CONTRACT TALKS City hires lawyer for arbitration

The two unions notified the city of their intent to seek arbitration, officials said.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- Negotiations for new police and firefighter contracts are headed for binding arbitration.
City council voted Thursday to hire Atty. Bruce Campbell of Pittsburgh to represent the city in contract arbitration with both unions.
Fred Hoffman, council president, said the unions have notified the city of their intent to seek binding arbitration to resolve contract disputes.
State law doesn't permit public safety forces to strike, but it gives them the right to settle contracts through binding arbitration.
The city is negotiating a new contract with its police whose three-year agreement expires Dec. 31.
The firefighters are in the third year of a four-year contract but are negotiating on a wage reopener clause for the final year of their agreement.
No arbitration hearing date has been set for either group.
Vacant lots
In other business, council authorized the city administration to draw up a list of vacant city-owned lots to be sold at auction or by sealed bid.
Hoffman said he's had a couple of people living on the city's West Hill inquire about buying lots they have been maintaining on their own for years. The city hasn't had a lot sale for at least a decade, he said, adding that it would be best to get those lots back on the tax rolls.
Mayor David O. Ryan said he has also had inquiries about vacant city lots.
Atty. William Madden, city solicitor, said the city can't just sell a lot to someone. It must prepare and advertise a list of available lots and then sell them by auction or sealed bids.
Hoffman said most of the lots are small, not large enough to build a house on.
Michael Gasparich, city finance director, said the city might have as many as 69 lots, though it's likely not all of them will be available for sale.
Traffic code ordinance
Council also passed the first of two required readings of an ordinance giving the mayor the authority to make temporary regulatory changes to the traffic code in times of emergencies.
Madden said the change would enable the mayor to make changes in parking, one-way streets, stop signs and other traffic issues on an emergency basis for up to 90 days.
If the changes are to remain in effect for a longer period, council action would be required, he said.
Ryan said the 15-minute temporary parking limit recently put on Sharpsville Avenue across from the library renovation project is an example of the type of change he will be able to make on his own under the new ordinance.