Youngstown council to consider legislation to double its motor-vehicle license fee at a Wednesday meeting

By David Skolnick | June 16, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

City council will consider legislation Wednesday to double its motor-vehicle license fee and bill downtown business owners at least $150 if they fail to remove snow and ice from in front of their properties by 7 a.m. the day after a snowstorm.

Council already has given two readings to increasing the license fee from $5 to $10, unable to pass it because of objections from Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st. Gillam opposes raising the fee.

For legislation to pass by emergency, it needs to be approved by six of the seven members of council. During its May 20 and June 3 meetings, only six members attended.

But on a third reading, only a simple majority is needed to pass legislation.

The increase would generate about $350,000 annually for road improvements, Mayor John A. McNally says.

Council also could vote Wednesday on cracking down on snow removal downtown.

A proposal to fine downtown business owners who don’t remove snow and ice by 7 a.m. the day after a snowstorm received its first reading from council June 3.

If the votes are there, it could be considered for passage Wednesday by emergency measure.

Downtown business owners are mixed on the proposal with opponents questioning how it would be enforced and that the 7 a.m. deadline is too early for places that don’t open until later in the day.

The proposal would require those in the central business district to remove snow and ice from city sidewalks by 7 a.m. on the day after it snows with a minimum 42-inch cleared path.

If a sidewalk is less than 42 inches wide, the full width must be cleared.

Failure to remove snow and ice by 7 a.m. could result in a $150 fine per occurrence for up to 100 linear feet, and $250 per occurrence for 100 linear feet or more, according to the proposed ordinance.

Wednesday is council’s last scheduled meeting until Sept. 16.

However, the legislative body typically has one or two special meetings during what its members call “summer recess.”