WAUSEON K9 OFFICER PHARAOH
By: Rebecca Miller
In his report to the Wauseon Village Council at their Monday April 20, 2020 meeting, Police Chief Kevin Chittenden informed council that on May 1, 2020 K9 Officer Pharaoh will be retiring after ten years of service. Officer Dawn Belford has opted to purchase Pharaoh from the city and he will live out his retirement with her. Councilman Harold Stickley asked if they will be looking for a new “drug dog” and Chittendon said in the future they will check into that, but now is not the time.
Chittenden also informed council that the department is doing well with PPE except for hand sanitizer which they were just able to replenish. He also thanked the city departments for all the help and support during this pandemic. He mentioned how the community members are doing great and what a big support they have been.
Mayor Huner also thanked the administration for all they have done to make this time doable. “We are not out of the woods, but we sure are doing our best to make it work and the community has been so supportive.”
Chief Rick Sluder shared that they have minimal PPE but they have some on order. He was asked about the number of COVID cases and said that at that time there were 16. They are taking precautions as needed.
In the Village Administrator report, Keith Torbet said that the Shoop Avenue project is going well. Spring Clean-Up has been changed to this Fall but a date has not yet been set. They are thinking about in September after the Fair. The HVAC system is up and running and the city crews are back up to full but staggered shifts to help limit the amount of contact.
City Fiscal Officer Jamie Giguere reported that the city received a stimulus check of $5800 to help offset the costs from the COVID 19 pandemic. She was asked by President Shane Chamberlin to let the Finance Committee know if they need to make budget changes. Mayor Huner informed the group that some information that more money is coming in for small businesses in their zipcode.
The small businesses need to get online and apply, any business with three to twenty employees. The $5000 grant is through the US Chamber of Commerce and are handled by the Fulton county Economic Development Committee.
City Attorney Tom McWatters said he has spent the last couple weeks dealing with COVID related issues. He has spent time getting the city’s policy manual prepared to comply with federal guidelines.
Councilor Harold Stickley provided a brief summary of the March 16, 2020 Building and Grounds Committee meeting. They discussed the purchase of a sign for the Lawrence Ave. side of Homecoming Park and decided to table that as it is a seven or eight thousand dollar sign and with the COVID-19 situation they feel it would be better to wait.
They met with Chad Posey and Bill Eberly to consider the placement of veteran banners being put up in downtown Wauseon. The banners will be put up by the Public Works department, hopefully with some of them up by Wauseon Homecoming. There are approximately 250 active veterans from the city at this time.
The banners will be two sided with a different veteran on each side. The banners would be housed at the American Legion when they are not up. Tomahawk printing will make the banners and they need approval from the city. The committee voted to approve it and recommended that the council approve. Council voted to approve the recommendation.
Mayor Kathy Huner explained that there are other groups that want to put banners up as well to honor others, such as the graduating seniors as that is something that some towns are doing.
A second reading of Resolution 2020-5 was read; Authorizing the Mayor to advertise for bids for Downtown ADA Ramps; to accept the Lowest and Best bid and enter into an agreement with the lowest and best bidder. Council approved.
A third reading of Ordinance 2020-3 was read; to Amend Section 933.02: Water Rate Schedule Effective June 1, 2020. Motion to amend Ordinance 2020-3 to be effective August 1, 2020 instead. Motion to place this ordinance as amended on final reading was approved.
President Chamberlin reminded everyone about the special meeting to be held the next night. Council also voted to approve the bills as submitted and the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
