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WARREN -- Among the items on the agenda for Wednesday night's Warren City Council meeting is a resolution to accept the resignation of Todd Johnson as 1st Ward councilman effective Oct. 1.
Council President John Brown also thinks a vote may happen Wednesday to select a replacement.
Brown said that after City Council handles all of the legislation on the agenda, a member of council could make a motion to nominate someone to complete the remaining year and several months left on Johnson's term. He said he expects such a vote will be taken.
Johnson, a pastor, announced his Oct. 1 resignation date in late September. He was elected to the position the first time in November 2023 and re-elected in November 2025. He received over 60% of the vote. Four people filed letters of interest in filling the position with Warren City Council as of the deadline Friday.
Johnson, an independent, announced in January he was taking on a new pastoral role in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, but he would remain in his city council role until he had fully relocated to New York.
According to the legislation to be considered Wednesday, City Council has 30 days from Oct. 1 to fill the vacancy by a vote of council. If council does not pick a replacement within 30 days, Mayor Doug Franklin will make the decision, the legislation states.
The legislation states it is an "emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, welfare and safety."
It states that another reason for passing the measure without the need for three readings at separate council meetings is "so that the integrity of this legislative (body) may be more fully ensured at the earliest possible time and without undue delay." If approved as an emergency, it would go "into immediate effect."
The four people who expressed an interest in replacing Johnson are Kim J. Johnson, Joseph Valimont, Larry Larson and Felicia Davis. The 1st Ward is in the northwest area of the city.
KIM JOHNSON
Kim Johnson's letter of interest states that he has been manager of sporting events at Warren City Schools since September of 2025, making him responsible for monitoring ticket sales at all athletic events, coordinating facility operations, ensuring that coach certifications are current and monitoring student eligibility to play sports. He is also responsible for monitoring all middle-school sports events as middle school sports coordinator.
He worked as a Warren City Schools school liaison from December 2019 to May of 2025, when he retired. In that position, he engaged students in academic crises and developed intervention plans for students in attendance-deficit-status. He also was assistant high school varsity boys basketball coach.
Before that, he was residential supervisor from 2016 to December 2019 at the Community & Family Services Day Reporting Center in Trumbull County.
He was a Warren City Schools educational aide from 2004 to 2016 and also worked as a corrections officer at Trumbull Correctional Institution from 1998 to 2009. He retired in 2004 after 22 years in the Marines. He studied criminal justice studies at Dillard University in New Orleans.
Johnson, who lives at 3017 Tod Avenue NW, stated in his letter that he reported for duty with the Marines at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna in 1990. He trained Marines in a 22-year Marine Corps career.
He is also festival coordinator for the Trumbull County African American Achievers Association and served as an executive board member and treasurer for the Warren Little Raiders youth cheer and football organization.
JOSEPH VALIMONT
Valimont of 4340 Tod Avenue NW, ran for the 1st Ward City Council seat last November, losing to Todd Johnson. Valimont stated in his letter that, "I remain interested in serving the residents of the 1st Ward and would welcome the opportunity to do so as a member of Council."
Valimont writes a 1st Ward Newsletter that gives summaries of the activities of Warren City Council at its regular meetings and committee meetings. He has also provided summaries of the meetings of groups such as the Northwest Neighborhood Association.
LARRY LARSON
Larry D. Larson, of 1253 Niblock Ave. NW, who held the 1st Ward council seat before Todd Johnson, said in his letter to City Council that he is a lifelong resident of the 1st Ward and "remainS fully qualified to serve the unexpired term" of Todd Johnson, saying Johnson "has served the 1st Ward faithfully."
Larson said he seeks the position "because I already know the work, already know the neighborhood and can step into the seat without a learning curve." He served as 1st Ward councilman from Dec. 30, 2013, through December of 2021 -- four two-year terms. "I have remained a First Ward resident and a working neighbor ever since."
He is also an active member of the Northwest Neighborhood Association block watch. He is the registered agent for the organization, which was created in 2007. The organization watches streets, calls in problems to city officials and keeps an "open line to the police department," he stated.
His letter states, "The 1st Ward should not sit vacant while someone learns names, precincts and the difference between a constituent complaint and a legislative problem. I can take the seat and go to work."
He said his priorities will be "safe streets and a working partnership with police and fire; blight, vacant property and the condition of our housing stock; streets, sidewalks and basic city services; and honest communication with the people who live here." He added, "I will treat the office as a public trust, not a platform."
FELICIA DAVIS
Felicia Davis stated in her letter to City Council that she is a longtime resident of the 1st Ward and has "followed Warren's legislative work closely and am ready to serve. I previously ran for Council -- both at large and for the 1st Ward -- but was not elected."
She said she has "remained active in community service," through the non-profit organization she founded in 2022 -- Dress 4 Success Office (Beyond the Business Suit,) formerly Dress for Success Warren-Youngstown.
"I have helped more than 25,000 women and families connect with services and resources. I am also a U.S. Navy veteran and served seven years," she stated. She also has been a licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare solutions.
"If elected, I will listen to residents, communicate openly and work with fellow council members to work as a team to make our city a great place to live and raise a family," she stated.
MEETING TIME
The council meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Warren City Council Chambers in the Municipal Justice Building, 141 South Street. A "caucus" will take place starting at 4:15 p.m. in the caucus room adjacent to Council Chambers. The caucus is for discussion about the legislation coming up at the full meeting.