MUTUALLY AMICABLE SEPARATION AND SETfLEMENT AGREEMENT
This Mutually Amicable Separation and Settlement Agreement (the “Agreement”)
is made this __day of May, 2015 (the “Effective Date”) by and between the City of
Cincinnati, (hereinafter “City”) and Police Chief Jeffery Blackwell (hereinafter,
“Blackwell”), and is executed as follows:
WHEREAS, the City and Blackwell (the “Parties”) desire a mutually amicable
separation of Blackwell from his employment with the City; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City to demonstrate appreciation for the good
work performed by Blackwell on behalf of the City of Cincinnati; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the following and the mutual promises
of the parties contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
1.

Blackwell will discontinue his duties as the Police Chief as of the Effective
Date (as defined in preamble above). Blackwell agrees to terminate his
employment with the City of Cincinnati, effective immediately.

2.

In consideration for Blackwell’s good service to the City and other
consideration set forth herein, the City agrees to the following settlement
package for Blackwell:
a. Payment of 12 months’ salary at Blackwell’s hourly rate in effect
as of the Effective Date, payable in three installments. The first
installment shall be payable at the end of fiscal year 2015, the
second and third payments in fiscal year 2016.
b. Payment of the $5000 lump sum for which Blackwell would be
eligible in June 2015.
c. City health insurance coverage for Blackwell until the earlier of
(i) one year from the effective date of this Agreement or (ii) the
first day Blackwell is eligible for health insurance coverage from
a new employer.
d. Vacation bank payout for vacation time accrued by Blackwell as
of the Effective Date.
e. The City agrees to waive recovery of pro rata relocation expenses
for separation of employment prior to two years.

3. Blackwell (i) promises and agrees not to file any lawsuits or administrative
charges relating to the issue of his employment with the City or any other
claims which he may have against the City which arose prior to the Effective
Date; (ii) hereby, fully and completely releases the City, its council members,
agencies, departments, divisions and all of its employees as well as other
persons, corporations, their employees, agents, successors and assigns
(“releases”) from any claims related to Blackwell’s employment and
retirement including any and all claims, Federal law and Ohio Statutory and
Common law, and the public policy of Ohio including claims of sex, national
origin, ancestry, handicap, disability, religion, race, age discrimination, and
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 retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights act of 1964, as amended, 42
U.S.C. 1981 & 1983, 42 U.S.C.~ 2000 et seq., the Ohio Civil Rights Act,
Chapter 4112 of the Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.”), Americans with Disabilities
Act, the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C.
2001, et seq., the Age Discrimination and Employment Act, the Family
Medical Leave Act, any other claims, which have been, could be or could have
been asserted by Blackwell or on his behalf~ in any form arising out of or
connected with Blackwell’s employment and relationship with the City
including but not limited to any claims of breach of an implied or express
employment contract, estoppel, tort claims, sexual harassment, and for all
liabilities whatsoever whether now known, or unknown and which may have
existed as of the date of this Agreement by Blackwell and which relate to his
employment and/or separation of employment with the City.
4. No party has waived any rights or claims that may arise after the execution of
this Agreement.
5. The Parties agree that the circumstances and discussions of the Parties giving
rise to this Agreement are intended to be confidential and will not be
disclosed to any third party except (a) as required by law, (b) as required to
obtain legal or financial advice, or (c) as required with regard to any tax
matters. The Parties agree to issue a joint press release concerning
Blackwell’s separation of employment from the City. In addition, they will
hold a press release concerning Blackwell’s initiation of separation
discussions and data analytics policies. If asked for additional comment, the
Parties shall state that general circumstances led to a mutual and amicable
agreement for separation of employment of Blackwell from the City.
6. The Parties agree not to disparage each other. It is acknowledged by the
Parties that any disparaging comments made by the City or Blackwell may
damage professional reputations and affect the ability of such persons to seek
or obtain employment in the future.
7. BLACKWELL, BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTANDS THAT HE

HAS WAIVED ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY OF CINCINNATI, ITS
OFFICIALS, AND ITS EMPLOYEES, DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES OR
OTHER AGENTS, THE CINCINNATI RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND ITS
BOARD, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS OF LOST WAGES, BENEFITS OR
PAYMENT OF ATI’ORNEY FEES OR OTHER DAMAGES AND CERTIFIES
THAT HE HAS ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND AFTER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH
COUNSEL AND REVIEW THE DOCUMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed the Release and Settlement

Agreement as to the day and year first noted above.
WITNESS:
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 _____________________DATE
Paula Boggs Muething
City Solicitor
_____________________DATE
Jeffery Blackwell

______

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