NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio — The city charter review commission is considering a charter amendment that would prohibit any city council member from working for another city’s government.
The idea is to avoid a conflict of interest or divided loyalty between North Royalton and the city the council member works for.
The proposed amendment appears to target Council President Paul Marnecheck, whose full-time position is Economic Development Commissioner for the Town of Brook Park.
His responsibilities there include attracting businesses to increase Brook Park’s tax base.
Marnecheck, who has held the Brook Park position since February 2022, told cleveland.com last week that it was not a conflict of interest for him to serve in the position while also holding a position on the North council Royalton.
“Throughout my 15 years on the North Royalton City Council, I have always held a full-time job,” Marnecheck told cleveland.com in an email.
“There have been occasions where I have had to abstain (on a vote), such as when I was working for the Council of Small Businesses (COSE) and the Town of North Royalton was considering health care options offered by COSE to municipal employees,” said Marnecheck. .
“I am very comfortable seeking advice from our (North Royalton) legal department and refraining from voting on issues when necessary,” Marnecheck said.
When asked which city — North Royalton or Brook Park — he would favor if a company was considering locating in Greater Cleveland, Marnecheck said, “I would consult with the North Royalton legal department and act accordingly.” »
Marnecheck said he would do the same if a business in either North Royalton or Brook Park was considering moving from one of those two towns to the other.
In either case, North Royalton would not be at a disadvantage, Marnecheck said.
“North Royalton has a brilliant, world-class economic development director in Tom Jordan,” Marnecheck said.
“Our region also benefits from the expertise of talented individuals across many organizations, including Cuyahoga County, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, Team NEO and JobsOhio.
The charter review commission, which began meeting in October, is expected to continue discussions on the proposed charter amendment at its next meeting on Dec. 5.
No name
Members of the Charter Committee, when discussing the draft Charter amendment on November 7, did not mention Marnecheck by name.
At that meeting, Todd Schrader, North Royalton’s deputy director of legal affairs, pointed out that the charter now prohibits council members from holding any other elective public office or employment within the city of North Royalton.
Additionally, council members cannot benefit from any contract the city signs with another entity, Schraeder said.
Schraeder said case law and rulings from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Ethics Commission also guide municipalities when it comes to conflicts of interest.
Schraeder cautioned against including all possible conflicts of interest that the commission may consider in the charter, because if the commission fails to resolve a particular conflict, it can create problems if that conflict arises.
However, Commission Chairman Joel Spatz — director of purchasing at Metals Inc., a Bedford steel company — questioned why the charter would prevent a council member from working for the town of North Royalton but not another. city.
Spatz said the charter should be expanded to prevent a council member from working as an appointed official in another city, especially since North Royalton council members are privy to secret information discussed during executive sessions.
Commission member Mike Michalski, owner of a North Royalton business consulting firm called MCS Strategies, said the phrase “any municipality” should be added to the charter when it indicates that a council member cannot work while serving on the board.
Commission member and Devonshire Drive resident Catherine Miller warned that such a ban could prevent talented people from becoming council members and bringing their expertise to North Royalton.
For example, a police dispatcher, even working part-time, would not be allowed to serve on the North Royalton council if the charter amendment is approved, Miller said.
“Politics at play? »
Marnecheck said that last year, some council members proposed a similar charter amendment that would have forced him from his council position.
He said residents filled the council chambers to support him and oppose the amendment.
“While I hope there are no politics at play here, I feel like there are ulterior motives,” Marnecheck said of the charter review commission.
“I hope they (get) this out of their system and move on.”
Marnecheck said that since joining the council, he has worked with people with very diverse backgrounds and life experiences. He said they made him and the city better.
“I hope we don’t go down a path (where) we don’t allow people to run for office,” Marnecheck said. “We should make it easier for people to participate and get involved, not harder. »
Legal Director Tom Kelly said all proposed charter amendments are subject to voter approval or rejection.
Additionally, under a charter amendment approved by voters in November 2020, the board can keep charter amendments recommended by the commission off the ballot.
Previously, the board was required to place on the ballot all proposed charter changes recommended by the commission.
RECOMMANDÉ•cleveland.com
Kelly said that if the charter were amended to prohibit council members from working for other communities, it would remain to be seen when such an amendment would take effect, or whether Marnecheck would be grandfathered in and allowed to retain his seat on the advice.
Kelly said the charter amendment itself could contain provisions addressing the timing and conditions of the ban.
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**How does the proposed charter amendment reflect the broader societal tension between the value of diverse experience in public service and the potential for conflicts of interest?** This question invites analysis of the amendment within a larger context and encourages exploration of the competing values at play.
## North Royalton’s Charter Amendment: A Conversation
**Guests:**
* **Council President Paul Marnecheck**: Serves on North Royalton City Council and as Economic Development Commissioner for Brook Park.
* **Joel Spatz:** Chairman of North Royalton Charter Review Commission and Director of Purchasing at Metals Inc.
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World-Today-News. Today, we’re delving into a controversial topic in North Royalton – a proposed charter amendment that would prohibit city council members from holding jobs in other municipalities. We’re joined by Council President Paul Marnecheck, the individual directly affected by this draft amendment, and Joel Spatz, Chairman of the Charter Review Commission driving this discussion. Gentlemen, thank you for being here.
**Section 1: Understanding the Proposed Amendment**
**Interviewer**: Joel, can you shed light on the motivation behind this proposed charter amendment? What specific concerns are driving the commission to push for this change?
**Follow-up questions:**
* Does the commission believe this amendment addresses a current problem or is it a preemptive measure?
* What are the potential consequences of a council member serving in another municipality?
**Interviewer**: Paul, you’ve openly stated you believe this amendment targets you directly. Could you elaborate on this perception and its impact on your service to North Royalton?
**Follow-up questions:**
* Has your Brook Park position ever presented a conflict of interest while serving on the council?
* Do you feel that your dual roles ultimately benefit the city of North Royalton?
**Section 2: Examining the Potential Impacts**
**Interviewer**: Joel, some argue this amendment could limit the pool of qualified individuals willing to serve on the council. How do you respond to this concern?
**Follow-up questions:**
* What measures, if any, could mitigate this potential drawback?
* Are there alternative solutions that address conflict of interest concerns without restricting potential candidates?
**Interviewer**: Paul, you mentioned the importance of diverse backgrounds and experiences in public service. How do you think this amendment might impact the diversity of perspectives within the council?
**Follow-up questions:**
* Are there specific groups or individuals who could be disproportionately affected by this change?
**Section 3: Moving Forward**
**Interviewer**: Both of you have raised important points. What are your hopes for the future of this discussion? What outcomes would be most beneficial for the city of North Royalton?
**Follow-up questions:**
* How can the community best engage in this conversation?
* What role should public opinion play in shaping this amendment?
**Interviewer**: Thank you both for sharing your insights and perspectives on this complex issue. As this discussion unfolds, it is crucial for the community to remain informed and engaged.
**Closing:**
We encourage our viewers to follow the developments surrounding this charter amendment and actively participate in the decision-making process. This is a critical opportunity for North Royalton residents to shape the future of their local government.
