FOLLANSBEE — The search for a new city manager in Follansbee will begin soon.

On Monday, Mayor David Velegol Jr. advised he will prepare, for next Monday’s council meeting, an advertisement for applicants for the city manager position left vacant with the recent departure of Joe DiBartolomeo.

The mayor said he will emphasize strong skill in and knowledge of finance and human resources.

Under the city’s charter, the mayor is charged with nominating a candidate for city manager for council’s approval.

Councilman at large John Casinelli asked if council members will be able to interview the candidate first.

Velegol said he’s concerned that potential candidates with current positions will be deterred because word is likely to spread they applied.

But following the meeting, he said he plans to include council in the interviewing process.

In other business:

• Resident Judy Dobbins asked council to make a handicap-accessible path to Brooke Plaza, where a grocery and other stores are located.

Casinelli said it may be possible to create one from the parking lot of the Follansbee Community House.

Second Ward Councilman Charles McCoy suggested seeking a grant for the project.

• Monica Rotellini-Myers, owner of Moe’s on Main, said a series of sidewalk sales will return to Main Street on the third Saturday of each month through the summer.

Rotellini-Myers said she again is recruiting craft and other vendors and a food truck or two to sell their product outside local businesses to draw attention to them.

• Public Works Director Bill Secrist said the west side of the street department’s building along the riverfront is deteriorating and a contractor has advised it’s beyond repair.

Plans were made to demolish the structure and move the department into the Nazionale building, where it has stored equipment, on Main Street.

• Council observed a moment of silence for Jimmie George, a former Follansbee police officer, who died on April 25 at the age of 71.

Velegol said while George worked for the city just five years, he received many calls from residents who remembered him.

Casinelli said, “He was a good guy. He was a lot of fun but a serious officer, too.”

A Vietnam War veteran, George went on to a 25-year career with the Weirton Police Department.

• Velegol said next week he will request $25,000 for Follansbee Community Days. He noted the volunteer committee behind the three-day festival in recent years has generated about $50,000 of its $75,000 budget through donations from local businesses and fundraisers.