GIRARD — City council gave the first of three required readings Monday to grant pay raises for the council president and council members, effective with the start of new terms in 2024.

Council had discussed the pay raises last year but decided to wait because the new raises would not go into effect for another two years.

Officials have said council members and the council president are paid $7,900 annually, which does not qualify for credit toward the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System because the figure is too low.

Being proposed is to increase the pay for council and council president in 2024 to $8,658. Other increases would be to $8,811 in 2025, $8,964 in 2026, $9,123 in 2027, $9,287 in 2028, and $9,443 in 2029.

Councilman at-Large John Moliterno said they plan to give the legislation three readings at separate meetings so residents have a chance to comment. No residents commented at Monday’s meeting.

In other business, Mayor James Melfi said the city is continuing is efforts to crack down on zoning violations, which have become more noticeable now in the spring than during winter.

“Our zoning department is out in full force. It is a very busy time of year with high grass,” he said,

Mefli said the police were sent to a property on Market Street where people cleaned out their house and placed belongings all over the front yard and devil strip.

“I do not know where these people come from or where they were before but it’s getting disgusting to look at this. We will stay on the zoning violations,” he said.

From high grass and lawns covered with junk and debris, Melfi had said the calls have increased in recent weeks with more people being outside.

Zoning issues will be discussed further at a caucus session set for 6:30 p.m. June 13.

In other action, council:

• Set a meeting with representatives of Spectrum for 6:15 p.m. June 27 to discuss the company’s services;

• Will prepare legislation for the next meeting to place the renewal of two garbage collections levies, a 1.1-mill and a 1.0-mill, on the November general election ballot.