Finance
The Finance meeting started at 6:30. I brought up concerns about a $14,700 purchase order for an electrician to be on a retainer. We agreed we should look into the real need for retainer services versus pay by job. Councilwoman Laura Pizmoht questioned an expenditure of about $875 to a non-profit as a potential charitable donation out of city funds, authorized by the administration's whisper campaign. Also she questioned a P.O. for a law firm. The Mayor has refused to sign payment to our acting law director's firm. We directed the finance director to prepare the payments. Committee of the Whole was next. We had planned to address Councilwoman Grebenc's request for bringing back the Mayor's tree commission which has not met in 10 years. She was absent however. I updated all on my progress on communications and video of council meetings. (I also had an online meeting this morning for document sharing software that allows us to be more paperless and more efficient). There was discussion regarding the Mayor leaving the city for a two week vacation without informing department heads, the council president, nor council office. We also discussed the need for council oversight on a city newsletter or mailing that communicate with residents using taxpayer dollars. Abusing this means of communication to politicize positions and personal promotion is not appropriate. An ordinance will be referred to committee. Regular Business The regular meeting started with the announcement that newly elected Pat Grebenc tendered her resignation citing “personal reasons”. Council will accept resumes for her replacement. Council moved to set aside the Mayor's veto of both pieces of legislation from last meeting, The first, 2018-1, sets forth to not pay legal fees for bad behavior of city employees. This is the language that was added and council voted to override the veto of the Mayor: (b) Exclusions. In no event shall protection be offered under this Chapter by the City to: 1. Any dishonest, fraudulent, willful, intentional or malicious act or course of conduct of an official or employee; 2. Any act or course of conduct of an official or employee which is not performed on behalf of the City... I believe city resources are best not spent to defend dishonest or criminal behavior. The vote was 5-1 to set aside the veto (Hallum-no). The vote to set aside the 2018-2 because the acting Law Director will be moving to a new firm. Fire Chief Council voted to bring back our former Chief Harmon rather than confirm the Mayor's appointment. It was felt that Chief Harmon is the best man for the job at this time, to transition to new leadership, help with the search process, in my opinion has been very frustrating under this Mayor and civil service commission, and to bring our fire department budget under control. I expressed my thanks and respect to Tom Talcott for his many years of fire service. Other Business Council placed on first reading an ordinance to appoint a new city prosecutor, Bradley Hull who interviewed with Council for the acting law director position. I am impressed with Mr. Hull and feel a fresh start in the prosecutor's position will be a positive move forward. I made the motion to ask our Mayor to accept the resignation of the current prosecutor and to prepare charges for his actions that are not in the city's best interest and that violate his oath of office. Council needs to review the arrangement with the private sports group that handles recreation in our city. That was placed on first reading and referred to the recreation committee. Because of the questionable formation of a labor union for administrative staff at city hall, our city needs to engage the legal serves of an expert in labor law because of the actions of the former law director and our Mayor of potential collusion and legal malpractice to negotiate on the city's behalf. There will be a $25,000 cap. I hope less will be spent. I wish nothing had to be spent on this but we must protect the city's interest. Finally we passed legislation that puts our income tax collection laws in line with updated Ohio laws. Good News Two resolutions passed on recognizing the Willoughby Eastlake School of Innovation for the “All A Award”, and to Police Sergeant Matt Naegele on his achievement of graduation from the FBI National Academy. Excellent job and congrats to both! The meeting was 90 minutes long and there is a link to the audio below. http://www.willoughbyhills-oh.gov/mtg.0208.17-Pt-1.MP3 Comments are closed.
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Dave's Notes from the MeetingsThis is an effort to keep my constituents informed, check this page for updates. Archives
January 2020
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