Fostoria council swears in four ward members, names committees and elects Cassidy president pro tem

The Fostoria City Council swore in four newly elected ward council members and completed its organizational business at a Jan. 6 meeting that also included a unanimous vote to hold an executive session on personnel matters.

Amy Mendoza (Ward 1), Thomas Baker (Ward 2), Sue Lehman (Ward 3) and Gail Guernsey (Ward 4) each took the oath of office at the start of the meeting, affirming support for the U.S. and Ohio constitutions and the charter of the City of Fostoria. "I do hereby affirm that I will support the constitution of The United States of America and the constitution of the state of Ohio and the charter of the City of Fostoria, Ohio," Mendoza said as she was sworn in.

Council leadership announced standing committee assignments for the council year: the finance committee will consist of Podak, Lehman and Cassidy; the public affairs committee will include Mendoza and Guernsey; and the law and ordinance committee will include Mendoza, Grine and Baker.

During miscellaneous business, the council nominated and confirmed Greg Cassidy as president pro tempore. Cassidy accepted the nomination; the clerk then called a roll and the nomination carried.

The council also voted to enter executive session to consider personnel matters, with members indicating no additional business would follow afterward. The council returned from executive session at 6:47 p.m. and adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

Meeting length and next steps: after organizational items and the executive-session vote the council completed its agenda and adjourned. Committee meeting dates announced during the meeting included Jan. 20 for finance, public affairs and law and ordinance committees; public affairs also publicized a Jan. 15 dog-license event at the Fostoria Learning Center to help residents meet the Jan. 31 license deadline.