Officer of the Year named

FOSTORIA — City Council met Tuesday, where Chief of Police Gabe Wedge presented the 2023 Officer of the Year award to Detective Brooks Hall. Chief Wedge shared an anecdote about watching Officer Hall develop as an officer, and presented him with a plaque honoring him for his service before the meeting moved into its regular business. On another matter, Mayor Don Mennel provided an update on the Get the Lead Out (GLO) project, noting that EPA Regional Director Debra Shore would join elected officials at 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Fostoria Water Department to celebrate their collaboration with the EPA. Additionally, Mennel thanked the street department for cleaning up after the recent storm damage. Mennel noted a major tree falling onto power lines and thanked them for their swift and safe cleanup. Steve Dandurand, finance director, noted in his report a request to move $125,000 from unappropriated funds to be appropriated under General Administration/Contractual Services to conduct a Contractual Services study (CSO). Dandurand explained that the study will allow the city to better approach the EPA and ask them to "remeasure" how their Consent Decree was written in 1993. In other news, Amy Mendoza, chair of the public affairs committee shared numerous upcoming events: HOPE Recovery Walk - 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 7 at Market Square Park, 112 E Tiffin St. Allows individuals to celebrate their recovery and connect with others about additional resources available to them9/11 Memorial Service - 10-11 a.m. Sept. 11 at Fostoria Fire Division, 233 West South St.Farmers and Artisans Market- 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 14 at Market Square Park, 112 E Tiffin St.Urban Woody Brewery: Oktoberfest - 3-10 p.m. Sept. 14 at The UrbanWoody Brewery, 105 E Tiffin St.Jeff Shiff Memorial Run the Res 5K - 11 a.m. Sept. 15 at Grey Park.Also a member of the Law and Ordinance committee, Mendoza noted that the committee would meet at 5:15 p.m. ahead of the next regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 17 Sue Lehmann of the finance committee shared that they are also scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17. In other news, several pieces of old business were passed, including the following: Ord. No #2024-72: An ordinance in regards to entering contracts with the Director of Transportation of the State of Ohio as necessary to complete described pavement repair projects. (Third Reading) Ord. No #2024-73: An amendment to Section 505.01 of Chapter 505 of the City of Fostoria Codified Ordinances, entitled Definitions. (Third Reading) Res. No #2024-74: An ordinance authorizing the Safety Service Director to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program(s) to execute contracts as required. (Third Reading) Res. No #2024-75: A resolution authorizing the Mayor of Fostoria to prepare and submit a 2024 application to participate in the Wood County Park Grant Program. Additionally, three pieces of legislation were passed as an emergency under new business: Ord. No #2024-76: An ordinance authorizing the Mayor of Fostoria to advertise for bids and enter into contract with the lowest and best bidder for a waterline to be installed from SR-12 along Independence Ave. to Country Dr. Res. No #2024-77: A resolution authorizing the Director of Public Service and Safety to execute grant agreements between the City and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Fostoria Metropolitan Airport. Res. No #2024-78: A resolution adopting and amending Ord. No#2023-66 (Permanent 2024 Appropriations) in regards to the General Fund, Water Fund, and Cemetery Fund previously mentioned by Finance Director Steve Dandurand. The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 17