YOUNGSTOWN Panel suggests changes to charter

The topics for closed council sessions would mirror those allowed by state law.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Filling city council vacancies and closing some of its meetings will confront the charter review commission.
The city's law director told commission members Thursday he wants them to consider those topics as they decide what changes to suggest to council this summer.
The charter needs new language to avoid last year's confusion over filling council vacancies, said Law Director John McNally IV.
Charles P. Sammarone resigned as council president in March 2002. The charter doesn't spell out how that seat -- or a regular council seat -- is filled.
Council seriously considered local laws giving itself the power to fill such openings. McNally maintains that is legal.
A political group sued, however. Council then dropped its move and let state law prevail. Political parties fill council seats under state law.
McNally also said some council members want the power to close some of their meetings to the public and press. Many other local governments have the same ability.
The topics for closed sessions, he said, would mirror the exceptions to open meetings allowed by state law. Among those exceptions are discussions about individual personnel, property, litigation, negotiations and security.
Other minor suggestions
Otherwise, McNally said he would suggest just a few minor changes, from fixing typos to cutting outdated references. Overall, the charter is easy to use compared with documents that govern other cities, he said.
Police Chief Robert Bush Jr., who preceded McNally as law director, agreed. The charter is succinct and to the point, he said. "I think it's a very well-written document."
Bush said the charter section on the police department doesn't need any changes.
He might ask the commission in the coming weeks to consider adding a deputy chief position, however.
The recent on-duty killing of officer Michael Hartzell and resulting intensive investigation showed the need for a deputy chief, Bush said. The deputy would handle mostly daily operations. That would free up the chief to better focus on administrative issues, he said.
Fire Chief John J. O'Neill Jr. didn't ask for any charter changes for his department, either. He did suggest, however, that the commission consider adding spending thresholds to the charter. Spending thresholds are not written into the charter now.
Spending authority
City policy gives department heads authority to spend up to $2,500. Spending between $2,500 and $15,000 needs board of control approval. State law says sealed bids and council approval are needed to spend more than $15,000.
O'Neill suggested raising those thresholds to $5,000 and $20,000 and adding them to the charter.
Fire equipment is expensive and he often must handle paperwork for purchases of more than $2,500, he said. The higher discretionary spending levels would eliminate red tape, he said.
"It would allow me a little more flexibility," O'Neill said.
rgsmith@vindy.com