C I T Y C O U N C I L C H A M B E R S - City of Youngstown
C I T Y C O U N C I L C H A M B E R S - City of Youngstown
C I T Y C O U N C I L C H A M B E R S - City of Youngstown
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
C I T Y C O U N C I L C H A M B E R S<br />
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
CITY COUNCIL CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION<br />
AND WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY PRESIDENT FORTUNE.<br />
ON A CALL OF THE ROLL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS RESPONDED TO<br />
THEIR NAMES: MESS. ATKINSON, BOLES, GILLAM, HUDSON, MEMMER,<br />
RAPOVY, RIGHETTI AND FORTUNE, 8.<br />
COUNCIL SWORE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.<br />
THE JOURNAL OF THE LAST MEETING WAS APPROVED.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS<br />
COM-04-1 BOARD OF CONTROL SUBMIT AGENDA & MINUTES OF 12/24/03.<br />
WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON WAS RECEIVED AND<br />
FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
COM-04-2 BOARD OF CONTROL SUBMIT AGENDA FOR 1/8/04 MEETING.<br />
WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON WAS RECEIVED AND<br />
FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
COM-04-3 WATER COMMISSIONER SAMMARONE SUBMITS WATER RATE<br />
INCREASES FOR 2004 & 2005. WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR.<br />
ATKINSON WAS RECEIVED AND FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
COM-04-4 MUNICIPAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR McLAUGHLIN RE:<br />
PRESIDING JUDGE DOUGLAS. WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR.<br />
ATKINSON WAS RECEIVED AND FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
COM-04-5 LIQUOR CONTROL SUBMIT APPLICATION TO MILITARY ORDER<br />
OF PURPLE HEART CHAPTER 186, 2840 MARKET ST. WAS READ AND UPON<br />
MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON WAS RECEIVED AND FILED. CARRIED<br />
COM-04-6 LIQUOR CONTROL SUBMIT APPLICATION TO OLLIES PUB, 2716<br />
MAHONING AVE. WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON WAS<br />
RECEIVED AND FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
COM-04-7 LIQUOR CONTROL SUBMIT APPLICATION TO OPEN HEARTH<br />
GRILLE, 207 STEEL STREET. WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR.<br />
ATKINSON WAS RECEIVED AND FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
1 OF 14
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
COM-04-8 OHIO EPA RE: WATER LINE EXT. IN FOX DEN TRAIL<br />
DEVELOPMENT. WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON WAS<br />
RECEIVED AND FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
COM-04-9 OHIO EPA SUBMIT CORRECTION OF WATER POLLUTION<br />
CONTROL LOAN FUND. WAS READ AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON<br />
WAS RECEIVED AND FILED.<br />
CARRIED<br />
ORDINANCES<br />
ORD-04-1 TO REVISE THE YOUNGSTOWN CODIFIED ORDINANCES BY<br />
ADOPTING CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO APPROVE AND ADOPT<br />
CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES; AND<br />
PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE<br />
IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF<br />
COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM<br />
AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE<br />
FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL<br />
WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-2 AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF CONTROL OF THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN TO ENTER INTO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT<br />
FOR A GRANT COORDINATOR IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT NOT TO<br />
EXCEED $10,000.00 FOR A ONE-YEAR PERIOD AT AN HOURLY RATE OF $9.91.<br />
THERE WILL BE NO FRINGE BENEFITS WITH THIS AGREEMENT; AND FUNDS<br />
ARE AVAILABLE IN FUND 106013; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE<br />
SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE<br />
VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE<br />
EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD<br />
ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF<br />
MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF<br />
YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-3 AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF CONTROL OF THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN TO ENTER INTO AN ENTERPRISE ZONE AGREEMENT<br />
WITH SUPERIOR CHEMICAL PRODUCTS CO. FOR A TEN (10) YEAR,<br />
SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT (75%) ABATEMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES<br />
RESULTING FROM THE PROJECT; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE<br />
SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE<br />
VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE<br />
2 OF 14
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD<br />
ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF<br />
MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF<br />
YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-4 AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF CONTROL OF THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN TO ENTER INTO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO<br />
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,602.00, FOR<br />
CONTINUATION OF THE FEDERAL HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM<br />
(COMMUNITY AIDS EDUCATION INTERVENTION) FOR THE PERIOD<br />
JANUARY 1, 2004 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2004; AND<br />
FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF CONTROL TO EXPEND SAID STATE<br />
GRANT FUNDS FOR SAID PURPOSE; AND FUNDS WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO<br />
FUND 663003 THROUGH COMPANION APPROPRIATION LEGISLATION, AND<br />
EXPENDED FROM FUND 663003; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE<br />
SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE<br />
VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE<br />
EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD<br />
ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF<br />
MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF<br />
YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-5 APPROPRIATING $96,256.00 FROM FUND 675 (PARKING LOTS<br />
AND METERS) TO THE VARIOUS CODES WITHIN FUND 675 AS LISTED<br />
HEREIN; TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATION AND<br />
ENFORCEMENT SERVICES OF CITY PARKING LOTS AND PARKING METERS<br />
DURING 2004; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE AN<br />
EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SIX OF<br />
THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE EFFECT AND BE<br />
IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD ALLOWED BY LAW.<br />
WAS READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON THE<br />
RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS,<br />
NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-6 APPROPRIATING $300,602.00 FROM FUND 663 TO VARIOUS<br />
LINE ITEM CODES, HEREIN LISTED, IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR<br />
3 OF 14
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
CONTINUATION OF THE FEDERAL HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM<br />
(COMMUNITY AIDS EDUCATION INTERVENTION) FOR THE PERIOD<br />
JANUARY 1, 2004 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2004; AND<br />
FUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AND EXPENDED FROM FUND 663003<br />
PENDING NOTICE OF AWARD; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE<br />
SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE<br />
VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE<br />
EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD<br />
ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF<br />
MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF<br />
YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-7 AMENDING SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE NO. 00-5, PASSED IN<br />
CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 7, 2000, WHICH ESTABLISHED THE MASTER<br />
SALARY ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF YOUNGSTOWN. THIS BEING<br />
AMENDMENT NO. 79 TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE IN THE<br />
YOUNGSTOWN CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:<br />
CREATE THE FOLLOWING POSITION:<br />
POSITION NO. 3813, DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST/NURSING<br />
HOME INSPECTOR, $17,6626 HOURLY, $36,738.20 ANNUALLY; AND<br />
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN FUND NUMBER 654003/960574 (NURSING<br />
DIVISION). PERMISSION FOR THIS POSITION WAS GRANTED BY THE<br />
BOARD OF HEALTH ON NOVEMBER 3, 2003; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS<br />
ORDINANCE SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE<br />
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT<br />
SHALL TAKE EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST<br />
PERIOD ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON<br />
MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY<br />
A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
READINGS<br />
ORD-03-311 AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF CONTROL OF THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH<br />
BELLERIA PIZZERIA, INC. #8, UNDER OHIO REVISED CODE 5722.11, THE<br />
LAND REUTILIZATION ACT. THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON WICK<br />
4 OF 14
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
AVENUE AND IS KNOWN AS CITY LOT NUMBER 1426; AND PROVIDING<br />
THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT<br />
RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL;<br />
OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER<br />
THE EARLIEST PERIOD ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE SECOND TIME<br />
AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON WAS ADVANCED TO A THIRD<br />
READING.<br />
CARRIED<br />
ORD-03-320 REMOVING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS (DEMOLITION), ALONG<br />
WITH ALL RELATED PENALTIES AND INTEREST, FROM THE MAHONING<br />
COUNTY TAX DUPLICATES; SAID COSTS TO BE REMOVED ARE LISTED IN<br />
ATTACHED EXHIBIT “A”; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL<br />
BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF<br />
SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE EFFECT<br />
AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD ALLOWED BY<br />
LAW. WAS READ THE SECOND TIME AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON<br />
THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS,<br />
NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
LATE LEGISLATION<br />
ORD-04-8 APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM VARIOUS POLICE<br />
DEPARTMENT FUNDS TO VARIOUS CODES WITHIN SAID FUNDS, AS<br />
DEFINED HEREIN BELOW: AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE<br />
SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE<br />
VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE<br />
EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD<br />
ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE SECOND TIME AND UPON MOTION OF<br />
MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF<br />
YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-9 AUTHORIZING THE BOARD OF CONTROL OF THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE LOWEST AND<br />
BEST BIDDER WHO IS RESPONSIBLE, AFTER ADVERTISING FOR BIDS,<br />
FOR THE FEDERAL STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (MAH-501-1.07;<br />
PID 20345); AND FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION IS AVAILABLE IN FUND<br />
250013, THROUGH THE COMBINATION OF A FEDERAL HIGHWAY<br />
ADMINISTRATION GRANT, AN OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT<br />
GRANT, AND AN OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION 20-YEAR, ZERO<br />
PERCENT INTEREST LOAN; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE<br />
5 OF 14
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE<br />
VOTE OF SIX OF THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE<br />
EFFECT AND BE IN FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD<br />
ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS READ THE SECOND TIME AND UPON MOTION OF<br />
MR. ATKINSON THE RULES OF COUNCIL WERE SUSPENDED BY A VOTE OF<br />
YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
THE ORDINANCE WAS THEN PLACED UPON ITS PASSAGE AND<br />
PASSED BY A VOTE OF YEAS, 7. NAYS, NONE.<br />
ORD-04-10 AUTHORIZING CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING FUNDS TO THE<br />
FOLLOWING SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES DURING THE 2004-2005<br />
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FISCAL YEAR FROM THE<br />
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY PROGRAM INCOME FUND:<br />
• $25,000.00 – GIVE THE CHILDREN A CHANCE, INC.<br />
• $46,550.00 - YOUNGSTOWN AREA URBAN LEAGUE<br />
• $25,000.00 - ASSOCIATED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS<br />
• $32,488.00 – ORGANIZACION CIVICA Y CULTURAL HISPANA<br />
AMERICANA, INC.<br />
AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE AN EMERGENCY<br />
MEASURE IF IT RECEIVES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SIX OF THE<br />
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL; OTHERWISE, IT SHALL TAKE EFFECT AND BE IN<br />
FORCE FROM AND AFTER THE EARLIEST PERIOD ALLOWED BY LAW. WAS<br />
READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF MR. ATKINSON THE<br />
ORDINANCE WAS PLACED IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT<br />
COMMITTEE.<br />
CARRIED<br />
A RESOLUTION<br />
RES-04-1 EXPRESSING CITY COUNCIL’S INTENT TO AUTHORIZE THE<br />
CITY OF YOUNGSTOWN TO APPROPRIATE FROM THE 30 TH YEAR<br />
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, THREE HUNDRED FIFTY<br />
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($350,000.00) IN THE YEAR 2004 FOR THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN MINORITY/WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE LOAN AND<br />
BONDING PROGRAM. WAS READ THE FIRST TIME AND UPON MOTION OF<br />
MR. ATKINSON THE ORDINANCE WAS PLACED IN THE COMMUNITY<br />
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.<br />
CARRIED<br />
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS<br />
MR. FORTUNE: “THAT IS THE AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING GENTLEMEN<br />
ANY COMMENTS? MR. ATKINSON AND THEN MR. GILLAM”.<br />
6 OF 14
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
