×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Goals Are Set For City Manager

City Council members and several residents discussed a long list of goals for City Manager Tim Boland to start working on for 2014 and the years ahead.

A 90-minute meeting Thursday night started with 6th Ward Councilman Robert Villamagna calling for Boland to review a study of the police department that had been conducted by consultant Jim Mavromatis.

The report by Mavromatis has never been made public, but, Villamagna said, “there are recommendations we can work on.”

Villamagna added the town’s appearance, the lack of a front desk receptionist at City Hall, snow removal and downtown parking were also issues of importance.

Boland said he will have an answer to the vacant reception desk as early as Tuesday’s council meeting.

Second Ward Councilman Mike Johnson said cracking down on crime in the city was a top priority.

He added balancing the city budget, creating a rainy day fund, passing an ordinance to make property owners liable for water bills, developing a new policy and procedures for water disconnections and water delinquent accounts, enforcing the downtown two-hour parking limit and developing a performance review system for department heads and employees as additional goals.

First Ward Councilman Gerald DiLoreto echoed Johnson and Villamagna, as did 3rd Ward Councilman Greg Metcalf. Metcalf added a sidewalk replacement program, an K-9 unit for the police department and upgrades to Belleview Park as priorities.

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Angela Suggs called for the resumption of the fall bulk cleanup.

“We used to have two big cleanup campaigns but that was reduced to just the spring cleanup. I would like to see us do it again in the fall,” said Suggs.

Local business owner Mark Nelson called Steubenville, “a city in crisis with a lot of opportunity to change.”

“I am heavily invested here. I believe we need to recognize and engage the oil and gas boom that is taking place. We need to let them know we are open to business,” Nelson said.

Mike Florak of the Franciscan University of Steubenville community relations office said the oil and gas business, “is all around us but we haven’t seen it here.”

“Why not send someone to the cities out west that have seen major growth and economic development,” he said. “What are they doing right?”

Boland said he will take all of the ideas, suggestions and comments and prepare a talking point document for the council members to consider at their day long retreat.

Any resident wanting to submit an idea or comment can e-mail Boland at citymanager @cityofsteubenville.us.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today