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EAST LIVERPOOL - Mayor Bobby Smith appointed council member John Mercer to fill the vacancy created by the passing of the late John Torma on July 8.
"I talked to John Mercer, and he has graciously accepted the position as president of council," Smith said."
Mercer thanked Smith for his confidence in him.
Smith noted that it now lets the precinct figure out what they are going to do with Mercer's council position which will be vacant once he is sworn in as president.
Mercer has not officially been sworn in as president yet.
Smith said he spoke to Columbiana County Democratic Chair Charley Kidder, who guided him in what needs to be done.
Council member Debra Danver motioned for council confirmation and acknowledgement of Smith's appointment of Mercer and council approved with an all-in-favor vote.
Smith told council members that Park Boulevard has been paved at a cost of approximately $253,000 which was primarily paid for through a county grant.
Smith also said a couple of dilapidated houses have been demolished and made a difference in the neighborhood. One of the houses was on Ambrose Avenue and the other on the corner of Erie Street and Dewey Avenue. This brings the total of houses torn down to 30 last year and 16 this year.
Fire Chief Antony Cumo said the fire marshal has been very busy and has done inspections at all the city schools, city hospitals and CMHA properties.
Cumo also noted that following the approval of the Knox Box ordinance he has received more Knox Box approvals than he has in the past several years and everybody who has been told to get them has been pretty good about getting them.
Letters went out to any landlord who had more than three housing units in the city and they have cooperative and reaching out to the fire marshal to see what they need to do.
Cumo said cardboard has been cleared away from the side of Giant Eagle.
The Haz-Mat Team had a state audit typing last month and that went well, so they hold onto their Type II Status which helps with getting grants and four firefighters just completed Haz Mat tech training.
Safety Service Director Bill Jones said the more he digs into the non-union contract the more it becomes more complicated with all the pieces that are in it, and he has been doing a salary study on comparative positions in other communities.
Jones noted that the non-union employees have been left behind, and the non-union contract will be like a union contract with incremental raises.
Council members voted to approve four pieces of legislation to authorize the city to enter into an agreement with Farmer's National Bank to be the city's depositor for active funds belonging to the city; to amend budget appropriations by adjusting appropriations and two pieces of legislation authorizing the city to pay certain vendors who supplies good or services to the city without issuance or authorization of a purchase order; one for Dallis Dawson and one for Headley Tree Service.
Minutes from the regular meeting held Sept. 1, and the special meeting held Sept. 22 were approved as presented.
The East Liverpool City Council meets the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in council chambers at East Liverpool City Hall, 126 W. Sixth St. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 7.