MR. ATKINSON: “MR. CHAIRMAN, FIRST I’D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR<br />
NEW MEMBERS TO CITY COUNCIL, WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO<br />
SERVING WITH YOU. I KNOW THIS CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE A<br />
GREAT CITY COUNCIL, VERY DIVERSE, WE HAVE A FEMALE, WE HAVE<br />
BLACK MALES, WE HAVE WHITE MALES, WE HAVE REPUBLICANS, WE<br />
HAVE DEMOCRATS AND FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME<br />
MIND SET THAT WE WANT TO DO WHAT’S BEST FOR THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN. SO, ALONG WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THIS<br />
COUNCIL I THINK WE’RE GOING TO DO GREAT THINGS AND I’M EXCITED<br />
ABOUT THAT AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING. THE POINT THAT<br />
I RAISED ABOUT MR. PRESIDENT IS THAT I GOT SOME COMMUNICATIONS<br />
FROM MR. BOLES FROM THE SIXTH WARD ABOUT THE WEED AND SEED<br />
CONTRACT I’D LIKE TO REFER THAT TO THE SAFETY COMMITTEE, MR.<br />
GILLAM I’D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A COPY OF THIS FOR YOUR COMMITTEE TO<br />
WORK ON”.<br />
MR. GILLAM:<br />
MR. FORTUNE:<br />
“THANK YOU SIR”.<br />
“MR. GILLAM”.<br />
MR. GILLAM: “THIS QUESTION IS FOR OUR MAYOR, MR. MAYOR<br />
WE’VE GOT, BACK WHEN MR. TRAFICANT GAVE US THIS 25, 26 MILLION<br />
DOLLARS I THINK WE’RE ABOUT THREE YEARS INTO THAT.<br />
MAYOR McKELVEY:<br />
“$26.8 MILLION”.<br />
MR. GILLAM: “$26.8”.<br />
MR. FORTUNE: “GO THROUGH THE CHAIR, WHEN YOU WANT TO SPEAK<br />
MAYOR YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CHAIR AND YOU HAVE TO WAIT<br />
UNTIL THE GENTLEMAN GETS FINISHED OVER THERE AND THEN WE’LL<br />
CALL YOU”.<br />
MR. GILLAM: “THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. I’M, AT THIS POINT<br />
ALONG WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE CONFUSED OF WHERE WE<br />
ARE WITH THE CONVOCATION CENTER AND THE $26 MILLION, OF COURSE<br />
I KNOW THERE’S NOT $26 MILLION LEFT. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE<br />
WE RECEIVED THESE MONIES A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE<br />
LAST FEW MONTHS A COUPLE OF THINGS HAPPENED I WAS TOLD THAT<br />
THE MONIES FROM SENATOR DeWINE AND SENATOR VOINOVICH THAT WE<br />
POSSIBLY COULD REDIRECT THE MONIES AND THE MAYOR KNOWS HOW I<br />
FEEL ABOUT THAT BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS IS IT’S THE<br />
RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS COUNCIL TO DETERMINE WHAT WE’RE GOING<br />
TO DO WITH THE MONIES AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT’S NOT THE<br />
RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR SENATORS. HOWEVER, AT THIS PARTICULAR<br />
POINT I AM VERY, VERY CONFUSED ON WHERE, WHAT’S THE DISPOSITION<br />
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
OF THE CONVOCATION CENTER. IT’S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MY<br />
COLLEAGUES, MOST OF THEM WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CONVOCATION<br />
CENTER, HOWEVER, ALL I’M HEARING FROM RADIO TALK SHOWS AND I’M<br />
LISTENING TO YOU ON THE TALK SHOWS TOO, IS THAT WE’RE GOING TO<br />
REDIRECT THAT MONEY AND CLEAN UP YOUNGSTOWN. ONE OF THE<br />
THINGS IS I THINK OUR COLLEAGUES ARE LOOKING AT WE NEED TO HAVE<br />
A CONVOCATION CENTER BECAUSE AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE ARE<br />
MORE PERMANENT AND PART-TIME JOBS AT THAT THAN IT WOULD BE<br />
ANYTHING ELSE. BUT MAYBE YOU COULD ENLIGHTEN US MAYOR.<br />
THANK YOU”.<br />
MAYOR McKELVEY:<br />
(INAUDIBLE)<br />
MR. FORTUNE: “GO AHEAD MAYOR, IS THERE A MICROPHONE DOWN<br />
THERE FOR THE MAYOR?”<br />
MAYOR McKELVEY: “BUDGETARY RESTRAINTS. . . YOU TRIED TO<br />
TAKE AWAY THE MAYOR’S VOICE. NO POWER. COUNCILMAN GILLAM<br />
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND IT’S VERY UNDERSTANDABLE AND I<br />
APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP BECAUSE AS THE FIRST WARD<br />
COUNCILMAN IT’S YOUR WARD THAT WILL BE MOST SIGNIFICANTLY<br />
IMPACTED BY THE FUTURE DECISIONS OF THIS FUNDING. THERE’S ONE<br />
DYNAMIC THAT’S OCCURRING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHICH I BELIEVE<br />
ALL COUNCIL PERSONS ARE AWARE OF, AND THAT IS THE SENATORS FOR<br />
OHIO, SENATORS VOINOVICH AND DeWINE ARE SPONSORING AN<br />
AMENDMENT TO THE EXISTING E.D.I. GRANT LANGUAGE TO ALLOW<br />
COUNCIL THE FLEXIBILITY TO USE THE MONEY FOR A MULTIPLE<br />
PURPOSES, THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE IS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT<br />
OR REVITALIZATION EFFORTS IN THE RENEWAL COMMUNITY ZONE,<br />
WHICH WOULD MOVE COUNCIL AWAY FROM BEING A PROJECT SPECIFIC<br />
GRANT TO ALLOWING THEM TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH A NUMBER OF<br />
OBJECTIVES. THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED PUBLICLY THAT THEY<br />
WILL PASS THAT LEGISLATION IN THE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL TO<br />
