ST. CLAIRSVILLE – City Council corrected a procedural misstep and reviewed other business during their meeting last Monday.

Law Director Richard Myser informed council that a prior ordinance requiring a permit to be obtained from the service director before any right-of-way work can be done had not been properly voted on and passed as an emergency ordinance due to the lack of council members at that meeting. Mayor Terry Pugh added that it was not necessary to pass the ordinance again, since the matter of requiring permits was already covered in an ordinance from 1998.

“It’s kind of a moot issue now, because we have an ordinance that is already in existence,” Pugh said.

He added that prior legislation had been passed properly with at least the appropriate vote of six members to waive the three-reading rule and five members to pass the ordinance.

Council also created a fund to install a Young Lane waterline for water directed to the St. Clair Commons. The city has received an Appalachian Regional Commission grant.

In addition, council created a fund for a grant from Ohio Public Works for repairs to a slip on Legion Road. Dollar figures will be assigned to the funds during the next council meeting.

The city held the third reading to modify water and sewer rates and increase the tier system from three to five tiers. For the minimum user, the rate should go up for up to 2,000 gallons, $3.20 monthly, $1.60 for water services and $1.60 for sewer services. Amounts will increase incrementally from there. The other tiers cover 2,000-4,000 gallons, 4,000-7,000, 7,000-10,000, and 10,000 gallons and more.

Service and Safety Director James Zucal noted several factors such as the rising cost of chemicals, aging infrastructure, and labor costs that have made the increases necessary. He cited numerous waterline breaks. The increase should generate an additional $20,000 monthly.

Council also held the second reading to participate in the Belmont County Land Reutilization Program, which will facilitate demolition of delinquent structures.

Council held the first reading of an ordinance authorizing advertising for bids for the oil and gas lease of some remaining properties. While the majority of city-owned properties were leased by Rice Energy, there remains less than an acre of property off of Reservoir Road and property beneath Greentree Drive, Pinecrest Drive and Millrose Drive. About $40,000-$50,000 could be generated for the city.

Councilwoman Linda Jordan reported that the Easter program is coming April 8 to the recreation center.

Council also heard from the St. Clairsville Public Library, thanking the city for installing a light in the back of the library building.

Council also granted permission for the Belmont County Council of Churches to conduct its yearly reading of the Bible in the days leading up to the National Day of Prayer.