EAST LIVERPOOL — The East Liverpool City Council tackled several pieces of legislation — including the amending of an existing code to re-create a position within the city — during a special meeting on Monday.

The special meeting superseded a meeting by the Finance and Labor Committee which advanced eight legislation items to council to vote on.

Council approved the amendment of Chapter 149 of the city’s codified code which requires the Director of Utilities to hold a Class III water/sewer plant license. The change allows for five years of experience to cancel out the certification requirement and allow the creation of a part-time public utilities director.

Council explained the position is imperative to keep the water department in control of the city. Last year’s resurrection of the Board of Public Utilities to oversee the duties relating to the management and operation of the municipally-owned waterworks and sewage disposal plant, which was dissolved in 2018, was a step in the right direction but filling the vacant is the next big step.

Second Ward Councilman and Chair of the Finance Committee Fred Rayl explained that the amended ordinance will allow Tim Clark to move into the position.

“As you well know, the enterprise departments are not in the best shape since the [Public Utility] board’s demise, there has been a decline, and I think this is our last chance to save the enterprise funds — to move Tim Clark into a part-time position,” he said. “I believe he has the desire and ability to save the department.”

Clark served as water superintendent for 32 years and was utility director when the Public Utility Board was dissolved. When council was considering bringing back the board, Clark said that the board was working on a plan to replace the degrading water meters in the city for more accurate billing when it was dissolved and consequently all the progress was lost and the plan was never implemented.

Council also passed resolutions authorizing Mayor Bobby Smith to submit an application to participate in the Appalachian Regional Commission and apply for Rebuilding America infrastructure grants.

In addition, council passed an ordinance allowing Smith to use $24,206 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $1,600 water department fund to purchase various water department equipment.

“Earlier in the year we used some that CBDG funding to do sidewalk replacements at City Hall, and repairs across the street, so this block grant funding is going to good use,” Rayl said.

Council also passed an ordinance to amend the budget appropriations — to utilize capital improvements to repair the non-working boiler system at City Hall and move police callback funds to police salaries.

Legislation for a lease agreement between Scout Solar, the HHH Foundation, the landlord and the city passed with its third reading. Tom Beagle abstained from the vote as he does business with Scout Solar and council members Brian Kerr and Jeff Kreefer opposed it. The property is near the high school and community center and comes with a 25-year lease. Scout Solar LLC officially opened its doors in the city in June. The company will eventually power all its government owned-and-operated facilities with solar and are installing panels in locations around the county.