THE OMINOUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL WHICH GOES THROUGH IN JANUARY<br />
AND THE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL I BELIEVE ANTICIPATED IN<br />
FEBRUARY OF ’04 OF THIS YEAR. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THAT AGAIN<br />
THEY SUPPORT THE FLEXIBILITY BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE<br />
DECISION MAKING POWER TO REMAIN LOCAL, THEY WILL NOT MAKE A<br />
DECISION ON HOW THE CITY OF YOUNGSTOWN WILL SPEND THE MONEY.<br />
THAT REMAINS A LOCAL DECISION BUT THEY FELT THAT THE CITY<br />
WOULD WELCOME THE FLEXIBILITY ON THE FUNDING. MY GOAL, MY<br />
STATED GOAL AT THIS POINT IN TIME AND I WOULD HOPE COUNCIL<br />
WOULD SHARE THAT BUT ULTIMATELY THIS DECISION WILL BE MADE BY<br />
THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL, IS TO TRY AND ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL OF<br />
BUILDING NOT ONLY A CONVOCATION CENTER IN THIS COMMUNITY OR<br />
SUPPORTING A CONVOCATION CENTER PROJECT IN THE COMMUNITY,<br />
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
AND ALSO ACCOMPLISHING THE GOALS THAT I BELIEVE YOU’D LIKE TO<br />
ACCOMPLISH ON WEST FEDERAL STREET AND DO SOME ECONOMIC<br />
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITH THE MONEY FOR JOB CREATION ALSO. ON<br />
THAT TRACK BECAUSE THE, AND I’M SURE THE IMPRESSION IS FAIR BUT I<br />
HAVE TO CORRECT IT IS A MISIMPRESSION AND I ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY<br />
FOR THAT, IN TERMS OF TRYING TO DEVELOP A CONVOCATION CENTER<br />
THAT INITIATIVE HASN’T STOPPED. YOU ARE ALL AWARE THAT FROM THE<br />
BEGINNING WE ATTEMPTED TO LURE PRIVATE CAPITAL TO DEVELOP A<br />
CONVOCATION CENTER AS A PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP. WE HAVE<br />
BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT. WE CONTINUE TO HEAR THAT<br />
THESE THINGS ARE PRIMARILY BUILT BY PUBLIC ENTITIES THAT THEY’RE<br />
NOT INVESTED IN BY PRIVATE ENTITIES AND THAT’S BEING BORN OUT IN<br />
THE EXPERIENCE THAT’S OCCURRING IN TOLEDO, OHIO, MASSILLON WAS<br />
NOT SUCCESSFUL, ERIE, PA. THEIRS IS ON HOLD ETCETERA SO IN THAT<br />
REGARD, WHAT WE’RE ATTEMPTING TO DO THROUGH DIALOGUE WITH<br />
SOME OF THE INITIAL INTERESTED PARTIES COUNCILMAN, IS TO SEE IF<br />
THEY CAN SECURE NON-RECOURSE TO THE CITY, PRIVATE FINANCING IF<br />
IN FACT FROM DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES ON THE FEDERAL<br />
LEVEL, IF IN FACT WE COULD INFUSE SAY FIVE, SIX OR SEVEN MILLION<br />
DOLLARS INTO THE PROJECT COULD THEY SECURE NON-RECOURSE<br />
FINANCING TO THE PROJECT WHICH DOES NOT THEN EVER THREATEN<br />
THE GENERAL FUND OF THE CITY OF YOUNGSTOWN. THEY ARE GOING TO<br />
GET BACK I BELIEVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE WITH THE FINANCE DIRECTOR<br />
DAVID BOZANICH TO LET HIM KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY’VE BEEN<br />
AND WHAT LEVEL OF DEBT THEY BELIEVE THEY COULD FINANCE NON-<br />
RECOURSE FOR A FACILITY OF THAT NATURE. IF WE COULD ACCOMPLISH<br />
THAT WE THEN BELIEVE WE THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SEED<br />
MONEY FOR A CONVOCATION CENTER AND ALSO DO SOME OF THESE<br />
OTHER PROJECTS IN TERMS OF THE WEST FEDERAL STREET<br />
REHABILITATION PROJECTS AND SOME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT<br />
PROJECTS IN THE CITY OF YOUNGSTOWN. THAT IS ABOUT AS, I COULD<br />
GET MORE SPECIFIC BUT THAT’S ABOUT THE TRACK THAT THINGS ARE<br />
GOING ON NOW. ONE IS THE SENATORS INITIATIVE THE OTHER IS AN<br />
ONGOING DIALOGUE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT OBJECTIVE AND<br />
TALKS ARE GOING ON TO TRY AND SEE IF WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN”.<br />
MR. FORTUNE:<br />
“MR. GILLAM”.<br />
MR. GILLAM: “THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. CHAIRMAN AND MAYOR.<br />
THAT DATE THAT YOU HAVE OF FEBRUARY 4 TH I’M TOLD BY THE<br />
CONGRESSMAN AT THE EARLIEST IT WOULD BE, WOULD BE IN MARCH.<br />
AND AS I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS NOT AN EXTENSION FROM THE<br />
CONGRESSMAN, HE TOLD US THAT WE WERE NOT EXTENDED AS FAR AS<br />
HAVING A TIME LIMIT. SO THAT TELLS ME THAT THE WINDOW OF<br />
OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS CONVOCATION CENTER IS VERY NARROW AND<br />
GETTING CLOSER BY THE DAY. ALSO . . .<br />
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
MAYOR McKELVEY:<br />
“IF I CAN RESPOND TO THAT?”<br />
MR. GILLAM:<br />
“YES GO AHEAD, OKAY”.<br />
MAYOR McKELVEY: “GOOD QUESTION, THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR.<br />
THE CONGRESSMAN IS CORRECT THE, AND THAT WAS A MAJOR CONCERN<br />
OF MINE AND REMAINS A MAJOR CONCERN OF MINE ABOUT A TICKING<br />
TIME CLOCK IN TERMS OF HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS WITHIN THOSE<br />
TIME FRAMES. THE TIMELINE IS NOT IN THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO<br />
THE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS BILL. SENATOR DeWINE AND SENATOR<br />
