CORTLAND — City officials are planning to have an assessment done this month on the former Lakeview Elementary School off Pearl Street with plans to demolish the building.

Mayor Deidre Petrosky told city council and residents Monday that a walk-through of the school was held recently by officials and an environmental assessment company.

She said the company has submitted a quote of $25,500 with the city’s share at 25% for the assessment work.

Petrosky said the assessment should be done this week with plans then to proceed with demolition of the building.

Council purchased the property this summer for $75,000 and officials are reviewing options for the property’s future after the building is demolished.

Petrosky said the city is also working on other projects, which include a city educational and events space in the downtown area for musical events and community activities.

She said an engineering firm visited the site last week to review the project.

Petrosky said while the safety service complex project for fire and police is still being discussed, it is “up in the air with the government shut down” as the city is seeking $4.5 million for the complex.

She said based on what funds the city can get, the project may have to be scaled back.

SERVICE DIRECTOR

In other business, several residents asked about the status of the service director position.

Petrosky said an offer was made to a candidate for the position, which was declined.

Resident Gerald Bayus said council and the administration need “to start over from square one” and create a new job description for the position.

He said the prior job description has led to unqualified candidates.

“The job description needs to be redone so you can get legitimate candidates,” Bayus said, noting the delay in getting a service director is putting the city in a bind.

Former interim service director Sean Ratican did not have his contract extended, so the position has been vacant since Sept. 1.

Council President Kevin Piros said staff in the service department have been covering director duties as the search continues.

Resident Rita Dodd questioned why the process is taking so long to get someone.

She said when Ratican was hired, it seemed to be so quick, and now it seems like it is not an emergency to get someone in the position.

Piros said applicants were interviewed, but the one offered the job turned it down.

Former service director Kim Blasco left in January for a position in Boardman.

Also, the city is looking to have a study done on sewer lines after extensive flooding last spring in parts of the community.

Petrosky said a study is needed to identify where problems exist in the water distribution system.

Petrosky said smoke testing of lines had been done in the Old Oak area, where many homes have faced flooding, especially last spring when there was heavy rainfall.

She stated that GPD, an engineering firm, could attend the Oct. 20 council meeting to explain what actions are necessary and what the study will reveal that needs to be addressed in the water system.

Councilman Jim Bradley said the flooding in some parts of the city has been going on for more than 20 years.

“We need to see what we can do and if it is feasible,” Bradley said.

Resident Mike Matheny said, had there been a service director available, the flooding situation may have been lessened.

Piros said staff in the service department have had and will have classes and training on dealing with emergency flooding situations.