GIRARD — Legislation is in the works that will grant the city a 20-year water agreement with Niles at a new rate.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Mark Zuppo requested that water contracting legislation be prepared for the Nov. 25 meeting.

“The water contract is under review and will be ready to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. I will ensure that the council receives copies before the next meeting,” Zuppo said.

He said the new contract is under review by General Counsel Brian Kren.

Zuppo said a 16% increase effective in November is only for water and not sewer. According to him, water represents 60% of a resident’s bill.

Officials previously said the city owes Niles $770,000 in water payments starting in 2023 and $840,000 from 2020 to 2022 because water was not billed correctly. Zuppo said a new rate of $4.40 per 1,000 gallons has been negotiated, effective with this month’s billing.

He said the water fund was depleted due to the repayment of money owed to Niles.

Also Tuesday, Security Service Director Sal Ponzio said the Wellman Theater project will receive a $300,000 Appalachian Regional grant thanks to help from State Sen. Sandra O’Brien, R-Lenox .

Zuppo said the first phase is asbestos remediation for $40,000. He said once the work is completed, the city will take care of the building’s infrastructure, including the basement, electrical and roof.

The remaining $450,000 from the American Rescue Plan will also be used.

“Once we get all the funding, we can move forward with the project,” Zuppo said.

Safety Department Director Sal Ponzio said the city secured a $500,000, zero-percent, 30-year loan through the Ohio Public Works Commission for the pipeline project. water from Mosier Road.

He explained that the loan was requested because the city did not have funds for the local match. Payments will begin once the project is completed.

Ponzio said there have been flooding issues in the Parkwood area due to water main breaks and the new water main should help prevent that and improve water pressure .

Separately, the City Council approved a moratorium on new tattoo parlors in the city, which will take effect in 30 days. A new tattoo business recently opened in Girard.

“A tattoo parlor opened in the town last week, which was allowed because we have nothing to stop it. This order will prevent more,” Zuppo said.

He said the city had five such establishments, which he said was enough. These companies offer body piercing, tattooing, scarification and branding services.

Last month, the city placed a moratorium on the number of dollar stores in the city. Zuppo said Mad River Poker Club in Mahoning Valley has leased a former dollar store on Churchill Road and will open in December.

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