Council directs law director to prepare ordinance renaming assistant-to-mayor title to chief of staff

Following an executive session during the June 16 meeting, Mayor Bridal moved that the city's law director prepare an amendment to the nonunion employee salary ordinance to change the position title of assistant to the mayor for special projects to chief of staff. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Weiser and approved by the council.

Mayor Bridal made the motion after the council had adjourned to executive session to consider an employment matter pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §121.22(G)(1). The mayor asked the law director to prepare a draft ordinance so it can be presented to council at a future meeting; if council later decides to pass it as an emergency ordinance the title change would take effect when signed by the mayor, otherwise it would take effect 30 days after passage.

Councilwoman Thomas asked when the change would become effective; the law director confirmed the standard options: immediate effect by emergency passage upon mayoral signature, or 30 days after passage if not taken as an emergency. Several council members said personnel questions that required factual detail should be discussed in executive session and not in open session. The motion recorded ayes from Councilman King, Councilwoman Sacks, Councilman Cooney and Councilwoman Weiser and the mayor announced the motion passed and he would prepare the ordinance.

No ordinance was presented or enacted at the June 16 meeting; the action taken was direction to staff to prepare draft legislation for a later meeting. Council discussion included whether additional executive-session review would be needed before final passage.