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Villamagna scolds City Council colleagues

STEUBENVILLE — Sixth Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna lashed out at two of his council colleagues Tuesday during an emotional speech that questioned e-mails among council members and an alleged private meeting set for Thursday.

Villamagna first questioned Councilwoman at large Kimberly Hahn regarding a Thursday afternoon meeting called to discuss an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant.

“My problem is members of the council recreation committee weren’t notified about the meeting and the recreation board knows nothing about this meeting. This council should be involved in the meeting. If there is a meeting pertaining to the city it should be held in this room and the meeting should be open to the public. It is not right to have this meeting without City Council members involved,” said Villamagna.

Hahn said the grant would be for trails and surveys.

“If we apply for it and receive the grant, it can be used to survey the property near the marina. It could determine if we can have hope for a bike trail near the Ohio River or we can’t,” responded Hahn.

“When it involves city property, council should be involved. The more we do publicly, the more the public knows what is going on. The more public discussion we have, the better off we all are,” commented Mayor Domenick Mucci.

Villamagna said the people invited by Hahn to the meeting included Evan Scurti of the Jefferson County Port Authority; Aaron Dodds of the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District; Mark Nelson, a private businessman; Sister Mary Brigid Callan of the Diocese of Steubenville; and possibly City Manager Jim Mavromatis.

“This is one of several meetings that have been held without notification of other City Council members. I am offended and I think this is wrong. This is one of many meetings,” continued Villamagna.

Hahn later said the meeting is open to all council members and the public.

Villamagna then moved on to question 4th Ward Councilman Scott Dressel about e-mails he sent out to other council members regarding the council agenda.

“I have no problem posting the agenda. But I do have a problem conducting dialog on social media and not in a public meeting.

“This council has always been transparent. I don’t like social media. Any councilman can make comments and it takes off on a life of its own. I don’t think council should conduct business on social media. Do it in front of the citizens and the press. It is detrimental to the council and the city,” Villamagna said.

Mucci reminded council members that former Law Director S. Gary Repella asked for e-mails to cease immediately when he believed members were conducting city business in them.

“It is bad faith for the members to conduct business on social media. I will ask Mayor-elect Jerry Barilla to be informed about the issue,” Mucci said.

Dressel said he deleted comments other people had posted on his council site because they were offensive.

“As far as e-mails, that was a response to the agenda we received by e-mail.

“We put an ordinance into effect requiring people to register with the council clerk by 4 p.m. on Friday if they wish to speak at the following Tuesday night council meeting. That is why I believe the agenda should be posted on the Internet. (Television) isn’t going to put it on their news and the Herald-Star is cost-prohibitive to put the agenda in the paper every week. I only post upcoming events on my council page,” explained Dressel.

“That is not true. I will call you out every time I catch you lying,” replied Villamagna.

In other matters, legislation ending a bonus payment for the police chief and fire chief who have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree was approved unanimously.

And, legislation to authorize the demolition of properties at 1107 Cardinal St.; 1126 and 1205 Claire Ave.; 409 1/2 Henry Ave.; 1424 Orchard St.; 113 Brondos Ave.; 637-639 Lincoln Ave.; 831 Lincoln Ave.; 1207 Lincoln Ave.; 990-992 McKinley Ave.; 1375 Tweed Ave.; 516-516 1/2 and 518 Maxwell Ave.; and 1213-1215 and 1217 Adams St. received a first reading.

A first reading also was heard for an ordinance authorizing a grant application to the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, and five resolutions were approved to allow the city to move forward on the purchase of properties for the Sunset Boulevard and Lovers Lane intersection widening project.

Fifth Ward Councilman Willie Paul introduced eight emergency ordinances for consideration at next week’s council meeting for the closing of the 2017 city budget and establishing a 2018 budget.

Finance Director David Lewis said the 2018 general fund has a projected $12.6 million budget with a $16,261.24 surplus.

“This is the first time we have had a surplus projected for a new budget in a very long time,” Lewis said.

Second Ward Councilman Mike Johnson, in his next to last council meeting, persuaded his colleagues to approve a $176,000 transfer from the general fund into the general reserve fund that will bring the reserve amount to $1 million.

He also urged council members to continue to hold property owners with the financial means to demolish their own dilapidated properties be held fiscally responsible if the city takes down the structures.

Mucci reminded city residents that the judging of the residential holiday lighting contest will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. today and Thursday.

Council commended the Steubenville High School Big Red Football team for winning the 2017 Ohio Division IV football championship.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

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