The mayor of Toledo writes a note to a councilor about his involvement in personnel matters

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Toledo’s mayor sent a warning to a city council member about getting involved in personnel matters within departments. This comes as a council member said he was asking questions about the water department.

That memo referenced one council member in particular, but was sent to and supposedly received by all council members.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said he has given city councilors more access to municipal administration than any of his predecessors, but now he is drawing the line.

It comes in the form of an October email referencing Toledo City Councilor-at-Large Cerssandra McPherson and her request to meet with vice mayors and a department director about a personnel matter. The mayor described that meeting as neither appropriate nor permitted by law.

Councilwoman McPherson told the I-TEAM on Monday that she had concerns about the water department. In particular, he said he was asking about projects and hiring and wanted to address that topic.

Mayor Kapszukiewicz said that won’t happen through vice mayors and directors, as he sought to clarify the specific roles laid out in the city charter.

The councilwoman said she has a pre-scheduled meeting with the mayor this week and hopes the concerns will be addressed.

Below is the full email that was sent to all council members:

“I am writing to you regarding your request to meet with deputy mayors and a department director regarding a personnel matter about which you have expressed some concern.

As you know, I have allowed City Council members tremendous access to members of my administration, certainly more than any of my predecessors. I believe this opening has served our city well. And that is why I plan to continue this policy of allowing access, when the situation is appropriate and permitted by law.

However, a discussion in this case is neither appropriate nor permitted by law. I’m sure you agree that we both must respect the duties specified to us in the city charter.

In this situation, it is worth noting that Section 30 of the Charter prohibits members of the City Council from interfering, directly or indirectly, with the conduct of the administration. For example, contacting a director or commissioner about personnel matters within a department is prohibited. It is inherently problematic for a City Council member to pressure a director on a departmental issue. Under our form of government, directors have supervisory control of their departments, subject to my direction. Therefore, if there is an issue involving my administration, the concern should be communicated to me.

I know you are already familiar with these provisions of the Charter, but I still felt it was important to clarify these points. “I understand that personnel matters can become emotional, but I also understand that it is important for us to follow the law.”

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