Campbell council approves fee increases

April 7, 2016 at 12:02a.m.

CAMPBELL

City council has approved a series of fee increases,

The garbage fee will be $14 a month per residence, which is an increase of $1 per month. Council has stated the garbage fee increase is intended to offset the cost of a property specialist tasked with tackling blight and other zoning issues. The property specialist earns $18,000 over a six-month period.

Council also voted to raise occupancy permit fees from $50 to $100 for a new residence, from $35 to $70 for an existing residence, from $75 to $150 for a new commercial structure and from $70 to $140 for an existing commercial structure.

The fee will be $40, rather than $20, for an additional permit at the same address where another permit has already been purchased within the same year.

Occupancy permits, which ensure buildings are up to code, are typically required for new homes or businesses. Revenue from the occupancy permit fees will be split 50-50 between the zoning inspector and the city.

In other business, council approved a leave-of-absence policy for both classified and nonclassified employees.

“I think this clears up some loose ends in the city,” council President George Levendis said. “There are going to be no more leaves of absences in the city of Campbell that [aren’t] warranted.”

Council accepted proposals from four banks for a seven-year lease to purchase a street sweeper and tractor for the street department at a total cost of $297,141.08, and awarded the contract to First National Bank.

City officials, school board members and representatives from the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County will meet at 3:30 p.m. today at Campbell K-7 School, 2002 Community Circle.

The county library system is considering combining its Campbell, Struthers and Brownlee Woods branches. Campbell officials plan to make a pitch for their city as the site for a new, consolidated library branch. The public is encouraged to attend.

The mayor will host a town-hall meeting at 7 p.m. next Thursday to discuss a proposal for stricter city ordinances against tethering animals outside for extended periods of time or under harsh conditions.

“The last thing you want is a mistreated, unsocialized dog that breaks free after being tied up for a long time,” animal-rights advocate Jason Cooke said. “That’s a dangerous situation.”