WARREN Councilman Marchese recommends legal help

Hiring outside legal help is expected to cost up to $25,000.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Wise people are those who ask for help when they need it.
So says Councilman Bob Marchese, D-at large, who urged fellow lawmakers Tuesday to hire outside legal counsel to help negotiate with a union covering patrol officers.
Finance committee members discussed the issue Tuesday, and council was expected to vote on it tonight.
The city says it needs outside help because it's lost so many expensive arbitration cases.
Council turned down a proposal last month that would have given 42 members of the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association 4.5 percent raises each year for three years.
Also, the city could have been obligated to pay an amount equal to 5 percent of each officer's wage to the state's pension system. That would have doubled in 2001.
Concern: Fred Harris, safety-service director, has said a contract like that would break the city.
The matter will go to binding arbitration if the union doesn't agree to go back to the negotiating table.
If that's the case, Warren should be represented by attorneys who specialize in negotiations, not employees from the city's human resources department, Harris said Tuesday.
The cost is estimated at $15,000 to $25,000.
"For the sake of argument, I think it's the thing to do," Marchese said, adding that hiring outside help is a proactive step.
If the matter goes to arbitration and the city loses, Harris said he "wouldn't want to be in council's shoes" and have to deal with the public's reaction.
Tax increase: After three failed attempts at an income tax increase, voters in May agreed to a 0.5-percent increase, with the stipulation that it go toward bolstering the understaffed police and fire departments.
Voters were assured the money would not be used for salaries.
Virginia Bufano, D-1st, said the city can't justify an expensive contract, especially since residents finally agreed to the income tax increase.
Alford Novak, D-2nd, said negotiations are pending with other city unions, and agreeing to pick up patrol officers' shares toward their pensions could set a dangerous precedent.
Auditor David Griffing said the money to hire help will come from an administrative fund within the city's already cash-strapped general fund.
davis@vindy.com