Steubenville Council wrapping up business for 2023
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STEUBENVILLE -- Steubenville's three newest members won't have much time to settle in before they'll have to weigh in on several controversial issues, including proposals to undo the neighborhood conservation districts and change public forum rules.
Tuesday's meeting was the last for Willie Paul, who spent 12 years as 5th Ward councilman; Kimberly Hahn, who served eight years as councilwoman at large, and Asantewa Anyabwile, who represented the 1st Ward for the last four years.
To be sworn in Dec. 28 are Joel Walker, council at large; Ted Gorman, 5th Ward; and Dave Albaugh, 1st Ward.
At Tuesday's meeting, 4th Ward Councilman Royal Mayo sunshined legislation to "commit and dedicate" $6 million to the North End revitalization, saying the $500,000 planning grant the city received a year ago to develop a strategy to transform that part of town is just the tip of the funding iceberg: He said there's a potential to snag $30 million-$50 million in grants to implement that plan if the city can convince the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development it is serious about bringing change to the North End.
He reminded council that community leaders in Pittsburgh, which has been awarded two of the implementation grants, said the city demonstrated its commitment by earmarking millions of its own dollars for projects in the target areas.
"They said the economic impact of all the other development ... on average around the country is an additional $350 million to $400 million," he said. "So with that being said, that's close to a half-billion dollars (that could) come into our city.
He also sunshined legislation that would repeal a 10-year-old ordinance prohibiting property owners in a couple dozen Steubenville neighborhoods from turning any more single family homes into rental units.
The original ordinance was intended to "preserve the attractiveness, desirability and character" of residential areas in Steubenville, and advocates say it stabilized neighborhoods that had been in decline.
Community advocates, however, argue that the NCDs have been a barrier to low-income families looking for subsidized housing, suggesting that the rental controls limit housing choices.
Council heard first reading of an ordinance sponsored by Paul that would require members of the public wishing to speak during public forum to sign up by noon the day of the meeting.
"If you do do that, a lot of people who found a voice to come and speak may not," Anyabwile said, pointing out members of the public may not be able to get there to sign up or something might come up during the meeting that they want to offer an opinion on. "It kind of stifles free speech and free flow of thought."
Council also defeated five proposals that had been tabled more than a year before being dusted off for reconsideration--appropriating $200,000 for construction of a splash pad in the North End (defeated by a vote of 1-6); $300,000 for upgrades at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center (2-5); $550,000 for construction of a basketball court and pickleball court at Belleview Park (1-6); $700,000 to the city Planning and Zoning Commission for various projects (1-6); and $25,000 for fitness equipment at MLK (1-6). Mayo voted in favor of all five proposals, which he sponsored. Anyabwile also voted yes on the money for MLK building upgrades.
Council also passed as emergency legislation amending their revenue tax budget for 2023, appropriating the necessary funds to cover current expendtures for the balance of the year; adopting the 2024 budget; authorizing expenditures for 2024 and adopting a capital improvement plan for 2024-2028.
Resolutions honoring Paul, Hahn and Anyabwile for their work on behalf of the city also were approved.