Resident warns of Monell/Section 1983 lawsuit, asks city officials for communication

During the citizen comment period at the Sept. 15 Maumee City Council meeting, Aaron Collins said he has researched what he called a "Monell claim" — a civil-rights lawsuit that can be filed under Section 1983 against local governments — and warned that he may file suit over the city's handling of a recall-election matter unless city officials communicate with him.

"Do you know what a Monell claim is? ... Monell claim is a civil rights lawsuit against the local government," Collins told council. He asked whether the law director was required to represent the city in the recall-related litigation, citing what he read as “Article 7, Section 2” and saying that the director of law "shall represent the municipality in all proceedings in court or before any administrative board." Collins said he had not received responses to his inquiries and asked officials to talk to him to avoid litigation.

Collins also said he had been advised by counsel to pursue the matter now and that, if he proceeded, he would donate part of any award to local youth programs, including Lucas County 4‑H. He urged city officials to contact him and said his address and phone number were available.

Council members did not take official action on the statements during the meeting. Mayor McDonald and council members acknowledged the public comment period and did not make policy decisions in response during the session. The law director’s formal duties and whether outside counsel was engaged for recall-related litigation were discussed elsewhere in public comments and council remarks but no formal council action on representation was recorded during this meeting.