GIRARD — With six days on the job, new Safety-Service Director Mark Ragozine said he looks forward to working with city officials and council as plans are underway for various projects.

Ragozine, who attended his first council meeting Monday, said he appreciates Mayor Mark Zuppo having faith in him to serve as the safety service director.

“This is my second week, and there has been a lot to digest. The city has a lot of big projects coming up. Having been a councilman before and being at Eastgate Council of Governments these past six years I feel I have a lot to bring to the city,” Ragozine said.

Ragozine has checked with the Ohio Department of Transportation on various bridge projects, including the pedestrian bridge across Interstate 80 which will get rehabilitation work done starting in the fall.

Ragozine said the signal timing of traffic lights will be looked at with ODOT to facilitate more efficient traffic flow along the busy Route 422 corridor.

He also spoke with police Chief John Norman, who agreed pay for part-time police officers should be increased from $16 to $20 per hour to be more competitive with other police departments. The $16 rate has been in effect for seven years.

Second Ward Councilman Mark Standohar welcomed Ragozijne back to the city.

“We appreciate you being of service to the city. You were very hardworking when you were on council. You have gained a lot of experience working for Eastgate will be very beneficial to the city of Girard,” Standohar said.

PORT AUTHORITY

In other business, council has scheduled a caucus session with the Western Reserve Port Authority for 6 p.m. Feb. 24 to discuss the city possibly entering into an agreement with the port authority to work on various projects and make use of available land in the city.

Nick Chretien, planning and regional development manager for the WRPA, said the port authority currently has agreements with Warren and Youngstown cities and Youngstown city schools.

He said the port authority can work with the city to get properties and buildings to put to use or sold for projects, such as the former Warren SCOPE Center.

“We would like to work with Girard and share our powers through the Ohio Revised Code in exploring development opportunities the city would like to see,” Chretien said.

Zuppo said the WRPA is involved with many major projects in the Mahoning Valley which help create jobs.

He said there are big pieces of land the city would like to develop and working with the port authority would help fund developers to help with land development and projects.

Councilwoman-at-Large Lily Martuccio said the council will review information on the possible agreement before Feb. 24.

“It sounds exciting,” she said.

Zuppo said the city of Girard is also planning a meeting with the Columbiana city manager, 5 p.m. March 10 in Girard to discuss how Columbiana’s downtown was revitalized and developed.

PAY ADJUSTMENTS

Also, council gave final reading to increase the pay of safety-service director from $64,000 to $75,000, and part-time council clerk from $6,700 to $8,811.

Council gave second reading to increase the pay of parks and recreation director from $35,000 to $40,000.

Zuppo said all three positions have many responsibilities.