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GIRARD -- After 24 years as mayor, Jim Melfi attended his last city council meeting Monday, where he received thanks and praise from fellow officials and residents.
Melfi's last day as mayor is Dec. 31.
"This is my last council meeting after 35 years of council meetings. I've said it many times as mayor that it has been an honor to serve," Melfi said.
He thanked council and other employees for the work they have done over the years.
Mefli, who has three adult children, said being the mayor was like "having a fourth child."
Mefli said he wishes the new administration luck.
"We are leaving the city in good shape, better than when I started and we were in fiscal emergency," he said.
Mark Zuppo will be sworn in as the new mayor at 11 a.m. Jan. 1 in council chambers.
Law Director Brian Kren said that in 2000 he and Melfi were both sworn in when Melfi became mayor and Kren councilman.
Council members John Moliterno and Mark Standohar also were sworn in then, with Moliterno as a councilman and Standohar the law director.
"The city has had its ups and downs in the past 24 years, but where we are as a city today is a credit to the work you have done. What you have done in 24 years, you should feel good about what you are leaving for the next administration and council," Moliterno said.
Melfi said the city has applied for three projects seeking Appalachian Regional Commission community grant funds through Eastgate Regional Council of Governments.
He said one project is a complete street improvement program with sidewalks and street lighting, the second the Leatherworks property bike trail and trailhead, and the third the Wellman Theater on West Liberty Street.
The city went through many years of litigation to acquire the Leatherworks property and the nearby railroad line property, on which the city has a 99-year lease. Mefli said the city owns the Leatherworks property off U.S. Route 422.
"The property has been cleaned up. Since 1969 when it closed, the property has been abominable. Now we can move forward and have the property used as a combination of commercial and recreational," Melfi said.
Mefli said there are 59 projects on the list for Appalachian funds and it is very competitive, but the Appalachian program serves downtown areas and cityscapes..
"I am confident we will be funded. It will be the start of those projects going forward without a large financial committee from the city," he said.
In other business, council gave final reading for disbursement of the fines from the traffic photo-monitoring program for the city that will include 1% to the bike trail.
The disbursement will be 54% to the general fund, 18% to streets, 14% to recreation, 5% to the safety fund, 5% to capital improvement and 3%to the Wellman Theater and 1% to the bike trail.
Auditor Julie Coggins said as of the end of September, the revenue from the speed cameras is at $1,257,025 and will increase before the end of the year.