New members to be sworn in Dec. 1

 

A short Ironton City Council meeting — less than 15 minutes — yielded few changes and a few farewells Monday night.

Council gave second reading to an ordinance vacating a portion of Washington Street between Ninth Street and Jersey Alley.

The vacation is necessary to allow development of a piece of property that once housed the former group and shelter home and county garage.

Council also adopted an ordinance making final amendments to the city operating budget for fiscal year 2011.

City Finance Director Kristen Martin said a temporary budget for the new fiscal year will be available at next week’s special meeting.

Monday’s meeting was the last one for councilmen Chuck O’Leary and Frank Murphy. O’Leary chose not to seek a new term on council; Murphy did not win re-election earlier this month.

Mayor Rich Blankenship thanked both men for their service. Former councilman Leo Johnson attended the meeting and said he had enjoyed working with O’Leary when he was on council.

“I’m going to cry,” O’Leary teased.

“I’ve been on council four years and I think that’s the first positive comment I’ve heard,” Murphy joked with Johnson.

Two new council members will be sworn in at a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1.

Martin pointed out the decorations in the city’s center lobby. A Christmas tree and a Nativity are among the decorations on the first floor. She thanked the community service workers from Ironton Municipal Court and city resident Ricky Payne for their work in cleaning and decorating.

The city finance committee will meet at 5 p.m. today, followed by a council as a whole meeting at 5:30 p.m.