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GIRARD -- After meeting with engineers from MS Consultants, city officials are discussing the need to address asbestos and roof issues at the Wellman Theater on West Liberty Street.
Zach Teter, an engineer with MS Consultants, told council this week that he and city officials checked the theater building's structure and found asbestos along with lead, mold and water damage.
He said there was also drainage from the roof into the building.
"These are things that will need to be addressed before moving forward on fixing the building for future use," Teter said,
He said MS Consultants recommends removal of any asbestos first and then make the building "water tight" on the roof.
Treasurer Julie Coggins said there are $150,000 in American Recovery Plan funds for the theater.
Mayor Mark Zuppo said he was meeting this week with grant writers to see what funds can be found for the building rehabilitation.
"We want to know what council wants us to do? We need to take all the asbestos out of the building," Safety-Service Director Sal Ponzio said
Councilwoman-at-Large Lily Martuccio said the theater can be "a spotlight for the downtown area" so whatever can be done to improve the building should be looked at.
The historic theater is the property of the city.
CITY FINANCES
In other business, Coggins presented a financial report and indicated the traffic camera fines brought in $72,834 for April but she noted year to date are down $334,890 compared to last year at the same time which does affect the general fund.
Officials said the police department did not have the staff use the cameras as much, but Zuppo said he spoke to police Chief John Norman to improve this.
"It hurts us with less funds in the general fund. That is a big number difference from last year," John Moliterno said.
Officials said they also need to look at an additional garbage levy on the ballot in the future.
Currently, five small trash collections generate funds but a proposed 10.25-mill five-year levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $72 per year. Coggins said.
Moliterno said an additional levy generating funds for trash removal costs would help prevent the funds from coming from the general fund,.
"This is a problem we have to work on," he said. "We can't let the general fund continue to be drained. The longer we wait it will continue to eat up the general fund," he said.
Zuppo said the levy may be the alternative to get needed money for increased costs for trash collection service.
Councilman-at-Large Sam Zirafi, chairman of the utilities committee, said he will recommend to council at a future meeting a levy for the ballot.