BELLVILLE — Members of Bellville Village Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to place its village administrator on leave and request the resignation of its mayor.
Larry Weirich was placed on paid administrative leave — effective immediately and until further notice — due to an alleged violation of the village employee handbook. The resolution was passed as an emergency.
Councilman Jason Guilliams said the allegations related specifically to “immoral conduct as it relates to discipline and grievances.”
Guilliams said placing Weirich on leave will allow village council to conduct an appropriate investigation of these allegations prior to taking any action.
“We take full transparency and integrity as a top priority for the benefit of village employees and residents of Bellville,” Guilliams said.
Weirich is prohibited from accessing non-public areas of village property or village email accounts, voicemail or electronic devices while on leave. He is also prohibited from engaging with any third parties on behalf of the village, including as it relates to current or pending village projects.
Weirich said he was “very surprised” by council’s decision.
“I am also confident that I have not in any way violated the Village of Bellville employee handbook,” he said.
Council also voted 6-0 to request Mayor Teri Brenkus to resign for “reasons of moral misconduct and appearance of impropriety.”
Council does not have the authority to fire the mayor, but can request that she step down.
Brenkus said she was “completely heartbroken” by the vote.
“I still remain hopeful that we can work this out with some restructuring,” she said.
“I love my job and the incredible staff and council I’m blessed to work with daily. It’s been an honor and an incredible opportunity and experience serving Village residents over the past seven years. ”
If Bellville residents need assistance with administrative matters, they can call village hall at 419-886-2245 and ask to speak to utilities superintendent Mike Hoeflich.
A public hearing scheduled for Thursday on the topic of a marijuana dispensary in Bellville will occur as scheduled, presided over by planning commission president Brad Smith.