GIRARD Official seeks land appraisal

A lawmaker is concerned about the city's share of the cost to fix flood damage.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- In an attempt to make some money for the city, a councilman is seeking legislation approving an appraisal to log land around Girard Lakes.
The legislation has been requested by Councilman Joseph Lambert, D-at-large, and was one of several financial matters discussed Monday by lawmakers.
Lambert said he wants to seek bids from professional foresters at the suggestion of Alan Siewert, an urban forester with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry.
Selling the city-owned lakes has been discussed since the city was placed on fiscal emergency in August 2001.
After walking the property with Lambert, Siewert suggested the city get the timber appraised for its value for a one-time sale, or for long-term harvesting.
Regardless, Lambert said, logging would be done with the idea of retaining residential development.
Construction moratorium
Also Monday, lawmakers approved a one-year moratorium on the construction of multiple-family structures. The only exception is where 75 percent of the structures in a one-block area are already multifamily.
Councilman Joseph Moliterno, D-at-large, chairman of the community development committee, said the city needs the time to revamp the zoning regulations. Councilman Renny Paolone, D-1st, who becomes council president Jan. 1, has given rewriting the regulations a high priority.
In another matter, Mayor James J. Melfi announced the city has applied for a total $3.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair flood damage.
Since FEMA reimburses 90.5 percent of the repairs, the city must come up with the remaining 9.5 percent.
Councilwoman Kathleen O'Connell Sauline, D-2nd, expressed concern about where the city will get the approximately $300,000 to make repairs.
Melfi said some of the money will come from funds that have balances in the black.
Sauline asked fellow lawmakers to direct any added funds that become available to the general fund, which is $60,000 in the red.
Treasurer Jack Martin pointed out September's income tax receipts this year are $96,882 below September 2002. Income tax receipts to date this year are $262,595 lower than last year's income tax collection.
Waterlines
Councilman Joseph Christopher, D-at-large, said he thinks the city should concentrate on city needs rather than attempting to use state Issue 2 funds to extend waterlines in Liberty Township. The city is working with the county in applying for state money to fund the Liberty lines.
Melfi pointed out that the city profits from the sale of water in Liberty. If FEMA approves the city's request for $3.2 million to repair flood damage and Issue 2 funds for the lines, the city will have two viable projects in place to upgrade infrastructure.
During a caucus session before the meeting, Tony Zuppo, an Ohio Edison Co. representative, said the city should not be plagued with citywide power outages because the city is now a part of a grid system. The city has experienced eight outages since June, three of them because of storms, according to the utility.
yovich@vindy.com