Council members plan discussion with mayor

By David Skolnick | February 16, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Saying they’re not pleased with how some members of the city’s administration deal with them, city council members plan to discuss the issue with Mayor Jay Williams.

“We need to have a serious sit-down with the mayor to express our serious displeasure over the lack of communication,” said Councilman Jamael Tito Brown, D-3rd, chairman of council’s community development agency and finance committees. “We’re not getting clear answers for the questions we’re asking.”

The problem has been brewing for several months. Council members said during a Tuesday meeting of its CDA committee that it must stop immediately.

At that meeting, council members specifically mentioned issues related to property demolition work that have been ignored.

Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st, said there are 11 houses in her ward that were supposed to be demolished last year using federal money. None have come down, and a few of them pose serious safety concerns, she said.

“The frustrating thing is we’re asked to submit a list” of houses to be demolished, said Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th. “Some came down and others didn’t and we’re not notified of what’s happening. There’s no communication from the demolition department.”

An official from the city’s housing and demolition department was asked to attend Tuesday’s meeting. No one from that department showed up.

Members of council also asked Tuesday about the city’s rental-property registration program.

To date, 2,009 landlords who own about 4,350 rental units are registered, said Maureen O’Neil, the program’s administrator.

O’Neil’s contract to oversee the program ends Feb. 28. She received $40,050 in federal funds for an 18-month period to develop and oversee the program.

O’Neil said the mayor has told her she would continue doing the work.

Council has to agree to continue funding her salary, and members said they haven’t been told anything about it.

“That hasn’t been brought to council’s attention at all,” said Councilman DeMaine Kitchen, D-2nd.