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WEIMAR — The conversation around the city manager position continued at the Dec. 21 special meeting as well as an extended discussion surrounding the duties and compensation for Fire Marshal, a position that entered a flux state after the recent Marshal resigned due to concerns over breached nepotism laws.
The discussion around the nepotism laws have been a topic in Weimar government meetings after the action item to interview McCall Ulrich, son of Councilman Roy Ulrich, for the position of city manager during an executive session that was revealed during public comments. While the interview did not breach compliance with established nepotism code for government officials, McCall Ulrich’s position as the Fire Marshal was in direct violation of the laws in place. Former Lt. Steven Krhovjak made the council and Mayor Milton Koller aware of this violation prior to Ulrich submitting his letter of resignation for the position. Krhovjak says his retirement in October was led in part by his knowledge of the situation that he did believe he would be able to overlook according to his own resignation letter.
The council and City Attorney Carl Dawson claimed that Ulrich was not paid for his services despite compensation being included in the ordinance for the position. Dawson said that the city avoided culpability based on lack of clear intent to benefit from nepotism as the motion to hire Ulrich was established by Councilwoman Becky Roberts and seconded by Councilman Kevin Janecka.
The prior Fire Marshal and current Code Enforcement head, Jonathon Perales, told his perspective surrounding the events of his departure from the office as well some issues he faced while serving the position. He cited a few main difficulties that led to some strain with the local volunteer department. According to Perales, he claimed that not being from Weimar, not living in Weimar and being on the current staff of the Columbus VFD contributed to the detachment between him and the local fire department. Perales’s resignation did not have an official letter attached to it, and the resignation was also never acted on by the council on their agenda.
Perales expressed his desire to retake the position to finish his term, as well as his desire to have a quality working relationship with the local fire department. However, the council did not move on any action to decide on a Marshal at the special meeting.
Outside of the Fire Marshal discussion, further conversation surrounding the unfilled city manager position carried on in executive session. However, no details were released during the public portion of the meeting.
