BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus City Council’s Finance Committee met in Special Session at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The meeting was called by committee members for the limited purposes of discussing supervision over the Council Clerk’s position and formation of an Ethics Committee.
During the meeting, Council President Kurt Fankhauser explained that he hadn’t received a copy of the new legislation pertaining to the supervision of the Clerk of Council office, until two hours before the meeting.
Fankhauser read Ohio Revised Code 732.05 Powers of Legislative authority which reads “The powers of the legislative authority of a city shall be legislative only it shall perform no administrative duties.” Fankhauser also read Ohio Revised Code 733.01 Executive Powers of the City, “The Executive powers of the city shall be vested in the Mayor, President of Council, Auditor and Treasurer and goes on an on.” Fankhauser is concerned that the council may be overstepping its boundaries, opening up a possible lawsuit against the city. Fankhauser warned not to rush this legislation. He also said since Bucyrus isn’t a Charter City, it’s not legal for the council to perform administrative functions over the Council office.
Fankhauser also asked a question to Law Director Rob Ratliff, wanting to know why the city of Bucyrus needs an Ethics committee when the State of Ohio already has one. Ratliff went on to explain that many cities have separate Ethics Commissions and policies.
For several minutes the council, the Law Director, and community members exchanged concerns.
Towards the end of the meeting, Councilmember Bruce Truka expressed his feelings about the Council Clerk situation, “My problem is we’ve gotten along all this time, all these years with what was been in place for over 100 years. Why are we trying to reinvent the wheel- as they always say, you know, we were all elected to come here and try to do the best we can.” “I just think that we all need to sit down in the same room together. The players that are in the conflict all need to be here at the same time and I think that if we would just put all our heads together and actually try to iron this stuff out, we don’t need any of this other stuff. Just go back to what’s already on the books get over it and move on. Do our best that we can do for the city of Bucyrus and quit this bickering!”
Bucyrus Council Clerk Todd Hill responded with “I am going to make this real easy for you.” “You have my resignation effective as of right now. I’ll have a letter on my desk before I leave this evening.” I’ll turn my keys in as well and I think that’s all I have to say.” After this statement, he laid down his paperwork, gathered his belongings, and left the meeting.
Law Director Rob Ratliff volunteered to step in as the fill-in because of the unexpected absence of the Clerk of Courts for the regular council meeting that followed.
Council President Kurt Fankhauser submitted the following email Tuesday night to the media:
To Everyone and Media,
As of tonight, Todd Hill submitted a letter of resignation from his position as Bucyrus Council Clerk. Therefore Council is currently accepting resumes for anyone interested in the position of Council Clerk. Please email your resume to the Council President at councilpres@cityofbucyrusoh.us if you are interested in the job opening.
-Sincerely,
Kurt Fankhauser
City of Bucyrus Council President
Crawford County Now reached out to Fankhauser and received the following comment:
“Regarding the Council Clerk, it is a shame to see him quit. I completely deny that there ever was any condition of “hostile work environment” in city hall. If you read the hostile work environment laws “personality conflicts” and “not liking your boss” does not mean your work environment is “hostile.” I think it’s ironic that all of the sudden this came up 7 months before an election and I wholeheartedly believe that it’s politically motivated by several individuals at city hall and there very well may have been some council members in on it too. It’s no secret there are several people at City Hall that want me out of there any way possible because they don’t like being held accountable. Regardless I wish Mr. Hill good luck on whatever career he decides to pursue next in life.”
The Council will meet again Thursday, April 22 at 5:30 pm, followed by a Regular Committee meeting at 6 pm. The public is invited to attend either meeting.
