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STEUBENVILLE -- City officials were asked Tuesday to develop a "written contingency plan" for addressing revenue losses resulting from events outside their control during the first six months of the year.
Specifically, Second Ward Councilman Tracy McManamon said he'd like them to look at the economic impact of the closing of the Market Street Bridge and Eastern Gateway Community College, as well as the Cleveland-Cliffs tin mill in Weirton: The bridge was ordered closed in late December after failing a safety inspection; EGCC is now under the control of the Ohio Department of Higher Education and is expected to begin the dissolution process after the May board meeting; and Cleveland-Cliffs recently idled its tin mill in Weirton, though its CEO is exploring the possibility of converting it into a plant that would produce steel for electric grid transformers.
None of those closings were considerations in the current budget, and council was already aware they'd have to find $89,000 to balance the 2025 budget without dipping into the city's rainy day money.
McManamon, who chairs council's finance committee, said council needs to know "how and what we need to do to plan for the loss of revenue" from major employers closing "as well as the reduced traffic due to the closure of the Market Street Bridge."
He said he'd like council to have the report within 45 days.
"(We need to know) what impact that might have on our businesses, local economy and services. We need to have a contingency plan in place now and not wait to see and try to make adjustments at the end of the year," he said.
"I hope we don't have to do anything, but we have to be proactive, prudent and accurately forecast the potential impact."
Separately, Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo asked council to think about what, if anything, they can do at the marina, reminding that a decade ago they were told improvements could cost as much as $8 million.
"That's $8 million-$10 million in 10 years ago money," he said. "I don't know (if that's enough) now. I don't know if we could get some grants ... but we simply don't have the money to do that, we can't tackle that project alone."
He said he'd "like to get some answers, if we're going to do anything with the marina at all."
Mayo did say he'd like to see Fourth Street in front of Steubenville City Schools and the new STEM building and also that part of Logan Avenue be repaved, reminding council that any money spent there could help convince the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that they're serious about bringing change to the North End community and improve their chances of securing a federal Choice Neighborhood implementation grant.
The city previously secured a $500,000 planning grant to develop a strategy for transforming the North End community, and if HUD likes the plan -- and what the city is doing in that part of town -- Mayo's said literally tens of millions of dollars are available to implement the strategy.
"With the school being as nice as it is, the least we can do is have a decent road," he said. "That road is bad down by the high school, really bad."
Mayor Jerry Barrilla said he's still waiting for several councilmembers to submit their recommendations for the Charter Review Commission, prompting several members to say the people they've approached need to know what it would entail. Barilla said he's figuring the panel would meet for an hour once a week for six weeks.
In other matters:
• Council agreed to delay consideration of a resolution acknowledging the investment the owners of the new Jimmy John's opening in Steubenville until such time as a representative can attend the meeting.
• sixth Ward Councilman Mike Hernon sunshined legislation authorizing City Manager Jim Mavromatis to seek bids for the 2025 County Road 43 roadway surfacing improvements, bids for the 2025 city street hot mix resurfacing program and to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission grants for both.
• Third Ward Councilwoman Heather Hoover reminded council a Pride Committee meeting to discuss what they can do to address problem properties will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
"I'm looking for a proactive approach, something different from past practices," she said, adding the court system does a good job with city residents who violate property maintenance code. She said the problem seems to be limited liability companies and other out-of-town property owners who fail to maintain properties according to city code.
• Mavromatis told council they're waiting for bids for solar lights to enhance the "Welcome to Steubenville" signs greeting visitors and reported he "hopes to have it wrapped up this month." He said it would cost too much to wire lights to highlight each of the signs.
• Mayo said he'd like to "explore ideas with the rest of council" on how to improve public transportation in Steubenville.
"There's no way to get in and out of the city," he said. "I don't know if we could get some kind of money to get a shuttle or something ... but we need to figure out more transportation modes for people who don't have the benefit of having a car."
• Mavromatis updated council on progress that's been made on the old city building improvements.
• City Engineer Mike Dolak reported Phase 3 of the Lovers Lane Widening is "moving along." Crews are currently installing the new water line.
"We're trying to keep traffic down," he said. "The police are helping us out on Bryden Road, a lot of the traffic has moved there -- we're trying to curtail that but it's a public street."