By FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

Portsmouth City Council passed five ordinances and one resolution, while saying goodbye to two retiring members at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Passed was the vacation of the alley between Richard Noggins and the Southern Ohio Museum; appropriation of $14,680 in legal fees for substitute prosecutor services in several legal cases involving the city; authorizing the city auditor to amend an appropriations order to reflect actual revenue and expenditures to balance and close the city’s books for fiscal year 2011; adjusting the Codified Ordinances to reflect the new income tax rate of two percent; and establishing a new fund to be designated Appalachian Regional Commission Fund No. 244.

As each member of City Council spoke during the ward reports, they thanked Fourth Ward Councilman Jerrold Albrecht and Sixth Ward Councilman Rich Noel for their years of service. Both are leaving office. Albrecht will be replaced by former Portsmouth Mayor James Kalb, and Noel by Steve Sturgill.

President of Council John Haas thanked each for his service and gave each a card. First Ward Councilman Kevin Johnson then presented them with certificates he had created for their wives. Certificates were created for Susan Albrecht and Freda Noel, which read, “For graciously allowing, supporting and putting up with the Hon. Richard Noel’s (Hon. Jerrold Albrecht’s) years of service for and with the City Council and citizens of the city of Portsmouth, Ohio.”

Council set Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. as the date and time for their organizational meeting for 2012. At that meeting members will elect a president and vice president.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.