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STEUBENVILLE -- The Jefferson County Commissioners agreed Thursday to tell a tenant who's been smoking in the Tower building to put it out or get out.
Commissioners said another tenant, Manpower, had complained about "ongoing disruptions" caused by cigarette smoke filtering to the upper floors in violation of Ohio's smoke-free workplace law.
In a letter to commissioners, Manpower Group's real estate and facilities director said a tenant on the first floor "has been repeatedly smoking inside the building for several months. This smoke continues to rise into Manpower's (space), resulting in repeated business disruptions."
"This is an employee health and safety issue that requires immediate action from property management and building ownership," the continued.
"Should the issue persist, Manpower will send an official lease default notice," facilities director Steven Sturm said. "We will also send notice of violation to the Bureau of Regulatory Operations at the Department of Health."
"I can't believe we have to waste our time discussing this in 2024," Commissioner Eric Timmons said. "You can't smoke indoors. I feel bad for the rest of our tenants."
Timmons said he was in the building last week and smelled it for himself.
"It's ridiculous," Commissioner Dave Maple agreed. "I think as the landlord we have to step in."
"We have a lot of tenants in the building, and we need to make sure they know we appreciate their business," Maple added. "If we have a tenant, any tenant, not in compliance we have to take action appropriately."
Commissioner Tony Morelli, a smoker himself, said it's "crazy" that someone continues to smoke inside a public building, particularly after being asked to stop.
"We've spent millions on that building," Morelli said. "And we're in the process of putting in a park, yet we've got someone in 2024 sitting inside a building and smoking? It's crazy."
Maple said they also should take the opportunity to address problems with people at the courthouse standing outside the door and smoking, rather than in the designated spots, but Morelli said their first priority must be the violations at the Tower building.
"I don't want to lump it in with smoking by the door," he said.
Morelli, meanwhile, said discussions are underway about the possibility of applying for broadband funding through an Appalachian Regional Commission grant.
"They're eager for us to apply," he said. "They seem to think we have a nice opportunity for an ARC grant."
At Maple's suggestion, commissioners will try to gauge the Jefferson County Port Authority's interest in taking on the old armory building on Cherry Avenue. While it's considered surplus property, the port authority has more flexibility to work with potential buyers, unlike the commissioners, who would have to take bids for it,
"It's better that the port authority handles it," Morelli said, adding, "We're getting the process started, seeing if they're interested."
"There are some interested parties that I know of, so I think it's good," Timmons said.