YOUNGSTOWN - City council agreed to spend $210,000 on an upgrade of its chambers and caucus room with the cost coming from Youngstown's American Rescue Plan allocation.
The initial amount for the improvements of $55,340 was included in council's initial agenda with Councilwoman Anita Davis, D-6th Ward, calling for it to be increased to $210,000. The amended amount was approved 7-0 by the legislators at Wednesday's meeting.
The improvements include a new audio-visual system that will allow city council to broadcast its meetings on the city's YouTube channel as well as electrical work, said Rick Deak, the city's chief information officer.
"The technology, we saw a need for that during COVID," said Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th Ward.
The city sought proposals for the work with two companies turning it down, saying the initial $55,340 amount was too low, Deak said. The contract will go to a third company, Forty Two Inc., a production and technology services system based in Youngstown.
Deak said Forty Two also determined that $55,340 wasn't enough to properly do the job and the city agreed to increase the price. The system will have an autofocus feature with a wide-angle camera that will go to a council member when that person speaks.
The new system will be installed sometime during the first quarter of next year.
Councilwoman Samantha Turner, D-3rd Ward: "In March I wanted to spend up to $2 million in ARP funding."
Ray and Davis countered: "$500,000 was appropriate." It was reduced further to $210,000 with Wednesday's vote.
City council hasn't met in its chambers since March 1, 2023. Eight days later fire Chief Barry Finley ruled the city hall fire escape structurally unsafe and closed it down. While city hall remained open without a functioning fire escape there were limited ways out in case of emergency. The fire escape replacement cost about $1.4 million but issues remain preventing inspection approval by the fire department due to building connections issues.
Council met Wednesday at Covelli Centre where most meetings have been held nearly two years. It's unknown when they’ll return though Charles Shasho expects soon return is possible according deputy director public works statement.