The Warren Convention Center Authority (WCCA) isn't dead quite yet.
The authority members resigned their positions effective October 30 at a meeting earlier this month.
Three items came before Warren City Council for action at Monday night's meeting that would result in the city taking responsibility for the authority's debts, totaling approximately $9,600, accepting the resignation of the authority's three members and enabling the city manager to discontinue the authority's insurance policy.
But the body isn't going to inactive status quite yet.
"I don't like the fact that the council is being asked to accept obligations" without asking for a statement from the authority that it has no additional liabilities, City Manager Nancy Freenock said. Referencing a separate motion that would allow the city manager to cancel insurance for the authority, Freenock reiterated that "I would like to also make an affirmative statement... that no claims have been made or asserted" against the insurance policy.
"I do think that it's incumbent upon me or the council to ask the authority board for some assurances," she added.
City Solicitor Andrea Stapleford said that, while the authority's resolution expires on October 30, council could still approve the motions laid before them contingent on a statement from the authority addressing Freenock's concerns.
The recognition of resignation was accepted as presented but the other two items were approved pending statements from the authority.
The members of the authority wanted to act to discontinue the authority to prevent incurring additional expenses. The insurance policy covering the authority members is paid through early November. Renewing the coverage would cost $2,400. If the authority were to remain active on Jan. 1, it would require an audit for 2013. The 2010 audit cost the authority about $2,200.
Authority members said their main purpose in not disbanding the group earlier was to try to recover funds. Without a significant funding stream, the authority relied on the generosity of the city to pay its bills. The authority received written confirmation from developer Tim King earlier this year that Warren Development Group would pay the authority about $16,000 in money owed to the city. "In our work to move forward we will provide for repayment of all funds advanced to the WCCA by the City of Warren," King wrote.
Nau said on Monday night that payment from King was expected by Sept. 7, but noted that "to date, payment has not been received."