North Royalton council passes ordinances to support family of building commissioner

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio (WOIO) - The North Royalton City Council held a special emergency session Monday, passing two ordinances aimed at providing financial and healthcare support to the family of Building Commissioner David Smerek, who was killed at work last month.

A visitation for Smerek also took place Monday evening at Grace Church in Middleburg Heights.

Council acts to close benefits gap

With unanimous approval, council members passed an ordinance guaranteeing the city will fully cover 100% of COBRA health insurance premiums for Smerek’s family for the next two months under Ordinance 26-133.

A second measure, Ordinance 26-134, addresses a gap in city code that previously limited payouts of accrued vacation and sick time to retirement only — not in the event of an employee’s death. The ordinance alters that provision for Smerek’s estate, which includes his wife and three children.

“I think it is a great statement of how we’re all coming together, processing the loss of Dave, but also working to be able to honor him and be there for his family in this time of just unbelievable tragedy,” Mayor Paul Marnecheck II said.

‘A great public servant’

Mayor Marnecheck II said Smerek’s absence leaves a void at City Hall.

“I worked with him for 13 years. He was one of those guys who was always willing to help explain things. It might have been something he’s known for years, but if it was the first time I was encountering it, he was always willing to take the time, make sure I understood it. And you know, he treated everybody with respect, with professionalism, and he was just a great public servant,” Mayor Marnecheck II said.

Marnecheck II said the city is also taking steps to review building safety.

“The new safety director, I’ve tasked him with evaluating all city buildings to see what improvements we can make,” Mayor Marnecheck II said.

Mayor Marnecheck II noted Monday’s session was the first time the body had met since Smerek’s death.

“This was the first time council met since this tragedy. So, it was one of those things where there was going to be a first meeting after the loss of Dave. Now we’ve done that and we can continue to heal and process that loss,” a council member said.

A prayer vigil was held one week prior to Monday’s session.

“This is the next step. We did a prayer vigil a week ago tonight, and I was glad we were able to come together now and take another step towards helping the family, but also as a community,” Mayor Marnecheck II said.

Suspect ordered held without bond

Edward Biesiada, the man accused of killing Smerek, was ordered held on no bond by a judge Monday. Biesiada is scheduled to return to court Wednesday.