VOINOVICH HAVE INDICATED TO THE CITY THAT THEY HAVE CONTACTED<br />
PERSONALLY HUD OFFICIALS AND HAD BEEN ASSURED THAT UPON<br />
REQUEST OF THE CITY AN EXTENSION WILL BE GRANTED FOR THE USE OF<br />
THE FUNDS. THEY SPOKE ABOUT TWELVE TO TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS<br />
ASSURED, IF IN FACT SUBSTANTIAL CONSTRUCTION WERE UNDER WAY IT<br />
WOULD BE EXTENDED TO THIRTY-SIX MONTHS. THAT WOULD TAKE THE<br />
PROJECT FROM THE SUM OF CLOSE TO TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS WE HAVE<br />
CURRENTLY TO POTENTIALLY FORTY-EIGHT TO SIXTY MONTHS<br />
REMAINING TO DO THE PROJECT. ON THE SECOND POINT THAT YOU<br />
MENTIONED RELATIVE TO THE FEBRUARY, I’M SORRY IF I WAS DATE<br />
SPECIFIC, IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IS COULD OCCUR IN<br />
FEBRUARY OF 2004 AND NO LATER THAN MARCH, SO I STAND<br />
CORRECTED”.<br />
MR. FORTUNE:<br />
“GO AHEAD MR. GILLAM”.<br />
MR. GILLAM: “MR. CHAIRMAN, THROUGH THE CHAIR MR. MAYOR AS<br />
I UNDERSTAND IT IF SENATOR DeWINE HAS TALKED TO HUD AND BEEN<br />
ASSURED THAT WE WILL GET THIS EXTENSION, FOR OUR SAKE ALONE WE<br />
NEED TO HAVE THAT IN WRITING, THAT’S NUMBER ONE. (MAYOR<br />
RESPONDED: “I CONCUR”) “NUMBER TWO IS BECAUSE IT IS THE<br />
FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY OF COUNCIL, COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE AN<br />
INPUT AND AS YOU SAY THIS IS MY WARD DOWN HERE SO IF I DIDN’T GET<br />
ANY INPUT I DON’T SEE HOW ANY OTHER COUNCILMAN GOT ANY. AT<br />
THIS PARTICULAR JUNCTION, I’VE ASKED THIS A FEW MONTHS AGO, THAT<br />
WE WORK AS A TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THE BEST BANG FOR<br />
OUR BUCK FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS, IT’S JUST MY BELIEF AND THAT’S<br />
JUST ME, THAT THE CONVOCATION CENTER WOULD BE MORE OF A BANG<br />
FOR OUR BUCK BECAUSE IF THERE’S, FOR WHAT I UNDERSTAND THERE<br />
WOULD BE A TWENTY YEAR CONTRACT AND WE’D HAVE SOME<br />
PERMANENT AND ALSO SOME PART-TIME JOBS, BECAUSE THIS IS MY<br />
WARD AND I’D LOVE TO SEE THE CITY CLEANED UP DOWN THERE<br />
HOWEVER, I THINK THE ONLY REASON WE GOT THIS MONEY IS BECAUSE<br />
OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA, NOT DOWNTOWN, BUT BECAUSE OF THIS<br />
PARTICULAR AREA IS WHY WE GOT THE MONIES. IT’S MY FEELING THAT<br />
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
WE SHOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS WE INCLUDE THE PEOPLE OF THE<br />
CITY OF THE INNER CITY, AND FOR THEM TO BE INCLUSIVE FOR US TO<br />
TAKE SOME BUILDINGS DOWN, DOWN THERE WOULD LEAVE THEM OUT<br />
BECAUSE THE ONLY INCLUSIVE THAT WOULD BE THERE IS THE GENERAL<br />
CONTRACTORS WHO WOULD BE MAKING THE MONIES, AS I SEE IT. DO WE<br />
NEED THIS DONE? YES WE DO. I THINK IT COULD TAKE CARE OF ITSELF,<br />
THIS IS MY OPINION AGAIN, I THINK IN MONTHS, PERHAPS EVEN A COUPLE<br />
OF YEARS TO COME THAT COULD ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.<br />
HOWEVER, I THINK PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED LIKE I AM. WE’VE HAD THIS<br />
MONEY FOR THREE YEARS SOMETHING SHOULD BE HAPPENING NOW,<br />
JUST SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN. WE GOT A GIFT AND WE’VE HELD<br />
ONTO THAT GIFT, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW. THE ONLY WAY<br />
THAT WE COULD DO THAT MAYOR IS WE WORK AS COUNCIL AND<br />
ADMINISTRATION AND I’D LIKE TO SEE MORE, I’D LIKE TO SEE THAT<br />
DONE, NOT MORE OF IT DONE, I’D LIKE TO SEE IT DONE. WE HAVE TO DO<br />
SOMETHING, WE’RE GOING TO LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF IDIOTS THE WAY<br />
WE’RE LOOKING NOW THAT THREE YEARS A $26. MILLION GIFT AND<br />
NOTHING HAS BEEN, NO GROUND HAS BEEN BROKEN, NOTHING, SO<br />
MAYBE YOU COULD RESPOND. THANK YOU”.<br />
MAYOR McKELVEY: “THOSE ARE FAIR COMMENTS, I DON’T HAVE A<br />
PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THEM. YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN NUMEROUS<br />
TIMES AND I’VE REFLECTED THAT IT’S DIFFICULT TO CONTINUALLY<br />
REPORT TO YOU THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE PROGRESS THERE IS NO<br />
PROGRESS AND THAT’S ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE REPORT WHEN<br />
YOU’RE IN FACT DISCUSSING WITH PEOPLE AND ATTEMPTING TO GET<br />
THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROJECT WHICH HAS BEEN OUR GOAL ALL<br />
ALONG. THE COMMITMENT OF THE CITY AND THE REQUIREMENT OF THE<br />
ADMINISTRATION IS THAT ALL CONTRACTS FIRST OF ALL WERE<br />
INITIATED AT CITY COUNCIL, SO THEREFORE MY COMMITMENT REMAINS<br />
THE SAME. IF AND WHEN WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN FINDING A WAY TO<br />
BUILD A CENTER THAT PROPOSAL WILL BE MADE TO YOUNGSTOWN CITY<br />
COUNCIL FOR EITHER THEIR APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF THAT<br />
PARTICULAR PROJECT. THAT CAN’T CHANGE AND OF COURSE THERE WAS<br />
NEVER ANY INTENTION TO CHANGE IT BECAUSE ONE WOULD THEN HAVE<br />
