7/9/2021 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Special Council Minutes of 7-9-2021 mattered. Mayor Kennedy indicated he reached out to the law department about it and was told there's no problem. Councilman Schumann asked about the Law Departments opinion, to which Assistant Director of Law O'Malley indicated he agreed with the Mayor and Council is not the Director's employer. Councilman Glassburn indicated the guidance he received for a similar situation from the Ohio Ethics Commission was more restrictive than what the law department is stating and he would request an OEC opinion. Councilwoman Hemann also asked for an Ohio Ethics Commission opinion. It was asked if Mr. Limpert would be a full- time employee and he said was. Mr. Limpert was asked who his most recent employer was and he said he worked for Bearing Service Company. Councilman Glassburn asked if Bearing Service Company did business with North Olmsted and Mr. Limpert said yes and they provided great cost savings for the waste water plant and service department. Councilman Glassburn asked if the contracts occurred while Mr. Limpert was Director or on Council. Mr. Limpert said he did not have a relationship while he was the Service Director, but said there was some business while he was on Council. Councilman Glassburn asked about Mr. Limpert's employment with Maury Manufacturing. Councilman Kelly asked how long Mr. Limpert served as Safety Director under Mayor O'Grady which was answered as 5-6 months. Councilman Kelly asked about Mr. Limpert's transition to Service Director. Mr Limpert said his background was stronger in service so he moved. Councilman Kelly asked if he served as Safety and Service Director at the same time, to which Mr. Limpert responded they were separate positions. Councilwoman Williamson asked if Bearing Service Company did business with the City while Mr. Limpert served on Council. Mr. Limpert stated that he didn't have his records from the 1980s or 1990s, but nothing of consequence was sold. Councilwoman Williamson asked again and Mr. Limpert responded Bearing Service Company saved the city a considerable amount of money. Councilwoman Hemann asked if Mr. Limpert had the territory of North Olmsted relinquished while he was on Council. Mr. Limpert stated he did interact with the city, but he did not request credit and he believed the matter was a house account. Councilwoman Hemann asked about Mr. Limpert's retirement from the city. Mr. Limpert indicated that he did so to prevent negative financial consequences. He stated he did not request reappointment. Councilwoman Hemann clarified that Mr. Limpert left to enjoy the pensions benefits and not "double dip" and was now changing his opinion. Mr. Limpert stated the Mayor asked him for help. Councilwoman Hemann indicated Council had only been previously offered a nominee for service, but not safety. She further stated there were eight applicants for the Director position. Mayor Kennedy stated he did not need to provide Council nominees. Councilwoman Hemann stated that at least three of the candidates were very qualified. Councilman Glassburn asked Mr. Limpert when he was contacted for the Director position. He indicated that it was one week prior to the nomination to Council. Councilwoman Hemann asked if Mr. Limpert had been suspended as Safety Director. Mr. Limpert said he had disagreements with former Mayor O'Grady and didn't recall the circumstances. Councilwoman Hemann was ruled out of order on discussing employee performance reviews. Councilman Kelly asked about current problems with trash and bulk pickup, including yard waste. Mr. Limpert stated he dealt with issues as the director previously and COVID was an issue and contracts must be upheld. Councilman