MINGO JUNCTION — Village Council on Tuesday heard from landlords who are upset about a proposed registration requirement for rental properties and about a road reconstruction project at the south end of the village.

Council heard the second reading on Tuesday for the rental property registration.

Landlords would have to register their houses and the number of units inside, the names of the tenants, a statement of whether the landlord conducted a criminal background check on the tenants and whether a written rental agreement exists with the tenants. There is a $10 fee for each rental unit, with a maximum payment of $1,000 per owner. There will be a $5 charge for a change of tenant and a $5 fee for annual renewal if there are no changes.

Landlords not complying could face a criminal charge.

The rental property registration is needed if council allows neighborhood conservation districts to be created. Council on Tuesday heard the first reading of an ordinance to establish the neighborhood conservation districts.

John Balzano of 114 Byron St. asked council about the process of getting a neighborhood conservation district during council’s Sept. 19 meeting.

Village resident Mark Pierro said he doesn’t have a problem with registering his rental properties, but is against having to pay a fee. He said the village could get a list of rental properties through the water department.

Councilman Adam Peeler said neighborhoods have been negatively affected by rental properties. He said he will push for a conservation district in his neighborhood.

A conservation district will cap the number of rental properties in a designated neighborhood. Village Solicitor Ernest Wilson said the village must first determine the number of rental properties.

Another landlord objected to the requirement of the tenants being named. Wilson said it is legal and has been tested in court.

Village Administrator Bob Smith informed council of efforts to repave the south end of Commercial Avenue.

Evan Scurti, Jefferson County Port Authority executive director, and Jeannette Wierzbicki of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Government Association informed council about state funding available for the project, estimated to cost $645,000.

Wierzbicki said the village could apply for $400,000 through the Ohio Public Works Commission. The village could apply for a $95,000 loan through the program to pay its share. The loan could be paid back over 17 years at a cost of about $7,000 annually.

Scurti said about 275 jobs have been created in that area with several business, including ACERO Junction, which bought part of the former steel mill and resumed operations at the 80-inch rolling mill. Scurti said there is a lot of truck traffic in the area.

Wierzbicki said the Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Jobs and Commerce, also has agreed to commit money for the road project.

Smith said the village could pull back on the project if council determines it isn’t financially feasible.

He said he wants to continue work on Commercial Avenue in other sections in the village. Councilman George Irvin said Jefferson County is working on a grant for work on the section of Commercial Avenue outside the village.

Council approved a resolution to submit a funding application to the state Public Works Commission.

Council heard the first reading of an ordinance to increase the hourly pay for part-time emergency medical technicians and firefighters. Fire Chief John Wright said having more part timers answering calls would cut down on overtime pay for full timers. The hourly rate also would go to $13.10 for call outs for EMTs and firefighters.

Councilman Jack Brettell warned council the village is in negotiations with full-time firefighters.

Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday for an update on negotiations.

Wright said one of two ambulances in the village is out of service for mechanical reasons.

Council’s water and sewer committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Nov. 14.