WHAT: City council meeting Monday

PRESENT: Thomas Grumley, Mark Standohar, Jeff Kay, Keith Schubert, Lily Martuccio, John Moliterno, Sam Zirafi and Mayor Mark Zuppo

ABSENT: Reynald Paolone

The board:

• Recognized Jacklyn Massuri of the water department with the “Willie Constantino Employee of the Month” award.

• Heard from Zuppo the city is cracking down on delinquent water bill payers and working with people to set up payment plans to pay off what is owed.

• Heard from resident Judy Worley of Idaho Avenue about problems with blighted houses in the city. Safety Service Director Mark Ragozine said property owners receive a 30-day notice to rectify the problem and bring property up to code or the city will take action. He said properties that do not get fixed and are in bad condition face demolition by Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership in May.

• Heard from Zuppo who went to Columnbus to speak with state officials over House Bill 160 and the disbursement of taxes from the cannabis dispensaries in the city.

• Heard from Zuppo the city is planning to install a new $31,000 message sign off U.S. Route 422 by June 1. Property nearby and used by the city and court building will be paved at $36,000 in May. Plans are to also install a gazebo by the message sign.

• Heard from Kay about problems with people leaving mattresses and other large items at curbside. Zuppo said residents need to contact Republic Services to pick up items at an extra cost.

• Heard from Zuppo of plans to create two new awards for residents. One is “Simple Gestures of Kindness” to recognize people who help others and the “Community Pride Award” for improvements to properties.

• Heard from Ragozine about plans to seek a $166,000 Community Development Block Grant for replacing fire hydrants. There is no local match needed to receive the grant.

• Set a finance meeting for 6:30 p.m. April 28.

• Announced the Fourth Ward cleanup is set April 26.

• Set a public hearing for 6 p.m. May 27 on zoning ordinance changes and 6:30 p.m. June 9 for vacating of the alley located by Windsor House.