GIRARD — City council has approved having a full-time engineer and is in the process of finding someone to fill the position.

Officials said they understand the importance of professional engineering oversight to manage the planning, design and maintenance of public works and infrastructure, noting a full-time engineer will ensure efficient and effective management of engineering and public works projects.

The city is in the process of finding an engineer with a minimum of five years experience and a degree in civil engineering. Safety Service Director Mark Ragozine said Dennis Meeks, who has served the city as an engineer, is retiring soon.

He said the city also has been using the services of MS Consultants for some engineering projects at $19,900.

“We have worked with MS Consultants because some of the city’s projects are time sensitive, so we will use them until the engineer position is filled. There are projects that need to be taken care of by engineers,” Ragozine said.

The mayor, safety service director and a member of the streets and sidewalks committee will conduct the interviews of qualified candidates for the city engineer position. The streets and sidewalk committee will review the top three candidates.

An ordinance passed at a recent council meeting has the position salary based on experience, with entry level between $90,000 and $100,000, mid-level between $100,000 and $115,000 and senior level between $115,000 and $125,000.

Also, Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, said because there are no funds for paving streets this year, cold patching will be done, especially in areas where there were waterline breaks over the winter. Officials said the city had nearly 30 waterline breaks.

Grumley said there are streets not in the best condition and state funding will be sought to pave in 2027. He and other council members noted there are potholes that need to be addressed, and Ragozine said funds are available for the potholes.

A street committee meeting to address what needs to be done and when is set for 6:30 p.m. May 11.

In other business, police Chief John Freeman said there are 300 to 400 communities whose police departments use speed cameras, with 15 in Ohio. He said in Ohio, township police departments are not permitted to use them.

Freeman said he does not have enough staff to dedicate an officer to the speed cameras and would rather all officers be patrolling the streets and neighborhoods in their cruisers.

He said he wants to see legislation passed to address short-term rental properties in the city, noting there have been issues with loud parties.

In other action, council:

• Set a spending limit of $20,000 without council approval for city administration officials, including the mayor and safety service director.

• Heard from Ragozine bids are being sought for roofing work at the Wellman Theater off West Liberty Street, with American Rescue Plan funds to be used. The ARP funds must be used by the end of 2026, according to federal guidelines.

• Updated the city’s zoning maps for the first time in 60 years.

• Heard from resident Linda Kowach of Hazel Street that a large tree was ripped out of the ground and knocked over during a recent storm.

• Approved hiring up to four temporary seasonal employees with a cost of up to $45,000 from the recreational fund.

• Announced an Earth Day cleanup will be 9 a.m. to noon April 18 at Stambaugh Park.

• Set an economic development committee meeting for 6:30 p.m. April 13.