GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis City Commissioners Bob Marchi and Jon Lynch have submitted their formal resignations from the board, according to Commission President Jim Cozza, who made the announcement during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Cozza advised those present that Marchi and Lynch submitted resignations in writing during the organizational meeting held Saturday and the remaining commission, which now includes newly elected members Matt Johnson and Jay Cremeens, accepted those resignations. Cozza said the commission is currently in the process of replacing the former board members.

The commission also passed a motion rescinding the bid process regarding the new municipal building at this time. According to City Manager Randy Finney, the project was supposed to be put to bid, but the city has not yet received the drawings for the proposed structure. The city is planning to hold a work session later this week with Project Engineer Randy Breech to discuss options regarding the new municipal building.

At the close of Tuesday’s meeting, a resident asked if the city planned to get the community involved this time around, to which all three replied that they did indeed plan to seek input from citizens.

In other action, commissioners:

• Approved an appointment by City Solicitor Brent Saunders naming Adam Salisbury an assistant city solicitor. Saunders also informed the commission that he recently met with the Gallipolis Township Trustees regarding the annexation of the golf course and he will be speaking with the county prosecutor to try to get a hearing on the matter waived. He said he doesn’t foresee a problem with the annexation as it involves no voters or tax base.

• Passed the first reading of an ordinance authorizing Finney to enter into agreement with the county for the boarding of prisoners.

According to a memorandum of understanding between the city and county, the city will pay $50 per day per prisoner to the Gallia County Sheriff's Office for the room and board of all city prisoners to the exclusion of felons that have been bound over to the grand jury. The city will be responsible for the medical treatment of its prisoners including those charged with felonies, though only until a preliminary hearing is held or the prisoner is indicted, whichever comes first.

In addition, an exception is to be made regarding medical treatment made necessary during a an inmate’s incarceration, such as choking, an attack by another prisoner, food poisoning and other possible scenarios. If a dispute in liability occurs, the county sheriff and city police chief are to meet and determine appropriate responsibility.

The contract is effective through Dec. 31, 2010.

• Approved the November financial statement submitted by City Auditor Margie Landers. Landers also informed the commission that the city has made the final payment on the Spruce Street lift station, which was under a 15-year, zero percent interest loan.

• Approved a recommendation by Finney to appoint Troy Johnson as reserve patrol officer with the Gallipolis Police Department. Matt Johnson and Cremeens both abstained since they are both related to the appointee.

• Passed a motion to not request a hearing regarding a liquor license transfer from Rivernet, Inc. DBA Smokin Robs to MANV International LLC DBA Smokin Robs for agency and carry out licensing.

• Passed the first reading of an ordinance amending a prior ordinance regarding city sidewalks. The amended ordinance defines a hazardous sidewalk as exhibiting any of the following:

• A vertical separation of more than one inch at either a crack or joint.

• A horizontal separation or crack greater than one inch per foot.

• The cross slope of the sidewalk is unnecessarily greater than one and a half inches per foot.

• Water accumulation due to insufficient grade of the sidewalk.

• Severely rough, uneven surface due to spalling.

• Severe cracking.

• Missing pieces.

• Gross deterioration due to tree roots or other decay caused by the pressure of trees.

• Deterioration due to unauthorized vehicular traffic or parking on a sidewalk.

• Other conditions not listed above which render the sidewalk hazardous for public use as determined by the city manager.

Prior to this amendment, hazardous sidewalks were determined at the discretion of the city manager.