Published: Friday, August 4, 2006
Mayor gets extra time to mull residency bill
The ordinance brings the city into compliance with a state law.
By AMANDA GARRETT
WARREN — Mayor Michael J. O'Brien says he has until Sept. 13 to veto controversial residency legislation.
The mayor, under usual circumstances, would have been required to act within 10 days of a city council item's passage. Council, however, is in recess for the entire month of August.
That recess, O'Brien said Friday, means he can wait. The mayor said he consulted with Law Director Gregory Hicks on the issue.
According to the Ohio Revised Code and council rules, any legislation passed does not have to be acted upon until council officially comes back to session on Sept. 13.
Agreement
Council narrowly agreed at its July 26 meeting to allow nonelected city employees and officials to live farther from work. The ordinance allows city workers to live anywhere in Trumbull County or any adjoining counties, instead of only in Warren city limits.
The residency ordinance was tied 5-5, forcing council President Robert A. Marchese to break the tie.
O'Brien has not indicated whether he will veto the item, but he has been outspoken about city workers' living in Warren. O'Brien said the new law would increase response time for emergency personnel.
He's also said working for the city is a matter of loyalty.
Co-sponsored by Gary Fonce and Robert L. Dean Jr., both D-at large, the ordinance brings the city into compliance with a state law passed May 1 that lifts residency requirements for municipal employees. It also would clarify the issue for the city's work unions.
In June, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 74 and Warren Management Association sued the city in county common pleas court, asking that the city's residency law be declared invalid.
O'Brien would have preferred that Warren join a lawsuit with other five other Ohio cities, including Youngstown, that are challenging the law.
Fonce said he sponsored the legislation because it would save the city costly legal battles.
agarrett@vindy.com
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