LISBON — The Western Reserve Land Conservancy made a formal offer to purchase the climbing cliffs, offering the Village of Lisbon $9,500 per acre for the rock face near former Kerestes property.

The group, in concert with the Columbiana County Park District, made the offer during last week’s village council meeting. If council decides to sell the 41 acres — the climbing face as well as areas north and south of Willow Grove Park — Lisbon would pocket over $350,000.

Council took no action on the offer and is considering the sale, which under the terms presented would allow the Western Reserve Land Conservancy two years to obtain funding.

Mayor Pete Wilson again called the potential sale of the cliffs a “win-win” for the village.

“Me, myself, I think this is a great opportunity for the village, the park district and for Western Reserve,” he said. “I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This could raise a lot of funds for the village to improve our streets and our sidewalks. There is a lot of uncertainty in today’s world and this is an option we should consider.”

The Kerestes property (nearly 30 acres of property that included the main cliffs at Logtown) were purchased by the Columbiana Park District through the Western Reserve Land Conservancy for $300,000 to develop the area into a rock-climbing destination, but it turned out the Kerestes property did not include the popular climbing cliffs area. The village of Lisbon owns the cliff face while the park district acquired the top part, not the actual cliff where climbers climb. To complete the Park District’s vision, the Lisbon-property is needed.

In other matters, Wilson told council the Grant Street Bridge project is nearing the final financial appraisal and anticipates the figures to be “close to” the original estimate.

Wilson also told council on the crosswalk lights at the corner of Pritchard and East Lincoln Way “are now fully functional” and said the crosswalk and a nonworking radio signal was causing one side to not light up.

The crosswalk lights cost $11,750 each and were funded by a Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant. Wilson received the go-ahead from council to pursue similar funding for an automated school crosswalk sign at the corner of Thomas Road and West Lincoln Way.

In related grant items, council tabled a decision on a study of whether to apply for a grant to construct sidewalks on Lincole Place. The county would apply for the grant, but asked if the village would pay for the study needed to proceed with the funding opportunity. The cost of the study could be as high as $5,000 and council decided to hold off on a decision until more information could be gathered.

Council also discussed pursuing possible grants to help offset costs of the anticipated pool repairs which could exceed $200,000.

Also at the meeting:

— Marti Grimm told council that the second-annual “Small Village, Big Hearts” campaign was underway. The village-wide initiative, which includes several Lisbon agencies, seeks to supply Lisbon families with blankets, food vouchers, clothing and Christmas-wish items. Registration for assistance will be held Nov. 5 through Nov. 14 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday only. To register, call 330-424-4013. No early or late registrations will be accepted. Calls will be returned in the order received. Eligible households will receive an appointment time to pick up their holiday items during the distribution event in December. Anyone interested in donating to one of the partners to assist with giving efforts may contact them directly. For additional contact information, call 330-424-4013.

— Resident Kim Pirchner voiced concern over golf carts and traffic speed in the village and asked the village to consider a 20-year plan to install sidewalks throughout Lisbon.

— Donna St. Clair again asked for guidance on how to remedy a nuisance property next to her home that has started accumulating trash again. She was advised to call the Lisbon Police Department.

— Joe Vitko asked that council consider broadcasting meetings live.

— Council adopted the Columbiana County Hazard Mitigation Plan and approved a letter of support for the Active Transportation Plan application.

— Council donated $250 for Martial Arts Mayhem at the request of Chris McLaughlin, the owner of Mclaughlin’s Martial Arts, for the Feb. 7 event.

— Council heard that leaf collection was expected to start on Monday in the northwest part of the village.

— Council decided to keep its set schedule and next meet on Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day.

selverd@mojonews.com