NELSONVILLE - City Council unanimously showed its support for improvements of U.S. Route 33 at last night by passing a resolution to endorse possible bypasses of Nelsonville and Lancaster.

City Manager Mark Fiorello said he would forward a copy of the resolution to the Ohio Department of Transportation office in Marietta.

Fiorello also said his office mailed about 70 letters to property owners whose buildings were not in compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency standards.

The next step will be to begin a mitigation process which should use the city's zoning board of appeals.

Fiorello also announced at the meeting that Acting Nelsonville Police Chief Mike Perez had received a $5,000 Law Enforcement Block Grant from the state. The grant will be used to pay officers overtime.

Council also discussed the movement of the Nelsonville farmer's market to the town square.

Councilman Ralph Davis said he contacted businesses on the square, and they have shown their support for the farmer's market.

"The one (business) that's going to be affected the most is all for it," Davis said.

Fiorello said the big question is how to go about closing the 10 to 15 parking meters the farmers market will require. Both the city and the farmers' market will continue to discuss how to close the parking meters.

Council Vice President Clinton Stanley said he was concerned that representatives from the farmers' market were spreading rumors, stating that Fiorello was against the market.

"I just wanted to make sure it wasn't getting out that we were against the farmers' market," Stanley said. "In no way shape or form is (Fiorello) against the farmers' market."