Metz giving up council seat
After 28 years of service to the city of Wapakoneta, Rod Metz on Monday tendered his resignation from city council.
Metz was recently appointed to serve on the Auglaize County Board of Elections, to replace Brent Henschen as one of the Democrat representatives on that board. An opinion from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, as well as from county Prosecutor Ed Pierce, says serving on city council is not compatible with a seat on the election board.
“Thank you for your long and faithful service to the city,” Chad Doll, serving as president of council in
Steve Henderson’s absence, said. “We know this not the end of your service… we thank you and wish you luck in your new position.”
Metz’s resignation is effective Dec.
31. There is one year remaining on his term.
The announcement during the last city council meeting for 2020 was the highlight of a 30- minute session that saw seven new pieces of legislation introduced, two of which passed as emergency measures.
Legislation adopted after three readings Monday included the 2021 budget. A public hearing at 7: 15 p. m. brought no public comment; Auditor
Wilbur Wells said the document will change one more time — once he closes December. Revenue and expenses will stay the same, he said; carryover amounts will be adjusted to reflect end- of- the- year totals.
Councilors also approved the use of
CARES funding for public safety, payroll expenses, and as emergency legislation, assorted supplemental appropriations and authorizing Safety Service Director Floyd Gregg to enter into a loan agreement with the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund for the construction of the new wastewater treatment plant. Introduced for a first reading were:
* A resolution authorizing Mayor Tom Stinebaugh to serve as the city’s delegate to the board of directors for the Ohio Municipal Electric Association;
* Two ordinances amending refuse rates, reflecting an increase in disposal rates at the city farm and rental rates for dumpsters;
* A resolution authorizing the renewal of the 1- mill tax levy for parks and recreation and asking that renewal appear on the May 4 primary ballot;
* And an ordinance authorizing Gregg to advertise for bids and execute an agreement for the improvement of West Benton Street, from Dear baugh to Ohio Street.
Stinebaugh updated councilors on the pending solar field south of the city. The 60- acre field will be constructed by one of two developers vying for the job. Stinebaugh said whichever company secures the lease of the property will be the successful candidate for the job. He anticipates residents will see the results of the new solar field on their electric bills as early as the summer of 2021.
The Streets and Alleys Committee will meet Wednesday at 5: 30 p. m. to discuss vehicles parking off road. City council meets again Jan. 4 at 7: 30 p. m. via Zoom.