NEW CLERK OF COUNCIL … As Trudi Mahnke has retired from the position of Administrative Assistant to the mayor of Wauseon, Clerk of Council Brooke Baumgartner is turning over her position to her sister, Korin Baumgartner and moving into the position left empty by Mahnke. Mayor Kathy Huner administered the Oath of Office to Korin Baumgartner at the March 7, 2022 City Council meeting. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
With five council members present for the March 7, 2022 meeting of Wauseon City Council, the meeting began promptly at 5 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Council voted to approve the minutes of the February 21 regular meeting and of the February 21 Special Council meeting as well as the minutes for the March 3, 2022 Committee of the Whole.
Korin Baumgartner stood to be sworn in for her new position as Clerk of Council, by Mayor Kathy Huner, and then observed as Brooke Baumgartner, her sister, trained her in how to conduct the business of the meetings.
Department Head Reports were given, begun by Assistant Fire Chief Phil Kessler, in the absence of Chief Rick Sluder.
Kessler informed council that the year has begun well, with the second fire station opened in January having minimal issues. The department has been working on contracts to get details worked out.
The barn fire that was seen on social media was contained and he thanked all the seven or eight departments that came to assist.
Mayor Huner added that with the assistance of neighbors and the fire departments they were able to rescue 600 of the 780 baby pigs that were in the barn. Kessler added that they were able to save a second barn that was connected by a breezeway.
Police Chief Kevin Chittenden reported that they did “notice a little uptick in activity over the weekend with the warmer weather.”
Councilor Brandon Tijerina asked if the department had filled the spot of 3rd shift Dispatcher and Chief said they have one applicant going through the background check at present. They do also have two openings but are working on app language.
The Streets Committee had been sent a list of streets and what the needs are on those streets, so City Director of Public Service, Keith Torbet, asked if they had all received that list.
Councilor Shane Chamberlin responded that they had and thanked him, and Public Works, or the work put into making such a conclusive list for them, as it is a “great resource.”
There are seventy miles of roads in Wauseon and this lets them see all that needs to be done to repair and maintain them.
Torbet mentioned that the Fulton County Economic Development Annual Banquet and Works Dinner is scheduled for April 21, 2022, and invited any who can attend to please RSVP before April 1.
Mayor Huner said she was happy to see the new Durapatch machine out and filling pot holes. Torbet said it was a great investment.
Director of Finance, Jamie Giguere, said that she had provided them with the February budget and that income tax report is 6.7% ahead of what they were in 2021.
Tom McWatters, Director of Law, commented on two pieces of legislation, the first being the TIF ordinance. He thanked Matt Gilroy for being present for the approval, along with Mr. Gleckler.
The second one he spoke about was the ordinance which will allow the Attorney General’s office to take care of the collection of some of the delinquent taxes.
He shared that he is meeting with the Police Union Negotiation team and hopes to reach an agreement soon.
With no committee reports, council moved into the approval of the legislative items:
-Resolution 2022-3 A resolution authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids for the Reconstruction of South Brunell; authorizing the mayor to accept the lowest and best bid; and authorizing the mayor to enter into Contract with the lowest and best bidder; and declaring an emergency.
-Resolution 2022-4 A resolution to Amend Ordinance 2021-14 Annual Appropriation Ordinance by authorizing the Director of Finance to Increase or decrease certain line account appropriations within the various funds listed within the year of 2021.
-Second reading of Resolution 2022-2 a resolution authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an agreement with Dillin Control Systems for Engineering Services
-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; and declaring an emergency.
-Resolution 2022-1 A Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Ohio State Attorney General for Collection of Delinquent taxes; and declaring an emergency.
Mayor Huner brought council’s attention to the 2021 Annual Report which she had sent to them. She commented on a few of the items she had written in the report, including the fact that Domestic Violence calls to the police department were down 32%.
Following the approval of the payment of the bills the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com