City exploring E-Verify policy

LIMA — The city administration will explore requiring those doing business with the city to use a federal electronic employment system.

Mayor David Berger, in a letter to City Council, said the city is already using E-Verify with any new hires. Berger is directing Law Director Tony Geiger to draft a policy applying E-Verify to contractors and agencies doing business with the city. He also wants Geiger to explore whether the requirement could be part of tax abatement or economic development programs.

Council’s Utilities Committee asked Berger to consider the policy change instead of creating legislation on the program.

Robust conversation from a Wednesday committee meeting continued Monday during 1st Ward Councilman and committee Chairman Ray Magnus’ report from the meeting, on which the council votes to accept.

Magnus has accused the other two committee members, 4th Ward Councilman Tom Tebben and 3rd Ward Councilman Kyle Lewis, of holding an illegal meeting on the topic.

Meanwhile, Tebben said Magnus’ report was not complete and its description of a vote on his motion to table the E-Verify issue was at odds with a newspaper account.

While The Lima News described the vote as unanimous, Magnus’ report said the motion passed by majority vote.

The vote was a voice vote, not a roll call, and Magnus said he remained silent.

“I did not vote at all,” Magnus said. “I left my voice out of it.”

Tebben was set to vote against the report until the council determined that because Magnus did not vote at the meeting, his report must be submitted as a minority report. Tebben plans to submit a majority report that the council can vote on to accept.

Council President John Nixon reminded councilors of their responsibility to cast an audible vote on voice votes.

“I need you to make it audible. If you’re not in favor, I need you to cast a vote against,” Nixon said. “That’s our job. A conflict of interest is the only reason to abstain. There needs to be a clear voicing of opinion. You should vote.”