WAPAKONETA CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 2, 2015
President Steve Henderson called the meeting to order at 7:30pm on February 2, 2015 at 701 Parlette
Court with the following members present: Jim Neumeier, Daniel E. Lee, Bonnie Wurst, Chad Doll, Randy
Fisher, Rachel Barber, and Dan Graf. Also present were Mayor Rodney Metz, Service Director Bill Rains
and Law Director Dennis Faller. There were 14 visitors present.
Received Income Tax Summary Report for Month Ending 01-31-2015.
Mr. Graf asked that the following correction be made to the January 19, 2015 Council Meeting minutes:
under Lands & Buildings Committee meeting review, sentence should read “….Dan Graf made a motion
to recommend that the property owner at 500 Willipie Street seek a Conditional Use Permit for off-street
parking, with the property’s zoning remaining B 3.”
Motion by Fisher, second by Doll to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2015 Council Meeting as
corrected. Vote – 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Finance Committee – a meeting was held on 01-20-2015 and the following was discussed:
Rains informed the committee that the worksheets from the previous meeting were OK, and the 2013
numbers were the final, accurate numbers. Wurst asked about the health insurance % of increase, and
Rains stated he will check those again.
Rains and Walter plan to meet soon to compare their information and confirm the budget proposal. They
plan to introduce the 2015 budget to Council at the Feb. 2 meeting. It will have emergency language, but
there will be no need to suspend the rules to adopt.
There was discussion about the YMCA’s proposal to hire and supervise the lifeguards at the waterpark.
Wurst requested the YMCA submit a written proposal addressing supervision of the guards at the pool
and the cost to the city. Wurst also requested the financial information about lifeguard costs to the city in
2014. Rains also informed the committee that in 2016, any employee working 30 hrs. or more must be
offered health insurance; this could affect the staff costs at the waterpark.
Walter presented 2014 revenue records. However, these are not the final numbers as the 2014 year is
not completed as of this date. The 2015 estimated revenue information is not prepared as of this date.
Walter predicts that the income tax will still increase a small amount and estimates about $2.6 million.
The committee requests this revenue report before the budget is introduced to Council.
Rains gave the committee the information about local bank CD rates as Neumeier had requested. At the
present time these vary from 0.3% to 0.9%. This is to try to locate an investment plan to generate more
income for the recreation fund.
Finance Committee – a meeting was held on 01-29-2015 and the following was discussed:
Rains was unable to attend, so there is no information about the YMCA’s proposal to hire the life guards
for the waterpark and no financial information about the cost to the city in 2014.
Walter stated that 2014 books are closed and presented a YTD report.
Walter gave committee members a packet of worksheets she uses to create the budget document.
These include projected income and expenses. Copies are available from Walter and committee
members.
These showed few major changes from 2014.
The committee discussed several items including the following:
General Fund 101.140.59113 – transfer out - $500,000 to streets (301 and 333) and $125,000 to
emergency capital (for emergency vehicles).
Swimming Pool Capital – 305 – is there a way to generate more interest for use by the rec dept. from the
$727,526? Some options were discussed. If the funds are declared inactive by Council, then there can
be up to a 5 year CD receiving higher interest rates (now only up to 2 years is allowed by state law).
Another proposal is to donate the money to the Wapakoneta Foundation. The Foundation can invest the
funds as they wish, then donate the interest back to the city; however the principle will not be guaranteed.
Some or part of the $727,526 could be used this way. Walter identified some other investments that
could be included for a total of about $790,000. This committee, the Parks committee and Rec Board
continue to investigate options.
Sewer Replacement 642 – the largest expense will be replacement of the screw pumps as repairs are not
effective.
Landfill Closure 652 – monitoring required until at least 2028.
Parks & Rivers Committee – a meeting was held on 01-23-2015 and the following was discussed:
Neumeier opened the discussion by sharing his research into the current 5 year 1 mill levy for recreation
(see attached sheet). It was agreed that the filing deadline for this May primary (February 4, 2015) was
approaching too quickly for this committee to make a decision on what to ask the voters for in support of
the recreation department. It is the feeling of the committee that we should aim for getting it on the
general election this November. (Deadline for filing is August 5, 2015) The pros and cons of asking for a
renewal versus a replacement levy were then discussed. The renewal of the 1 mill levy will generate
approximately $95,000.00 per year while a replacement levy of 1 mill will generate approximately
$152,000.00 per year. At this time the committee is leaning toward the replacement option.
