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Efts Lane repair discussed

STEUBENVILLE — The condition of Efts Lane drew the attention of City Council Tuesday, but what to do to improve it remained a question.

The road, which sits along the west city limits and serves a number of subdivisions and residences, is in need of repair, but it is an unimproved street.

City Manager Jim Mavromatis said homeowners have said they don’t want to pay assessments to improve the street with storm drainage and curbs, so a chip-seal project is the least costly alternative, at about $40,000. Chip-seal work has been done on the road in the past.

“We do not have the money and it is an unimproved road,” he said.

Sixth Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna said he would like to see the current surface ground off and a new layer of asphalt put down to provide a smoother surface without going through the full assessment and improvement project.

Second Ward Councilman Craig Petrella noted that would be unfair to city residents who have paid assessments for improved streets. Villamagna noted that unimproved streets have been paved as he’s asking under prior city manager Bruce Williams, including Aberdeen Road, which intersects with Efts Lane.

“I don’t want to go there, either,” said Petrella.

Villamagna said, “We pave alleys downtown where nobody has been through but winos.”

Council held an executive session to discuss the evaluation of Mavromatis, which was due by Saturday, according to 5th Ward Councilman Willie Paul. He said council is required to perform the evaluation, and Mavromatis is closing out his second year as manager.

Council heard from city resident Sara DiCarlantonio, who expressed concerns about the Fort Steuben Mall and a lack of business in the community.

Mayor Jerry Barilla responded that there were at least 20 new businesses that have opened in the city during the past five years, and he recited the names of about a dozen.

“There are businesses coming in and employing people,” he said. “But, I agree, the mall is a factor.”

The following ordinances and resolutions were introduced:

¯ Two to amend use of the water reserve fund, by 1st Ward Councilman Gerald DiLoreto.

¯ Resolutions recognizing April as National Minority Health Month, Fair Housing Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Autism Awareness Month, by Councilwoman at large Kimberly Hahn.

¯ Advertising and bidding for the sale of obsolete water meters from around the city that remain in storage at the water department, with proceeds going toward the water fund, by Paul.

¯ Replacing the current city work force ordinance with a new one reflecting a 2.2 percent raise for the fire department, the city’s non-uniformed unionized employees and non-union employees, by Paul.

¯ A resolution honoring Tariq Wilson for his performance at the NCAA wrestling championships. Wilson, a Steubenville High School alum, finished third in the 133-pound weight class for North Carolina State.

Paul also introduced an ordinance for an agreement with Prime AE Group for designing a utility asset management plan. The ordinance could be tabled given a request by council to have utilities Superintendent Chuck Murphy seek further proposals on the job.

Murphy had been using the firm to begin plans for refurbishing the West End water tower. Council had stopped him, noting that the engineering work may fall beneath the cost that would require bidding under state law, but the total project will be well above the cost ceiling.

Villamagna announced Russell Hunt of Total Lawn Care has volunteered his company’s services to maintain the Lovers Lane-Mall Drive roundabout landscaping at no cost to the city for time or materials.

Paul set a 6 p.m. finance committee meeting Tuesday for the monthly update from Finance Director Dave Lewis and a safety committee meeting for 6:30 p.m. to discuss fire and police employment testing.

Law Director Costa Mastros said work is being done to reshape the chapter of the city lawbook about the city tree committee.

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