[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6115384,"mediaKeyId","2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d","parentId",2739220,"title","Council told judge will present proposed court-chambers upgrades funded from special projects fund","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",2714000,"endMs",2777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d&start=2714&end=2777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d/thumbnail_2714000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115384/Ohio/Council-told-judge-will-present-proposed-court-chambers-upgrades-funded-from-special-projects-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115384-8fa4ccc45a9ac4182f80de5f9828c150/orig.mp4?Expires=1776012106&Signature=iGC3P-bylnvlWBMg6U1IaB4~-2fW8TFQlnSol3RvMBtUQAV7U0J-xP6L5oB~A-ca0H7-jPt7JzfdaXS~WsMWQePrecpqdIgRmfxfBIbXkyfH9Kn~g-5u87Ujcq-tNvLsZOuQVwHf5bLubL-SgMV9nbC12BBtTx-v9jnPEFpuZlALBf06Rz3sxFWndIvsm0NLnr4D33fvfZx-6YzYBRvnvUSKnUsoHjuBWcwPqjxWeGFHapTps1pyApZ4mtP5EGXVsNrV3s0DoF-g0G13U26vxGJxW-cHwrcE-5~o1JbBBrbmdIp83HvbBvok~ffRmSPszNin~V8pE~ATVCDvF6tSkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Struthers OH","date","2025-03-20T11:18:37Z","article","The finance and legislation committee heard that the municipal court judge, referenced as Judge Malone in the meeting, will appear at a future council meeting to present a plan to use a court special‑projects fund to upgrade court chambers and related court facilities.

Why it matters: Although details were preliminary, staff said the prior judge had accumulated a court special‑projects fund and that the current judge intends to use the money for improvements such as chamber upgrades, risers and audiovisual or space adjustments that could also benefit council meeting use.

What was said: Staff indicated the fund was already budgeted and that the judge will explain the scope and requested appropriation at the next council meeting. Members were told the judge would outline the work and that council would have the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the request.

Next steps: Judge Malone will present a detailed proposal to council at the next meeting, and staff will identify how any approved improvements would be funded from the special projects account.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Struthers Council Caucus Committee Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members were told the municipal court judge will appear before council to explain planned court‑chambers upgrades using funds from a court special‑projects account.","taxTitle","Struthers City Council, Struthers, Mahoning County, Ohio","taxId",72187,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115389,"Council reviews street repaving, crack sealing and sidewalk grant plans; $382,000 in resurfacing budgeted",1633,2119000,3752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d&start=2119&end=3752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d/thumbnail_2119000.jpg","/articles/6115389/Ohio/Council-reviews-street-repaving-crack-sealing-and-sidewalk-grant-plans-382000-in-resurfacing-budgeted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115389-d70aad9b13361e9ca7874b68dbf17eb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776012106&Signature=aLaCaLIQ0DFNX5KhHhN7m210ROIdvPbGEbuj6hCCLQXczLgx3qJdyHmbCGKkJ~HKybvCkCXw8h0tKcy8UoWxz8aksHIl1mxP9jY0d6EdTUw0fLxtLmaNDwmiNLg9yxTdbbHrdKDwK7hMqCOTP9FBODi2Y7cFdZJZY7LQp8U3dOdViudefQ~FTiGIT-jndipCFXpWEweGbZ6c08RdaMD8PzEG9toPw0W2tBAC0RxcQIepizkmCeFLbN4ZNjl0v9GDdkLL3zvfzCidPxncmE9WNxYSqZD~K2rEMWkob~FFI1xP3SLcPU19UdB2xEzdngD2GqI0NWN72Md3auhcHKz48g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reviewed planned 2025 street resurfacing and sidewalk priorities and told the finance and legislation committee that roughly $382,000 is budgeted for resurfacing this year. The list of streets presented included Lincoln (Ninth to Garfield), Creed (Garfield to Argonne), Elmwood Court, West Lewis and repaving of Bob Seamer; staff said they hoped to bid and schedule work to fall between the end of summer recreational traffic and the start of school.

Why it matters: Pavement and sidewalk condition affects daily travel, school routes and municipal maintenance costs. Staff said timing work to avoid baseball season and school bus routes was part of the plan.

Crack sealing and preventive maintenance: committee members discussed a historical $20,000 crack‑sealing line item the city formerly used. Staff said $20,000 used to cover crack sealing for multiple streets in earlier years but that rising prices and the selection of streets to treat changed the program’s reach. Members asked staff to seek current prices and vendors and to consider focusing crack sealing on streets about three years old to maximize value.

