Members of the Wauseon City Council convened in regular session on the evening of January 18.
In the report of the Tree Commission, Councilor Frey reported the Commission thanked Kim Bowles for submitting the Growth Award that was accepted and awarded to the city. Tom Savage has evaluated the city trees and there are approximately 28 trees to remove. Jim Spiess talked about the community of Bexley that recently received $25,000 in donated funds toward the purchase of new trees. The Tree Commission would like to see if something like that is possible in Wauseon. Jim Spiess, Pete Carr and Dan Nelson were asked if they would like to serve another term, and they all responded yes. Jim Spiess would like Wauseon to be on the list to be a host for Tree City USA in the future. The Tree Commission discussed Arbor Day observance plans in the spring, and discussed a reevaluation of the tree ordinance.
Council President Stiriz presented the Council Committees for the term January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, including:
•Building and Grounds – Rick Frey, Chair; with Heather Kost and Jeff Stiriz
•Personnel – Heather Kost, Chair; with Shane Chamberlin and Jon Schamp
•Parks – Scott Stiriz, Chair; and Rick Frey
•Utilities – Shane Chamberlin, Chair; with Jeff Stiriz and Jon Schamp
•Finance – Jon Schamp, Chair; with Rick Frey and Heather Kost
•Streets – Shane Chamberlin, Chair; with Scott Stiriz and Rick Frey
•Safety and Code – Scott Stiriz, Chair; with Jeff Stiriz and Shane Chamberlin
In the report of the Personnel Committee, Councilor Kost reported that the committee discussed offering health insurance to Council and/or the Mayor. The committee recommended that insurance be offered to the Mayor if needed, either the PPO or HSA plan with 100% of the contribution for that being paid by the Mayor for that policy. The committee will look at that later for Council members, if needed.
Rick Sluder, Fire Chief, reported that he met with the Civil Service Commission and they approved to renew this year’s eligibility list for the Firefighter/Paramedic. The test will be given on February 27, 2016. The EMS contract has been signed and will take effect February 1, 2016. The first organizational meeting for the EMS Executive Committee will be on January 19, 2016.
Keith Torbet, Police Chief, expressed condolences to the Danville Police Department and family members in the loss of one of their officers. Chief Torbet reported that on Friday, February 19, Mark Weaver will coming up to give a Public Records and Social Media class at the city. The class will be offered to the city employees first, and then other public entities. Finally, Chief Torbet stated that the Police Department will be hosting a Police Leadership class on March 18, 2016.
Tom Hall, Code Administrator, said the structure on West Chestnut Street was torn down to make room for the new one. Mayor Huner asked about an update on the relocation of the Napa Auto Parts Store on Linfoot. Mr. Hall reported that they were looking at next month.
Dennis Richardson, Director of Public Service, gave an update on the Linfoot St. project. So far this year there has been no need to buy any road salt. He attended the monthly Fulton County Economic Development meeting, of which there are currently 92 members. Mr. Richardson conveyed that Matt Gilroy, Fulton County Economic Director, is doing a fine job.
Jamie Giguere, Director of Finance, reported that she provided Council the year end and income tax figures for 2015.
Tom McWatters, Director of Law, reported that he is working on assisting in the registration of the Wauseon Union Cemetery, and that Councilor Scott Stiriz has been assisting him. Mr. McWatters indicated that he is researching the various entities that over time were deeded to the cemetery. He is looking at getting one legal description for the entire cemetery, as well as working on some matters for the Fire Department and EMS.
Council addressed several items of legislation during the meeting. Under suspended rules of reading, Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2016-1, which provides for a City Law Director; Assistant Law Directors, and setting a Rate of Compensation, as well as Ordinance 2016-2 – which provides for a City Prosecutor, and setting a Rate of Compensation.
Also under suspended rules of reading, Council approved Ordinance 2016-3 – Providing for the Issuance and Sale of Bonds in the Maximum Principal Amount of $1,400,000 for the Purpose of Paying Costs of Construction; Reconstruction; Renovating, Enlarging, Furnishing; Equipping and Otherwise Improving the Municipal Swimming Pool and Related Recreational Facilities.
Council heard and approved two resolutions. Approved were Resolution 2016-1 – authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement for a Countywide Emergency Management Agency Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 5502. Also approved was Resolution 2016-2 – which amends Annual Appropriation Ordinance 2015-16 by authorizing the Director of Finance to increase or decrease certain line account appropriations within the various funds listed within the year of 2016
Councilor Schamp moved to schedule a public hearing for Monday, February 1, 2016 at 5:00 p.m., pursuant to an application made by Martha Wagner Trustee for Placement of Farmland in an Agricultural District, specifically two parcels off of N. Glenwood Ave. – 24.545 acres and 26.966 acres.
Several appointments to boards, commissions and other posts were approved by Council, including the appointment of Margaret A. Murphy as Clerk of Council for term February 1, 2016 to January 31, 2018.
Councilor Chamberlin moved and seconded by Council President Stiriz to accept the Mayor’s appointments to the various boards and commissions as amended:
•Greg Suon to the Zoning Board of Appeals
•Jon Schamp and Jeff Stiriz to the Charter Revision Commission
•Larry Zimmerman to the Park Board
•Kathy Huner to the Planning Commission
•Jim Spiess, Pete Carr and Dan Nelson to the Tree Commission
•Melinda Robinson, Kevin Nelson and Jeff Stiriz to the Pride Wauseon Preservation & Design Review Board
•Jim Kerr, Ruth Ann Kast, Trudi Mahnke, Aaron Tiplady, Rick Frey and Phil Kessler to the Holiday Committee
•Bill Drummer, Gloria Kuntz, Gina Saaf, Heather Kost, Marc Matheny, Kelly Rashley, and Jim Spiess (as consultant) to the Downtown Revitalization Committee
•Jon Schamp to the EMS Executive Board
In a final action, Councilor Chamberlin asked for an explanation of the new Special Revenue Fund. Mrs. Giguere reported that this fund is created in order for the city to receive the funds from the county of the money that is collected from the pool levy. Council moved to authorize the Director of Finance to establish a Special Revenue Fund entitled “Park and Recreation.”
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