YOUNGSTOWN City council

City council handled these items Wednesday:
Approved a $110 million balanced budget for 2003 that eliminates a $2.7 million deficit from 2002 and contains no new layoffs.
Waived for minorities and women the rule that firefighters be chosen from among the top 10 scorers on the civil service exam, but preserved the requirement that they must have passed the written and physical portions of the civil service exam to be considered for the six openings to be filled. The move is designed to promote minority and female hiring.
Heard city residents Ray Nakley and Jean Engle urge council to join more than 100 other city councils and county commissions around the country in passing a resolution opposing U.S. military action against Iraq. Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, said he'll offer his own version of a resolution for peace at the March 19 council meeting.
Heard Adele Franceschino of South Avenue urge council to consider providing financial support for the humane work of Animal Charity.
Authorized the board of control to handle a number of items regarding the McGuffey Heights sewer separation and drainage improvement, which will be funded with state Issue 2 money. The project will separate storm and sanitary sewers.
Authorized the board of control to sign a two-year, $23,000-a- year contract with the Youngstown Area Development Corp. to monitor equal employment opportunity compliance in the city.
Authorized the board of control to seek bids for cellular service not to exceed $15,000 a year to transmit information between computers in police cars and the police department computer network.
Authorized the board of control to appropriate $23,000 of the city's federal money to reimburse the law department for money spent on mediation work done by Mahoning Valley Dispute Resolution Services.
Authorized the board of control to pay $52,980 to Rupprecht & amp; Patashnick Co. of Albany, N.Y., for three air-quality monitors for the city health department.
Set a public hearing for 2 p.m. March 18 on a proposal to change the name of Kenmore Avenue to Irma Davis Avenue.