Full transparency needed for agency on aging plans

At least Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams won’t be ridiculed the way his predecessor, George M. McKelvey, was when a major public agency moved its headquarters out of downtown Youngstown. Williams has made it clear that the Area Agency on Aging 11, Inc. won’t leave the city without a fight.

That posture — Youngstown residents would expect nothing less — stands in stark contrast to former Mayor McKelvey’s reaction when he learned in late 2001 that the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments was moving from downtown to an office building in Austintown.

“I don’t understand how board members could not know about a relocation of an agency,” McKelvey said at the time. “I think that’s a pretty major decision.” As mayor, McKelvey served on Eastgate COG’s board, but admitted that did not attend meetings. He sent a member of his staff to represent him.

We lambasted the mayor for being forced to publicly admit that he was caught unaware.

By contrast, Mayor Williams has been in contact with Donald J. Medd, chief executive officer of the AAA 11, for some time, and on March 4 sent a letter to him that reiterated city government’s commitment to doing whatever is necessary to prevent a move out of the central business district.

The agency, which provides services and assistance to about 144,000 seniors in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties, has spent the past 18 years in the Ohio One Building owned by developer Rich Mills. With the lease expiring, the agency is reviewing proposals from building owners in Youngstown, Boardman, Niles and Warren for a 10-year agreement for 15,000 square feet of office space for its 75 employees.

Full transparency

Because a decision is supposed to be made in the next several weeks, the board of trustees must recognize that full transparency is demanded. Taxpayers who fund the Area Agency on Aging should be able to judge for themselves if they’re getting the best return on their investment. This isn’t just about which proposal offers the best immediate lease terms.

The board, made up of 19 members, including several elected officials from the member counties, should ask some pertinent questions: Is there an annual increase in rent, and if so, how much? Is free, convenient parking provided?

And given past problems government agencies have had with private landlords, this question must be asked: Does the lease include a provision that says the property owner will only pay for repairs to the superstructure of the building and that everything else, including repairs to leaks in the ceiling, is the responsibility of the agency?