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NILES -- The meter reader fired after he was accused of improperly using the pumps was reinstated, and cameras have been installed at the city's fill-up station.
Although there were cameras at the station Jan. 20 and Jan. 31, when Matthew Marrara, 53, is accused of allowing his brother use his city gasoline allowance, they were not working.
The report led to new $2,000 digital zoom cameras installed last week by the city's information technology supervisor, Mike Dibble.
Fired in February, Marrara was brought back Monday after Mayor Tom Scarnecchia heard a grievance filed by his union.
"I would never minimize any employee's conduct nor trivialize theft, no matter the value of the items in question. However, in this instance, I do not believe any theft occurred, and this matter truly is an unfortunate event borne out of problematic arrangements that were bargained with the prior administration," Scarnecchia wrote Monday in a letter addressed to Niles City Council.
The letter states policy updates were not dutifully distributed among staff after a new union contract was signed, allowing a practice permitted under the previous administration to continue.
Marrara still faces a misdemeanor theft charge in Niles Municipal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge filed Jan. 31 after an officer reported seeing a former city employee -- Marrara's brother -- filling up at the city pump across the street from the police department.
"The grievance decision is not related to the criminal case at all. Those are two separate issues," Niles Prosecutor Terry Swauger said. "No action on the case will occur before the next court date. Then I will talk to his attorney, and see what their arguments are, before deciding how to proceed."
Marrara is scheduled to appear April 7 for a hearing, as is his brother, Michael Marrara, 60, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of receiving stolen property.
A message left with attorney J. Gerald Ingram, who represents Matthew Marrara, according to court records, was not immediately returned Monday.
The city allows meter readers to fill up their personal cars with up to 15 gallons a week at the city pump in order to complete their duties. The electronic system cuts a user off after he or she reaches a designated limit on gas for the week.
Matthew Marrara wasn't the only meter reader under the impression the union contract entitled them to use the full 15 gallons of gas allotted to them, even if they didn't need it to complete their official duties, Scarnecchia said.
The contract language was "very confusing," Scarnecchia said.
When a new contract was signed between the city and the union that represents Matthew Marrara, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 506, union members were not properly informed of changes, Scarnecchia said.
The January 2016 through 2018 contract contract states a meter reader's gasoline allowance "shall not exceed" 15 gallons per week and is for use "while discharging official business."
Those with gas allowances are now clear on how it should be used, Scarnecchia said. Whatever is not used for their official duties, remains city property and is not something the employees are entitled to, Scarnecchia said.
The new surveillance cameras at the pumps will help prevent something like this from happening again, Scarnecchia said.
The administration is looking into other ways to ensure its gasoline is used as efficiently as possible, which may include an administrative policy adjustment, Service Director Edward Stredney said.
Also, plans to hire two meter readers due to an upcoming retirement will be scrapped with Marrara's reinstatement, and just one person will be sought, Stredney said.