By: Shar Dimick
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Wauseon City Council unanimously passed the third and final reading of a resolution authorizing the mayor to advertise for bids to build a new pool at Reighard Park.
Resolution 2016-6 will be in effect in 30 days and allows Mayor Kathy Huner to not only advertise for bids for construction of the new pool, but also accept the lowest and best bid within the budgetary constraints for its purpose. In November 2015 election, the citizens of Wauseon approved a 2.6 mill tax levy for the construction of the new pool.
Council also approved in a 6-0 vote the second readings of three additional resolutions. The first would allow Huner to enter a contract with Bruce Ernst Asphalt to apply the cold mix process to designated parking areas at Dorothy Biddle Park. The second related measure allows Huner to enter a contract with Ersham Excavating for the excavation of the designated parking areas at the park. The third resolution authorizes the rezoning of the eight-foot strip of property that lies north of lots 13 through 17 in Palmer’s Addition from B4 Community Mixed Use District to R3 Single Family Residential District.
Council is scheduled to hear one more reading of these three resolutions before they are approved.
In other business council also approved the recommendation of the Street Committee to authorize crossing guards to put up barricades during the school year between the hours of 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM on the 200 block of Glenwood between Elm St. and Oak St. Police Chief Torbet said this area has been a safety concern ever since the new school was built.
Councilor Heather Kost presented the Downtown Revitalization Committee’s report. Kost indicated that the downtown benches and trash receptacles will be replaced soon as part of the Downtown Revitalization project. Dave Wright, Director of Regional Planning added that the old benches would be recycled as well as the trash receptacles. Kost said at a minimum the benches would be placed along the bike path at Homecoming Park.
In department head reports:
•Wright, Regional Planning Director reported that they have more than enough applications to distribute all of the Downtown Revitalization Project grant funds. He said that applications are processed on a first come, first served basis, but some applications may take longer to process than others.
•Keith Torbet, Police Chief and Fire Chief Rick Sluder both reported that Safety City has begun. Sluder also announced the Wauseon Fire Works would be at dusk on Monday July 4. Torbet said that the Youth Police Academy has 11 registered students and 4 slots left open. He said they would now open those slots up to outside the Wauseon district. Interested participants can contact the Wauseon Police Department for an application.
•Tom Hall, Code Administrator reported that they are wrapping up two projects: a doctor’s office on Shoop Ave and Biggby Coffee, which held its grand opening June 7.
•Dennis Richardson, Director of Public Service reported that the sub-base and stabilization layer of the Linfoot St. project is complete and the curb work will begin shortly. He indicated that this would be the most restrictive part of the project for residents as the concrete dries. Richardson said that he is reviewing the final pool plans as well as the final job description packets.
•Law Director, Thomas McWatters reported that he is developing contracts for the EMS to service outlying areas and will have them to the townships to review.
•Finally, Councilor Shane Chamberlin requested that Tom Hall obtain a quote on how much it would cost to finish the sidewalk on East Leggett St. from Shoop Ave to the Primary School so that council could take it under consideration for next year’s budget. Hall agreed to get the numbers.
The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 20 at 5:00 PM in council chambers.
Shar Dimick may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com