FOLLANSBEE — Determining the cause of flooding from Allegheny Creek, marketing the former Jo-Jon’s property, and filling the city manager’s position were among goals set by Follansbee Council on Monday.

Council agreed to contribute about $40,000 for a hydrological study of the creek by the Army Corps of Engineers, which is expected to provide the same amount and possibly seek a grant for corrective measures.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. said he believes runoff from the adjacent hillside is largely responsible for floods that have extended as far as Main Street over the years.

In 2016 water from the creek flooded more than 100 homes, 30 businesses and three churches following a spate of heavy rain within a short period of time.

A few months before it occurred, crews with the state Division of Highways doing work under Route 2 removed a mattress, children’s swimming pool and other trash from the underground culvert through which the creek flows.

The garbage was believed to have been washed from the hill after being illegally dumped.

To deter future clogging, two buildings along the creek are slated to be razed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s buyout program.

One is a two-story structure that sits over the creek while the other has a driveway built across it.

Acting City Manager Jack McIntosh said FEMA officials expect to close on the structures’ purchases soon and, pending suitable weather, proceed with their demolition in the near future.

Velegol said a lot of tree stumps and other debris have been cleared from the creek “but if we would get another 100-year storm, we could be in a lot of trouble.”

In other business, council agreed to enlist Cedar One Realty to market the 0.8 acres of the former Jo-Jon’s property at the city’s north end.

Velegol said the Realtor won’t collect a fee from the city for its efforts and should a potential buyer be found, a public auction for the site will still be required.

At the mayor’s request, council agreed to purchase the lot for $195,000 and arranged for the small, former business there to be torn down.

Velegol said the location along state Route 2 is well suited for a sit-down restaurant and he would welcome that.

“The primary goal is a restaurant. That’s what the citizens have pushed for,” he said, while adding he and others would consider other businesses, especially any that brought a large number of jobs.

Also available is some city-owned property near the Walgreen’s Pharmacy. The land was part of 18 acres purchased by the city in 2003 and later occupied by the pharmacy, then operating as a Rite Aid, and Sheetz.

Council also agreed to advertise for a city manager through area media, the West Virginia Municipal League and West Virginia City Managers Association.

Some time following the death of city manager John DeStefano, Velegol suggested promoting McIntosh, who has filled the role in an interim capacity since late December.

But some council members and residents suggested advertising the job so other potential candidates could be considered with McIntosh, who currently is also the city’s water superintendent.

Velegol said the deadline for applicants is 4 p.m. March 31. Plans call for council on April 7 to identify a short list of candidates for interviews between April 12 and 30, with hopes of voting on the city manager at its May 10 meeting.

Also on Monday, council:

¯ Approved the purchase of a new garbage truck for about $195,000 and computers and related equipment for City Hall for $11,383.

¯ Authorized Sophia Rosso, a Brooke High School junior, to hold a a candlelight vigil to remember local residents who died during the pandemic.

A date hasn’t been set for the event, which has been eyed for the fall.