Wauseon takes over local residential building inspections | News

The recommended legislation went beyond adjusting the previous fee structure. With its passage, the city’s new inspector, Danny Markley, will conduct most residential home inspections.

The service was previously contracted through Wood County. This change is expected to make scheduling much easier for homeowners.

For now, electrical and plumbing inspections for residential buildings will still be conducted by Wood County. As Markley achieves accreditation for those areas, it is expected he will take over those inspections as well.

There will also no longer be an itemized list of inspection fees as part of the codified ordinance. Instead, the city’s inspector will be able to adjust rates on a regular basis. The reported intention is to streamline future adjustments by not requiring legislation for any future rate increase in residential inspection fees.

Legislation adjusting the codified ordinance along with related legislation approving a new inspection contract with Wood County both passed unanimously. With the new legislation, the cost of residential inspection is currently set at $0.15 per square foot.

Following the committee’s recommendation, council also passed legislation amending the city’s codified ordinances regarding parade permits.

Council also approved a revision the Local Government Handbook to correct an error in a visual example regarding the vacation day policy. The vacation day policy itself remains unchanged.

Tijerina also reported legislation regarding permits for food truck operators, as well as inspections for utility vehicles is expected to be reviewed at the next committee meeting.

Council member Jermey Simon offered a report from the most recent Tree Commission meeting. Members are still working on new legislation that would allow for new members to be added to the commission so long as they lived within a few miles of the city and did not constitute a majority of members. That legislation remains under development.

Simon also reported the commission has submitted an application to the Arbor Day Foundation for a Tree City USA designation. Commission members also discussed adding Wauseon’s trees to a GIS mapping system.

Simon also informed council of a recent WRA meeting he attended. He reported the group is working on putting a board together for travel soccer.

Department head reports focused on the current blast of Arctic cold weather in the area. Both Fire Chief Phil Kessler and Director of Public Service Keith Torbet said employees were making sure equipment remained in functioning order. Torbet added crews were also working to remove dead trees and respond to water service issues.

This Wednesday, Torbet will meet with a contractor regarding the hybrid beacon on Shoop Avenue that is expected to soon be in service.