The Maumee City Council spent a portion of its special meeting debating proposed charter revisions and whether the items should wait until the incoming council assumes office.

An unnamed council member described proposed amendments to Charter chapter 103.05 on contracts and purchases, saying the changes would add an approval layer for professional services and consulting agreements. That member also raised a rumor that "some people in the administration wish to hire the former administrator Patrick Birch as a consultant," and asked Council President Barrow directly whether he intended to sign such a contract without majority council approval.

Barrow denied the suggestion in open session, saying he would not "hire a former administrator" without council approval and said he found the implication insulting.

Another council member moved to table the agenda items until the new council takes office, arguing a lame-duck council should not make major decisions. The motion was discussed and put to a roll call but did not carry; the council proceeded with the agenda.

Members debated process questions, including whether charter or personnel matters should first be considered by the personnel committee before full council. Several members raised transparency concerns, noting they had received agenda materials minutes before the meeting and asking why items could not have waited until Monday's meeting.

The council later voted to add items scheduled for a 4:00 p.m. special meeting to the current agenda and to make one such item the first order of business; the body then adjourned briefly into executive session to consider an appointment.

No contract award or formal hire of Patrick Birch was recorded in the meeting minutes or on the meeting floor; the rumor was publicly denied by Barrow during discussion.

The council said remaining business would be handled in subsequent meetings and reaffirmed that questions about personnel procedures will be discussed further at the next full meeting.