GIRARD — Legislation is on the way that will give the city a 20-year water agreement with Niles at a new rate.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Mark Zuppo requested that the water contract legislation be prepared for the Nov. 25 meeting.

“The water contract is being revised and will be ready for the agenda at the next meeting. I will make sure council gets copies before the next meeting,” Zuppo said.

He said the new contract is being reviewed by Law Director Brian Kren.

Zuppo said a 16% increase effective in November is only for water, not sewer. He said water represents 60% of a resident’s bill.

Officials said previously the city owed Niles $770,000 in water payments from 2023 and $840,000 from 2020 to 2022 because the water was not being billed correctly. Zuppo said a new rate of $4.40 per 1,000 gallons has been negotiated, effective with this month’s billing.

He said the water fund has been depleted by having to pay back the money owed to Niles.

Also Tuesday, Safety-Service Director Sal Ponzio said the Wellman Theater project will get a $300,000 Appalachian Regional grant thanks to assistance from State Sen. Sandra O’Brien, R-Lenox.

Zuppo said the first phase is the remediation of the asbestos at $40,000. He said after that is completed, the city will address the infrastructure of the building, including the basement, electricity and roof.

Also to be used is $450,000 in remaining American Rescue Plan money.

“Once we get all the funding in place, we can move forward with the project,” Zuppo said.

Safety Service Director Sal Ponzio reported the city was awarded a $500,000 zero% loan over 30 years through the Ohio Public Works Commission for the Mosier Road waterline project.

He said the loan was sought because the city does not have funds for the local match. Payments will start after the project is completed.

Ponzio said there have been flooding issues in the Parkwood area because of waterline breaks and the new waterline should help prevent this and improve water pressure.

In other business, city council approved a moratorium on new tattoo parlors in the city, which will go into effect in 30 days. A new tattoo business recently opened in Girard.

“A tattoo parlor opened up in the city last week which was allowed because we have nothing to prevent them. This ordinance will prevent any more,” Zuppo said.

He said the city has five such establishments, which he said is enough. Such businesses offer body piercing, tattooing, scarification and branding services.

Last month, the city placed a moratorium on the number of dollar stores in the city. Zuppo said the Mad River Poker Club of the Mahoning Valley has leased a former Dollar Store on Churchill Road and will open in December.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Email(Required)

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)(Required)

Daily Newsletter

Breaking News

Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?(Required)

Yes

No