EAST PALESTINE — Village Council on Tuesday approved legislation allowing Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the state of Ohio, Norfolk Southern and Youngstown State University “to support, fund, design and operate a new first responder training center and academic institution in the village.”

Diaz-Guy said the agreement will allow the transfer of Norfolk Southern funds into an account at YSU that will be used solely for the project.

“The funds are coming directly from Norfolk Southern,” Diaz-Guy said. “They are not part of the settlement the village received, nor are they any part of the existing class-action settlement with the community. This is a completely separate funding mechanism.”

The vote comes days after Gov. Mike DeWine announced that plans for the long-discussed training center had been revived under a new deal. Norfolk Southern will provide $20 million to YSU to design and construct the facility, which will operate under the university’s Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences and Forensic Science.

According to the governor’s office, the conceptual design includes training areas for fire, police and EMS first responders and volunteers to practice scenarios such as house, vehicle and industrial fires, search-and-rescue operations, confined-space rescues and agricultural emergencies.

Talks for a training center began in the weeks after the February 2023 train derailment and chemical release. A groundbreaking was later held at the former Jasar Recycling property, a 15-acre parcel Norfolk Southern purchased for the project. The railroad also pledged a $25 million endowment for operational costs, and the plan was touted as a long-term asset for both railway safety and the village economy.

But the project was abruptly canceled in January when the village announced a $22 million settlement with Norfolk Southern that released the railroad from future liability. At the time, Mayor Trent Conaway called the decision “mutual,” saying the village of 4,700 residents could not sustain the facility’s long-term operational demands.

Diaz-Guy said the new partnership with YSU addresses that concern.

“One question that came up was, ‘We were told there was a training center, and then there wasn’t, and now there is,'” he said. “The primary issue with the first plan was how to make it sustainable. By partnering with the university, we basically have someone operate an educational institution during the daytime, and the village and regional partners have access after hours and on weekends for volunteer firefighter training.”

He said the collaboration could also create career pathways for high school students into fire science, law enforcement and other emergency-response fields. Future phases could expand into material science and related disciplines.

“This was kind of a no-brainer to me,” Diaz-Guy said. “This is a one-time shot for us — the ability to have increased traffic and increased investment. I look at it as a $10 (million) to $20 million investment into the community that doesn’t cost us anything.”

A site for the facility has not yet been determined. Diaz-Guy said one primary location and three backups are under consideration, but geo-technical studies must be completed before a final decision is made. He expects that work to be finished by early 2026. A second memorandum of understanding will follow to outline curriculum and operational details.

The former Jasar Recycling site — where the original groundbreaking was held — is not expected to be used for the new facility.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

— The East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation thanked the Smith family for donating commercial properties that the group plans to renovate and bring up to code. The EPCIC will meet next on Dec. 9 at the municipal building.

— Council members encouraged the public to support students as they decorate the village Christmas tree before the Dec. 6 parade. The ornaments were created through the East Palestine ACT educational group’s Teach-to-Learn, Learn-to-Teach initiative, in which middle school students learn a skill and then teach it to community members. Seventy-three ornaments, donated by the EPCIC, were decorated during the most recent session and will be placed on the tree. Students and community members will meet at 5:20 p.m., ahead of the Snowflake Festival tree lighting. Hot chocolate will be served.

— The East Palestine ACT Vibrancy Group also reminded residents that the best outfit worn during the village’s annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning will win a 26-pound turkey. A golden-turkey-themed scavenger hunt will also take place during the run, with 10 golden turkey legs hidden along the course. Each finder will receive a turkey breast at the finish.

— Council member Lenny Glavan announced that an adults-only Christmas karaoke event will be held at the East Palestine Eagles. The time will be announced soon.

— Council held the second reading of an ordinance setting bulk water rates. The proposal would allow bulk water purchases at $25 per 1,000 gallons during regular business hours. A $25 connection fee would cover labor costs. Larger trucks must provide 24-hour notice.

— Diaz-Guy reported that letters collected in a citizen letter-writing campaign will soon be sent to Vice President JD Vance and other federal officials. The “From the Wreckage, We Rise” campaign includes letters from residents within a 20-mile radius urging federal leaders to ensure long-term, accessible medical care for those affected by the derailment.

— Leaf pickup will continue through the end of November. Leaves must be placed in paper bags at the curb.

— Council rescheduled its final December meeting from Dec. 22 to Dec. 29 to give the fiscal officer more time to complete year-end appropriations.

— Diaz-Guy asked council to apply for an Ohio Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives Program grant, which would fund sidewalk improvements on the village’s east end. The TAP proposal will draw on recommendations from the Safer Streets for All plan. The village previously received $211,488 through the SS4A program.

— Diaz-Guy also received permission to apply for a technical assistance grant to study expanding the village’s water and sewer footprint.