wscott@heraldstaronline.com
STEUBENVILLE Two issues involving public input and comment were raised at Tuesday’s Steubenville City Council meeting.
First Ward Councilwoman Asantewa Anyabwile asked fellow council members their thoughts on establishing a city Facebook page while introducing an ordinance that would eliminate the sign-in period for those wishing to address the panel.
Anyabwile said many have turned to social media for information and suggested it could be a way to reach the public in addition to the media and the AlertMedia app recently adopted by the city.
Through the app, the city may send messages by text, e-mail, voice or desktop.
lharris@heraldstaronline.com
STEUBENVILLE Steubenville Council met in executive session Tuesday to discuss a proposed settlement to litigation over Steubenville’s 25 neighborhood conservation districts, but not everyone was happy about it.
After voting no on the motion to go behind closed doors again to discuss the proposal, 5th Ward Councilman Willie Paul said he was tired of talk and wanted a decision. The vote was 6-1.
“How much longer are we going to talk about this matter?” an irritated Paul said. “I really think we’re beating a dead horse. I’m tired of going into executive session and talking about the same thing. We’re paying a lawyer to get on the phone with us, that’s got to be costing us money, and we’re worrying about what we’re paying the (complainant). I really think we’re wasting time.”
lharris@heraldstaronline.com
STEUBENVILLE Steubenville Council will vote next week on a new, three-year contract for the city’s AFSCME employees.
Council emerged from executive session Tuesday to sunshine an ordinance accepting the proposed contract with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2015, which holds the line on wages at least until July.
“There’s no pay increases for the first year,” City Manager Jim Mavromatis said.
“We asked them to hold off 180 days going into this year because COVID is destroying the economy, we’ve got businesses that may not bounce back. We have to see where we’re at.”