There was an absence of fireworks last night at the regularly scheduled Council meeting; in fact, there was no discussion at all relating to the first reading of the proposed legislation to float a $24 million city bond issue that includes $10.5 million for a new city “one-stop” building.

Perhaps everyone is saving their comments for a special Council meeting that will focus on the bond fund and one-stop which will be held next Tuesday, June 19 at 4:00 p.m. in Council chambers. The meeting is open to the public.

Most Council members and both Mayors Franklin and O’Brien have toured the new city administration building in Green, Ohio (near Akron) and seem to have that as the model for Warren. That’s a night photo of it above and you can read more about it here.

There was one interesting vote last night. Council defeated by a vote of 2-8 an ordinance that would have (as I understand it) given City Auditor Griffing authority to move several million dollars from various city account to other city accounts. The ordinance had been requested as an emergency vote meaning it would not have to be read three times over three Council meetings; it would have just be adopted last night if it had won.

But it didn’t win, which is highly unusual. Many Councilpersons were upset feeling there was no need to force an emergency vote, and further griping that they had been given inadequate information regarding these financial maneuvers. I have a feeling it was a kind of warning shot that they are not going to rubber stamp the bond and building. We shall see.