Mayor seeks downtown events coordinator applicants

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Mayor John A. McNally is wasting no time seeking applicants for a new coordinator of downtown events and citywide special projects.

The day after city council passed an ordinance to give the mayor the authority to appoint the position, which previously had been appointed by council, McNally issued a news release, saying the city is seeking applicants for the full-time job which pays about $41,000 annually.

“The coordinator’s primary purpose will be to provide, coordinate and assist in implementation of marketing, promotional and social events that promote the city of Youngstown and foster downtown development and redevelopment,” the release said.

The person selected must report to the mayor but also work closely with city council “particularly the 1st Ward councilperson, downtown business, property owners and stakeholders” as well as with individuals, groups and organizations interested in using the Downtown Central Business District for activities or special events. Annie Gillam is the 1st Ward councilwoman.

Though the ordinance giving authority to hire the director to the mayor was passed by council 6-0 with one member absent, the vote may have occurred accidentally.

In the finance committee meeting before council Wednesday, some members said they wanted to move the measure to the finance committee, but no action was taken to do that, and the ordinance instead was voted on with the other legislation passed as emergency measures.

An attempt then was made to reconsider the measure, but that failed for lack of a majority.

Council members Gillam, Janet Tarpley, D-6th; and Nate Pinkard, D-3rd, were in favor of reconsideration with councilmen Paul Drennen, D-5th; Mike Ray, D-4th; and John R. Swierz, D-7th, against. Councilman T.J. Rodgers, D-2nd, was absent.