[{"_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",6231316,"mediaKeyId","3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e","parentId",3432082,"title","Council advances housing‑code fine schedule and shifts administrative appeals to Board of Building Appeals","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",3363000,"endMs",3440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e&start=3363&end=3440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e/thumbnail_3363000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231316/Ohio/Council-advances-housingcode-fine-schedule-and-shifts-administrative-appeals-to-Board-of-Building-Appeals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231316-126313a5033a40e96f4940a467bc0611/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963178&Signature=JpAT4iL9xK8C0fPt-mBJbYW1wxeEGLxM6sAP1xsvxJZrO69au9RIwaO5CvayGfdpoS5oOKlYit1gK04r5qAlt2zm0VKAYWRMQvVzl4GKTpF7D-JK-NLTm8hf689sO3p6tqtCTk0umm5wzou0t~ENhC8PZE~T-MTmhTUpkKalUuIRUaz77ibo82VMemWWBT27nVRbWfsvkMbw10JMADDRNtNIjX3w2jzyqcMYjpVLx3H41FT6uTPxBhizWNuO4gNX46WgBwHFkVCRUK4AEVWCMqRqER012Ep0631~mD4sLi1CJJ5HTtyp5qep1utmpS9jn4tEx6z7Gr6A9Pj-Y-qb4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Struthers, OH ","date","2025-05-22T00:13:59.98Z","article","Struthers City Council reviewed proposed changes to administrative penalties for housing‑code violations and approved moving appeals of administrative citations from city council to the Board of Building Appeals.

During discussion, a council member noted the draft ordinance contained a numeric inconsistency and asked staff to correct it; the draft showed a figure that the council member said should read \"$2.50\" for a first offense (the clerk and staff agreed to mark and initial the correction during the meeting). Council members also discussed a fine structure that rises for repeat violations and the option to pursue criminal charges for habitual violators if administrative fines fail to correct behavior.

The council then considered an amendment moving appeals from the legislative body to the Board of Building Appeals; a council member summarized the change as \"That's just changing the appeals to go from city council to the board of building.\" Council moved the ordinance forward for consideration and scheduled staff to meet with the city solicitor (John) and code enforcement staff to finalize procedures for citation, appeal, lien recording and collection. A meeting with the city solicitor was scheduled the next day to review procedural implementation.

Council members discussed the process for cutting grass and recording liens with the county, noting the city typically cuts grass twice a year (first and last six months) and that the county recording process affects whether the city recovers mowing costs when a property sells. Staff said they receive routine inquiries from title companies and will examine whether the city’s lien recording cadence could be adjusted to better protect the city’s reimbursement for abated maintenance costs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Struthers Council Caucus Committee Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","Council discussed raising administrative fines for housing‑code violations, clarified amounts in the draft ordinance, and approved changing appeals of administrative citations from council to the Board of Building Appeals; staff will meet with legal and return with procedural details.","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},6231321,"Struthers council moves to apply for Community Reinvestment Area offering long‑term residential abatement",52,3764000,3816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e&start=3764&end=3816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e/thumbnail_3764000.jpg","/articles/6231321/Ohio/Struthers-council-moves-to-apply-for-Community-Reinvestment-Area-offering-longterm-residential-abatement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231321-b02439f27e657bfdacdfe0c5e002a7ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963178&Signature=klRL-Rp3VG86z-CaE1Oo29hjbxFggS3chqsLBSthdIjwWdFYwUvYIY32r4pc~pD0bz4gJ-8PcRilKuickeS~se6WDwhS6Q4oKMdZYOiTNwcpqtdpT-tyHIvUv51HPqdklyqFMkcAyKieoFu~vVPX2USU3OMH-usGGlAhNEQxWJ9FQxh55AHY9eVTzYu0px9g87ucp9eTDIynv~wgldabpZhEu1I2I5zXOwCtW9Q~IJttxsTP5Xs7vEp1WGEKPAFyJVj7D8iyqBnRr-6GXO2eUkVNrqxB4MkXbqyCgPoJrmt0exkgXePH0SO5xraunRNpd62CHkfqo3vHNRdsloX6KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials told the Struthers City Council they plan to establish a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) under Ohio Revised Code Sections 3735.65–3735.70 to offer a property tax abatement — typically up to 15 years — for new residential construction within designated boundaries.

