Meeting in regular session Thursday, the Ironton City Council took measures to fund a new fire station,

repair the Ironton-Russell Bridge and hire two grant writers.

Council passed a resolution that authorized Ralph Kline, community development

director for the Ironton-Lawrence County Area Community Action Organization, to prepare a mailed, citywide income survey to be used in directing Community Development Block Grant Formula and Revolving Loan Funds.

If the results of the survey show that more than 50 percent of the city is classified as low-to-moderate income, the city can designate approximately $69,000 to be used for water improvements and the

construction of the fire station and also be eligible for about $270,000 that could be used to fund the $1.7 million project. The application deadline is July 5.

Joe McCallister, city engineer, informed council that it would cost approximately $2,500 to obtain new building permits for the fire station and that the architects recommend getting permits before July 1 to avoid having to comply with the International Building Codes that will take effect. A difference in the codes is the regulations involving earthquakes, McCallister said.

In other matters Thursday, council:

-- Adopted an ordinance allowing the Ohio Department of Transportation to replace asphalt on the span leading to the Ironton-Russell Bridge. This will be paid for by the state and no start date was set.

-- Adopted an ordinance amending the 2002 fiscal year budget for the hiring of two grant-writers for one year. The Scioto County Community Action Organization sponsors the program. Although the grant writers’ salary would be paid by a grant, the city has to pay for insurance coverage and training.

-- Heard the second reading of an ordinance to increase the cost of license plates by $5 to help pay for street repairs. Based on figures provided by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the city has 12,978 licensed vehicles within the city. This increase would generate approximately $65,000 annually.

When originally proposed, Mayor Bob Cleary said it would only be used for street and road repairs and would probably generate significantly more funds because the state will usually match funds used for repair projects.

-- Heard the first readings of ordinances designating the street located by Lorain Street and extending to Woodland Cemetery, as Woodland Lane and requesting assistance from ODOT to repair and maintain city streets.

-- Council chairman Jesse Roberts announced that ODOT will have a public hearing June 18 from 3-7 p.m. in the rotunda at Ohio University Southern Campus to discuss replacing the Ironton-Russell Bridge.

-- Citizens voiced their concerns about the mayor's salary, roads in need of repair and the status of the old Ironton Memorial Hall. No actions were taken on these issues. Michael Caldwell/The Ironton Tribune