(a) The purpose of this policy is to establish standard requirements and procedures for City of Cleveland Heights employees operating City-owned vehicles. Unless otherwise provided by Council, vehicles are for official City of Cleveland Heights business only.
(1) Only City employees may ride in City-owned vehicles. All non-City employees require the prior approval of the Mayor or designee.
(2) All operators shall possess a valid driver’s license and be eligible to be covered by the City’s insurance. Employees are responsible for notifying the City if their license is suspended.
(3) The City vehicles are to be operated in a safe and efficient manner. Drivers must report any defect or damage to the vehicle as soon as one is identified. The driver is responsible for the appearance and interior and exterior cleanliness of the vehicle.
(4) All operators must wear seatbelts and obey traffic and parking laws. Drivers are personally responsible for any fines and penalties incurred as a result of violations of parking or traffic laws. The employee must immediately notify his/her supervisor and the Mayor’s office of any such violation and provide proof of payment.
(5) City employees are strictly prohibited from operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, and are likewise prohibited from using prescription or over-the-counter medication which may impair their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
(6) In case of an accident, the employee driving the vehicle shall immediately notify his/her supervisor and the nearest police department to report the accident and complete a full accident report. Copies of the accident report must be forwarded to the employee’s supervisor and the Mayor’s office.
(7) The City of Cleveland Heights prohibits the transport of any cargo unrelated to the performance of City business.
(8) The City of Cleveland Heights provides liability damage insurance for its authorized drivers. The City is responsible for defense and indemnification of employees acting in the course and scope of their employment pursuant to the Codified Ordinances, labor agreements and Ohio Revised Code.
(9) Except as exempted by the Mayor or designee, all City-owned vehicles shall be conspicuously lettered as property of the City of Cleveland Heights and such vehicles shall bear license plates which are issued by the State of Ohio for use on City-owned vehicles.
(10) All employees to whom City-owned vehicles have been assigned shall park such vehicles in the City garage or at such other location on City- owned property as may be designated by the Mayor or designee at the termination of their assigned work. However, the Mayor or designee may designate key employees to whom a City-owned vehicle has been assigned and may authorize them to drive such vehicle to the employees’ places of residence after regular working hours if the duties of such employees require them to be available for emergency service.
(b) An employee of the City who has been authorized by the Mayor or designee to travel out of Cuyahoga County on City business may, with the approval of the Mayor or designee, operate a City-owned vehicle for that purpose in lieu of other means of transportation.
(c) An employee of the City who violates any of the provisions of this section may be subject to immediate discharge for cause, or such employee may be suspended for a period not to exceed six (6) months in the discretion of the Mayor.
(Ord. 21-2008. Passed 3-3-08; Ord. 153-2021. Passed 12-6-21.)