East Liverpool Councilmember Jeff Kreefer recognizes David Damaso during Monday’s council meeting for all the help Damaso gives to him for the city. (Photo courtesy of Police Chief John Lane)

EAST LIVERPOOL — With a unanimous vote during Monday’s meeting of the East Liverpool City Council, council members approved the police contracts between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police, Ohio Labor Council, Inc., with some minor changes.

Changes included removing the minimum of two hours of pay for court appearances within the city since the city no longer has a municipal court and removing the clause for vacation time after 20 years of service which stated that eligible employees must have been hired before 2006.

Mayor Bobby Smith and Safety Service Director Bill Jones both encouraged council to vote in favor of the ordinances, with both saying the officers deserve more.

It was also noted that this is the first time in a while that a new contract has gone into effect the day after the previous one expired because everyone was able to work together to negotiate the new contract.

Council members also approved ordinances to amend the budget ordinance by adjusting appropriations, making temporary appropriations for the city for 2025 to begin Jan. 1 and end March 31 and authorizing the Board of Public Utilities to advertise for bids and enter into a contract with lowest bidder for purchase of meters, chemicals, and supplies for wastewater.

An ordinance regarding a project with Scout Solar which was on second reading was voted to be placed on third and final reading with a 4-2 vote.

Council members Fred Rayl, Scott Barrett, John Mercer and Tom Clark voted in favor while council members Jeff Kreefer and Brian Kerr voted against it. Council member Tom Beagle abstained from the vote as he does business with Scout Solar.

Smith said that he had met with representatives from the company who were not aware that one of the areas they were looking to place solar panels was a historic district and they will be meeting again to discuss the matter further.

Smith noted that 30 dilapidated homes in the city will be torn down by the land bank after the first of the year.

Smith also said that Santa could make an appearance at the tree lighting in the Diamond on Dec. 7.

Kreefer took a few moments to recognize East Liverpool resident David Damaso and his wife Brenda for all the work they help him with in the city. Kreefer also presented a donation to be used for the pool at Thompson Park to Auditor Marilyn Bosco.

Fire Chief Antony Cumo told council the fire department had been awarded two grants — one in the amount of $14,500 from Norfork Southern and a state grant in the amount $54,000. Both grants are 100% funded with no match needed and will go toward the purchase of new radios and other equipment needed by the department.

Mercer reminded everybody to support small businesses and shop locally this holiday season.

Kerr said that Santa Claus will be riding around the city in a fire truck on Dec. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Thomas Chema of the Gateway Group, East Liverpool resident and longtime member of the ELCPR, along with Kyle Lukes and Terry Fercana of Environmental Design Group gave council an update on the Riverfront bike trail regarding funding and stages of the construction.

Chema noted that several other major cities such as Pittsburgh are interested in connecting their bike trails to the one planned for East Liverpool. He said there is interest in connecting a bike trail planned from Indiana to the Ohio West Virginia state to the trail in East Liverpool.

Chema commented on Smith’s plans for a visitor center at the Point of Beginning and said that there are discussions on making it a visitor education center with the education part of it geared toward both middle school and Ph.D students.

Council clerk Pat Scafide noted that the city received correspondence from the Ohio Department of Commerce notifying them that certain class alcohol licenses will expire after the first of the year and the city has the right to petition against renewing the license of any troubled establishment. The Licensing/Economic Development Committee will meet Dec. 9 at 6:30 at city hall in council chambers to discuss this.

The 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 Jan. 6.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com