Economic Development
Brownfield 2003 Conference. Among the sessions attended by President of Council Thomas and I at the recent national brownfield conference in Portland, Oregon were those that addressed recent changes in federal law relative to environmental liability, vahous federal brownfield technical and financial assistance programs, and development and marketing strategies being used in various communities. In addition, discussions were held with officials from USEPA Region V and State of Ohio officials on the status and ongoing efforts of the MRCO and pending future activities.

Significant changes have been made in recently enacted federal law to help lessen the liability exposure of those who acquire brownfield sites to encourage economic redevelopment. "Innocent purchaser protection" language has been added to the law that should further facilitate and encourage the private sector to see brownfield sites as an opportunity.

In the area of assistance, the Federal Brownfield Program consists of three programs to assist communities, technically and financially, in addressing environmental issues. These programs address assessment, clean up and establishing a revolving loan fund.

In the area of development and marketing strategies, considerable attention was given to forming public/private partnerships and public participation strategies.

More significantly, however, was the opportunity to actively participate in the White House Roundtable discussions with the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Acting Secretary of the USEPA and Director of the USEPA Brownfield Programs and Local Government Advisory Commission discussions. Among the issues we candidly discussed with other local and federal officials were concerns regarding:

• The need to extend the liability protection measures to innocent purchasers of sites acquired prior to January 2002

• The negative impact of match requirements on smaller local governments
  and communities with sizeable brownfield sites and the need to develop a
  criteria to lessen, or eliminate, the match requirement. The Situational Distressed City/Priority Investment Area Status used in Ohio was suggested as a possible model.

• More direct and readily available technical assistance in preparing and
  administrating available federal programs for smaller communities that do not
  have the human or financial resources,

• Consideration that a specific amount of federal funding be set - aside for
  smaller communities adversely impacted by brownfields,

• Increasing the level of federal brownfield funding and reducing funding
  limitations imposed by current programs to more realistically address the cost
  of environmental assessment and remediation.

As a result of these discussions, I am requesting that City Council pass the appropriate legislation urging Congress, the President and the other appropriate federal agencies to enact legislation, or use their rule making authority, to address these issues and to encourage other affected communities to do the same.

MRCO Activities. Relative to our local efforts with the MRCO Planning Committee, Mahoning County has received a federal brownfield grant to assess sites at CASTLO and is currently putting together the necessary information for an application to establish a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund on behalf of the MRCO. The County and Eastgate COG (MRCO partners) are currently working with the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation (an MRCO partner) as the possible administering agency for the fund. However, the 25% match requirement of the program will have to be addressed. Successfully establishing a Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund, coupled with recent and pending funding requests through the Clean Ohio Fund, will substantially contribute to making the properties more attractive and ready for development.

Through funding they received from USEPA, the Ohio EPA (an MRCO partner) is completing the necessary river impact study needed to formulate dean up plans on the former coke works site. The results of the impact study will determine what remediation activities, if any will have to be addressed as they pertain to the river. With the required public hearing on November 6, 2003 done, the evaluation of the City's application for $179,000 to conduct the Phase II assessment on the recently acquired former Struthers Coke Works Site should be completed within 60 days.

Mahoning County is currently conducting the selection process to hire the necessary certified professional services to implement the recently awarded federal assessment grant at Castlo.

The initial Brownfield Redevelopment Seminar, co-sponsored by the MRCO Planning Committee, was held at YSU (an MRCO partner) on November 6, 2003. Approximately fifty individuals from development agencies, financial institutions and local government participated. It is important that we continue to build on this initial effort to reach out to, and increase the awareness of, the private sector on the opportunities brownfields offer. They must be active participants and partners if our efforts are to bear fruit. I'm sure President of Council Thomas as Chairman of the MRCO Marketing and Outreach Subcommittee would welcome input from those who attended on how to improve future seminars.

URS Corporation (an MRCO partner) and County personnel conducted a field visit at the former coke works site to prepare preliminary engineering on the extension, location and cost to relocate and construct and extension to Bob Cene Way. The project would improve access to the former coke works property and bridge-crossing site into Campbell. The information is needed to prepare an application for favorable consideration as a regional priority project by the Eastgate Council of Governments. The priority status is required for USEDA funding.