A staff presenter said the city worked with Youngstown State University and Mahoning Youngstown Development Corporation language and urged council to move quickly because the application timing gives communities a competitive advantage. “This is something ... the number one thing they’re telling people to do is the CRA,” a staff member said, noting that other nearby communities used a similar model.

Council asked procedural questions about readings and timing. Staff advised that the legislation typically requires three readings and that the application must be submitted by a set deadline; the council made a motion to bring the ordinance forward and discussed granting emergency consideration to meet application timing. No final adoption vote was recorded during the meeting, but staff were directed to proceed with application preparation and with the ordinance's readings so the city can meet external deadlines.

Staff also discussed examples of other communities’ CRA efforts, how a CRA designation establishes boundaries and appoints a housing officer to administer the program, and the need to designate the area in ordinance language as required by state law. Council members discussed whether a CRA would incentivize new private investment and how it would interact with other local development goals.","Council discussed creating a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) under Ohio law to allow up to a 15‑year property tax abatement for qualifying new residential construction and instructed staff to proceed with the application process and related readings.",{"_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},6231326,"Struthers council trims new‑hire probation language to 90 days and removes 'lateral' exemption",662,2170000,2832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e&start=2170&end=2832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e/thumbnail_2170000.jpg","/articles/6231326/Ohio/Struthers-council-trims-newhire-probation-language-to-90-days-and-removes-lateral-exemption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231326-bdd9b55ade0adfcd82a10c09ba19dc29/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963178&Signature=RPO35cwBahVCol7ALwY4XJ~CYBlMzc0Q5sTjGJ1s~2c2vCFYUJ5FKfTUqaJ9iHlWI06Jpxcdpy8pGL3qnWvyngERLvecGC38WbHiyOSVuCXoL1yq6EcsxaI1go7ZxC3ADwedhEWFSlchYNIXeaW6l4zi2xkJ~HNkTx694U5yaFK6zUFFnPMjjB0iUTrcn~Jd1ecXZB--P3YnzlDd3eUscwG0ZlEEtbFqSy3M3SY97o~8ExfR6wUVE6f0pna2z4qvBKo4~7UrBNFno6pBqCCc0rifxL4VZpovWAsdcCf15nvnVMNxHaDwOHFwuOs4Z9IvgFrLE6pSKw2JVNECsJVHbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Struthers City Council discussed proposed changes to the city’s employment provisions and agreed to shorten the probationary period in the codified new‑hire language to 90 days while removing the word “lateral” that had previously created an internal exemption.

The ordinance under discussion would amend the city of Struthers codified Chapter 149, section 149.19 (new hire provisions) so that the probationary pay and reporting structure applies for 90 days rather than the longer period currently in the codified language. The mayor explained the intent was to codify a 90‑day probationary period and to remove the term lateral from the ordinance language so that internal promotions to department head positions would also be covered by the probationary language.

During discussion, the mayor stated, “We would just take the word lateral out of it,” and multiple council members noted that a 90‑day period allows a promoted employee time to acclimate to different responsibilities without imposing a year‑long probation. Council members also discussed a specific local staffing example — a long‑time city employee moving into a department head role — and staff agreed to discuss the salary and contract details with the employee before finalizing the separate ordinance that sets position salaries.

Council made a procedural motion to bring the revised new‑hire language out for further consideration; that motion was seconded and council directed the clerk/administration to initial the change and prepare updated ordinance language. No final adoption vote was recorded during the meeting; one related ordinance establishing position salaries was held for additional discussion with the affected employee (identified in the meeting as Jason Hall).

