Outgoing Marietta Police Chief Rodney Hupp Gets A Standing O

MARIETTA, OH — It was a somber farewell for Police Chief Rodney Hupp at the Marietta City Council meeting. The meeting opened up with a number of city officials praising Hupp for his decades of service to the Marietta Police Department. He's retiring due to allegations of creating a hostile work environment.

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Mayor Josh Schlicher spoke on the situation. He said it was an honor and a privilege to work with Hupp.

"An internal complaint was filed by an officer against Chief Hupp alleging a hostile work environment. An internal attorney investigator was retained by the city which concluded that Chief Hupp engaged in conduct contrary to police policy. There was not a finding that his conduct rose to the level of creating a hostile work environment under the law. Chief Hupp's retirement follows that investigation and was made by the chief voluntarily and no termination proceedings were considered. Captain Aaron Nedeff will serve as chief of police while long-term plans are determined. We wish Chief Hupp all the best in his retirement and his endeavors."

Safety Service Director Steve Wetz also spoke on Hupp's behalf.

"I too would like to thank Chief Rodney Hupp. It's tough, it's been tough, having been in law enforcement in my past life, you're always watched closer than most people. And when you get into a pattern of using language to help cope with the job itself. I was guilty of that when I was an officer. I just want to thank him for his friendship and 27-years of service."

Budget and Procurement Director Bill Dauber also echoed that sentiment.

"It has been my honor to serve with Chief Hupp over the years. I'm truly sorrowful for his leaving."

Law Director Paul Bertram had a few words as well.

"I would also like to thank Chief Hupp for his service. From the beginning when he was a patrolman and worked up through the ranks I was excited for him when he was selected to be the chief. I have worked with him on numerous projects. He always had issues with things and would discuss things with me. I've always had a great personal relationship with him, as well as professional. I wish him all the best in his retirement. I would also hope he sometimes has a Cohiba and glass of scotch with me."

City Council President Susan Vessels also made remarks.

"I would like to thank Chief Hupp for 27 years of honorable service. He nearly died in the line of service on behalf of our city. He's served honorably and thank you very much, Chief Hupp."

Finally, the man himself, Chief Hupp, got up to speak.

"Good evening. Tomorrow I will finish up a 27-year-career with the City of Marietta as your police chief. It will rank up as one of the highest honors of my life to have had this opportunity. I wish to sincerely thank the citizens of this town for the privelege they've extended me in allowing me to support them, and the outpouring of support I've recieved. For nearly three-decades I've upheld my oath of office to the people of this community and service to the constitution, both U.S. and Ohio to the best of my ability. I stand before you a very imperfect man, but a man who's done his imperfect best to be a leader in the community. For those few who truly and genuinely know me, the truth of the current situation is apparent and nothing further needs said. To everyone else, I believe the body of my life's work stands as testimony to my character to always do right."

He received a standing ovation.

As far as local ordinances and resolutions go, a few were passed.

• Ordinance No. 237 (20-21) An Ordinance to amend Section 506.01 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Marietta, Ohio, titled KEEPING CERTAIN ANIMALS PROHIBITED, and to repeal existing 506.01 that is in conflict with said amendment. (GOSSETT)

This was the resolution to make roosters illegal within Marietta City limits unless they have been equipped with anti-crowing devices. It passed 5-1, Councilwoman Cassidi Shoaf voted against the measure.

These were all of the other measures that were passed at the meeting.

• Resolution No. 95 (20-21) A Resolution to authorize the City of Marietta, Ohio to accept the donation of a park bench from Tina Siegfried in memory of Jerrie Caskin, to be placed at Camp Tupper (3rd & Warren Streets) at the discretion of the Director of Public Safety and Service in the City of Marietta, Ohio. (FARNSWORTH)
• Resolution No. 96 (20-21) A resolution to adopt and approve a substantial amendment to the 2019 Community Development Action Plan and to authorize the filing of same with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and declaring an EMERGENCY. (SCALES)
• Resolution No. 97 (20-21) A resolution to adopt and approve the 2021-23 Community Development Consolidated Plan and associated 2021 Action Plan and to authorize the filing of same with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and declaring an EMERGENCY. (SCALES)
• Ordinance No. 241 (20-21) An Ordinance to authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety and Service to enter into Change Order No. 5 to the present contract between the City of Marietta, Ohio and Woolpert, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio, for necessary changes to the Start Westward Project, Phase 1, in the City of Marietta, Ohio, in an amount not to exceed $29,615.00, and declaring an EMERGENCY. (FARNSWORTH)
• Ordinance No. 242 (20-21) An Ordinance to authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety and Service to enter into Change Order No. 2 to the present contract between the City of Marietta, Ohio and Strand Associates, for necessary changes to the Water Treatment Plant Renovations and Upgrade Project, and declaring an EMERGENCY. (MCCAULEY)
• Ordinance No. 244 (20-21) An Ordinance to authorize and direct the Auditor of the City of Marietta, Ohio to pay the sum of $15,000.00 from the General Fund to the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, Ohio as a moral obligation based upon a previous city official’s erroneous commitment to expend monies from CDBG program funds, and declaring an EMERGENCY. (SCALES)
• Ordinance No. 245 (20-21) An Ordinance to declare the existence of a real and present emergency arising in connection with the operation and maintenance of the Department of Public Service of the City of Marietta, Ohio, and its municipal utility, the Wastewater Department, as the result of the 30-inch diameter sanitary sewer line collapse which creates an unhealthy condition that detrimentally affects the citizens of the City of Marietta, Ohio and the City of Marietta, Ohio’s, financial condition; and, therefore, to authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety and Service to enter into a contract without formal bidding, advertising, and quality based selection pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 735.051 and 153.71(B), with DRS Enterprise Inc., Garfield Heights, Ohio for the City of Marietta East Norwood Pump Station and Sanitary Sewer Collapse Emergency Repair Project, at a price not to exceed $422,845.00; and declaring an EMERGENCY. (MCCAULEY)
• Ordinance No. 246 (20-21) An Ordinance to authorize and direct the Director of Public Safety and Service to enter into a work agreement with Marietta Hotels LLC, on behalf of the City of Marietta, Ohio, which contains a temporary work easement required for the completion of the City of Marietta East Norwood Pump Station and Sanitary Sewer Collapse Emergency Repair Project and declaring an EMERGENCY. (MCCAULEY)
• Resolution No. 101 (20-21) A Resolution by the Council of the City of Marietta, Ohio to accept and ratify the Mayor of the City of Marietta, Ohio’s acceptance of Chief Rodney A. Hupp’s intent to retire from the service of the Marietta City Police Department, effective at the close of business on Friday, July 16, 2021, by letter dated July 9, 2021 and declaring an EMERGENCY. (ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS)
• Resolution No. 102 (20-21) A Resolution by the Council of the City of Marietta, Ohio, to authorize and direct the Auditor of the City of Marietta, Ohio to establish and designate a Procurement of Goods and Services Using Federal Grant Funds Policy for the American Rescue Plan Act (A.R.P.A.) for the City of Marietta, Ohio and declaring an EMERGENCY. (SCALES)

The next city council meeting is set for August 5, 2021 at 7:30.

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