TO CHANGE THE GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE OF THE CITY OF<br />
YOUNGSTOWN AND THAT OF COURSE IS NOT GOING TO OCCUR. SO I<br />
LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON THAT, I KNOW THERE ARE<br />
DIFFERENT OPINIONS; DIFFERENT IDEAS WILL COME FORWARD OVER THE<br />
NEXT FEW MONTHS AS THIS LANGUAGE IS AMENDED, ULTIMATELY FOUR<br />
MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL WILL DECIDE HOW EVERY DOLLAR OF THIS<br />
FUNDING IS GOING TO BE SPENT. I COMMEND YOU FOR YOU PASSION,<br />
YOUR DESIRE TO SEE THE CENTER BUILT. I VERY MUCH, I DON’T BELIEVE<br />
ANYBODY INVESTED MORE TIME AND EFFORT THAN MYSELF AND JOHN<br />
McNALLY AND DAVE BOZANICH AND YOURSELF. IT WOULD’VE BEEN<br />
NICE WHEN THE R.F.P.’S CAME IN HAD THE DEVELOPER AT THAT TIME<br />
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
WHO PROPOSED THE FIFTY MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT MATCHED OUR<br />
TWENTY-FIVE MILLION WITH THEIR TWENTY-FIVE, BUT THIS MAYOR<br />
KEPT ASKING THE QUESTION “WHERE’S THE MONEY?” AND AT ONE POINT<br />
I WAS TOLD “WELL DON’T WORRY ABOUT THAT JUST SIGN THE<br />
CONTRACT MAYOR AND THAT’LL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF”. WELL I DON’T<br />
DO BUSINESS THAT WAY, AND I WILL NOT JEOPARDIZE THE TAXPAYERS<br />
THAT WAY. SO WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO GET TO THAT POINT. AND AS<br />
YOU WELL KNOW WE’VE GONE FROM THAT LEVEL TO DOWN TO NOW I<br />
BELIEVE WE’RE WORKING WITH THE $25 MILLION TO ACCOMPLISH THE<br />
SAME GOAL INSTEAD OF THINKING, AND I OFTEN HEAR PEOPLE SAY WELL<br />
JEEZ THEY NEED TO BUILD A TEN THOUSAND SEAT ARENA, WELL THAT<br />
WOULD BE WONDERFUL BUT THE ESTIMATE FOR THE TEN THOUSAND<br />
SEAT ARENA IN TOLEDO, OHIO IS $63.8 MILLION, WE HAVE $25 MILLION,<br />
THIS MAYOR AGAIN IS ASKING AS MAYOR FORD IS IN TOLEDO “WHOSE<br />
PAYING FOR THE DIFFERENCE?” AND IF YOU CAN’T PAY FOR THE<br />
DIFFERENCE YOU CAN ONLY BUILD WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUILD<br />
AND THAT HAS BEEN MY POSITION AND IT WILL REMAIN MY POSITION<br />
AND I BELIEVE YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY”.<br />
MR. GILLAM: “THANK YOU MR. MAYOR, NOW WE HAVE TWENTY<br />
REMAINING MONIES OF THE $26. MILLION, WE KNOW WHAT WE CAN<br />
BUILD WITH THAT. I’VE BEEN IN MEETINGS AND I THINK THE CONTRACTS<br />
ARE READY TO SIGN, AS I UNDERSTAND IT. I’M AFRAID TO SAY MONTHS,<br />
WHEN YOU SAY MONTHS IT SCARES ME TO DEATH, IT SCARES ME TO<br />
DEATH BECAUSE WE HAVE ONLY SO MUCH TIME TO DO WHAT WE HAVE<br />
TO DO. I’D LIKE TO SEE MAYOR US SIGN A CONTRACT IN THE NEXT<br />
COUPLE OF WEEKS SO WE CAN GET THIS THING ON THE ROAD. YOU NEED<br />
TO TELL ME AND MY COLLEAGUES WHY WE’RE NOT DOING THAT, YOU<br />
DON’T HAVE TO DO IT NOW BUT WE NEED TO KNOW THAT, WE NEED TO<br />
KNOW WHY WE’RE NOT SIGNING A CONTRACT, AND WHY WE’RE NOT<br />
PUTTING AS FAR AS THE TEN, WE KNOW WE CAN’T BUILD TEN THOUSAND<br />
SEATS, THAT’S DONE. MR. FORTUNE AND I TOOK A TRIP, THROUGH THE<br />
PAIN THAT I HAD IN MY BACK TO GO TEXAS TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN WE<br />
BUILD AND WE CAN BUILD THE ARENA WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE<br />
HAVE WE CAN DO THAT. THERE’S OTHER THINGS THAT I’VE BEEN<br />
TALKING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TO COME IN AND TALK TO US ABOUT<br />
DOING THAT PROSPECTIVE BUILDING THAT COULD BE DONE. MAYOR, I’M<br />
ASKING YOU HERE AND NOW AND MY COLLEAGUES CAN CHIME IN OR<br />
NOT CHIME IN HOWEVER THEY WANT. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING<br />
WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. WE HAVE A DEADLINE, I’M<br />
TALKING TO THE CONGRESSMAN AND AS YOU SAID SENATOR DeWINE<br />
TALKED TO HUD, I WILL BE CALLING HUD TOMORROW MORNING BUT, IF I<br />
WAS YOU ANYTHING AT THIS JUNCTURE, AND I’M GOING TO SHUT UP<br />
AFTER THIS, ANYTHING AT THIS JUNCTURE SHOULD BE IN WRITING, IF<br />
THEY SAY THEY’RE GOING TO GIVE US AN EXTENSION, PUT IT IN WRITING.<br />
BECAUSE WHAT THEY SAY AND WHAT THEY DO COULD BE TWO<br />
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
DIFFERENT THINGS. I’M SAYING WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING NOW AND<br />
MAYOR I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU SEEING THE PASSION, NOT ONLY<br />
PASSION I’M SO FRUSTRATED IT’S UNREAL. HERE I AM AN ELECTED<br />
OFFICIAL TO SIT HERE AND TO ALLOW THIS TO GO ON FOR THREE YEARS<br />
THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME, AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO<br />
SOMETHING AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING NOW. THANK YOU”.<br />
(APPLAUSE FROM THE AUDIENCE)<br />
MAYOR McKELVEY: “I DON’T BELIEVE THAT THERE’S ANYTHING<br />
WRONG WITH YOU. I BELIEVE THAT YOU’VE BEEN FISCALLY<br />
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAY THE BALANCE OF COUNCIL HAS BEEN<br />
FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, I’M GOING<br />
