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Jefferson County Port Authority discusses move

DISCUSSING A POSSIBLE NEW HOME — Jefferson County Port Authority board members Jay Zatta, left, and Rob D’Anniballe discussed the pros and cons of moving the port authority’s offices from the Jefferson County Airpark in Wintersville to the Towers in downtown Steubenville. -- Dave Gossett

WINTERSVILLE — The Jefferson County Port Authority board of directors agreed Tuesday to pursue discussions regarding relocating its offices from the Jefferson County Airpark to the Towers building in downtown Steubenville.

Port Authority Executive Director Evan Scurti told the board he and board member Ed Florak toured potential office space in the Towers last week.

“I am happy here, but there are advantages to moving. There is a cost factor we will need to consider,” said Scurti.

“If we add a countywide permitting office will we need more space? Are we looking into the future of the authority and our board of directors if we move?” asked board member Greg Nemeth.

“The county commissioners proposed this idea and they are our largest contributor. This is a decision that Evan should make. I am sure the commissioners want to fill the Towers, but we need to have a list of all of our issues,” said board member Rob D’Anniballe.

“I personally like the idea of investing in our own property. But that will take some time,” noted board member Jim Emmerling.

“We will need to prepare a laundry list of questions for the commissioners,” cited board member Mark Teramana.

Board member Jay Zatta suggested appointing several board members to work with Scurti to discuss relation issues with the commissioners.

In other business, the board:

• Agreed to hold future meetings on the last Friday of every month at 2:30 p.m.

• Learned three board members will conduct Scurti’s annual job performance review.

“We will evaluate how Evan is doing on his job. We will also look at his goals and if he achieved those goals and offer him feedback. And we will report back to the board,” said Florak.

Nemeth urged his board colleagues to be proactive following an Ohio Department of Transportation request for local input on more shipping on the Ohio River.

“We need to stay in touch with ODOT on this. When the Columbiana County Port Authority created the intermodal in Wellsville, ODOT built the new roads and bridges. That could be important for us,” Nemeth said.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

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