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STEUBENVILLE -- City officials are hoping to be in position soon for the final reading of an ordinance conveying two strips of land on University Boulevard to the Jefferson County Port Authority, which would then sell the property to Franciscan University of Steubenville.
FUS officials previously said the land -- a 10-foot strip of land next to Super 8 as well as another small parcel on Franklin Avenue near Capri -- could be key to their growth plans: The school’s board of trustees has been mulling turning Super 8 into a residence hall, but they'd need to reconfigure campus access. In addition to acquiring the two parcels, FUS asked City Council to consider vacating Franciscan Way West.
The measure was tabled in mid-April so Law Director Costa Mastros could work on the language of the working agreement.
Mastros told council Tuesday he's "working through the real estate agreement with FUS (and) multiple lawyers."
"We're all working through it," he said. "Everyone knows we'd like to get this done and passed next Tuesday, (we just have) different ideas how to get (it) done right. Don't be shocked if I ask you to table it one more week. I don't want that, but it might happen."
At last week's meeting, 6th Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna had voiced concern that Mastros and Finance Director Dave Lewis were being stonewalled in their efforts to obtain information the city needs on another FUS project, the Franciscan Square tax increment financing district.
Lewis is required to track job creation and construction wage information in the TIF district. At that meeting, Villamagna had decried the lack of cooperation, pointing out "there's some legislation coming up that I won't be in favor of at all. It's a two-way street if we help them, they're going to do what their obligation is."
Lewis, however, reported Tuesday that since the May 11 meeting he'd talked with FUS vice president of finance and "we had a good discussion. They're going to reach out to some of the vendors and try and get this information."
Council, meanwhile, passed a resolution authorizing Parks and Recreation Director Lori Fetherolf to apply for an Ohio NatureWorks grant, declaring it an emergency.
Also approved was emergency legislation amending the existing table of organization as it relates to the Parks and Recreation Department. The changes adjust wages for part-time seasonal jobs at the pool, a move city officials hope will make it easier to fill those positions.
Second reading was heard of an ordinance rezoning property at 117 S. Seventh St. from high density residential (R3) to general commercial and industrial district (I-1), while the first reading of an ordinance authorizing City Manager Jim Mavromatis to seek bids for the Public Works Building roof replacement project.
Resolutions were sunshined declaring May 16-22 National Public Works Week and National EMS Week.
In airing the proposed resolution, 2nd Ward Councilman Craig Petrella pointed out "council, one year ago this month voted to establish the Steubenville EMS, with the foresight to fill the gap in (service) that really needed to be filled to serve the citizens."
Council also met behind closed doors to discuss personnel and contract issues.