Resolution backs hiring moratorium

Council passed an ordinance regulating massage parlors.
WARREN -- Despite Mayor Hank Angelo's objections, council unanimously approved a resolution to place a moratorium on hiring in all departments except safety forces.
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, legislation sponsor, said Wednesday night that he excluded the safety forces because the city promised citizens the police and fire departments would be brought to full strength if the income tax was passed last year.
Fonce requested the resolution, which isn't binding, because of a yet-to-be publicly released state performance audit, which says some departments are top heavy with management. It also recommends job descriptions and requirements be developed.
The city will have spent about $360,000 on performance audits when they're complete and should follow the recommendations, Fonce said.
The draft performance audit of the human resources department said the city's manager-to-nonmanager ratio is 1-to-4. Recommended levels range from eight to 12 staff per manager by some standards to 15 staff per manager by others.
Fonce pointed to the operations department, where there are about the same number of managers as there were when the department employed 20 to 30 more laborers. A supervisor position is posted in that department.
"It would be of more benefit to the citizens of Warren to hire two laborers instead of one supervisor," Fonce said.
Mayor's objections
Angelo urged council to reject the resolution and said Fonce didn't contact him before requesting the legislation. Angelo said he's purposely not filled positions in the city.
The resolution also is contradictory, he added, referring to the cost to hire a new police officer when the city is strapped for funds.
Fonce said he just wants to ensure that things recommended in the performance audits are implemented before more people are hired.
Council also passed legislation that prohibits people from massaging people of the opposite sex in the city's massage parlors. The ordinance also requires massage practitioners to be licensed and at least age 18.
The ordinance aims at stopping prostitution that many believe goes on in massage parlors.
"I'm not saying this is the best answer, but it's hopefully something to stop the new ones from coming in," said Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th.
In other business, council passed an ordinance hiring a Cleveland law firm to provide legal services to the city in conciliation matters with the Ohio Patrolman's Benevolent Association.
The city and police union are in dispute regarding the amount of the pension pickup the city will pay under the latest contract. The city already has paid the law firm nearly $70,000 in legal fees.