YOUNGSTOWN - There's a new twist in the long-running Chill Can saga on Youngstown's east side. 

A report first published by the Business Journal reveals the city does not own every parcel at the former development site, and Mahoning County Audit records show several parcels are still privately owned inside the property boundaries.

In July, the city of Youngstown was awarded full ownership of the former Chill Can site following a sheriff's sale, but auditor records show four parcels within the 21-acre site are still privately owned.

Two of the parcels belong to former Chill Can CEO Mitchell Joseph, and two others are owned by Scott Berger, a former executive tied to the project.

The city only purchased those in the name of Joseph's company.

Mahoning County Treasurer Dan Yemma said that kind of fragmented ownership can create challenges.

"It would seem to me that anyone that wants to redevelop or wants to take this property over for development purposes would want the entire property," Yemma said, "These are two parcels on each side of the development."

Mahoning County Auditor Ralph Meacham said this should not have happened.

"It should have been taken care of a long time ago, and it wasn't," Meacham said, "So what we're left with now are four orphan parcels sitting right in the middle of that property that the City of Youngstown now owns."

Getting those parcels could be complicated.

Joseph only owes about $80 in back taxes, and Berger is paid in full as of two days ago, which means another foreclosure is not a likely option.

Berger told 21 News on Wednesday that he's now in communication with the city to sell his parcels back and said he doesn't want to stand in the way of redevelopment, although it's unclear how much he may want for them. 

A Youngstown City spokesperson said the city doesn't see this hurdle impacting development opportunities, but wouldn't comment further.

21 News was unsuccessful in trying to reach Joseph on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, the Western Reserve Port Authority told 21 News its board approved a cooperative agreement to renew its assistance in the redevelopment of city-owned properties, including the former chill can site.

Youngstown City Council has since moved that legislation to a second reading during the council's meeting.