WARREN — City Council on Wednesday passed an ordinance requiring landlords to carry fire insurance on non-owner-occupied rental properties and enforcement mechanisms that officials said had left the city on the hook for demolition costs when uninsured buildings burned.

Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert told council during their caucus meeting that the change repeals and replaces language from a 2001 ordinance.

The updated rules mandate that rental permit applicants provide proof of fire insurance from a company authorized in Ohio. Coverage must remain in effect for the duration of the permit. Under the new provisions, landlords or their LLCs who fail to maintain insurance face a $1,000 per day fine.

Those with outstanding fines will be barred from renewing existing rental permits or obtaining new ones until the fines are paid in full.

Colbert said previous rules lacked a practical enforcement tool because a burned out property often left little for the city to lien against. “What we’re asking from Council is to repeal and replace … allowing for if and when your house burns down, you will have your $1,000 a day fine until it is (removed),” he said.

Law Director Enzo Cantalamesa said the revisions add clear language denying occupancy permits or renewals to noncompliant owners or LLCs.

Council declared the measure an emergency and approved it unanimously at the regular meeting.

The ordinance cites state law allowing municipalities to access insurance proceeds for demolition or securing of unsafe structures looking to deter arson, prevent blight and recover public costs.

In other business, Councilman Greg Thumm, D-at Large, reported that each ward has hosted public meetings on redistricting, giving residents a chance to ask questions and share concerns about proposed boundary changes.

Thumm said all seven ward representatives and three at-large members will host their first committee meeting on the issue May 26 or 27 to begin drafting an ordinance.

Councilwoman Tina Milner, D-2nd Ward, chair of the Traffic and Safety Committee, said they’ll be reviewing parking on federal aid route and truck route maps and asked colleagues to submit recommendations by July 1 for streets where parking should be restricted or eliminated.

She also announced that Wednesday’s meeting was being recorded for posting on the city’s YouTube channel by a contractor who handles livestreaming for Newton Falls. Milner said she plans to recommend a permanent livestreaming solution after evaluating options.

Michael Shrodek, D-5th Ward, said the education committee will meet at 5 p.m. May 20 in council chambers for a demonstration of a communications board for children with special needs.

Helen Rucker, chair of the Health and Welfare Committee, called a meeting for 3 p.m. May 20 to discuss proposed food truck legislation.