COUNCIL MEETING Struthers receives $30,000

Council passed three ordinances and sent four back to committee.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- The city recently received the most money it's ever gotten from the distribution of cash seized from drug dealers.
Mayor Dan Mamula, during a regular council meeting Wednesday evening, told council that Struthers recently received $30,000, its share of the money awarded the Mahoning County Drug Task Force through a federal program that distributes money and property seized from drug dealers to law enforcement agencies.
"This is the biggest payoff we've ever gotten," Mamula said. "If a little town like Struthers gets $30,000, imagine what Youngstown gets."
The bulk of the award granted the Mahoning County Drug Task Force, he said, will remain with that organization, but all communities that are members also receive a share.
The money can be used for equipment for the police department but not for operating expenses or salaries, the mayor said.
During the meeting council considered seven pieces of legislation, unanimously passing three and sending four back to committee for further study.
The three ordinances passed were routine transfers of money between funds.
Returned to committee
The following legislation was sent back to committee:
UAn ordinance that would enable the city to assess property owners for unpaid sewer bills at rental properties.
UAn ordinance authorizing the auditor to create a department of health grant fund.
U An ordinance authorizing the auditor to create a FEMA assistance to firefighters fund.
U An ordinance transferring money from the general fund to the FEMA assistance to firefighters fund.
Council could not approve the last ordinance, noted Daniel R. Yemma, chairman of the finance and legislation committee, because council sent it back to the committee that would have created the fund into which the money would be transferred.
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 26.
kubik@vindy.com