STEUBENVILLE – City Council approved legislation on Tuesday that will see operations expand at the wastewater plant and a potential increase of more than $500,000 in revenue for the city.

Council approved a 30-year memorandum of understanding ordinance with the Patriot Water Treatment Co. for the city to process pre-treated brine water generated by the growing Marcellus shale natural gas drilling operations in the Ohio Valley.

The Lisbon-based company is preparing to build an industrial wastewater pre-treatment facility at one of three potential sites in the city.

City Manager Cathy Davison previously told council members the agreement will require Patriot Water to pay the city approximately $300,000 a year in fees, “with an annual increase of 3 percent or an increase based on the consumer price index, whichever is higher.”

“The anticipated number of jobs will also mean a minimum of $16,000 in revenue through the city income tax,” added Davison.

Davison said last week revenue generated from the Patriot Water Treatment operations will be directed to the city’s wastewater fund, “and could be used for capital improvement projects at the wastewater facility.”

Wastewater Superintendent Chuck Murphy told council members Tuesday the volume of brine water to be sent to the city’s wastewater plant “will be determined by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The OEPA will set the standards.”

“We will start small and will work closely with the OEPA. There is not an issue of exceeding our capacity because of OEPA standards. We will proceed with this project in a responsible fashion. Patriot Water is 100 percent professional and they are in it for the long haul. I’m personally excited they are coming here,” added Murphy.

Councilman at large Eddie Joe Chanoski called the Patriot Water agreement “an unbelievable thing for our city. These people have confidence in our work force. They want to set up a business and spend money in our community.”

Andrew Blocksom, president of Patriot Water, told council he anticipates growing employment numbers at the company-owned operations.

“You will see your restaurants and hotels becoming fuller because of additional businesses in the community,” noted Blocksom.

Council also approved an ordinance to provide wastewater sewage treatment to Pottery Addition residents and businesses at an estimated annual cost of $277,035.

Davison said last week the Pottery Addition residents and businesses will pay the same rate city residents are charged.

“The county is under binding orders from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to resolve the Pottery Addition sewage issue. We will be treating the wastewater from Pottery Addition but we won’t have to maintain the system in Pottery Addition,” explained Mayor Domenick Mucci.

In other business, council agreed to advertise for sealed bids for the possible sale of city-owned properties at 429 South Seventh St. and 3048 Sunset Blvd.

Second Ward Councilman Rick Perkins voted against selling the Sunset Boulevard property citing his opposition “to selling any city property on Sunset Boulevard.”

First Ward Councilman Gerald DiLoreto reported a three-day tire collection campaign last week saw 1,727 tires dropped off at the designated sites in the city.

And according to Finance Director Mike Marshall an auction of city property Saturday at the city annex building garnered $15,088.50.

“We need to commend John Westling who wouldn’t accept payment for conducting the auction and never took a break during the entire auction. Mr. Westling said he wanted to give back to the community,” said Marshall.

Fourth Ward Councilman David Fortunato requested an open house set from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 8 at the new City Building be expanded.

“I have had a number of e-mails and telephone calls from constituents citing their work schedule, so I would like us to consider adding an extra hour or two. We have enough people who can volunteer to conduct the tours of the building so there won’t be any overtime issues,” remarked Fortunato.

Also, Joseph Smarrella of Steubenville asked council to consider a resolution recognizing Robert Villamagna, a retired city police officer, for his service.

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