Sidewalks and active-transportation grants: staff described an active‑transportation plan and a sidewalk survey that feed grant applications. The administration reported a successful application for safer‑routes funding covering substantial work on Fifth Street and connecting routes; staff said the project funding exceeded $2 million and that ODOT grants can be up to $500,000 per application but that the city worked with ODOT to cover a larger portion of the plan. Staff said proximity to schools increases grant competitiveness and that the Fifth Street project stretches from the EP gas station on Pullen Avenue to Midlothian.

Tree root/sidewalk conflicts: members raised recurring complaints about sidewalk damage caused by street trees and the costs borne by homeowners. Staff said the city is exploring tree‑inventory and Tree City USA grants and that some private property cases may remain the homeowner’s responsibility; staff also said a tree inventory and targeted grant applications could help address high‑priority locations.

Surface design and heavy truck traffic: members asked whether pavement sections on heavy‑truck routes would require thicker lifts or modified binder. Staff said they would seek best-practice paving approaches but noted budget constraints could limit additional material additives.

Next steps: staff will solicit bids for resurfacing, look up current crack‑sealing contractors and pricing, pursue sidewalk and active‑transportation grant opportunities, and present options back to council as grants and contracts are clarified.

","Administration outlined a slate of resurfacing projects for 2025, discussed legacy crack‑sealing funding, and described an active-transportation/safer‑routes grant that has produced multi‑million dollar funding for a Fifth Street multiuse path.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115393,"Council discusses downtown demolition, stormwater work and possible sewer-line diversion through vacant building",182,1870000,2052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d&start=1870&end=2052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d/thumbnail_1870000.jpg","/articles/6115393/Ohio/Council-discusses-downtown-demolition-stormwater-work-and-possible-sewer-line-diversion-through-vacant-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115393-ff420597ebb7ccb91f5a13865044b225/orig.mp4?Expires=1776012107&Signature=kR7-C3STvWIz75yNEw~U7INbxpdVUs33x7VGsjYmmAff9nc~WGofJr8c~q651iMgPwg0edjt7jECkv7HGcPJ8QdfPmiN3zyGyHOd8596tW-G059GlwOyOnvacQEj6pL--yEBh3zcBqzFgBhY-RFJwGXVXnG0Z~jb83vlKObJSRQZuRcQiwtLe5PNb6oAQjksgkSHxjVveHI4x73z0nTVp8agEa9n6NjXkzKtYTETKL~95QVcI1q~NHeomp5N0a~dXHULihBQSe2GbzftZtmiAkhBJbqCQ4PgchFzMjR2y8rgczvA6459cs0lp~UBAI3uB5m8C07fqkQicNVh2lPzOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the finance and legislation committee that the administration is seeking additional funding and county assistance to remove a downtown commercial building and correct a failing utility line that runs beneath it.

Why it matters: The structure discussed (identified in the meeting by staff as the Los Gatos/Los Angeles building downtown) sits over a deteriorating galvanized storm/sanitary line that staff said appears to be collapsing. That line presents a maintenance problem that the city needs to correct to address drainage and structural risk in the downtown area.

What staff described: The administration said it is pursuing multiple avenues for demo funds, including discussions with the county land bank and grant applications to cover demolition costs for the commercial building. Staff said one earlier cost estimate for demolition was about $70,000 from a couple years ago and that current costs are “over” $100,000; additional stormwater and sewer work tied to the site could push costs higher. City staff said they have a meeting scheduled with Deb Flora and Ian Bennison from the land bank to seek assistance or future placement for funding.

Technical option under review: staff described a possible plan to divert the problematic line and route it down through the downtown building footprint so that work on the stormwater correction could proceed; staff said stormwater funds might be used if the diversion supports a required stormwater project. The administration emphasized it was exploring the avenue, not committing to a final approach, and said engineering estimates and further review will take another month or two.

Other constraints: staff said the building is large, adjacent to other structures, and would not be suitable for controlled burn training; asbestos testing was reported as completed and found no asbestos. Staff also noted the project has ancillary costs beyond demolition such as title searches, abatement (if required), and utility work. The city may seek county or grant partners and said it had tried prior county avenues without success.

Next steps: staff will have engineering estimates and further options in the coming weeks and will return to council with cost estimates and recommended approach.

