PERRYSBURG — The city may be getting a new public face.

A portrait of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s face may be on the official city seal, which was discussed by council on Jan. 3.

When the city began a rebranding effort in 2020, the city seal received criticism.

Input suggested that an image of Perry was important, with his connection to local history. That previous portrait featured a full standing image of Perry.

However, the graphic arts history of the previous image was not kind to it, according to city Public Information Officer Marie Dunn. With improvements in technology, the quality of the graphic had been lost over time, for reproduction purposes. It also couldn’t be scaled down to smaller sizes.

Dunn said that the primary use for the new seal would be at the top of official city documents and letterhead. Letterhead would likely be utilizing the smallest version.

Councilman Mark Weber, an amateur historian of the city who is often called on by council for his extensive knowledge, asked if the new seal would also include replacement of the large brass seal that is in the city council room. Dunn said that it would.

The cost of that item was not discussed.

“We just want to move ahead and move forward and use the new seal, but in order to do that we have to change the city ordinance,” Dunn said.

Council President Jonathan Smith, who was serving as mayor pro tem for the meeting, confirmed that the color would be cobalt blue, which Councilman Cory Kuhlman had inquired about.

Smith also suggested that before a vote took place that the issue be approved by committees.

Weber said that the finance committee had already been presented with the seal change and approved it.

Documentation from the city notes that a graphic artist created the new seal, which “pays homage to the old one with its circular shape, the nautical rope and its traditional typeset (“City of Perrysburg” and “Established 1816”), but it now boasts a distinguishable representation of Commodore Perry, a nod to our history at Fort Meigs and the Battle of Lake Erie, and the importance of our location on the Maumee River.”

In other business, the public utilities committee met prior to the council meeting and unanimously approved moving forward with a request for permission to pursue a $10,000 grant for leak detection equipment through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Council unanimously approved the request, noting that the city would pay for the equipment up front and then be reimbursed. The grant does not require any match from the city.