NILES COUNCIL Tattoo parlors studied

Vienna Avenue resurfacing has gotten council's nod.
NILES -- City council is considering a moratorium on new tattoo and body-piercing parlors.
Council's safety committee will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the city building to discuss guidelines.
The legislation introduced Wednesday would prohibit the opening of businesses that do tattooing, body scarring, branding and body piercing.
Michael Burke, city health commissioner, said there's a concern about spreading diseases such as hepatitis, although no cases have been reported.
There are two such businesses operating in the city now.
JEDD proposed: Council has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. Nov. 14 in the safety-service building to discuss the establishment of a joint economic development district with Howland Township.
The proposed district would be along state Route 46.
Under the proposal, Niles would agree not to annex land near the Holiday Inn and Perkins restaurant in Howland.
Through the JEDD, the land remains in the township, which would retain the property tax revenue.
The city would receive the income tax generated by businesses in the district. Sanray Corp., which is developing the area, would receive lower electric rates from the city.
John Emanuel, township administrator, said this is the first JEDD with Niles and that it was proposed more than a year ago.
Township trustees have given tentative approval and will also schedule a public hearing.
Such agreements are designed to stop the annexation of township land by bordering municipalities.
Resurfacing: In another matter, council approved an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation to resurface two sections of Vienna Avenue.
Mark Hess, city engineering and grants coordinator, said the work will be done between Robbins Avenue and U.S. Route 422 and north of the railroad overpass near Salt Springs Road to Second Street.
Hess said resurfacing will begin in the spring or next summer. The project has been in the works for about a year.
Depending on the section, the city pays either 20 percent or 30 percent of the cost. The city will pay about $70,000, and ODOT will pay $150,000.
The area hasn't been resurfaced since the early 1990s.