Terry Shaffer, chairman of Joy of Christmas presented Columbiana Council with a check for $ 14,000 taken from the annual winter drive-through light show. (Photo submitted)
COLUMBIANA – City council heard both good and bad money news on Tuesday.
The park’s superintendent Terry Shaffer presented the council with a check for $ 14,000 courtesy of the Joy of Christmas Light Display. The tourist bureau was also able to equip the oncology floor of Akron Children’s Hospital with ID cards to see the lights and donate $ 500 to the Columbiana K-9 unit.
Shaffer was pleased to report that 10,500 cars passed the light indicator during the 2020 holiday season. Staff and volunteers were recognized for their extraordinary efforts. Shaffer also wanted to acknowledge the dedication and hard work Larry Webber put into the light display, especially when the path needed to be rerouted.
On the less positive side, City Manager Lance Willard discussed gas aggregation problems with the February gas bills. He said he was preparing a report and there could be possible legal action. The gas program, which the city participated in to save money and maintain a fixed tariff, was not followed by the provider, Willard said.
Willard explained that extremely cold temperatures forced the gas supplier out of the market, which meant the prices for obtaining gas bills were higher and were being passed on to customers.
In other matters, the council approved a private effort to raise funds for a dog park.
The council met with parishioner Sean Zentner via Zoom, where Zentner asked for the council’s blessing to hold the private event in Firestone Park on October 9th. The addition of a third brewery to the community inspired Zentner and the Columbiana Restoration and Beautification Committee to hold an Ales For Tails beer festival. The proceeds from the festival will be used to build a dog park. The park will include double security gates, water stations, park benches and waste stations enclosed in a 1 acre fenced area.
With no city resources being used, council members unanimously agreed to their preference for dogs and gave their blessings.
Zentner hopes there will be more in the future.
Alcohol permits have been issued for two restaurants, Mexico City and Sundog Cellars. Both restaurants are located in Firestone Farms town center. Mexico City is an extension of the current Mexican El ‘Paso grill in the city. Councilor Dick McBane made it clear that both companies have shown that they are in control of their facilities without public disruption.
On other matters, the council held a public hearing on changes to the planning and zone codes.
Such changes were included in response to an earlier investigation of properties on Heck and Springfield Streets. Councilor Dan Dattilio raised concerns about the zoning change to expand office space from purely medical to law, insurance, accounting and architecture firms. The reallocation would be based on conditional use and those requesting office space would need to seek approval from the planning board.
Datillio raised concerns about the narrow street and the children playing in the area. McBane interjected, saying that these concerns could be addressed at another time.
Council clerk Deann Davis served on the council for 25 years. All of the board members agreed that their expertise in law and order maintenance and knowledge of procedures made them a valuable member. Davis noted that a former colleague had advised her to read Robert’s Rules of Order. The book has been a reliable resource over the years.
dgarner@mojonews.com
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