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EAST LIVERPOOL -- Interim Fire Chief Anthony Cuomo introduced himself to city council during Monday's meeting. Cuomo has been with the department for 10 years and has moved into the role of interim chief until testing is done to fill the position.
Cuomo said retired chief, Safety/Service Director Bill Jones, has been really helpful to him over the last four weeks and handed over a well-run fire department.
Mayor Bobby Smith also spoke to council, giving the State of the City Address. His speech will be covered indepth in an upcoming feature.
Also at the meeting, Jones noted that as he and Smith get acclimated to the positions there are some items they are working on and they are getting to know the employees and take care of some issues that hadn't been taken care of in the past.
Jones also said he did write his first grant for the street department already. Last February, the city received a notice of a violation for how they store their salt for the roads. He was able to write a grant application for funding that is available for chloride reduction to the Ohio River. If approved, it will give the city $75,000 to build a new salt containment area. The total cost will be about $144,000 but will get approximately half of that from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if approved. Whether the funding is issued or not, the problem will need to be resolved since it's a year-old violation from the EPA.
Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) Executive Director Bill Cowan gave council copies of a letter from a resident requesting to purchase city owned property.
Cowan gave an update on some of the projects being worked on in the city, such as the Dresden Avenue phase one project, which is done and waiting to be closed out, and Dresden Avenue phase two, which Jones is waiting on paperwork from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) on. Phase one of the bike trail is underway, while Phase two Cowan received notice of funding right before Christmas.
Cowan noted that the city has had three big meetings with partners involved in the Route 39 project, which they have received substantial funding from the state for. The city still needs to come up with the matching funds for the project and Cowan said they have some good partners working on that and he feels confident about it.
Council Clerk Patrick Scafide noted that Law Director Charles Payne has been in touch with Ohio Department of Commerce to try to get a hearing on the liquor license transfer for Lena's Lounge.
Council members voted in favor to approve an ordinance to repeal portions and amend the ordinances recently passed regarding hauling fees. The ordinance was amended to remove trucks up to three-quarters ton and packers.
Council member Tom Beagle said that Heritage Thermal would be presenting a proposal at the Planning/Expansion Committee meeting scheduled for Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Discussions would also be held regarding request for zoning change.
Beagle also noted that Scout Solar projects were on hold until weather permits work to continue.
Council also unanimously approved a resolution to select a member of the legislative authority to serve on the county 9-1-1 program review committee, and ordinances to appropriate the carry over encumbrances for 2023 and add the amounts to 2024 and to authorize the auditor to pay certain vendors.
East Liverpool City Council meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in council chambers. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 4.