City officers will patrol 20 Federal Place; new food vendor authorized for Covelli Centre

City officers will patrol 20 Federal Place; new food vendor authorized for Covelli Centre

YOUNGSTOWN — City council signed off today on a plan to spend up to $50,000 a year for off-duty police officers to patrol in and around 20 Federal Place.

Council approved legislation authorizing the board of control to hire Youngstown CityScape, a downtown beautification organization, to provide off-duty officers for the work.

The board of control is expected to approve the contract Thursday.

Mayor Charles Sammarone said Cityscape is a “pass-through” to allow the city to pay off-duty officers $23 an hour for the patrols in and around the city-owned business building at 20 W. Federal St.

Also today, council authorized the board of control to change the food-and-beverage vendor at the city-owned Covelli Centre.

Centerplate will be replaced by JAC Management, the company running the center’s day-to-day operations.

The switch is expected next month. City officials say the change will increase Youngstown’s revenue from the center by at least $50,000 annually.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com