Maumee council appoints new city administrator, approves emergency ordinance changes and several measures

Maumee City Council appointed Joshua Hartburgger as city administrator effective June 1 and approved several ordinances and resolutions during its May 4 meeting.

The council voted to approve the mayor’s employment agreement for Hartburgger after a motion and roll-call vote (motion and roll call recorded during the New Business section). Incoming administrator Hartburgger, brief and prepared, thanked the mayor and council and said he was “honored to have your trust” and looked forward to delivering “trusted, responsive, and valued government services.”

The council also approved an ordinance amending administrative duties (Ordinance 20-2026) and declared it an emergency to enact changes immediately; the motion to suspend rules passed with one dissenting vote on the suspension, and the ordinance later passed on roll call. Councilmember Kurt said his negative on an earlier emergency vote reflected concern about the pace of the selection process, not the candidate or substantive changes, and asked for more time for public review in future hires.

Council approved additional measures including: a first reading of Ordinance 18-2026 (adding Chapter 1147 on solar regulations), Ordinance 19-2026 (amending employee compensation provisions) as an emergency, Resolution 13-2026 (clarifying meeting provisions in the city charter to align with the Ohio open meetings standard), and Resolution 10-2026 (finding the Timbers Town Center Community Authority’s establishment conducive to public welfare). Council also approved routine consent-calendar items and committee appointments.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting):
- Appointment of Joshua Hartburgger, city administrator — motion, second, roll-call: Barrow yes; Gonzalez yes; Hugi yes; Kurt yes; Papa yes; Sun yes; Artsy yes — Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 20-2026 (administrator duties) — motion to suspend rules: Barrow yes; Gonzalez yes; Hugi no; Kurt yes; Papa yes; Sun yes; Artsy yes — suspension passed; ordinance later approved on roll call — Outcome: approved (emergency).
- Ordinance 19-2026 (compensation; emergency) — suspension and approval recorded by roll call with affirmative votes — Outcome: approved (emergency).
- Ordinance 18-2026 (solar regulations) — motion to make this a first reading and first-reading approval recorded by roll call with affirmative votes — Outcome: first reading approved.
- Resolution 13-2026 (charter meeting provisions) — approved by roll call — Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 10-2026 (Timberstown Center Community Authority) — approved by roll call — Outcome: approved.

Why it matters: the administrator appointment and the emergency passage of ordinances change the city’s executive staffing and administrative authority immediately; council debate highlighted concerns about process and the value of allowing more public review for major personnel and policy changes.

The council adjourned after member announcements and a public comment session. The meeting next steps include administrative onboarding and anticipated implementation steps for the approved ordinances.