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STEUBENVILLE -- After an at-times heated finance committee meeting, Steubenville Council on Tuesday passed adjustments in the city work force ordinance to allow the hiring of a water superintendent during a regular session meeting.
Council had tabled the ordinance last week wanting clarity on personnel and salaries. During the finance committee meeting, a debate ensued over the job title and the salary, with 6th Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna noting other department heads who have been with the city would make less than the $71,000 for the new position. Further, council members debated how the job would function, as either a co-department head with Water and Wastewater Superintendent Chuck Murphy or as an independent department head reporting directly to City Manager Jim Mavromatis.
The debate settled on calling the new hire the water superintendent and calling Murphy utilities superintendent. Murphy explained that whoever is hired will need to be brought up to speed ahead of important meetings with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on the water asset management plan this fall. The city advertised the position, though Villamagna noted the ad didn't clearly state the city was looking for a water assistant superintendent, and that with the change, the ad would need to be run again.
He also contended an administrative assistant being hired should not make more money than people in similar positions.
Fifth Ward Councilman Willie Paul, chairman of the finance committee, and 2nd Ward Councilman Craig Petrella said the matter shouldn't be tabled again and delay the hiring.
In the end, council amended the ordinance, calling the new job water superintendent and lowering the maximum salaries to $70,000 for that job and $17 an hour for the administrative assistant.
Murphy said the city needs a Class IV water plant operator. It currently contracts with Bob Disch, who holds the certificate. He said it is difficult to hire certified Class IV operators at less than $100,000 a year, so the hope is to hire someone who will have a Class I or II permit and eventually work up to the Class IV certification. The city has received one applicant for the position under the ad that already ran. Murphy said the applicant wouldn't come for less than the applicant's current salary.
Fourth Ward Councilman Scott Dressel said the city shouldn't create a job to fit an applicant.
The finance committee is in the process of reviewing a new garbage ordinance, to contain fees to cover removal of various debris and the cost of return trips to a property that is putting out bags beyond what is in the city-approved trash can. The ordinance proposal remains under review.
In other matters:
• Finance Director Dave Lewis reported city income tax collections for 2018 are running 10.9 percent ahead of 2017 through July, or an increase of $581,540. He said the city has taken in large tax payment settlements during the past two months. He cautioned council to note the city budget was $300,000 more than in 2017, so the tax collections that aren't encumbered are actually about $281,540.
• Mavromatis reported work is under way to move various police station offices into the newer part of the Municipal Building, with the dispatcher station and captain's office to be moved last after technical and security issues are resolved and the work is either bid or specialty contractors hired to do the work. He said he hopes to have the police offices moved by the end of September.
• Council received a letter from Municipal Judge John J. Mascio commending Mavromatis and City Electrician John Wyman for sticking through until the completion of the video arraignment system for the court. Mascio said the system was fully paid through a grant and is saving taxpayer money.
• First Ward Councilman Gerald DiLoreto read a statement asking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to set a cap on public housing in the city. He said there are more than 900 public housing units in the city. He contended the number of units is costing the city revenue.