Aside from the setting Trick or Treat to be held on Thursday, October 31 from 6:00 to 7:30, the last regular council meeting held by the Wauseon City Council was business as usual as the council heard reports from various department heads and readings of legislative matters.
Police Chief Keith Torbet reported that the “Safe and Sober” campaign ended on Labor Day and that the department had 199 traffic stops that resulted in 29 citations over the campaign. Torbet also noted that seven people have signed up for the Citizen’s Police Academy thus far and that the department is still accepting applications. Councilor Don Mathews commended Chief Torbet on the department’s work over the “Safe and Sober” campaign, noting that the department was very busy and did an excellent job. Director of Finance, Jamie Giguere reported that the numbers on the income tax report were down for the month of August but that receipts are still up 4% overall for the year.
Director of Law Thomas McWatters III explained Ordinace 2013-8 regarding park rules and the sections that were amended. Councilor Shane Chamberlin inquired about the penalties that would be involved with these amendments. Currently violation of the rules would classify as a M4 (misdemeanor of the 4th degree). Chief Torbet agreed that the penalties really should classify as M1 (misdemeanor of the 1st degree). Mr. McWatters explained that if council would like to amend the penalties to this that they can be amended when presented for second reading.
Legislative matters passed on first reading included Ordinance 2013-7 regarding amending the codified ordinances of the City of Wauseon to include “Section 719, Sweepstakes Internet Café” to Part Seven – Business Regulation Code. The ordinance passed on first reading. Ordinace 2013-8, amending sections 505.17 and 957 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Wauseon also passed on first reading. Resolutions passing on first reading included Resolution 2013-28, which authorized the mayor to enter into an appraisal agreement with Industrial Appraisal Company for the purpose of appraising the city’s property.
Passed as emergency and now in effect were Resolution 2013-26 and Resolution 2013-27. Resolution 2013-26 declares the necessity for the transfer of funds pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.15 and 507.16 from the Capital Project Fund to the Bond Reduction Fund. Resolution 2013-27 accepts the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizes the necessary tax levies and certifies them to the auditor.
There were no second or third readings. The only new business brought before council other than the setting of Trick or Treat times within the city concerned the Undivided Local Government Fund. The motion that the City of Wauseon waive any hearing before the Fulton County Budget Commission regarding appointment of the Undivided Local Government Fund and agree to the Fulton County Budget Commission’s alternate plan of apportionment on the basis of need and prior years’ apportionment as well as to accept the sum of $120,888.20 as the City of Wauseon’s share of the Undivided Local Government Fund carried with unanimous approval.