CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Cain Park amphitheater general manager recently suspended for five days and ordered to take anger management training has officially parted company with the city.
A spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday that “Ian Hinz is no longer working for the city,” with no further details immediately available on the personnel matter.
His last day was reportedly Tuesday (Oct. 21).
Earlier this year, Hinz served the unpaid suspension following a consultant’s independent investigation of numerous complaints from four Cain Park employees dating back to June 2024.
These included public temper tantrums and a “pattern of aggressive and intimidating behavior” perhaps summed up best by an exchange with an employee who was ordered at one point to recite “my word is law” regarding Hinz as his boss.
“As a result of the investigation, I would recommend significant disciplinary action” by the administration, Clemans Nelson & Associates senior consultant Phil McFarren stated at the conclusion of a 16-page summary in August 2024.
But the findings sat around under former mayor Kahlil Seren until Cleveland Heights City Administrator Dan Horrigan came on board this January, serving for about two months until his abrupt resignation.
On Jan. 29, Horrigan noted in an email to the city law department that “there are a number of issues — including legal, financial and audit-related — that are under current review that may or may not impact a number of operations.”
In addition to concerns about Hinz’ outbursts, City Council has requested a forensic audit to review city finances, including Cain Park, citing a more than two-year delay in getting required 2023 financial reporting to the Ohio Auditor’s Office.
The city also hired Parks and Recreation Director Andres Gonzales after the Clemans Nelson report was issued. He became part of the city review along with Horrigan and Human Resources Assistant Director Tanya Jones in January.
On March 26, Hinz, Gonzales and Jones all signed a “Last Chance Agreement” laying out the terms of the disciplinary action, including performance reviews at 30-, 60-, and 90-day intervals.
Back on Feb. 25, Jones, Horrigan and Gonzales had also recommended a demotion and re-assignment for Hinz. But that did not become part of the last-chance agreement.
Hinz still listed his position on the LinkedIn website as Cain Park GM from September 2023 up until this week, also having served as the amphitheater’s operations manager from 2011 to 2016.
One employee recounted an incident where he said Hinz ordered him to move some heavy items to the top of the sledding hill for the 2024 Cain Park “Freeze Fest.”
When the worker registered health concerns about a heart condition, Hinz reportedly told him that the work was nevertheless part of his job description.
Several accounts referred to tirades in response to technical difficulties at the concession stand.
Hinz reportedly berated another worker for volunteering her Venmo to process transactions when the computer system crashed at the Trombone Shorty concert in June 2024.
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