The only thing on the agenda at Thursday’s Ironton city council meeting was Ordinance 15-23, approving and adopting the countywide natural hazards mitigation plan prepared by URS Corporation, and the first reading was given.

Before any action on this ordinance can be taken by city council however, the county commissioners must first approve the plan.

The mitigation plan would be used to help protect people and reduce damages caused by natural disasters such as flooding, tornados or winter storms and would meet the requirements of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, FEMA and the Ohio EMA.

The Mitigation Planning Core Group, consisting of representatives from the county, municipalities, and stakeholder organizations, is established as a permanent advisory body. It would meet as often as necessary to prepare or review mitigation activities and progress toward implementing the mitigation plan, but at least once a year to go over ongoing projects.

Mayor Rich Blankenship also said that after hearing back from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the McPherson Street railroad quiet zone will take effect June 30.