The May 5 meeting of Wauseon City Council opened with the annual joint meeting between City Council and Clinton Township Trustees for the purpose of electing a board member to the Wauseon Union Cemetery. Present for the meeting were Council President Heather Kost and Councilors Don Mathews, Kathy Huner, Shane Chamberlin, Fred Allen, and Rick Frey. Clinton Township Trustees present for the meeting were Hite and Neuenschwander. Trustee Hite moved and was seconded by Councilor Chamberlin to reappoint Leonard Richer to the Wauseon Union Cemetery Board for the term January 2, 2015 through January 1, 2018. The motion was unanimously approved and the joint portion of the meeting was adjourned.
The regular portion of the City Council meeting followed directly afterwards and began with the hearing of committee reports. Councilor Allen spoke on behalf of the Building and Grounds Committee and reported that the Fulton County Historical Society had met with the committee regarding the bathroom at the Railroad Depot building, which have not been in operation. As the Historical Society would like to hold more events at the building, a request for assistance in updating the restroom facilities was made. The recommendation for the city to take the new water and sewer lines from the street to the foundation of the building; with a maximum cost of $2500, which Director of Public Service Dennis Richardson noted the City more than likely will not come close to spending; was later approved.
Allen also reported that the Building and Grounds Committee had also discussed the Richard Mull property on County Roads B and 13. Mull has donated trees to the city. However, due to the severe weather of this past winter, the City has had no opportunity to transplant the trees. A recommendation to authorize the mayor to enter into a farm lease agreement with Mull, which will allow the City more time to transplant the trees, was approved and a subsequent resolution passed on first reading later during the meeting. The last portion of Allen’s report was in regards to a request made from a resident to put in a permanent concrete slab for a basketball hoop on the city right of way. Council, on recommendation from the Committee, denied the request.
After hearing from Allen, Council went on to hear Department Head Reports. Regional Planning Director David Wright opened these reports by giving an update on the CDBG grant application process. Wright also noted he sent out building and business owner participation surveys to the downtown stakeholders in the established target area. Wright also noted that he is working with council members to establish what type of projects the City is going to spearhead and that one of the main projects is to make the area 100% ADA compliant within the target area.
Police Chief Keith Torbet reported that the Police Department took in 80 pounds of prescription medications during the Drug Take Back Day held on April 26. The department will be keeping a box in the Police Department to allow people to drop off unwanted prescription drugs at any time prior to the next Take Back Day. Torbet also reminded everyone that the Youth Police Academy will be beginning on June 9 and that those who are interested need to register quickly as the maximum enrollment is limited to 15.
Code Administrator Tom Hall reported that his department has been busy supplying information to citizens about the Comprehensive Plan in anticipation of the public hearing on the planned unit development area next to the Pat West Subdivision.
Director of Public Service Dennis Richardson noted that some years ago the city had refinished and repainted the west clarifier at the water plant but had been unable to do the east clarifier at the same time due to other repairs needing done and that the City is not at the point where they are ready to proceed with the east clarifier. Richardson also reported that he was able to secure a 3 year 12% discount for city light and stop light electric use, he is working on renewing the five year discharge permit at the Wastewater plant, and that bids have been opened for the painting of the water tower. The tower has not been painted since the early 1990s. Richardson also noted that the painting of one Indian head logo on the tower will cost $8900 and two logos would cost a total of $17,400. Richardson requested that council give some thought to whether or not to include the extra expense.
Legislative matters brought before council and passing on first reading included Ordinance 2014-4, regarding the requirement of contractors to hold state licenses; Resolution 2014-6, authorizing the Mayor to enter into a mutual police aide agreement for emergency police services with surrounding municipalities; and Resolution 2014-7, authorizing the Mayor to enter into a farm lease agreement as earlier described for the harvesting of trees on the Mull property. Resolution 2014-5, authorizing the mayor to accept the conveyance by Brenner Properties, LLP of a 4.091 acre parcel located at the southeast corner of the Arrowhead Trails passed on second reading. No legislative matters were brought before council for third reading and no new business was addressed.
The next meeting of the Wauseon City Council will be held on May 19 at 5:00 pm in council chambers.