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ORDINANCE NO. 26-32 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Smith AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH JEREMY BETSA AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. WHEREAS, Jeremy Betsa, former Fire Chief for the City of Avon Lake, has been the subject of disciplinary matters with the City of Avon Lake, which resulted in litigation; and WHEREAS, Jeremy Betsa and the City of Avon Lake have agreed to a settlement that is acceptable to all parties; which resolves the actions in the United States District Court, the Lorain Court of Common Pleas, the Equal Employee Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), the Ohio State Employment Relations Board (SERB), the Appeal with the Avon Lake Civil Service Commission, and any and all claims filed or not; and WHEREAS, in consideration as part of the settlement, the Parties hereby agree to waive, release, and forever discharge any and all claims or actions as set forth in the Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVON LAKE, STATE OF OHIO: Section No. 1: That Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to enter into a Settlement Agreement on behalf of the City pursuant to its terms and conditions contained in the Settlement Agreement, a copy of which is on file with the City. Section No. 2: That Council hereby authorizes the Finance Director to make payment as set forth in the Settlement Agreement in the gross amount of $125,000, which consists of $30,000 accumulated sick time, and $95,000, as further consideration for the full and final Settlement of any and all claims related to his employment with the City of Avon Lake. Section No. 3: That it is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this Ordinance were adopted in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council and any of its committees which resulted in such formal actions were in meetings open to the public in compliance with all legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code. Section No. 4: That this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure, the emergency being the necessity to finalize a Settlement Agreement, thus for the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Avon Lake. Therefore, this Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor. ORDINANCE NO. 26-32 Page | 2 PASSED: 03/23/2026 ____________________________ President of Council POSTED: 03/27/2026 Approved: 03/24/2026 ATTEST: _________________________ ____________________________ Clerk of Council Mayor