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STEUBENVILLE -- It's been nearly three months since members of City Council met face-to-face, but that's about to change.
At Tuesday's meeting, council members decided to schedule their return to council chambers for June 9.
Council welcomed the news, though 4th Ward Councilman Scott Dressel had suggested finding a meeting site "with a little more room."
"I'm fine with meeting, what I'm not fine with is being within 2 feet of anyone else," he said.
City Manager Jim Mavromatis said he's arranged to have council chambers, which doubles as the municipal courtroom, and other high-traffic public areas in the City Building to be professionally sanitized.
"And anyone who comes in the room must wear a mask," he said. "We'll be sanitizing the whole lobby of the City Building and some other areas outsiders have come into. It's good for that day, but the next day if somebody walks in who's infected, we don't know."
"I think it will be better all the way around if we can be together again, but use precautions," Mavromatis added.
And, until Gov. Mike DeWine's emergency order expires, he said council members will still be able to call in and participate.
"I think we should have that option," 3rd Ward Councilman Eric Timmons said. "I can completely understand if people don't want to go out in public."
Mavromatis, meanwhile, said the city "is doing pretty good financially for the month of April," noting the actual loss of revenue was not severe.
"That might be a different story next month," Dressel said.
"You're correct," Mavromatis replied. "May, June and July (are worrisome)."
Council requested a "small utility update" at next Tuesday's meeting, with water, sewer and sanitation department heads providing brief status reports.
Sixth Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna told council the Efts Lane paving project is nearing completion.
"The crew is remarkably fast, they're going through it pretty quick. They've got the base coat laid down, and if the weather holds out they should be done Thursday.
Second Ward Councilman Craig Petrella told council he'd used one of his two free bulk pickups for the year.
"When I called down there, they provided me with a 4-yard dumpster which I thought was a good idea on Bob's part (Sanitation Supervisor Bob Baird) to do that," he said. "It worked out really well. I was able to put everything I needed to into the big dumpster with maybe a couple of big items beside it."
Petrella said it was easy for him, and easier for city crews.
"It relieves (them) from handling all the big bulk items," he said. "I thought it was a very good idea."
Fifth Ward Councilman Willie Paul said he'll be bringing ordinances to council dealing with travel expenses and allowances, updating the city's relocation policy and establishing a written internal control policy for the law enforcement trust fund accounts.
Paul said the changes to the travel expenses and allowances were recommended by the auditor, as was the relocation revision.
"The auditor recommends establishing a procedure for directors or city manager level to outline what we would reimburse to prevent any large moving expenses if we're hiring somebody at that level from another community," Law Director Costa Mastros said. "It doesn't come up too often, I know it's come up at least once but it's not something that's come up often."
Finance Director Dave Lewis said the law enforcement trust fund accounts relate to how police handle any money from forfeitures coming in.
"If the police have vehicles they no longer have a use for, they can be auctioned off," Mavromatis explained. "A lot of times you get vehicles seized for illegal transportation of drugs, they put a requisition in for them and when they're no longer being used, you can auction them."
Council also passed resolutions authorizing Parks and Recreation Director Lori Fetherolf and Mavromatis to enter into fund agreements with the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, which will enable the department to accept directed donations for specific facilities or projects and also pursue private grants as well as fund raising.
Council signed off on a resolution declaring this National Hospital Week in Steubenville.
"I'd like to thank all the employees at Trinity Health System who work hard to protect the health and well-being of the community," Paul said. "They put themselves at risk daily, and I'd like to thank them for that."