CAMPBELL — Mayor Bill Valentino has introduced an ordinance to prohibit unregulated soliciting and tighten regulations on the practice within city limits.

“We started getting calls a few years ago when (the late Mayor) Bryan (Tedesco) was in office,” Valentino said after Wednesday’s regular city council meeting.

The draft resolution seeks to protect residents from unwanted disturbances, possible fraud and harassment while “preserving lawful free speech rights,” it states. The measure also states that unregulated solicitation “may disrupt the peace, safety and privacy of residents.”

Exemptions would be for school-related activities, political organizations and volunteers and religious entities, he noted. In addition, regulated solicitors would be able to operate in the city between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Valentino said.

The mayor cited the example of a man who received an unwanted solicitor at night who supposedly came to his home on behalf of the high school’s wrestling team.

“We don’t have a wrestling team,” Valentino added.

Violations of the ordinance would be considered a fourth-degree misdemeanor, he noted.

Also at the session, Councilwoman Mary Janek, D-3rd Ward, announced a cleanup of Jackson Park, set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the park off Wilson Avenue and Jackson Street. The space is largely unused and resembles little more than a large field, Janek said previously.

The Mahoning County Green Team will provide supplies such as gloves, trash bags and grabber devices for picking up and removing litter.

In other business, Valentino said the street department cleaned and removed numerous fallen branches after the weekend’s windstorm. Despite winds that gusted as high as 60 mph, the city experienced no power outages, he added.

Also at the session, Valentino announced an Easter in the Park event to get underway at noon March 28 in Roosevelt Park. The gathering will include an Easter egg hunt and a variety of other activities.