","City staff said the administration is pursuing demo funds and exploring using a downtown building corridor to reroute a failing galvanized sanitary/storm line; county land‑bank and grant options are being pursued.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6115398,"Struthers council advances 2025 appropriation ordinance after debate over elected-official pay",2788,616000,3404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d&start=616&end=3404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739220-0f3b19db91414dbe00cb720ee6f36a1d/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6115398/Ohio/Struthers-council-advances-2025-appropriation-ordinance-after-debate-over-elected-official-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115398-deb5dcd68a3759823b7ee4b04b9fae6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776012106&Signature=nbGayDpvZkO~pzLVfKYCmuYoneRoqp86lnMGxMqY3mA4lVL3we1QwwyJsS6CdBB78iXcbuZ9YMAluCwluu7~Y4WlzC2RVi9ofZUVfbWVG7mVfFWbuw6V7gEHGV~Y~bbbHx-xPHtPow1XlyvxEwppynaCRRg1vOVcEW0N8DvCaqBoFxFDydRkaP4Q6vmzSl~7~Ff4I6Z69W6LRkj-9cfd6HcVpk8NcJubg-SDaCbSDhoZCnb8MUks3jBOAkNAUmHnCgG8SZDuLUPFHjlyx4dHZ1h~Kn8pmkZQcbUV4-znN6NbxNtJWDTsk2RK90Sz3AxY3fkoS7YFECV-xm5oY2G58w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Struthers City Council’s finance and legislation committee moved an ordinance appropriating the city’s 2025 expenditures out of committee after a lengthy discussion about employee pay increases, elected-official raises and budgeted line items.

The ordinance in front of the committee would appropriate current expenditures for the City of Struthers for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025, and would repeal ordinance No. 24-085 as stated in the meeting. Committee members debated a mayoral and other elected-official pay increase and proposed adjustments to a 3% across‑the‑board raise the mayor had recommended.

Why it matters: The appropriation ordinance sets the city’s spending plan for 2025 and includes personnel costs that drive the general fund outlay. Council members pressed for caution about large midterm pay increases for elected officials and discussed phased increases to avoid future budget pressure if revenues fall.

Committee members discussed two higher-than-3% adjustments that drew most attention: a proposed increase to the elected treasurer’s pay and a suggested additional amount added to the mayor’s salary. Members noted the treasurer’s current pay stated in the discussion was about $14,000 and some members characterized the proposed percentage increase as large relative to that base. The group discussed compromise options, including a one-time allocation already placed in the proposed budget and a possible 10% increase for the treasurer this year (which participants estimated would move the treasurer’s pay to roughly $15,400), with a reevaluation in a year or two. The council also discussed allocating roughly $1,500 in the draft budget toward the mayor’s pay, described in the meeting as increasing the mayor’s salary beyond the baseline 3% raise built into the budget.

Finance figures cited during the meeting: committee members reviewed estimated certified receipts of about $6,400,000 for the general fund and a proposed general fund budget of approximately $5,800,000 for 2025. Members noted that while some funds show reserves above a typical 10% target, rollovers have been smaller in recent years and that unexpected expenses (for example, bridge work mentioned separately) can reduce available funds.

Several council members urged incremental raises tied to future budget reviews rather than larger midterm increases for elected positions; others said some positions historically were underpaid and that some recent raises have closed long-standing gaps. The mayor and administration staff responded with context about past adjustments and the workload associated with certain positions.

Votes at a glance: The committee made a motion to bring the 2025 appropriation ordinance out of committee for further consideration and seconded that motion; the motion carried (no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript). No final adoption vote on the ordinance occurred during the meeting.

The ordinance text under discussion also referenced repealing ordinance No. 24-085; the committee agreed to move the appropriation ordinance forward for full council consideration and further revision where members asked staff to adjust the specific elected-official increases to a level the committee could support.

Next steps: The ordinance will return to full council (or the committee’s next formal step) for additional action and a recorded vote. Council members said they would re-evaluate any larger elected-official raises in one to two years if approved incrementally now.

","The Struthers City Council’s finance and legislation committee moved an ordinance appropriating 2025 expenditures out of committee after extended discussion about across‑the‑board 3% raises and larger proposed bumps for the treasurer and mayor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council told judge will present proposed court-chambers upgrades funded from special projects fund

Council reviews street repaving, crack sealing and sidewalk grant plans; $382,000 in resurfacing budgeted

Council discusses downtown demolition, stormwater work and possible sewer-line diversion through vacant building

Struthers council advances 2025 appropriation ordinance after debate over elected-official pay