T-L Photos Mayor John Davies says repairs for both Alumni Road and School Road could cost $1 million.

MARTINS FERRY — Martins Ferry Service and Safety Director Andy Sutak said city officials are looking at possible grants and funding options to repair the slips on Alumni Road and School Road.

Sutak said during a council meeting earlier this month that he and Councilwoman Suzanne Armstrong have reached out to U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office to look into available grant funding. He said the Democrats office provided him with a packet that lists funding opportunities and the requirements for each one.

Sutak said he is in the process of looking over each option listed in the packet. He received the information packet recently and had not read over the entire list of options.

“Hopefully we can find something for the situation there, so that’ll be one of my next steps,” he said.

Mayor John Davies previously said repairs for both roads could cost $1 million.

Although the city has returned the deeds for the roads to the school district, city officials have agreed to help find funding for the project and to help clear the roads in the winter.

Alumni Road is closed to all traffic except for school buses and emergency vehicles. Drivers are also restricted from turning left onto School Road from Ohio 647.

In other news, Davies said the street sweeper was recently repaired and tested.

“It will officially begin running next month,” he said.

Davies also said he would like to remind residents that the street sweeper will only run during the months of April and November instead of April through November.

Davies said that next month, residents who disobey the “no parking” signs will be ticketed.

Davies also discussed giving part-time emergency medical technicians a $1 an hour raise. He said city officials brought up the issue several months ago, but there was no room in the budget at that time.

Davies said also city finances are starting to look up.

“It looks like we’re doing a little bit better,” he said.

Davies said he hopes the raise will help with staffing issues.

“The problem we’re having is getting adequate staffing because once you fall below a certain pay scale, it kind of becomes burdensome,” he said.

Davies also said city officials and the fire department are planning to have a fireworks show on the Fourth of July and during Betty Zane Days.

He said he is currently looking at fundraising options for both events.

“The fundraising and things that are associated with putting this on are pretty burdensome and time-consuming,” he said.

Davies said he suggested that the firefighters do a boot drive to raise money.

“They seem to be on board with that,” he said.

Davies said dates have not been set for the boot drive yet, but the firefighters will most likely be collecting donations on Zane Highway and Hanover Street during the event.

Councilman James Agnew said he and the rest of the ordinance committee are working on the ordinance to introduce progressive fining. Davies suggested the idea last month and explained that fines for property violations will increase with each offense.

“If we have progressive fining — say it’s a $100 fine this month, next month it’s $200, and then $500 and eventually $1,000 — eventually, one of two things is going to happen. They’re either going to clean it up or they’re not going to pay the fine and it becomes a tax issue,” Davies said.

Sutak also gave an update on the water plant upgrades. He said that all of the parts had been ordered, and he is still waiting for all of the parts to arrive.

“We’re moving ahead. It’s just going to take a lot longer than we thought. … It’s just one of these things, and you can’t do it in a week,” he said.

Sutak said the parts had to be custom ordered, which takes time.

“Everything is going to be brand new. Everything has to be remade. So I just want everybody to understand, it’s in process, and it’s going to take some time, but you know, we’ll get there once we get there,” he said.

Sutak said once the new parts are installed, he would like council members to take another tour of the plant to see the changes.

The March 6 council meeting has been recorded and can be viewed on the City of Martins Ferry YouTube channel.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 27 in council chambers.