Struthers City Council adopts five ordinances, approves police union contract

Struthers City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, voted to adopt five ordinances, including a collective bargaining agreement with the Ohio Patrolmen—s Benevolent Association covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027, revisions to the city—s residential rental regulations, creation of a part-time maintenance position for the city administration building and an ordinance supporting the Ohio Municipal League—s challenge to AT&T—s tariff application at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).

The measures were presented one after another during the legislation portion of the meeting and were passed under motions to suspend the rules in most cases so the ordinances could be enacted at the same meeting.

The most consequential action for city operations was adoption of the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Struthers and the Ohio Patrolmen—s Benevolent Association (OPBA), effective Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027. Council moved to suspend the rules and adopt the agreement; the motion was made by a councilmember recorded as Ronnie and seconded by a councilmember recorded as Dallas. Several councilmembers recorded "yes" during the roll call following the motion; the council passed the ordinance to adopt the agreement.

Council also approved an ordinance amending chapter 1385 (section 1385.04) of the codified ordinances to revise regulations concerning residential rental property; the ordinance was declared an emergency and passed after a motion to suspend the rules.

Another ordinance approved created a part-time maintenance position for the city administration building, set the wage, repealed ordinance number 08-002 (as stated in the ordinance text) and declared an emergency, with an effective date referenced as Jan. 1, 2025.

Council adopted an ordinance supporting the Ohio Municipal League—s challenge to AT&T—s tariff application at the PUCO and declared it an emergency so the city could be listed among jurisdictions opposing the tariff filing.

The council also completed a third and final reading of an ordinance amending Section 351.26 of the codified ordinances and repealing certain prior ordinances to the extent inconsistent with the new language; council voted to pass that ordinance as read.

Communications accepted by the council included the Struthers tax office monthly report for December 2024, submitted by Ryan Legalski, Struthers tax commissioner, and a mayor—s report submitted by Mayor Catherine Chacon Miller. Council announced standing committee schedules, including a Finance and Legislation committee meeting set for Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. There were no public commenters who addressed legislation at the meeting.

All five ordinance items were put to a council vote following motions and seconding on the floor. The meeting transcript records multiple councilmembers responding "yes" during the roll-call votes; each ordinance vote was recorded as passing at the meeting. The meeting adjourned after routine business and committee announcements.

Votes at a glance: - Number 1: Third and final reading -- amendment to Section 351.26 of the codified ordinances; motion to pass made by Ronnie, seconded by Dallas; recorded "yes" responses from councilmembers during roll call; outcome: passed. - Number 2: Ordinance adopting the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Struthers and the Ohio Patrolmen—s Benevolent Association (OPBA), effective Jan. 1, 2025Dec. 31, 2027; motion to suspend rules and adopt (mover recorded as Ricky); outcome: passed. - Number 3: Ordinance amending Chapter 1385 (residential rental property regulations), declared an emergency; motion to suspend the rules and pass (mover recorded as Dallas); outcome: passed. - Number 4: Ordinance creating a part-time maintenance person position for the city administration building, setting wage, repealing Ordinance No. 08-002, effective Jan. 1, 2025, declared an emergency; motion to suspend rules and pass (mover recorded as Lori); outcome: passed. - Number 5: Ordinance supporting the Ohio Municipal League—s challenge to AT&T—s tariff application at the PUCO, declared an emergency; motion to suspend rules and pass (mover recorded as not specified in the record); outcome: passed.

No detailed debate, amendments or fiscal breakdowns were recorded in the transcript for these items beyond the ordinance texts and the stated effective dates or emergency declarations. The transcript shows the council moved quickly through the legislative items with motions to suspend the rules and recorded affirmative responses from councilmembers.

(For record: the meeting record included roll call, pledge of allegiance, acceptance of minutes from the Dec. 30, 2024 meeting, and routine communications.)

Ending: Council set its next Finance and Legislation committee meeting for Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. and adjourned the meeting after concluding legislative business.