CITY COUNCILS

CITY COUNCILS
WARREN
City council Wednesday:
* Decided to hire outside legal counsel to help with contract negotiations with the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. The city says it needs specialized legal services to improve chances of success during talks.
* Legal help is expected to cost between $15,000 and $25,000. Council voted 7-3, with some members saying they don't think the city can afford to hire outside help.
* Honored Rev. Frank L. Hearns, pastor of Second Baptist Church for 11 years as moderator of Northern Ohio Baptist District Association, for his contributions to the community and his congregation.
* Heard from James Pugh, a candidate for the 6th Ward council seat, who accused Safety-Service Director Fred Harris of singling him out when he took down some of Pugh's campaign signs.
* Harris told Pugh signs are not allowed to be placed in the grass strip along curbs or on telephone poles.
* Heard resident Sally Shubert-Hall say council needs to do a better job of enforcing contracts between the city and private interests because the city is due money that hasn't been collected.
* She mentioned Avalon South Golf Course, the subject of a Vindicator article earlier this week. The operator contracted to run the municipal course is behind in rental payments to the city and property taxes to the county, which the city has covered in the past.
* Approved legislation to maintain wages and health benefits for full-time city employees who are called to active military service during the war against terrorism. City officials have said there are seven or eight employees who are reservists.
* Endorsed the city school district's efforts to get a renewal levy passed in the November general election.
SHARON
City council Wednesday:
* Applied for a $148,613 state grant to help Mercer County Community Action Agency and Alternatives for Women: Advocacy, Resources and Education build four apartments in two buildings on Florence Street to house victims of domestic violence for up to 24 months.
* Total project cost is $381,472 with the rest of the money coming from a federal grant.
* Applied for a $99,600 Neighborhood Playground Revitalization Grant from the state to upgrade the municipal playgrounds on Wengler Avenue and Jefferson Avenue.
* Approved a contract with the Shenango Valley Shuttle Service to put a police officer on the downtown shuttle bus run every morning and afternoon to deal with unruly students.
* The shuttle service will give Sharon $30,000 to cover 1,000 hours of security service.
* Approved a contract with Levitt Electric of Sharon to replace street lighting around the Case Avenue and North Myers area.