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STEUBENVILLE -- An ordinance that would have required residents to sign up ahead of time to address City Council failed Tuesday.
Council voted unanimously to stick with the current rules, which allow residents to sign up to speak during the meeting.
A handful of residents addressed council prior to the vote, urging them to "just let the people speak."
"I don't think people should have to sign in at noon," one woman said. "It should be more free, less formal, to the public. It's inconvenient."
Another said changing the rules would be "trying to restrict people from participating in the government we are all here to uphold."
"I don't think you should have to call or come down (to do it)," she said.
In the end, council voted 7-0 against changing the rules, though only one member, Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo, addressed his concerns prior to voting.
Mayo said, "People need to be heard. We're here to report to the people."
"They may have a comment on something that came up in a meeting. Why should they have to wait until the next meeting to share it?" he asked.
City Manager Jim Mavromatis, though, pointed out that having people sign up ahead of time in person or by phone allowed him to research and potentially find the answers to the issues that concern them.
Council also heard second readings of legislation which, if approved, would do away with Neighborhood Conservation Districts and dedicate up to $6 million to secure a HUD Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant. Both were introduced by Mayo.
The city was one of nine communities awarded a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods planning grant last year to develop a strategy to transform the North End community. At the end of the two-year planning process, HUD will award one of those nine communities $30 million to $50 million in additional funds to implement the plan they came up with.
To convince HUD it's serious, Mayo said Steubenville is going to have to commit some of its own money to the North End community.
Council also heard the first reading of an ordinance amending the city's bereavement leave policy as well as another authorizing Mavromatis to advertise for qualifications for preparation of a comprehensive plan for the city and enter into contract.
Sixth Ward Councilman Mike Hernon sunshined legislation that would authorize Mavromatis to seek bids for the 2024 pavement marking program and the 2024 street sign replacement program, Phase 9.
Mayo scheduled a safety committee meeting for 7 p.m. Jan. 30.
Mavromatis said they plan to open bids for the old city building renovations on Feb. 9. He said the project will be advertised Jan. 19 and 26. The total price tag is currently at $2.6 million, but to keep spending under control, council plans to do the work in phases.
Chris Ribar, account manager for HomeServe's service line warranty program, also told council the first of two introductory mailings has gone out detailing homeowners' exposure if water or sewer lines fail between their house and the street.
He said residents need to understand the city isn't responsible for maintaining water and sewer lines on their property nor are those repairs covered by their homeowner's insurance policy.
Ribar said the mailings "show them exactly what their responsibilities are and provide a completely voluntary option" to protect themselves from costly repair bills.
He said HomeServe's protection plan is "completely optional" and covers up to $8,500 per incident to repair broken, cracked or clogged exterior water and sewer lines. Additional coverage is available for in-home plumbing and drain issues would cover up to $3,000 per incident.
Ribar said the first two mailings offer city residents reduced rates for their first year of water and sewage protection. The sale price doesn't apply to the optional indoor line coverage.