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FEMA to help fund slip repair

Public survey also put before council, golfer recognized

OUTSTANDING GOLFER — On Monday Follansbee Council recognized Michael Rogers, a Follansbee native and member of the West Liberty University golf team who was named Player of the Year for the Mountain East Conference, which includes about a dozen colleges and universities. Behind him are, from left, council members George Robinson, Angela Kocher and Rudy Cipriani and City Manager John DeStefano; and back, City Clerk David Kurcina, Mayor David Velegol and council members Scott McMahon and John Casinelli. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — With funding approved for one slip area above the city, Follansbee officials hope to secure additional funds for a second one.

The results of a public survey of the city’s services and quality of life also were discussed at Monday’s Follansbee Council meeting.

City Manager John DeStefano told council the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved funding for remedies to a slip along Upper Walnut Street that damaged the road and a water line beneath it.

DeStefano said the slip was caused by excess runoff during the heavy rainfall that also caused the Ohio River to flood in February.

Staff with Garvin Boward Beitko Engineering of Pittsburgh said the slide has been stabilized temporarily through the city’s efforts but appears likely to shift further.

DeStefano said he hopes another slip, along Oakmont Street, also can be covered by FEMA. He said the slip has forced a vacant house off its foundation.

Council approved a $15,245 contract with Garvin Boward Beitko to conduct a study, including test boring and core samples, of the Walnut Street slip and present two or three possible solutions.

It also approved a $19,707 contract with the firm for a similar study of the Oakmont Street slip, provided the area is approved for FEMA funds.

In other business, West Virginia University Extension agents Norm Schwertfeger and Daniel Eades reported on the survey they conducted of Follansbee residents.

Suggested by 2nd Ward Councilwoman Angela Kocher, the survey was mailed to 500 randomly selected homes throughout the city’s five wards.

Eades said of 103 who responded, many were older residents who said the city should rely less on the Internet and social media and more on newspapers, radio and television to inform the public.

In recent years the city’s police department has established a Facebook page and an automated calling system has been used to alert residents of boil orders and street closings.

Schwertfeger said regardless of age, many indicated city officials should improve communications with the public. He suggested they consider meetings in each ward.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. said such meetings have been held for the city’s community watch program.

Schwertfeger said the city got high ratings for its cost of living, availability of affordable, quality housing; its parks and athletic facilities and as a place to raise children.

He said that could be used to market the city as a bedroom community for those working in other areas.

He and Eades noted those surveyed said many rated the city’s economic development low and indicated there are fewer shopping choices, an issue that hasn’t been lost on city officials.

Schwertfeger noted the Wellsburg Urban Redevelopment Authority, a board formed by Wellsburg Council; the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce and the Brooke County Economic Development Authority have met in recent months to discuss ways to revitalize that city’s downtown business district.

He suggested Follansbee Council could team with their city’s chamber of commerce and others to do the same. He offered to arrange a meeting between the two to generate ideas for development.

Fifth Ward Councilman Scott McMahon said such a move would be great, but a plan for pursuing such ideas must be developed to ensure something comes of it.

Eades said the city and others could collectively employ an economic development specialist or building inspector. While the city’s building enforcement board has achieved the demolition of many dilapidated structures, it’s contracted Weirton’s building inspector for such efforts in recent months.

Councilman at large John Casinelli said he was pleased to hear council members voice support and interest in such efforts.

“If you don’t have buy-in from city government, it’s not going to happen,” he said.

Council approved the payment of $750 to the WVU Extension Service for its work on the survey.

In other business:

• Council agreed to spend up to $7,300 for Aladdin Signs of Beech Bottom to replace or refurbish the welcome signs at the north and south ends of the city and at Highland Hills Drive. Plans were made to remove the sign along Allegheny Street, which had fallen into disrepair and which some felt wasn’t very visible.

• Velegol opened a response from CT Consultants of Wheeling to a request for proposals for renovations to the Ray Stoaks Plaza adjacent to the Follansbee City Building. The mayor has suggested closing the section of Penn Street between them to enlarge the plaza for use as a public place.

He said the consultants will present ideas for the plaza to the newly formed beautification committee and council.

• Velegol and council recognized Michael Rogers, a Follansbee native and senior marketing major at West Liberty University, for his success as a four-year member of the school’s golf team. Rogers was named Player of the Year for the Mountain East Conference, which includes about a dozen colleges and universities.

The son of Jon and Paula Rogers, he began golfing at a young age and began playing the sport competitively at age 12. As a student at Weirton Madonna High School, he was a medalist at the West Virginia Class A state golf tournament.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

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