FOLLANSBEE — Follansbee Council approved the first readings, Monday, for an ordinance raising the citys’ water rates and another holding landlords and others responsible for disturbances on their properties accountable.

Mayor David Velegol and others have cited declining revenue and much needed improvements as the reason to increase the city’s base water rate from $11.29 per 1,000 gallons to $24.21 per 1,500 gallons.

He noted the city is one of the water providers in the state that bases its minimum rate on 1,000 gallons, prompting the change to 1,500 gallons.

Councilman at large John Casinelli noted customers with the average monthly usage of 3,400 gallons per month will pay $54.88 per month, an increase of $16.49.

A public hearing will be held before a second reading for the increase is considered at council’s Nov. 11 meeting.

Approving the first reading were Casinelli, 4th Ward Councilman Frank Pederson, 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich, 2nd Ward Councilman Charles McCoy and 1st Ward Councilwoman Tammy Johnson.

Fifth Ward Councilwoman Wendy DeAngelis didn’t attend the meeting.

At the Follansbee water board’s meeting last week, Velegol noted $1.5 million had been taken from the city’s general and Urban Development Action Grant trust funds to cover expenses for the water treatment system.

In addition to replacing the control system for the downtown water plant, the money was used to provide the local match required for a $2 million grant awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers for improvements to the city’s downtown and suburban water treatment systems.

The mayor said such outside funds must be repaid for the city to be eligible for such grants.

In related business, council heard from residents of the McKim’s Ridge area who asked if there were plans to annex it because a new water tank has been established there.

Velegol said the tank was added at the recommendation of Ghosh Engineering, which has designed the pending water improvements, to improve water pressure for some customers.

He stressed there are no plans to annex the area.

City Attorney Michael Gaudio noted residents near the tank could seek to receive water from the city if they wished.

Casinelli confirmed any potential new water customers would need to pay for a line to be extended along their property to the city’s main line.

Council also agreed to allocate about $780,000 remaining from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the city to three areas.

One of the three is the purchase of an estimated 2,500 water meters.

City officials said earlier at least 1,2000 of the meters are malfunctioning, providing inaccurate readings and requiring city crews to read them manually.

In addition to replacing the meters, the city still needs to pay about $190,000 owed on a 20-year loan taken for them.

Council also agreed to allocate part of the funds for more solar lights to temporarily illuminate areas of Main Street and for a footbridge over Allegheny Creek.

Velegol said bids to install new conventional streetlights along Main Street were incomplete and higher than expected.

Planned for the last three years, the project has been hindered by the cost to replace underground wiring to the current light posts and sidewalks surrounding them.

While funds have been sought for it, city officials have opted to install solar lights in some areas.

On Monday, Velegol told council plans call for a short concrete pier to elevate the footbridge to prevent materials from becoming clogged in the creek beneath it.

He and others have made plans to establish a small park in an area along the creek where two structures have been removed to reduce the risk of flooding following heavy rain.

The first reading for the public nuisance ordinance was for an initial draft only, with details to be added for its second reading.

But McCoy stressed its intent will be to seek civil penalties, rather than criminal ones, against owners of properties where criminal acts, such as public health violations and disturbing the peace, have occurred.

He said a Milton, W.Va. ordinance is the primary model for the planned Follansbee ordinance, which will include an appeals process for those cited.

McCoy presented several public nuisance ordinances from other cities as models after council received complaints about disruptive residents of a house in the Neville Street area.

City Police said they have investigated and filed charges against residents there.

In other business, council:

• Approved a seven-year loan, in the amount of $325,000 and at 3.29 percent, with First American Financial Corp. to purchase a new street sweeper for the city.

• Approved up to $5,000 to investigate a sinkhole under Rose Alley that may have been caused by a damaged sewer line.

• Approved the $3,000 purchase from Awesome Signs for several signs for Follansbee Park.

Pederson, who pursued the project with Cekinovich, said the Weirton business will produce and install new signs at the park’s entrance, while refurbishing the existing posts there; the Community House and its shelters and stating the park’s rules.