YOUNGSTOWN YCCDC to study proposal

Members of the board had rejected an earlier city proposal giving them only an advisory role.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Civic Center Development Corp. said it wants an additional two to three weeks to study city council's latest proposal for a contract between the development board and the city.
The second proposal was presented to the board Nov. 16. The board was formed to develop a civic center downtown using a federal grant.
Atty. Edwin Romero, who represents the majority of council and Mayor George M. McKelvey, said the city's contract was first submitted in October.
"It's our last, best offer, and we are awaiting a response," he said. "We would like for this arena board to engage in a meaningful, productive relationship with council," he told the board during its meeting Thursday night.
Proposal: In his Nov. 16 letter, Romero said the city wanted to make the civic center board only an advisory panel. The board would carry out the project, but the city would have final say over all spending, officials said.
Board members rejected the original proposal and submitted their own contract proposal to the city Nov. 1. Their contract would give the board all control over developing the arena.
The civic center board discussed the latest submission in executive session Thursday.
Atty. Leonard Schiavone, Board chairman, previously said his board would not favor any contract in which the board would play solely an advisory role.
Romero said his clients are willing to listen to any contractual changes the board may offer.