CONNEAUT — Interest among some City Council members in restoring the mayor form of government has prompted City Manager Robert Schaumleffel Jr., to test the job market, he said at Monday's City Council meeting.
In other business, council rejected by a 4-2 vote a motion that would reimburse Ward 1 Councilman Dave Campbell legal fees he incurred in a recent public records lawsuit.
Schaumleffel addressed a Star Beacon report last week that said he was one of 36 candidates for an identical job in Pickerington, a small town east of Columbus. A few weeks ago Schaumleffel learned he was not in the running for Mentor's city manager post.
Schaumleffel, who is a few days away from his one-year anniversary with the city, said he submitted three resumes prior to the Nov. 3 general election. Schaumleffel said he acted after learning a sizable number of council members were keen on restoring the council-mayor form of government voters abolished in 1990.
“That doesn't bode well for your professional staff,” Schaumleffel said Monday.
He did not identify the members in favor of ditching the city manager form of government, or whether his conversations included council candidates.
Schaumleffel said he doesn't want to leave Conneaut, but also doesn't want to “be on the outside looking in.
Schaumleffel disputed Internet bloggers who have written that his heart is no longer in his Conneaut duties. Tireless work on the city's budget, which was assisted by other department supervisors, is evidence of his dedication, he said.
“I inherited one enormous mess,” he said. “And we fixed a lot of it.”
Later, a majority of council dealt a blow to Campbell's request to be reimbursed $3,000 toward legal fees incurred in a lawsuit that resulted when he declined to share via a public records request an e-mail he received regarding the Public Works Department.
The request was made by Bob Howland, former Public Works Department director. Campbell resisted, citing confidentiality concerns. Howland pursued the matter in the courts and a judge ordered Campbell to comply.
More recently, a settlement resolved some — but not all — of the legal bills the battle incurred. Campbell asked he be reimbursed the balance he personally owes, saying he was sued in his position as a public official.
Law Director Lori Lamer disagreed, saying the lawsuit became a private matter when Campbell rejected her advice to hand over the e-mail.
Ward 2 Councilman Charles Lewis made a motion to reimburse Campbell, which was supported by Ward 3 Councilman Greg Mooney. Opposed were Council President James Jones, at-large councilmen Jacob Chicatelli and Chris Castrilla and Ward 4 Councilman Tony Julio.
Campbell abstained from voting.
Castrilla was the only member to comment during the vote, saying his decision was based on a review of legal information.
Campbell lashed out moments later. “I can feel the love in the room,” he said sarcastically.
He took a jab at Lamer, saying “I hope I can return the favor for your fabulous defense.” Lamer didn't respond.
Campbell also had words for the members who voted against Lewis' motion. “The other four guys didn't surprise me,” he said.
Those words prompted Jones to bang the gavel. “You have badgered council and you have badgered this administration,” he told Campbell.
Because of the matter, Mooney said he will no longer accept or respond to e-mail messages. Campbell said the same goes for him.
In other business, council moved to a second reading an amended version of the city's street lighting fee legislation.
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