WARREN A budget hearing problem

The law director believes the mayor's invitation to all council members to attend the hearings makes them open.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City Law Director Greg Hicks says hearings on the 2003 budget should be open, while Mayor Hank Angelo contends they are closed work sessions.
Angelo told a Vindicator reporter Tuesday that budget hearings, which started Tuesday and run through Thursday morning, are "closed work sessions."
He said sensitive issues such as negotiations may arise, and because a majority of council members don't attend, the hearings, which include Angelo, city Auditor David Griffing, other members of the administration and department heads, don't fall within parameters of the Sunshine Law, Ohio's open meetings law.
Law director's opinion
Hicks disagrees.
"My position is it's open," he said. "If he invites council people -- to me, that's public."
At previous meetings with council members, Angelo has invited all members to attend budget hearings. Whether or not they attend doesn't matter, Hicks said.
"If there's a council meeting and you don't get a quorum, does that mean it's not open to the public?" Hicks said.
Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th, was the only council person present when The Vindicator arrived for a budget hearing for the fire department.
If the mayor had invited only council's finance committee chairman or a representative, that would be different, Hicks said.
"The definition of an official meeting is one that is prearranged, prescheduled to discuss official business," Hicks said. "This is an official meeting."
Angelo said the budget must be approved by council before it becomes effective. He said departments have submitted $31 million in requests, and $28 million is anticipated in city revenue next year.