Youngstown council delays votes on loitering, loan for movie companies

YOUNGSTOWN

City council opted again not to approve an anti-loitering ordinance with some members still uncomfortable with the legislation.

Council postponed a vote today on the proposal, sponsored by Mayor John A. McNally, even though members agreed at a June 23 committee meeting to approve it.

Council first delayed the vote June 15 when members said they were concerned about police training and questioned if the proposal was constitutional.

“We’re going to take another look at it as some council members still have concerns,” said Councilman Nate Pinkard, D-3rd and chairman of the legislative body’s safety committee. “So we’re going to discuss it further.”

Among those concerned include Councilwoman Anita Davis, D-6th, and a retired Youngstown police officer. Davis still questions the proposal’s constitutionality.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio told The Vindicator on July 6 the ACLU likely would sue the city if council approved the ordinance.

A vote on a proposal to let a movie group borrow up to $2 million to make two films in Youngstown also was postponed.

The loan would be given only if the companies – of Santa Monica, Calif., and Melbourne, Australia – obtain an irrevocable letter of credit from a lending institution.

Council also approved several ordinances at the meeting.

Read more about these matters in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.