Rental property resolution passed

Council approved a contract for 12 police department employees.
By AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City council passed a resolution to encourage owners of rental properties to maintain their properties, despite concern from council members that the resolution is essentially meaningless.
The resolution sponsored by Councilman James A. Pugh, D-6th, passed 7-2 with Councilwoman Helen Rucker and Councilman Gary Fonce, both D-at-Large, voting no.
Rucker said she voted no because the resolution did have any consequences for negligent property owners.
"Basically, you're asking them to be nice guys," she said. "This is legislation that doesn't mean anything. It's not even enforceable."
The resolution encourages rental property owners to be aware of the conditions of their properties and commends those who do take care of their properties.
The resolution, which was recommended by the law department to Pugh, is not necessary, but "is for the good of the city," Law Director Gregory V. Hicks said.
"It says to landlords, 'You do your part and we'll work with you on the other end,'" he said.
Other business
In other business:
Council unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, objecting to the transfer of a liquor permit to 2261 N. Park Ave.
Gary Marquita requested that a permit in his name be transferred from the defunct club Soul 77 on Youngstown Road to the North Park location.
Novak said that it is unclear what the owners want to do with the property, and he would like to hold a meeting with the state liquor control board to find out.
Council unanimously approved an ordinance to implement the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Ohio Patrolman's Benevolent Association for 12 communication coordinators.
The employees will receive a 3.5 percent raise for the last two years of the three year contract, said Gary Cicero, human resources director.
Council approved an ordinance 8-1 to enter into an agreement with Lutheran Housing Services Inc., for construction of a building with 50 single bedroom apartments on North River Road in Howland Township.
The $1.2 million project will be financed by Consortium Funds provided under the National Affordable Housing Act.
Councilman Robert Holmes III, D-4th, voted no because the resolution would not benefit the city.
"We need to use it in the city for the blight problem, not give it away," he said.
Fonce, who sponsored the legislation, said the money wasn't the city's to give away. Under the consortium agreement 60 percent of the federal funds would go to Warren and 40 percent to Trumbull County.