s Pet Shop; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 2020-23 (Second Reading of Legislation or Emergency) Authorizing the Mayor to Grant a Permanent Easement to Ohio Gas Co. for a twenty-foot strip along the Southeast Corner of Fulton County Parcel n 06-015518-05.000 located near the corner of CR F (Linfoot St.) and CR 13
- Resolution 2020-24 (Second Reading) Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Pareto Captive Service, LLC, Sun Life Financial, and Lucent Health Services for the Provision of Health Ins. For 2021; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 2020-25 (second reading) Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Met Life to provide Life Insurance and voluntary dental and vision insurance for full time employees; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 2020-20 (third reading) A resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for Indigent Defense Services in County Court with the Fulton County Commissioners; and declaring an emergency
- Resolution 2020-21 (third reading) Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement for a Countywide Emergency Management Agency pursuant to Ohio Revised Code; and declaring an emergency.
In New Business, a motion was made to authorize the Director of Finance to pay all bills through December 31, 2020 (and “say Goodbye to 2020!)
A question was raised by Jeff Stiriz as to why body work is being down out of town. He feels strongly that it should be done in Wauseon and highly recommends that from now on they be done in Wauseon.
He asked why and Mayor Huner said they usually check on getting things done locally first, and there were reasons as to why they needed to get this done elsewhere. It was discussed in the Committee of the Whole and she referred it to Chief Rick Sluder.
She agreed with using local, but said that sometimes for the best interests of the citizens of Wauseon, things need to be done outside of town. Stiriz asked if bids were taken, and Huner gave it to Rick and Jamie. She said it was a tow and quotes come from the adjustor.
Sluder stated, “I refuse to answer any questions as I feel the department is under attack.” He felt it needed to be answered in “a proper investigation not in a public meeting.” Stiriz felt it should have been towed by a Wauseon business and repaired in Wauseon.

Mayor Huner said she would rather discuss it in private instead of in public on a Zoom meeting. The heated discussion continued despite her desire to move on. “The best quote is where you go”, she said. “It is hard, but all the departments do the best they can do.”
Council approved payment of bills and also set the date of December 30th for a special meeting.
Mayor Huner shared a prepared statement as part of the New Business, thanking the crews and all employees who stepped up and helped the city get through the COVID adjustments. “We lost quite a few people in Wauseon this year,” she said. She mentioned some of them by name and said that all will be missed. She thanked their families for all that their loved ones gave.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:24, possibly one of their longest meetings ever.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com