The council repeatedly distinguished between policy language in the codified municipal code (the text under consideration) and the separate ordinance that sets position salaries and contractual details. Council members asked staff to prepare the codified text with the 'lateral' language removed, adopt the 90‑day probationary standard in the code amendment, and return with the salary ordinance after consultation with the affected employee.","Council members discussed and agreed during a meeting to remove the word 'lateral' from a proposed amendment to the city's codified new‑hire provisions and to set a 90‑day probationary rate; staff will revise the ordinance and follow up with affected employees.",{"_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},6231330,"Ohio 811 liaison urges Struthers residents to 'call before you dig,' offers Aug. 11 outreach with local gardeners",794,21000,815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e&start=21&end=815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3432082-d69b8d7251440c9d542ae282f363df5e/thumbnail_21000.jpg","/articles/6231330/Ohio/Ohio-811-liaison-urges-Struthers-residents-to-call-before-you-dig-offers-Aug-11-outreach-with-local-gardeners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231330-1787272479df343fe1802a0cdaeb73b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963178&Signature=TWw6rKJIfRjlYA~167t66hNHFSVCHFx4KEhEK2AHDXGpiUMk0TIABcBlD9cUcAfP-5eCNLM2vbQsNRpFCL7pg-T7R1pdcpreUJbuPHoeJJvoR60Hgw265UviQVWmzQLXDFpq~vo6UnG1rke4OpcW0-NJwuxpbgotuqIJHi02rV5PBPbxl6zA6RhOWfLQpe0kYrDsW-o9VkLTyE11U~naPyAgxtuHIXZaCUGED41npoUHTGHz4fBvl9sSS1A~VmkZkbmfSMqPpRt-B-EcL~NYfYcEDhMrqmc-ulmWfmxOOco86K-2Rmq3cFjhHf8iDizI8J-QVOt3Dkaq7T~uycvv-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An Ohio Utilities Protection Service liaison told the Struthers City Council that residents and contractors should use the statewide 811 call or online services before digging, and offered the council a joint outreach event on Aug. 11 that would pair a safety campaign with a park beautification project.

The liaison said Ohio 811 is a “communication link between utility companies, the utility locate companies, and excavators and homeowners,” and explained that notifying 811 is free to residents. He described the existing 48‑hour locate requirement and a proposed “true 48” change to how the clock for responses is calculated.

Council members and staff discussed operational details and local promotion. The liaison said Ohio Utilities Protection Service receives roughly 1.5 million dig requests a year that translate into about 8–10 million notifications to utilities, and noted members fund the service. He told the council, “We would be honored if you guys would want to do that,” offering manpower, materials and help securing donated plants and supplies for a single‑day project at NEBO Park timed to the 8/11 safety message.

Jane Coconower, who identified herself as a member of the local Gorilla Gardeners group, described the volunteer group’s experience with small public landscaping projects and volunteered design and planting work for the NEBO Park flagpole and entrance. “We have a small group of people who are willing to do anything you guys want as far as gardening and kind of lawn care maintenance,” she said.

Council members asked practical questions about the locate process — who marks facilities, how quickly locates occur, and who is responsible for private laterals. The liaison clarified that utility companies (or their third‑party contractors such as USIC) usually perform marking; that the current law requires a 48‑hour response window from the day after a request; and that laterals or privately owned lines beyond a meter or shutoff are typically the property owner’s responsibility to locate or have located by private contractors.

No formal vote or ordinance was recorded on the outreach request during the meeting. Council members agreed to consider the proposal and discussed timing with the city’s cleanup day and park projects; staff and the liaison said they would follow up to coordinate a date and a materials list.

The presentation also included offers to provide classroom materials and mascots (referred to in the presentation as Sammy and Susie Shovel) for local school outreach, and examples of similar projects the council liaison’s damage‑prevention councils have done in other communities.

If the council pursues the proposal, next steps recorded during the meeting were: staff coordination of a date and a materials list; the city’s acceptance of donated plants and volunteer labor as appropriate; and follow‑up with Ohio 811 and the Eastern Ohio Damage Prevention Council on promotion and logistics.","An Ohio Utilities Protection Service liaison briefed Struthers City Council on the statewide 811 damage‑prevention system and proposed a partnership with local Gorilla Gardeners to hold an August 11 outreach and park beautification at NEBO Park; no formal council vote was recorded on the request.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council advances housing‑code fine schedule and shifts administrative appeals to Board of Building Appeals

Struthers council moves to apply for Community Reinvestment Area offering long‑term residential abatement

Struthers council trims new‑hire probation language to 90 days and removes 'lateral' exemption

Ohio 811 liaison urges Struthers residents to 'call before you dig,' offers Aug. 11 outreach with local gardeners