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Public commenters raise concerns about hiring and zoning; city manager and council respond; Lions Club event announced
Summary
During public comment residents criticized the hiring of an Assistant City Manager and past zoning enforcement; city officials responded by explaining hiring authority and the Assistant City Manager position history. Other commenters promoted a Lions Club St. Patrick’s Day dinner and asked the city to restore a shredding event.
During the public-comment period, resident James Napper announced the West Carrollton Lions Club St. Patrick’s Day dinner scheduled for March 15 at Memorial United Methodist Church and provided ticket information. He said adult tickets cost $20 and children $10 and the dinner runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Resident Malia Butcher thanked Chief Woodard and the police for their service and also raised concerns about zoning and code-enforcement practices, and she criticized the city’s recent hiring of Dan Wendt to the Assistant City Manager position, citing public records and reporting about Wendt’s tenure in a previous city. Butcher urged that the city “hire within” for the next police chief and said citizens were prepared to circulate a petition to that effect; her comments included accusations that she said were supported by public records.
Council and administrative leaders responded later in the meeting. Mayor Barnhart and other councilmembers explained that, under the city charter, hiring authority rests with the City Manager. Mayor Barnhart outlined the historical use of an Assistant City Manager role in West Carrollton, saying the position predated the current administration, was funded by a prior council decision, and was filled after a hiring process that included multiple candidates. The mayor and other council members also defended the zoning code as an adopted safety and aesthetics tool and said code officers are equipped with body cameras to document interactions.
Councilmember discussion closed without reversing any personnel decisions. Council subsequently voted to recess to a work session to discuss agenda items and then to an executive session under Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(1) to consider public-employee compensation; both motions passed on recorded votes (see Actions).
Other public input included a request from Councilmember Grama to explore reinstating a public shredding event; city staff said they would check into vendors and feasibility.
No formal policy changes were adopted during public comment; the meeting included commitments by staff to provide follow-up information about hiring processes and to research program logistics for a shredding event.
