STEUBENVILLE -- Two ordinances authorizing city officials to seek loans from the Ohio Water Development Authority for work on the city's wastewater plant and a sewer line project on University Boulevard were introduced Tuesday night.
The Finance Committee met last week to hear a proposal to apply for a $3.4 million loan from the Ohio Water Development Authority for the wastewater treatment plant upgrades project slated for this year.
"I am asking for the appropriate legislation to be sunshined and approved as an emergency next week. That would allow us to apply for the loan in late May and award the bid in early June," City Engineer Michael Dolak explained during a Finance Committee meeting last week..
Dolak said a University Boulevard sewer line project, also scheduled for this year will cost approximately $1.2 million, "and we may apply for a loan through the OWDA for that work as well."
According to Finance Director Alyssa Kerker, "having this loan puts us in better financial shape with our cash reserves. We will be in a better position in case of an emergency."
Third Ward Councilman Greg Metcalf asked City Manager Cathy Davison for a report on current city loans.
"I would like to see a listing of what loans we already have and when they are due. We should be able to show how leveraged the city is at this point and how much income we can anticipate coming in," said Metcalf.
An emergency ordinance authorizing the city manager to contract with Insight Pipe Contracting to proceed with emergency repairs to a 55 inch by 35 inch brick sewer line beneath the Ohio side entrance to the Market Street bridge.
"We are preparing to award a $66,380 emergency repair contract to repair 220 feet of the brick sewer. We need to repair this as soon as possible," explained Dolak.
Sixth Ward Councilman David Lalich introduced a proposed change in the city employee table of organization.
He also introduced a resolution honoring the Franciscan University of Steubenville rugby team for finishing third in the nation the past weekend.
Read the Wednesday edition of The Herald-Star for all the details from the City council meeting.
