Addressing
City Council recently the Mayor claimed that it was a mistake to violate Ohio
law when leasing public property.
When
dealing with with the citizens of Wilmington’s public property, the
laws apply. The law does not allow a mayor or any other single
individual to sell, buy or rent such property without the consent of
those citizens through their elected representatives on city council.
In
the case of the Runway Logistics/Sewell lease of a former Randal
building on Nelson Avenue, the contracting was done behind the backs
of council. The city’s law director was not given a signed copy to
review. At least some some, if not all, council members had no idea
that a deal had been made until they were made aware by a private
citizen. We have learned from the Total Baking Solution (TBS) fiasco
that not all rental agreements have merit.
Miscalculating
the revenue from a lease would be a mistake; keeping the lease secret
from council, the people and the press is a violation. The Ohio
Revised Code (ORC) When dealing with with the citizens of
Wilmington’s public property, the laws apply. The law does not
allow a mayor or any other single individual to sell, buy or rent
such property without the consent of those citizens through their
elected representatives on city council.
In
the case of the Runway Logistics/Sewell lease of a former Randal
building on Nelson Avenue, the contracting was done behind the backs
of council. The city’s law director was not given a signed copy to
review. At least some some, if not all, council members had no idea
that a deal had been made until they were made aware by a private
citizen. We have learned from the Total Baking Solution (TBS) fiasco
that not all rental agreements have merit.
Miscalculating
the revenue from a lease would be a mistake; keeping the lease secret
from council, the people and the press is a violation. The Ohio
Revised Code (ORC) requires that the leasing of public property must
be authorized by an ordinance approved by a two-thirds vote of city
council.
At
Thursday’s council meeting, Mr. Dixon, an employee of the county
and a commercial property owner attempted, at the behest of the
mayor, to defend the the illegal action. He compared the deal to a
private transaction between himself and a lessee of his property that
wanted the agreement to remain silent. There is no comparison, as
anyone can see. One wonders if Dixon would approve of a third party
renting one of his properties without his knowledge.
The
value of the rental agreement is not at issue; the method of
achieving the agreement is the issue — a serious issue.
Paul
Hunter
No comments:
Post a Comment