STEUBENVILLE - City Manager Cathy Davison and the city's IT Director Dragan Lazic were as excited as children on Christmas morning as they showed off the new Steubenville app Tuesday night.
"We wanted to develop something that could promote our city on the local and national level and at the same time give our residents a chance to report a pothole, tall grass or anything they may see in the city," Lazic explained.
"It also allows visitors to check on restaurant locations throughout the city along with motels and bed and breakfasts. They can also make reservations through the app. And visitors can look at places of interest they may want to visit. This will be a great tool and asset for the city, its residents and our visitors," noted Davison.
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Dave Gossett
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT — Steubenville IT Administrator Dragan Lazic and City Manager Cathy Davison look at the new Steubenville app on an iPad Tuesday night. Lazic said the app is free and available for iPhones, iPads and Android devices by searching for “Steubenville.”
Sixth Ward Councilman David Lalich formally announced the start up of the new Steubenville app during the City Council meeting.
"The app will update automatically. It is free of charge and available for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. This is the first phase for our new app and I am working on developing a second phase that will, hopefully, generate revenue for the city," Lazic told the council members.
City officials first raised the idea of a Steubenville app earlier this year.
Council members also heard from Judy Bratten of the Steubenville Visitors Center who said her emphasis is on the city, but she is also working with other organizations to attract visitors to Jefferson County.
"We are working on a new city and county brochure listing places to visit. And, we are working on a new murals brochure. A lot of people visit the visitors center for information about the community," Bratten said.
First Ward Councilman Gerald DiLoreto and Lalich announced council members will host a Revisit Beatty Park and Nature Trail event from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the park.
"We will have hot dogs, chips, soda and water free for all visitors," said DiLoreto.
Local business owner Mark Nelson said he and his family recently visited Beatty Park and were impressed.
"I used to swim there when I was a kid, but I haven't been to the park for 22 years. I was very excited to see the changes. It is a beautiful park and the city should be commended. The disc golf group has created something for a number of people and is helping to keep the park clean. Several families joined us for a walk through the park and it was beautiful," stated Nelson.
In other business, council approved legislation to authorize Davison to pursue grants from the Ohio Public Works Commission for improvements to John Scott Highway and Mall Drive as well the Brady Avenue and University Boulevard resurfacing project.
Council also approved an ordinance designating the city manager to execute the Brady Avenue and University Boulevard upgrade.
A resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor was approved.
And, a resolution to declare September Recovery awareness Month in the city was passed by council.
A third and final reading was heard for authorization for bids for the installation of the water treatment plant super pulsator cover.
And, a second reading was heard for legislation directing the finance director to transfer $10,000 from the general fund to the general capital projects fund.
Second Ward Councilman Rick Perkins asked for anyone walking a dog at Belleview or Jim Wood parks to clean up any waste.
"I recently took my grandchildren to Belleview Park and they enjoyed it immensely until they started to run through the grass. People are walking their dogs in the park and not cleaning up afterward. The two parks have plastic bags available to clean up after the dogs. It is disappointing to have these two beautiful parks with dog waste in the grass," declared Perkins.
Perkins said the parks and recreation board will meet at 7 p.m. today at the Belleview Club House.