The discussion then moved into options for investing the $732,371.95 that council has set aside for
generating support for the recreation department. Todd Ewald, of Ewald Financial Services, spoke about
an investment with the National Slovak Society of the USA. The investment is a savings program for
“Not-For-Profit” organizations that acts like a typical savings account. Funds can be withdrawn at any
time and any amount with no penalty. The interest rate on this program is currently 2.25%. The
committee will follow up with this organization to see if any other cities are using this account.
Bill Rains then shared his discussions with Mike Burton on the possibility of the Wapakoneta Community
Foundation being utilized in investing this money. Rains indicated that Burton suggested the best option
for the city was to give the money to some entity so they could invest the money without the restrictions
place on the city by Ohio law. Rains agreed to have additional conversations with Burton on this matter.
It is the committee’s opinion that before a recommendation is made, the vision statement will need to be
completed. This statement will review past funding history for the recreation department, advances that
have been made in recent years with declining funds and a vision of where the city wants to take the
parks in the future. When this is complete, a truer picture of the required finances will be available and
the committee will be able to make a recommendation. Barber agreed to put this vision statement
together with input from interested parties.
Mr. Graf asked for the maximum percentage received in the past on these monies. Mr. Neumeier replied
that the percentage with Minster for one year was 1%, and before that, approximately ten cents per day.
Guest Petitions Wapakoneta Police Chief Russ Hunlock and his officers gave a presentation to Council on the ‘Police and
Citizens Together’ program, and asked for Council’s support of the program.
Mr. Graf asked where the meetings will be held. Chief Hunlock said that he is waiting to announce said
locations at this time. Mr. Graf asked how the meeting dates and locations will be communicated with the
public. Chief Hunlock advised that officers may go door to door and utilize flyers as well as social media
to notify the public. Chief Hunlock asked that Council participate in the program and help spread the word
throughout the community.
New Business –
Mr. Neumeier noted the letter to the editor printed in the Wapakoneta Daily News regarding a citizen
concerned about waterfowl hunting in the area of the Auglaize River. Mr. Rains replied that the game
warden is aware, and that the location involved was not within the City limits.
President Henderson asked Clerk to read Ord 2015-01 for the third time re: AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SERVICE TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS AND ENTER
INTO CONTRACTS FOR CERTAIN MATERIALS, SERVICES, AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL REQUIRED
FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF WAPAKONETA.
Motion by Doll, second by Fisher to adopt Ord 2015-01. Vote – 7 yeas, 0 nays. Motion passed.
President Henderson asked Clerk to read Ord 2015-02 for the third time re: AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SERVICE TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE DUCHOUQUET TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES FOR FURNISHING OF FIRE PROTECTION AND
AMBULANCE SERVICE.
Motion by Fisher, second by Wurst to adopt Ord 2015-02. Vote – 7 yeas, 0 nays. Motion passed.
President Henderson asked Clerk to read Ord 2015-03 for the second time re: AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF SAFETY AND SERVICE TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH
THE MOULTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES FOR FURNISHING EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE.
President Henderson asked Clerk to read Ord 2015-04 for the first time re: AN ORDINANCE ENACTED
BY THE CITY OF WAPAKONETA OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS
THE LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY (LPA), IN THE MATTER OF THE STATED DESCRIBED PROJECT.
Mrs. Wurst asked for the proposed year of the project. Mr. Rains replied, 2016. Mrs. Wurst asked if the
project is going south from the overpass. Mr. Rains replied, yes.
President Henderson asked Clerk to read Ord 2015-05 for the first time re: AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF WAPAKONETA, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE LOCAL
PUBLIC AGENCY (LPA), TO APPLY FOR A TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP)
GRANT FOR HERITAGE DRIVE / RIVER WALK PROJECT.
