LEGISLATION Council backs mayor's veto to retain current pay rates

Council approved the legislation April 14, but Mayor Dan Mamula vetoed it.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- City council, before recessing for the summer, upheld the mayor's veto that retains the current rates of pay for two employees.
Council voted 4-3 Wednesday to uphold the veto of legislation reintroduced by Daniel R. Yemma, chairman of the finance and legislation committee, that would have cut the part-time litter recycling coordinator's pay from $9.51 an hour to $8.35. The legislation also would have granted a raise of about 3 percent to the recycling truck driver.
Council unanimously approved the legislation at its April 14 meeting but Mayor Dan Mamula returned it unsigned two weeks later.
Mamula said that the reduction in pay proposed for the recycling coordinator was "unwarranted in light of the responsibilities and duties performed." He also took issue with the fact that under the proposal, the driver would be paid more per hour than the supervisor.
Council can revisit the issue at its next regularly scheduled meeting in September, call a special meeting to address it, or let it stand as is.
Yemma said that he has no plans to re-address the issue of pay-rate changes before council reconvenes after the summer recess.
Approvals
All other legislation proposed at the meeting was approved, including a resolution authorizing the board of control to enter into an agreement with Mahoning County commissioners to participate in a scrap tire collection program.
The scrap-tire drive, open exclusively to Struthers residents, will take place Aug. 28 next to the city's street department garage.
Residents may dispose of up to six tires from cars and light trucks at a charge of 50 cents per tire; $1 per tire for those on rims.
Other legislation approved:
UAn ordinance regulating the use of public and private sewers and discharge of water and waste into the public sewer system.
UAn ordinance authorizing the safety-service director to advertise for bids for resurfacing of various roadways and entering into a contract with the lowest and best bidder.
UA resolution appropriating $6,000 for Fourth of July fireworks.
UAn ordinance authorizing the safety services director and Ohio Edison to adjust street lights.
UAn ordinance authorizing the safety-service director to enter into a mutual aid agreement with other Mahoning County police departments.
USeveral ordinances authorizing the auditor to make routine transfers of money between funds.
kubik@vindy.com