TO TAKE YOUR ADVICE, I APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE. I WAS WAITING FOR<br />
THE SENATORS TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION TO REQUEST THE<br />
EXTENSION OF THE TIME. I’LL BEGIN WORKING WITH JAY WILLIAMS TO<br />
GET ADVICE FROM THE SENATOR’S OFFICE AS TO HOW THAT REQUEST<br />
SHOULD LOOK SO WE’RE NOT FORCED TO MAKE A HASTY DECISION OR<br />
CHALLENGED BY THE CURRENT TIMELINE THAT WE FACE SO WE HAVE<br />
AN ANSWER TO THAT QUICKLY, I APPRECIATE THAT AND AGAIN I WILL<br />
CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS”.<br />
MR. FORTUNE: MR. MAYOR I CAN APPRECIATE, I’LL GET RIGHT TO YOU<br />
MR. BOLES IN A MINUTE, I CAN APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOUR COMMENTS<br />
HERE THIS EVENING AND I THINK THEY’RE WELL NOTED. IN THE FUTURE<br />
MR. GILLAM AND WHOEVER ELSE IS WORKING I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW<br />
I WILL BE AVAILABLE TO WORK ALONG WITH YOU AT THIS POINT DUE TO<br />
THE FACT THAT I’VE GOT SO MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THIS THING AND I<br />
AGREE THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENING TO US AT THE<br />
PRESENT TIME, WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE NEED TO BE ON<br />
TARGET, WE NEED TO KEEP MOVING WITH THIS PROJECT IF SOMETHING<br />
ELSE HAPPENS ALONG THE WAY AND WE CAN MAKE HAY OUT OF THAT,<br />
THAT’S FINE BUT RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO STAY FOCUSED ON THAT<br />
PROJECT. MR. BOLES”.<br />
MR. BOLES: “THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME MR. PRESIDENT HERE AT<br />
MY FIRST CITY COUNCIL MEETING. I THINK THAT THIS IS NUMBER 84, IF I<br />
UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY THE 84 TH SESSION OF YOUNGSTOWN CITY<br />
COUNCIL. I WANT TO THANK THE INCUMBENT COUNCILMEN FOR MAKING<br />
ME FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING IN. I’M CERTAIN THAT MY COLLEAGUES<br />
HAVE THEIR OWN FEELINGS AND SENTIMENTS ON THAT ISSUE AND<br />
CERTAINLY AS WE PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THEY CAN AND<br />
WILL SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. BUT ON MY BEHALF I WANT TO THANK<br />
THE INCUMBENT CITY COUNCILMEN AND THE STAFF HERE IN THE<br />
COUNCIL OFFICE FOR MAKING US FEEL COMFORTABLE AND ANSWERING<br />
ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS AND MAKING THIS TRANSITION AS SMOOTH AS<br />
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES<br />
JANUARY 7, 2004<br />
POSSIBLE. I AM IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSED WITH HEALTHY DIALOGUE,<br />
ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ME, KNOWS THAT. I BELIEVE THAT DIALOGUE,<br />
DISCUSSION AND DEBATE IS NECESSARY BEFORE DECISIONS ARE MADE. I<br />
AM SITTING HERE; SOMEWHAT IN AWE LISTENING TO THE REPARTEE<br />
BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT BEFORE DECISIONS ARE<br />
MADE. CERTAINLY THIS BODY COMES TO THE FLOOR WITH ONE PURPOSE<br />
AND ONE OBJECTIVE, WE WANT TO KEEP IN MIND AND I CERTAINLY WILL<br />
KEEP IN MIND OUR PRESIDENT PRO TEMP PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT<br />
OF ESPREE DÉCOR. WE WILL MAINTAIN ONE PURPOSE AND ONE<br />
OBJECTIVE; I DON’T EXPECT US TO MAINTAIN ONE MIND. I COME TO THE<br />
FLOOR WITH MY CULTURAL HERITAGE INTACT; I WILL NOT LEAVE IT AT<br />
THE DOOR. I DON’T EXPECT ANYBODY ELSE TO DO SO, SO WE CAN HAVE<br />
HEALTHY DIALOGUE AND DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATE BEFORE DECISIONS<br />
ARE MADE. WE EACH COME FROM A WARD OF THE CITY THAT HAS ITS<br />
OWN UNIQUE BASE, MAINTAIN THAT, MAINTAIN THAT. NEVER LOSE<br />
YOUR BASE OR THAT HERITAGE AND THAT CULTURE THAT BROUGHT<br />
YOU TO THIS POINT IN YOUR LIFE. I COME FROM AN AREA OF THE CITY<br />
AND I AM SITTING IN THIS SEAT AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL THAT I CONSIDER<br />
TO BE THE WOODY HAYES OF YOUNGSTOWN POLITICS, THE JOHN<br />
WOODEN OF CITY COUNCIL. I GOT SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL, SOME VERY<br />
BIG SHOES TO FILL BUT AS ONE OF THE POLITICIANS IN THIS ROOM SAID<br />
TO ME AT ONE TIME I’M UP TO THE TASK, I GOT A GOOD SUPPORT TEAM<br />
AROUND ME, WE WILL MAINTAIN THE ESPREE DÉCOR, PRESIDENT PRO<br />
TEMP HAS SET FORTH AND WE WILL GET ON WITH OUR BUSINESS. I AM<br />
IMPRESSED WITH MY FRESHMEN COLLEAGUES, THE DIALOGUE, THE<br />
DECISION AND THE DEBATE IS HEALTHY, I WISH YOU ALL WELL. GOD<br />
BLESS THE 84 TH COUNCIL, LET’S KEEP IT REAL.”.<br />
MR. FORTUNE:<br />
MR. ATKINSON:<br />
“THANK YOU”.<br />
“I MOVE FOR ADJOURNMENT”.<br />
MRS. RIMEDIO-RIGHETTI:<br />
“SECOND”.<br />
MR. FORTUNE: “IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED, WE’RE<br />
ADJOURNED”.<br />
UPON MOTION COUNCIL THEREUPON ADJOURNED.<br />
APPROVED: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2004.<br />
CLERK<br />
PRESIDENT<br />
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