FINANCES RAISED — Use of the city’s Urban Development Action Trust fund to pay the city’s bills was among financial matters discussed at Monday’s Follansbee Council meeting. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — Financial issues, including use of the city’s Urban Development Action Trust fund, were among matters discussed by Follansbee Council on Monday.

Councilman at large John Schwertfeger suggested drawing from the fund to pay off about $41,000 per month in outstanding loans to free up city funds to replace aging vehicles and equipment.

The fund was established in 1986 with in lieu of tax payments received in connection with the development of Wheeling-Nisshin Steel, now Wheeling-Nippon Steel.

Second Ward Councilman John Casinelli said he would rather apply the money to projects, adding there are always new bills to pay.

City Attorney Michael Gaudio noted council may draw from interest generated by the fund’s principle, but to use the latter requires a public vote.

Mayor Scott McMahon acknowledged the city owes about $34,000 for a garbage truck and $16,000 for a backhoe, but the latter is divided between the city’s general, water and sewer funds. He said the latter two are expected to receive a boost through recently adopted rate increases.

But McMahon said most importantly, taking $1 million from the fund will cut interest from the fund by about $50,000 for the year.

Schwertfeger asked if some of the fund could be used to purchase a dump truck needed by the street department, and Casinelli said he would support that.

Fourth Ward Councilman Rudy Cipriani said, “We’ve got to leave UDAG alone and make everything sufficient on its own.”

He said while it was kept at around $10 million for many years, it’s currently at $7.6 million. He said the water board recently discussed using $400,000 from it in the event it doesn’t secure a grant for a project while still owing about $2.3 million it had taken earlier.

McMahon said the water department has relied too much on loans from the general fund.

“We’re trying to get each of these departments run like a business so they’re self-sufficient,” he said.

Resident Bill Ewusiak asked if the city’s swimming pool will be open this year and was told by the mayor it will.

Following the meeting, he said finances must be reviewed to determine issues such as staffing, but $25,000 has been invested in pumps and filters for the pool this year so council is committed to its operation.

McMahon said he and City Manager Chris Manack-Stover will meet this week with West Virginia’s representatives in Congress to discuss funding for various things, including resurfacing the pool.

Manack-Stover said federal money also will be sought for street paving and encouraged council members to recommend streets in their wards.

McMahon noted the sanitation department is another area he and others hope to make more self-sufficient, with a rate increase eyed “that puts us just level with everybody else.”

In related business, 5th Ward Councilman Joe Kafton said many residents have complained about bills they’ve received for trash that was deemed excessive.

He said a definition of excessive needs to be adopted so residents know what to expect and presented ordinances from other communities addressing the issue.

Kafton added residents should call to have bulky items picked up at a specific time instead of leaving them out with their regular trash.

The mayor and council debated how excess trash should be measured, with many agreeing the number of cans should be used.

In other business:

• Council recognized the Brooke High School Cheerleaders for winning the state cheering competition for a second consecutive year and bringing home the school’s 15th state title for the sport.

The squad also was recognized recently by the Brooke County Board of Education.

• Gaudio said Lance Coss, a local landscaper, entered the highest of two bids in a public auction Wednesday of 1.6 acres of city-owned property once occupied by the city’s landfill and the former Brooke County Animal Shelter.

Coss bid $6,000 for the property, for which a minimum bid of $1,500 had been set. Under the auction’s terms, he will be responsible for removing the landfill’s incinerator building and the former animal shelter, which have been vacant for years.

Gaudio said an ordinance finalizing the sale will be presented for council’s approval at its next meeting at 6 p.m. next Monday.

• McMahon said because of illnesses, just 10 members of the city’s public works department were out last week clearing streets, repairing five line breaks and performing other tasks.

He said while there were some complaints, he also heard praise from many of the condition of the city’s streets.

“I know some people are frustrated, but I’m proud of what we did and continue to do,” he said.

• It was announced that because of a scheduling conflict, the city’s water and sewer boards will meet at Feb. 12, a week earlier than usual. The water board will meet at 6 p.m., with the sewer board immediately following.