Wauseon City Council on Oct. 6 introduced Sarah Hendricks as the city’s new clerk of council, welcomed a new water plant operator and heard a police-department update that included a promotion and training events.

Council President Shane Chamberlain asked residents to join council in welcoming Sarah Hendricks as the clerk of council. “Please join me in giving a warm welcome to our next clerk of council, Sarah Hendricks,” Chamberlain said while introducing her to the meeting.

The council also introduced its newest water plant operator. Keith Torbit, director of public service, said the operator comes to Wauseon with several years of experience; the council welcomed him to the staff. The operator was introduced by name during the meeting as Josh Williams; during his brief remarks he said he has five years of experience in the water industry. (Transcript contains an inconsistent surname in one turn; the staff introduction and council remarks identified him as Josh Williams.)

The police department reported personnel and community-safety updates. The department said Dawn Van Dean was promoted to sergeant on Aug. 20; the chief told council that Van Dean is the department’s first full-time female sergeant. The department is sponsoring a “Keeping Our Girls Safe” self-defense class on Oct. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wauseon High School; the department also completed a CPR, AED, Narcan and Heimlich-refresher for officers. Detective John Roof was named as a long-time COGS instructor who helps organize local classes.

Council members congratulated the new clerk, the new water plant operator and Sergeant Van Dean during the meeting. The clerk position introduction was ceremonial and was not recorded as a formal appointment vote in the public portion of the meeting; the promotion for Van Dean was announced by the department during the department-heads section.

What’s next

Council did not record additional personnel actions during the public meeting; follow-up items include HR incorporation of the newly adopted personnel policies and Parks/Operations scheduling for the pool-flooring work approved earlier in the meeting.