43
Supreme Court appoints official to oversee Youngstown Muni dispute
Photo
Kobly
YOUNGSTOWN
After 16 months of inaction, the Ohio Supreme Court appointed a master commissioner to oversee a long-standing dispute over new court facilities between the three municipal court judges, and the city’s administrators and council.
An effort to resolve the issue through mediation failed in April 2010, and the case went back to the Ohio Supreme Court a month later.
The last legal action in the case was Sept. 7, 2010, when the Youngstown judges submitted a reply brief.
“I’m thrilled that something happened [because the case] sat there doing nothing for a long time,” said Elizabeth A. Kobly, the municipal court’s presiding and administrative judge. “It’s been frustrating for all of us. I’m very encouraged there is some movement. This is great, fabulous.”
The Supreme Court on Wednesday selected Andrew Campbell, a master commissioner in its office of legal resources, to receive evidence from both sides and make “all necessary determinations and rulings” related to the case, according to court entry.
The court will make the final decision on the case, said Bret Crow, a court spokesman.
The three municipal court judges filed a complaint in May 2009 with the high court demanding the city administration and council be compelled to provide the court with “suitable accommodations.”
“We’ve been awaiting the court’s decision and they’ve decided they need more evidence,” said city Law Director Anthony Farris. “I don’t know what the master commissioner will need and require. We’ll wait for his request. He could have a hearing or ask for additional information. He has very broad latitude in asking what he wants. We expect to hear from him quickly as to what he wants us to do. The resolution might not be quick.”
The judges want the city to spend $8 million to renovate the city hall annex, on the corner of Front and Market streets, as a new courthouse. The city countered with a scaled-down $6 million renovation. The two sides haven’t been able to resolve the dispute.
Municipal court is on the second floor of city hall, 26 S. Phelps St. The judges have complained about the court facility for about 15 years.
The complaints from the judges about the court include security problems, it’s too cramped, not clean and poor ventilation has caused health problems for those working there.
The security issue came to a head during a July 14, 2010, brawl in the hallway between family members of a suspect and murder victim. In May 2011, about 20 current and retired law-enforcement officers were hired to handle security at city hall, replacing workers for a security-guard company.