NEWTON FALLS, Ohio -

During a village council meeting Monday night in Newton Falls, Mayor Ken Kline announced his resignation effective Tuesday.

 Before he resigned though, the Mayor adjourned the meeting and told the council the meeting they were holding was illegal.

 

Two other council members walked out citing the same reason, but three council members voted to continue the special meeting which is causing controversy.

 

At the beginning of the Newton Falls Council Meeting Mayor Kenneth Kline explained this special meeting after a regular meeting was adjourned last week is illegal.

 

"A special meeting is not a duplicate and it does not redo the legislation on it. It has legislation on its own. If you look at the agenda here, it's a carbon copy of last week's meeting. It's definitely illegal and if they go through with it they will get in a lot of trouble," Mayor Ken Kline said. 

 

Then he handed in his resignation thanking the public for their trust in him. 

 

"I'm putting my family first here. An opportunity has arisen. The Ohio Revised Code says I can not sit in a position I'm being offered so I will be resigning tomorrow as your Mayor," Kline said. 

 

Council members Kevin Rufener and Julie Stimpert also walked out saying the special meeting is illegal according to Newton Falls Administrative Code 125.01 Paragraph H.

 

But Attorney Bruce Tyler Wick who says he is a Parlamentarian advised the council they could continue the meeting.

 

So the remaining council members Gideon Fetterolf, and Tessa Spletzer, and with councilman John Baryak acting as Mayor voted on motions that were on last week's agenda.

 

They voted in a first reading to give a 3-year contract with a $30,000 per year pay increase to Village Manager Pamela Priddy. 

 

Roberts Rules of Order states if a motion is adopted even by a unanimous vote it is null and void in such a meeting.

 

And if the council holds the meeting it's a violation of their oath of office.

 

"I got better things to do than hang around lawbreakers and that's what they're doing right now," Mayor Kline said.

 

"I know they can be sued and I know there are individuals just waiting for that," Kline added.