Youngstown reaches agreement to move muni court to annex by 2017

YOUNGSTOWN

The three branches of city government came to an agreement today to relocate the municipal court facility to the city hall annex by late 2017.

City council authorized the board of control to enter into an agreement with the court to spend up to $7,750,000, including $7.1 million on improving the annex and making it the city courthouse. The rest of the money is going toward architectural designs and retaining a project manager.

The deal comes six years after municipal court judges filed a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court over the court’s conditions on the 2nd floor of city hall and demanded an improved facility.

The dispute over court facilities goes back about 15 years.

Also today, council chose not to vote on a proposal to streamline the city’s laws on obtaining permits for parade, block parties and other events on public streets and rights of way. Some council members wanted more specific information before voting.

Council also didn’t vote today on raising the city’s motor-vehicle-license fee from $5 to $10, and a plan to bill downtown business owners at least $150 if they fail to remove snow and ice from the front of their properties by 7 a.m. the day after a snowstorm.

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