Representing the American Legion Post 290 to present Columbiana Police Department a $5,000 check during Tuesday’s regular meeting were post commander Michael Curl, Columbiana police chief Mark Edwards, adjacent sergeant-at-arms Ken Allcorn and member Ernest Thomas, who spearheaded the donation effort. The donation was in appreciation for the police department’s support of events like the annual street fair and will go into a department special projects’ fund to pay for equipment and training upgrades. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

COLUMBIANA — City council gave a go-ahead to city manager Lance Willard to seek a half million dollars in federal funds for construction of a walking trail.

During Tuesday’s meeting, members approved the legislation that directs Willard to apply for TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) for construction of the Columbiana Mahoning Walking Trail within city limits.

If the requested funds are granted, the city has to fund 5 percent of the construction costs, 20 percent of the engineering and design costs as well as all of the costs related to planning and acquiring the right-of-way.

The 5 percent amounts to $25,549.43.

Project projections estimate the total cost of the project at $512,988.50.

Upon completion, the city agrees to provide maintenance of the trail.

Council passed the resolution with unrelated emergency language along with legislation securing health insurance benefits with BBG Inc. and contracting with Foust Construction for the Court and Herbster street drainage improvements project.

In other action, members also adopted a cybersecurity program as required by all Ohio political subdivisions, a grant policy for the city, and a resolution establishing zoning for a parcel of land recently acquired adjacent to Firestone Park for construction of a building to house their Joy Of Christmas lights for holiday display.