The Ironton City Council Thursday night approved an ordinance closing a portion of Washington Street.

Rosetta Roberts, who lives on South 10th Street near the part of the street that is to be closed, argued Thursday night that closing that part of Washington Street and Jersey Alley would create a hardship for people living or traveling in that area. She said it would also devalue nearby property.

Council member Philip Heald reminded her that when they spoke on the matter between the last council meeting and this one, Roberts seemed agreeable to the idea of putting up signs on the adjacent streets marking which ones were one way, which one had been closed, and so forth.

“But no one wants property that would dead end,” Roberts said. “That’s taking the value of my house away from me.”

“But its not a dead end now,” Heald countered.

“What’s being proposed is (the closure of) only Washington Street,” council chairman Mike Lutz explained. “It doesn’t include Jersey Alley.”

Roberts said it was her understanding Jersey Alley would be closed. Lutz read the ordinance that states Washington Street is to be closed between Ninth Street and Jersey Alley. He said Jersey Alley is not being closed; Washington Street is being closed to the point it reaches Jersey Alley.

“There are nothing but potholes on Jersey Alley,” Roberts protested.

Council also approved an ordinance closing Grape Alley between Spruce and Walnut streets.

Council will meet in special session next Wednesday to approve a temporary budget for early 2012. An ordinance to pass the temporary spending plan fell short of the needed votes for passage. Council members Heald, Lutz, Kevin Waldo Bob Cleary and Aaron Bollinger voted to in favor of the plan; council member Dave Frazer did not; council member Beth Rist was absent. Frazer said there had been no discussion on the matter; Lutz replied it had been discussed at a finance committee meeting that preceded Thursday’s regular council meeting. Frazer said he had not been told about the special meeting. Lutz replied he had called it at the last regular council meeting which Frazer had attended. The temporary budget must be approved by Dec. 31.

The special meeting will immediately follow the parks and recreation committee meeting at 5 p.m.