EAST LIVERPOOL — An elected city official Monday presented ideas for using cannabis funds.

Council Member Brian Kerr submitted suggestions he hoped would open discussions on ways to invest the Cannabis Tax Revenue the city will be receiving quarterly to council members during the council meeting.

Some of his suggestions which the city could undertake right away with the $258,546 already received include highway vegetation control to improve overall aesthetics at key entrances to the city; economic development such as creating an America 250 celebration brand, turning downtown into an experience by making it more than just a place, a small business boost program; supporting the city’s service department by helping the fire department with matching funds and/or acquisition of essential equipment, purchase of equipment and/or support community focused initiatives for the police department and allocate money to the Street Department for roadway repairs and purchase of materials.

Kerr said allocating the funds through these projects would fully utilize the original disbursement and allow the city to take meaningful action on priority projects.

Kerr also reiterated what Mayor Bobby Smith has said multiple times — that it is important for these funds to be strictly dedicated to tangible improvements for the city and not be used for salaries or routine operational expenses and be directed towards projects/departments that directly contribute to the safety, protection and well-being of the residents as well along with initiatives that will enhance the city’s overall appearance and the community infrastructure.

Smith said he believes it is a good idea to get everyone’s opinion on what to do with the Cannabis Tax Revenue Fund which the city currently has received $302,000 from.

Kerr noted that the fund, which is expected to be paid quarterly, should generate $48,480 for the city every three months.

Council Member John Mercer told council that work has resumed on the Thompson building, with demolition currently happening inside. He also said that he would like to resume discussions on designating parts of downtown a DORA (Downtown Outdoor Recreation Area), researching becoming a certified city government which would open the door to more grant opportunities, having parts of the city zoned a B5 which will allow the city some discretion in determine what businesses are allowed to located where and he would like to research tipping fees.

Fire Chief Antony Cumo said as of Sunday the East Liverpool Fire Department has started running EMS in Liverpool Township and they will be the primary EMS provider for the township.

The fire department has already responded to 387 since Jan. 1, which is an increase in 67 calls from this time in 2025.

Smith, who referenced legislation for council to vote on later in the meeting for the purchase of two new garbage trucks and a Mack dump truck, said the city was without garbage trucks last week and city workers are still trying to catch up from that and the dump truck would be for paving.

Smith also said that the Route 39 project is progressing and while Safety Service Director Bill Jones has been handling most of it since Bill Cowan retired from planning director, that it was a lot to dump on one person and to make sure nothing was missed, he has been working with Cowan on a way to return and hopes to have that in place by the end of next week. He said he needs to discuss a few things with Cowan and the city’s law director Charles Payne.

Smith told council that when the weather gets warm, there will be a spree to get rid of junk cars scattered throughout the city. He thanked Dan Galeoti and the Water Department for their work when the city had three water breaks in one day, one of them lasting 15 hours.

Smith said that the Revolutionary War Memorial has arrived in Lisbon and it looks beautiful. The dedication ceremony for the memorial will be held on July 11.

Council members adopted two resolutions and five ordinances by emergency measure with all-in-favor votes, with the exception of Council Member Jeff Kreefer who was absent and excused.

Resolutions were adopted for the acceptance of a donation from the County Board of Commissioners for $20,000 to defray cost of police officers assigned full time to the Columbiana County Drug Task Force (DTF) and authorizing the mayor to apply for, accept and enter into a water pollution control fund revolving loan account to be repaid from the R&I Fund for planning, design and/or construction of wastewater or water facilities.

Kerr expressed his thanks to the county commissioners and noted that the DTF officers have made a difference in the city. Smith added that they have served 52 warrants.

Ordinances were approved to create a new fund, new line items and make appropriations for the emergency response grant, to make permanent appropriations for the current expenditures for the city for 2026, authorizing the city’s Board of Control to purchase a 2026 Mack truck with dump bed, snow plow and V Box salt spreader at a cost of $163,414, authorizing the Board of Control to purchase two new garbage trucks and accessories at a cost of $521,298.90 and authorizing the Board of Public Utilities to advertise for bids and enter into contract for the purchase of certain meters, chemicals and supplies for the water and wastewater departments.

The Safety and Rules Committee will meet on March 9 at 6:30 p.m.

The Licensing/Economic Development Committee will meet on March 18 at 6 p.m., followed by a meeting of the Streets/Lands and Building Committee at 6:30 and the Planning/Expansion Committee at 7 p.m.

The Finance/Labor Committee will meet on March 31 at 3 p.m.

The East Liverpool City Council meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 6.

All meetings will take place in council chambers at East Liverpool City Hall, 126 W. 6th St.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com