Ms. Barber asked why Council was not given information about this. Mr. Fisher replied that the City does
not have the requirements yet. Mr. Rains replied, correct. Mr. Graf expressed that he feels the property
owners along the downtown riverfront, as well as the committees should have an opportunity to give input
on this proposed project. Mr. Neumeier asked if the electrical upgrades are dependent upon this project.
Mayor Metz replied that the upgrades will go forward regardless, but that he still needs to meet with some
property owners.
President Henderson asked Clerk to read Ord 2015-06 for the first time re: AN ORDINANCE ENACTED
BY THE CITY OF WAPAKONETA OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OHIO HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS
THE LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY (LPA), IN THE MATTER OF THE STATED DESCRIBED PROJECT.
Motion by Fisher, second by Doll to bring Ord 2015-07 to the floor. Vote – 7 yeas, 0 nays. Motion passed.
President Henderson asked Clerk to read Ord 2015-07 for the first time re: ANNUAL APPROPRIATION
ORDINANCE FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31ST 2015 AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
The Mayor gave the following report:
1. Participated in monthly Wapakoneta Downtown Partnership (DWP) council meeting.
2. Participated in Wapakoneta Sister City’s monthly meeting.
3. Participated in Department Staff meeting.
4. Participated in TCA senior graduating class. The city is very fortunate to have six additional
community members graduate from TCA. The following graduates are Councilor Dan Graf,
Councilor Rachel Barber, Chair Kristin Doll, Commissioner Phil Valentine, and Commissioner
Mary Vorhees. Previous graduates from TCA are Commissioner Don Kachelries and Mayor
Rodney Metz.
5. Attended Armstrong Museum Partnership monthly meeting.
6. Signed the revolving loan paper on behalf of Wapakoneta City for the new Holiday Inn corporate
owners.
7. Participated in two Wapakoneta City Council Finance meetings
8. Randy Fisher and I met with Toni Berkley. We discussed naming the Bellefontaine Avenue I-75
overpass. Bill Rains, Mary Ruck and I will be putting together the requested paperwork to move
this project forward.
9. I met with Greg Myers and Dennis Faller to discuss the establishment of a depressed economic
development district which will allow for special alcohol permits. The district is outlined in the
packet that you have received. Everyone should have received my request for legislation.
Mayor Metz introduced Mr. John William Davis of 7 ½ West Auglaize Street Apt. 3, and asked Mr. Davis
to speak to Council regarding the special alcohol permits he is requesting.
Mr. Faller explained the differences in alcohol permits, and advised Council that two published legal
notices and a Public Hearing are needed to allow for public input and review on said application prior to
Council action.
Mr. Davis then spoke to Council, and asked for their support in his application for the special permits, and
noted that his efforts would also benefit other businesses in Wapakoneta wishing to have the same
permit.
Mr. Graf questioned the application process. Mayor Metz, Mr. Doll, and Mr. Davis gave further
explanation regarding the application steps and possible end results.
Ms. Barber asked Mayor Metz regarding item number 4, if the names listed are now referred to as Tree
Commissioners or consultants. Mayor Metz replied that the title of those listed would be ‘Tree
Commissioner’.
Ms. Barber asked for further detail on the snow routes in the City of Wapakoneta. Mayor Metz replied that
the snow routes have been adopted and approved by City Council. Mayor Metz and Mr. Rains advised
that the sign order has been delayed due to the purchase order not being signed.
The Service Director gave the following report:
Boring under Hamilton Street has slowed due to several crew members departing the work for a family
emergency. Mr. Neumeier asked if the boring has been done behind town. Mayor Metz replied, yes. Mr.
Neumeier asked when the open cut will occur on Blackhoof Street. Mayor Metz replied, possibly early
spring. Mr. Graf asked when the logs would be removed from some of the residents’ property. Mr. Rains
replied that he will communicate that this needs to be done.
SCHEDULING OF MEETINGS:
Communications & Rules Committee will meet on February 9th at 7:00pm at City Hall.
Miscellaneous Business –
Ms. Barber advised that September 12th is Servant’s Day, with a rain date of September 19th.
Motion by Fisher, second by Doll to adjourn at 8:53pm. Vote – 7 yeas, 0 nays.
President
Clerk of Council