Portsmouth City Council met last night in city hall. The following ordinances were acted upon.

PASSED: After third reading, unanimous passage of an ordinance authorizing the Mayor of the City of Portsmouth, Ohio to accept a deed from the 14th Street Community Center conveying real estate occupied by the 14th Street Community Center. The real estate is adjacent to property currently owned by the City of Portsmouth.

The following ordinances were scheduled for first reading, but had the rules suspended to allow a vote after one reading:

PASSED: Authorizing the transfer and appropriation of $5,000 from Recreation Fund for the Portsmouth River Days.

PASSED: Approved the emergency demolition of the burned dwelling located at 2030 7th Street and assessment of demolition costs of $4,800 to the owner.

PASSED: Reinstated the Hotel/Motel tax at 4% retroactive to July, 2001 and extending the expiration date until it is repealed.

PASSED: Authorizing the transfer and appropriation of $5,000 from Recreation Fund for the Portsmouth Powerboat Races coming to Portsmouth the weekend of July 20-21, 2002.

PASSED: Authorizing the appropriation of the Capital Improvements budget from Council's Trust for Recreation Fund No. 801 and further authorizing the Mayor of the City of Portsmouth, Ohio to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the improvements, for the listed items only.

PASSED AS EMERGENCY MEASURE: As fully described in a separate story, authorized the Mayor of the City of Portsmouth, Ohio to negotiate a Real Estate Purchase Agreement with The Marting Brothers Company.

The following ordinance was tabled:

TABLED: An ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with a firm to prepare an inventory and audit of City-owned fixed assets for any and all assets valued over $50.00, at a cost not to exceed $15,000.

Discussion before tabling this ordinance centered around the cost and the line item requested not having $15,000 in the line item. Also, the City Auditor Trent Williams said his office would have an inventory list "no later than May 30th."

Following a vote of council, the ordinance was tabled. City council needs the inventory list to assist in preparing city budgets.

In addition, the following item was removed from the agenda due to some changes that must be made to the ordinance:

REMOVED FROM AGENDA: Accepting the Blight Study and approving the Portsmouth City Center Urban Renewal Plan.