Olmsted Falls council clerk currently under investigation

OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio — Clerk of Council, Law Department Administrative Assistant and Clerk Of Courts Angela Mancini is currently under investigation for inappropriate behavior.

While an initial incident on May 2 involving Mancini and Assistant Finance Director Janice Baumann started the inquiry, additional city employees expressed concerns about the clerk of court’s behavior.

Numerous messages left by cleveland.com to Mancini were not returned.

“I cannot comment on individual personnel matters,” Olmsted Falls Mayor James Graven said.

“In general, Olmsted Falls endeavors to provide a professional working environment for all of our employees.”

At a cost of $5,700, Olmsted Falls hired human resources consultant HR On Call, Inc. to conduct a thorough evaluation, which resulted in a May 25 investigation report.

After interviewing Mancini, Baumann, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Macey Strause, Assistant to the Chief of Police Jennifer Hochevar and Community Police Officer Joe Bunjak, the consultant submitted a seven-page report, which concluded the May 2 interaction involved inappropriate behavior by the clerk of council to the assistant finance director.

It also cited Mancini “used abrasive and unacceptable language with and toward colleagues, including multiple instances of profanity.”

The report stated the clerk of court consciously restricted interactions with colleagues, including moving her office, frequently keeping her door closed, being overtly reluctant to effectively cross-train colleagues, being curt when approaching with business matters and limiting communications primarily to e-mails.

The report also stated, “These uncooperative self-restrictions appear to have the effect of unnecessarily limiting the efficient flow of city business.”

Recommendations were also listed, including clarifying job duties, coaching for Mancini and better communication at City Hall.

A timeframe including the conclusion of the investigation has not been announced; However, a pre-disciplinary conference — which was originally scheduled in early June — was held last week.

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