As you can see, various members of the MRCO Planning Committee are pulling together as a team and contributing considerable time, energy, and resources to tackle various tasks to successfully meet the challenge. Tasks we don't have the resources to perform alone. Progress has been and is being made and the foundations and tools for accelerating that progress continue to be put in place. Only by cooperatively pooling our respective resources are, and can, we keep progressing. It is essential that the City, as initiator of the nationally recognized MRCO strategy and one of the principal potential beneficiaries, continue to work in partnership and work at strengthening that partnership. The complexities of urban and brownfield redevelopment and limited resources make it impossible to do alone-

CASTLO. As a follow up to a previous report, the CASTLO Board of Directors has approved lease arrangements with three additional tenants now operating in the industrial park. ITL Industrial Painting Paint, Valley Recycling LLC, and Drywall Barn are now members of the Struthers business community. Their addition to our business community increases economic activity and employment opportunities and helps diversify our economic base. Collectively they have approximately 30 jobs presently and are expected to add more in the near future. As mayor, I look forward to a positive and mutually beneficial relationship and wish them success in their respective endeavors.

ISSUE 2 Pre-application
The pre-application deadline for Ohio Public Works Commission projects is December 4, 2003. As soon as possible, we must identify a project for consideration so the necessary paperwork can be prepared. I have not officially heard from Poland Twp. or Poland Village about a joint storm water project, but the Struthers Water Pollution Control Department has identified a project for consideration. However, the project to successfully get funded must address a persistent problem unrelated to, but aggravated by, the recent flood disaster emergency. I look forward to meeting with the General Improvement Committee in the near future.

Natural Resource Advisory Council
District 6 of the Ohio Public Works Commission has elected me to serve on the Natural Resource Advisory Council of the Clean Ohio Program. I am pleased to accept election to the position. The Natural Resource Advisory Council (NRAC) is responsible for evaluating applications and selecting projects for the funding of conservation grants under the Clean Ohio Program. The total amount of funding available for District 6 for Round 2 is $1,595, 770. I look forward to discussing the opportunities the program may offer our community with Council in the near future.

Special Recognition
During the past spring and summer a number of organizations have performed beautification and clean up activities to enhance the appearance of our community. Special thanks and appreciation is extended to the following groups.

The Struthers Democrat Ladies for their beautification efforts at the Hopewell Memorial. Rolling Thunder for their contribution in making improvements to enhance the Peacekeeper Memorial at Lake Hamilton. Struthers Rotary for their beautification project on the triangle in front of city hall. Material Research laboratory for their annual beautification of the Welcome to Struthers gateway sign on SR 616 on the north side. The Interact Club at Struthers H.S. for dean up efforts at Lake Hamilton. Boy Scout Troop 101 for their ongoing commitment to community service. The Struthers Business Association for their beautification and memorial tree-planting program at Mauthe Park. All their efforts and contributions define the meaning of community. The city is better for their community service and appreciates their contribution.

I invite other organizations to join with those recognized here to adopt beautification projects in the future.

Special Congratulations
Special congratulations to Material Research Laboratory on the recognition they received by the Governor for their efforts and participation in the YSU technology intern program. Their efforts and involvement have brought favorable and positive attention to our community.

Astro/USW Labor Dispute
On Thursday, November 6, 2003, in response to a discontinuation of talks, increasing tensions and inaccurate statements being made regarding the City's intentions, I contacted and offered USW Local 9401 and Astro Company whatever appropriate services my office could provide to help encourage continuing negotiations during the current labor strike. As I discussed with various members of Council, my only interest as mayor was to help facilitate a return to the bargaining table so that talks could continue to resolve the dispute. I made it clear I was not offering to negotiate for either side. The issues would have to be resolved by the Company and Union with the assistance of the federal mediator. Contrary to a television news report on Saturday, November 8, 2003, at no time, did my office, or any elected official, or the city take a position on the validity of the respective positions in the labor dispute. Despite the representations broadcasted and made to the Union and media, the individual involved is not an official of the City of Struthers, is not a spokesman for the City, nor did they represent my views as mayor or, to the best of my knowledge, the views of Struthers City Council or any other city official.

Regardless of any one's personal feelings, it would have been inappropriate for the City, or any city official to interfere with the collective bargaining process to the advantage of either party. The City's interest is to see a peaceful and timely resolution to the dispute that respects the lawful rights of both while protecting the health, welfare and safety of the public. The company and employees involved are a valued and important part of this community and contribute to its health and welfare. As such, the city is obligated to respect each and not contribute to further the divisiveness of the situation.

I continue to encourage the respective parties to resume and continue talks to seek a mutually acceptable resolution on the outstanding issues and will continue to do whatever is appropriate to facilitate that end.

Yellow Creek Park
As a result of recent news articles and contacts with individuals regarding the effects of budgetary issues and ongoing restructuring on Yellow Creek Park, Park and Recreation Chairman Dan Yemma and I have contacted the Metro Park District to get a clarification of their intentions and its potential impact on the facilities and operations.

Finally, on behalf of my family and I, we wish all a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving with family and friends.