Ron Christoff

The meeting agenda included numerous items that were handled through 'Receive and File' motions (Items 1 through 9). Permissions were granted for Items 10 through 14. Item 15 was moved to the end of the agenda for a roll call vote. Under reports, public comment was heard from five speakers. The first speaker discussed pop-up skate park events being hosted in partnership with the parks and recreation department to build support for a permanent public skate park in Youngstown, noting that such facilities promote physical and mental well-being and activate public spaces. Subsequent speakers expressed interest in filling an unexpired term for the Sixth Ward Council person, discussing topics such as effective public service, neighborhood concerns, fiscal responsibility, and improving infrastructure and business corridors. The council also processed ordinances, with Items 1 through 6, 8, 9, and 24-411 suspended under consent, and Ordinance Item 7 proceeding to a second reading.

The key discussion revolved around the 2026 departmental budget reviews, specifically focusing on the Police Department's payroll, including uniform unit staffing levels (captains, lieutenants, detectives, and patrol officers). Detailed review was conducted on baseline salary calculations, incorporating the impact of a 27th payroll and retroactive costs related to union negotiations, resulting in an adjusted total estimated payroll figure. Significant time was spent clarifying the status and compensation of Police Cadets, including those who have passed or failed civil service and OPATA exams, and the process for recouping training costs if a cadet fails both tests or quits. Further discussion addressed the elimination of Community Police funding from CDBG sources, which has resulted in the General Fund covering the police department's shortfall, and clarified that community policing mandates are no longer required without HUD funding. The meeting also detailed budgeted figures for contractual overtime, specifically noting holiday pay ($280,000 baseline for 2025) and reimbursed overtime ($190,000 last year).

The meeting addressed several key agenda items. Discussion centered on the ordinance for a new truck for the Health Department, which generated positive commentary regarding it being a new vehicle for the department. The committee reviewed contracts for grass cutting and corridor cleanup, noting an increase in funding to address more extensive needs, particularly on the east side. A settlement was reached for a gender discrimination lawsuit, resulting in a full and final release, with the expenditure being covered by insurance. Significant time was spent discussing engineering and environmental work required for the demolition of the West Avenue Bridge, which has been closed for over two decades; funding modification was approved to continue this process through the bidding phase. Item seven involved a complex discussion regarding eliminating a lieutenant position in the Fire Department that was serving in a non-suppression, administrative capacity following a prior administration's agreement; the council decided to move this item to a second reading for further, potentially executive session, discussion due to its technical and employment-related nature. Finally, an agenda item concerning old funding related to CDA was addressed, explaining that funds close to expiration are best applied to debt service to prevent recapture.

The committee meeting focused primarily on budget reviews for various departments. Discussions included the financial impact of the 27th payroll in 2026, noting that the initial estimate for gross wages was approximately $2.4 million, which is expected to increase once retroactive payments for YPA and patrol contracts are incorporated. The committee reviewed the Traffic department budget, noting a supervisor position remained open as the former Signal Superintendent was promoted, resulting in an overall budget decline year-over-year of about $52,000, despite an increase in the operating budget. The Street Department budget review involved a request to continue staffing at 37 employees, acknowledging a projected year-over-year increase of $622,000 due to the 27th payroll and insurance. Equipment requests for the Street Department included purchasing inserts for smaller dump trucks to handle salt spreading, an additional hot box for permanent patching, an asphalt recycler for reusing road grindings, replacement of four fuel pumps, and one F550 crew cab truck for year-round use including plowing. A one-time expense of $154,000 was noted for the final payment on the restoration of the building's south wall and roof, which was completed in 2026 after an invoicing oversight in 2025.

The Finance Committee meeting addressed several agenda items involving financial matters and service contracts. Key discussions included ordinance review for mattresses, postage for the courts, and the annual funding for portable restrooms for city parks, including a discussion about ongoing issues with existing park restrooms. The committee also reviewed contracts for plumbing, heating, and cooling services for city parks, as well as landscaping and tree removal services that require specialized equipment like cranes. Further discussions covered security contracts for parks, addressing both operating hours and event coverage, and the contract for the golf pro, where the return on investment was reviewed. Additionally, the committee discussed citywide street servicing, planning, inspection, and construction administration services provided by Technical Resources Consultants, and the authorization for purchasing salt tonnage through the Ohio Department of Transportation Cooperative Purchasing program.