Council OKs workers' living outside the city

The mayor has 10 days to veto the legislation.
By AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City council narrowly agreed -- by one vote -- to the right for nonelected city employees and officials to live farther from work.
The residency ordinance was tied 5-5, forcing President Robert A. Marchese to break the tie.
His yes vote now sends the 6-5 decision to Mayor Michael J. O'Brien, who has the option of vetoing the legislation.
O'Brien would not comment on what he might do, saying only that he has 10 days to make up his mind.
However, he has been outspoken in favor of residency for city employees.
"There's so much talk about why people wouldn't want to live in the city," he said at Wednesday night's council meeting. "My question is, why wouldn't they want to live in the city? For hundreds and thousands of city residents, there is no place they would rather live than Warren."
Councilman Gary Fonce, D-at large, who co-sponsored the legislation, said that he also favors residency, but that his first duty is to save the city costly legal battles.
Each arbitration hearing for an employee in violation of the residency requirement will cost $3,000 to $5,000, not counting the overtime the city would have to pay for other workers to take the employee's place while he or she awaits a hearing, Fonce said.
Also, expenses would pile up if the city would file a lawsuit to overturn the legislation, Fonce said.
Mayor's response
O'Brien said any arbitration hearings or lawsuits would be handled by the law department and would not incur any extra expenses.
The costs to the city would be in a different manner, he said, speaking to Fire Chief Ken Nussle and Police Chief John Mandopoulos.
"If you're talking about money and expenses, I can tell you what will be the chief expense," he said. "When the safety forces levy doesn't pass this year."
Both the police and fire unions support the legislation.
The ordinance allows city workers to live anywhere in Trumbull County or any adjoining counties, instead of only in Warren city limits.
Co-sponsored by Fonce and Robert L. Dean Jr., D-at large, the ordinance brings the city into compliance with a state law passed May 1 that lifts residency requirements for municipal employees. It also would clarify the issue for the city's workers unions.
In June, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 74 and Warren Management Association sued the city in county common pleas court, asking that the city's residency law be declared invalid.
Vote tally
Those voting in favor of the legislation were: M. Andrew Barkley, D-3rd; Vincent S. Flask, D-5th; Helen Rucker, D-at large; Dean; Fonce; and Marchese.
Those opposed were: Fiore Dippolito, D-1st; Alford Novak, D-2nd; Robert Holmes III, D-4th; James Pugh, D-6th; and Susan Hartman, D-7th.
Holmes said he accidentally voted against the proposal because he thought the vote was to end the discussion period rather than pass legislation.
Other action
In other business, council:
Unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Holmes, objecting to a liquor permit at Pit Stop Mini Mart, 1708 Youngstown Road S.E., which he said has become an increasing problem for police. In 1994, it had two police calls; in 2005, 81, and this year, about 43, Holmes said.
Honored outgoing Warren G. Harding High School principal Bill Mullane for his years of service to the community.
agarrett@vindy.com