Thursday, October 20, 2005
Council changed the trick-or-treat hours.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Three councilmen expressed concern that approving a major zoning change to the Wick District-Smoky Hollow area would lead some to expect the city to invest money in the project.
Because of that, the three councilmen voted Wednesday against passing the rezoning proposal by emergency measure.
"I don't want to vote for the rezoning and then have the expectation the city will fund this in the future," said Councilman Michael Rapovy, D-5th.
Rapovy joined Councilmen Rufus G. Hudson, D-2nd, and Mark Memmer, D-7th, in voting against passing the legislation via emergency. Rapovy had voted for the legislation at council's Oct. 5 meeting with Hudson and Memmer voting no.
"Rufus made valid points on future money at that meeting and it led me to change my mind," Rapovy said.
Second reading
For legislation to be approved by emergency measure, six members of the seven-person council need to vote in favor of it. The legislation received a second reading Wednesday. Council's next meeting is Nov. 16. A simple majority is needed to approve or reject the change at a third reading. If the legislation isn't approved by emergency, 30 days must pass before it becomes law.
Supporters of the project are scratching their heads about the "no" votes because Wick Neighbors Inc., the nonprofit agency spearheading the project, isn't asking the city to fund the project.
Wick Neighbors wants to attract private businesses to invest $250 million to revitalize the area of the city bounded by Wick, Andrews, Rayen and Madison avenues. Also, the organization estimates the need for $5.5 million worth of infrastructure improvements, but plans to seek state and federal grants to pay for them.
The organization is seeking council's approval to change the zoning of the 66-acre area to planned development overlay from residential, industrial limited and institutional. The new designation would permit the area to be rezoned at once rather than through a piecemeal process.
Trick-or-treat hours
Also at Wednesday's meeting, council changed the hours for trick-or-treat. On Oct. 5, council voted to make trick-or-treat from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at the request of Mayor George M. McKelvey. Police Chief Robert Bush had proposed 5 to 7 p.m.
But the mayor said at the time that because crime is on the rise in the city, it would be safer to make trick-or-treat an hour earlier.
Some council members said Wednesday they received calls from residents complaining that children don't get home from school until 4:15 p.m. and would miss much of the trick-or-treat time. Again, McKelvey said public safety is an issue, but council voted unanimously to move the event's time to 5 to 7 p.m.
At the meeting, McKelvey announced that his administration would not issue permits to groups with a "history of inciting violence" to assemble or march in the city. This came after a white supremacist group marched Saturday in Toledo leading to a riot and the arrest of more than 100 people.
That group didn't apply for a parade permit because its members walked along sidewalks before the riot broke out.
Convocation center
Also Wednesday, council approved a policy on the use of the convocation center's community room. Nonprofit groups won't be charged to use the 1,050-square-foot room, but can make a donation to the center. Others will be charged $50 an hour to use the facility. The room can't be used on event days.
The city is working on a policy on the use of its 14-person suite at the arena. Council approved a draft proposal Wednesday that rotates the use of the suite between the mayor's office and council. Final details need to be ironed out.
The mayor and/or members of council could purchase tickets for the suite in the rotation or allow nonprofit organizations to use it. The organizations would have to pay the costs of tickets to all events, except Youngstown SteelHounds hockey games, and any items, food or beverages purchased.
skolnick@vindy.com