CODE ENFORCEMENT, FIREHOUSE DISCUSSED — On Monday, Follansbee Council approved the hiring of a code enforcement officer and an ordinance outlining the role he will play in addressing loose trash and high grass in local yards. Council members also were updated on efforts to secure funds for a new fire station. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — On Monday, Follansbee approved the hiring of a code enforcement officer and an ordinance outlining the role he will play in addressing loose trash, high grass and other violations of the city’s health codes.

Council members also were updated on efforts to secure grants for various projects, which led to the question of whether the city’s fire station could be relocated.

Council accepted City Manager Chris Manack-Stover’s recommendation of John Lahita, one of three applicants she interviewed for the part-time position.

Council approved for the job an hourly wage of $16, with its hours not to exceed 20 per week.

Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich had suggested the move as an answer to recurring complaints of properties with overgrown grass, bulky and loose trash and other conditions violating existing ordinances against conditions deemed health hazards.

The ordinance presented on Monday by City Attorney Michael Gaudio would allow the code enforcement officer to investigate complaints of such violations and to file a complaint for those he discovers.

City Police then would be charged with writing a citation against the property owner.

But Mayor Scott McMahon said complaints should come from others to avoid accusations that certain people are being targeted for the citations.

Gaudio said allowing the code enforcement officer to file a complaint means he wouldn’t have to wait for a complaint to be filed if he becomes aware of a violation.

Cekinovich said one issue is habitual violators who allow trash to collect over a period of time, then remove it before action can be taken before doing the same thing again.

McMahon told him, “If it’s habitual, they (police) don’t need a complaint to write a ticket.”

The code enforcement officer’s work has been described as being supplemental to that of the police department.

Plans call for the city manager to receive such complaints and work with the police and code enforcement officer to address them.

Gaudio said the ordinance can be altered to reflect the mayor’s concerns for its second reading.

The reading is expected to occur at council’s next regular voting meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 13.

City Police Chief Larry Rea said many of the violations occur on rental properties, and landlords should be involved in resolving the problem.

In other business, McMahon told council he and Chris met with Joe Edmiston, an independent grant writer hired by the city, to discuss funds available for various projects.

The mayor said they were advised $2.7 million in federal funding earmarked for the city’s fire station is secure, the city should reapply for $1.5 million in state funds eyed for a local match.

McMahon said some council members have questioned whether a new station should be built elsewhere instead of renovating the current one near the intersection of state Route 2 and Allegheny Street.

He suggested seeking input on the matter from members of the department at a special meeting.

M&G Architects and Engineers of Wheeling have drawn up plans for the building to be extended south onto an adjacent city-owned lot to allow its bays to be expanded for the larger fire vehicles built today.

But construction of a new station at another site had been discussed prior to that.

The plans also call for a larger apron in front of the station to provide more space for vehicles to pull in and out, additional space for repair and storage of turnout gear and other equipment, a fitness room for all city employees and a 720 square foot training room.

In other business, council:

• Approved the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting the use of utility task vehicles on city streets when they are unlicensed and unless they are crossing from one side to another or used for snow plowing or disaster cleanup efforts.

• Approved the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting a vehicle from occupying city parking spaces for the purpose of repairs, unless an emergency, or when advertising it for sale.

• Agreed toa advertise for a landscape architect to plan landscaping and a possible outdoor structure for the city property across from the City Building along Penn Street.

Following the meeting, McMahon said there aren’t plans to carry out previous plans to close that portion of the street to develop a town square.

But he said he would like to explore beautification of the area known as the Ray Stoaks Plaza.

• Approved the appointment of Paul Arthurs, Chad Meyers, Michele Neff, Thomas Ott and Justin Porco to the newly formed summer event committee, a group tasked with planning a new summer event for the city.

Council also agreed to accept applications from residents for a proposed park advisory board and from an engineer for the city’s sewer board.

Letters of interest should be submitted to the city manager’s office at the Follansbee City Building.

• Heard from Mary Kay Olashuk, a senior resident of Highland Street, who said she and others there have dealt with parking their vehicles elsewhere and walking down city steps to reach them while sewer upgrades are done there.

She said the crews normally are gone by 5 p.m., but she and others must park elsewhere if they need to drive from their homes during the day.

Olashuk also expressed concern about her driveway being damaged during the project and was told to report any damages done to it.

• Observed a moment of silence for Joseph Kurcina, who died Saturday at the age of 73. A retired employee of the street department, he was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, also was in the Cedar Lodge and was known for riding his bicycle to the city swimming pool.

It also was announced the city’s trick or treat hours for Halloween will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.