Council ponders filling position

Former councilman considered for zoning inspector

Kirtland City Council is considering hiring a new zoning inspector, but it appears to be divided on some aspects of the appointment.

Mayor Doug Davidson is seeking to hire former longtime councilman and current Planning & Zoning Commission member Timothy K. Powell for the role, previously held by Public Service Director Carm Catania.

Catania reportedly recently resigned as zoning inspector, but will continue as service director for the time being. The reason for the resignation was unclear.

Legislation to hire Powell was up for third reading this week, but, following an executive

session, council voted 4-3 to amend the resolution to include a one-year contract clause. The item reverted to second reading, Council President Kevin Potter said.

A vote is anticipated at the Dec. 3 meeting, he said.

“Mayor Davidson also agreed to do a salary study for the position to see how the salary stated in the resolution compares to other communities with a similar part-time position,” said Potter, who referred questions about Catania’s resignation to the mayor.

Davidson said he is grateful for Catania’s years of service as zoning inspector.

“With Carm’s retirement planned for March of 2019, I felt it was prudent to put a highly qualified candidate before council to assume the zoning inspector duties so that we can have continuity in the role,” said Mayor Doug Davidson.

The legislation calls for an annual salary of about $23,000, paid biweekly.

City ordinance says the position may be appointed by council or the mayor for an “indefinite period of time and shall continue until the person so appointed resigns or otherwise removes himself

or herself from such office or is removed. …”

The appointment requires the support of twothirds of council, meaning at least five of the seven members.

Duties include: Issuing zoning permits, keeping records pertaining to applications for permits, conducting inspections and investigations into complaints, and enforcing city zoning laws. He also must attend Council and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings and perform all other duties required by the mayor.

The mayor is authorized to recommend compensation, but it must be done in concurrence with a majority of council.

In addition to regular compensation, the zoning inspector may be entitled to additional employee benefits “as Council may from time to time establish by ordinance.”

If appointed, Powell said he would continue to drive trucks for Chester Township-based Devils Trucking, but would have to step down from the Planning & Zoning Commission.

He was on council for 20 years before being unseated in the November 2015 election.

“Ten of those I chaired council’s Planning & Zoning subcommittee, and, after I was off council, I was appointed to an opening on the Planning & Zoning Commission, so I’ve been dealing with zoning quite a few years,” he said.

Along with serving in multiple roles for the municipality, he was a volunteer firefighter for 14 years and coached Kirtland Youth League teams for eight years.

“I’ve been, in one way or another, giving to Kirtland for 40 years,” he said. “I like to give back to the community I live in.”

Regarding the delay in a decision, Powell said, “I guess council just wants to be thorough.”

“Mayor Davidson also agreed to do a salary study for the position to see how the salary stated in the resolution compares to other communities with a similar part-time position.” — Council President Kevin Potter