Linda Harris WATER TALK —Steubenville Councilwoman Heather Hoover postponed a utility committee meeting scheduled for March 31 to discuss the new water rate analysis. She said the delay will allow Water Superintendent Jim Jenkins could gather information on a rate analysis done in 2016 for comparison purposes

STEUBENVILLE — Anxious to see more jobs and revenue generated in Steubenville, City Council took the first step Tuesday toward bringing an economic development coordinator into the fold.

During their weekly meeting, council introduced legislation to hire Jason Hamman of Haman Consulting Group to oversee development activities for the city on a part-time basis and declared it an emergency — meaning only one reading will be required before a vote. If approved, Councilman Tracy McManamon said they would do a one-year, 30-hour-a-month contract as a trial balloon of sorts.

McManamon, chair of council’s economic development committee, praised Hamman, saying his “credentials are exceptional, his resume is stellar and … probably most important, his contacts are phenomenal.” He said Hamman was highly recommended by state officials.

Councilman Royal Mayo initially demurred, saying new City Manager Mike Johnson “should be spearheading a lot of the things we’re going to be doing as far as economic development,” especially if it would mean severing ties with the Jefferson County Port Authority. The city pays $50,000 a year toward the operation of the Port Authority.

“I like the Port Authority more than bringing an outside agency in … that’s a couple hours away,” Mayo added. “Because to me, if you don’t know the lay of the land, if you’re not actually here … you won’t know the difference between Belleview Park and Beatty Park (or) Seventh Street and Sunset Boulevard.”

Mayo said he was concerned they “won’t get a big enough bang for our bucks.”

Johnson, however, told Mayo he doesn’t see it being a problem “so long as the Port Authority remains our No. 1 economic engine.”

“I’m big on the Port Authority, I think it should be our driver on economic development and I have a good relationship with the director over there,” he said. “The only way I would be against it is if we took money that we had been giving to the Port Authority and (used it to) pay for this guy. My understanding is we won’t, we’re not going to do that. So then the question is, is it worth investing (in a consultant) to see if he can generate some economic development … I think it’s worth rolling the dice to see what he can do, can we generate some additional increase in our tax base through his effort.”

Mayo withdrew his objection, telling council, “If it was going to be ‘this’ or ‘that,’ I would say the Port Authority.”

“But if we think we have it in our coffers to do both, I’m not against it,” he added.

Councilman Dave Albaugh also voiced support, saying Hamman “wants to work with the Port Authority so I don’t see any problems. I would think it’s a good idea to see what he can do for at least a year. Let’s see what happens.”

“I agree with you there, I would not get away from the Port Authority,” Albaugh said.

Johnson said funding will have to come out of the general fund. “I did talk to (Finance Director) Dave Lewis. The budget is tight, as you guys well know, but I think it’s worth investing in it.”

“I know in our interviews for city manager we all said we want economic development,” Councilwoman Jennifer Terpenning said, adding she’ll take “any help we can get.”

Johnson, meanwhile, was given permission to redirect $34,000 originally earmarked to crack-seal the track at Jim Wood Park to the Beatty Park shelter replacement after the three bids they received came in a little higher than expected.

“We’re a little short on that but we believe it’s doable,” he said, telling council crack-sealing the track surface isn’t going to be an effective solution. “We need to do a different kind of repair (to the track).”

The vote was 6-1, with Mayo dissenting, even though Johnson pointed out it had been appropriated “for a project that can’t be done. I want to use it for a project that can be done.”

Council will vote March 31 on a proposal to amend the table of organization to raise the park director salary ceiling to $75,000, depending on the option the new hire selects.

Councilman-at-large Joel Walker said the salary range currently falls between $40,000 and $62,000, depending on whether the new director would choose to live in the three-bedroom apartment above the clubhouse.

“It gives the city manager more wiggle room to negotiate,” he said. “At this time it doesn’t mean that what the (new director) would get.”