Columbiana council accepts resignation, sets timeline to fill vacancy; reappoints two zoning board members and schedules liquor-license hearing

The Columbiana City Council on Tuesday acknowledged the resignation of Council member John Yengus and moved to solicit letters of interest to fill his seat before the council’s Jan. 21 meeting.

In a letter read into the record, Yengus wrote that he had accepted a new job that will take him away from Columbiana and that “serving the city of Columbiana has been an honor and a privilege and an experience I will cherish for a lifetime,” according to the text read at the meeting.

City Manager Lance recommended the council collect letters of interest through the close of business on Jan. 16 so applicants’ names could be included in meeting packets on Jan. 17, with council members to select a replacement at the Jan. 21 meeting. Council members noted the appointee would serve until the current term ends and that the seat will be on the ballot when that term expires.

The council approved two reappointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Terry Kelly and John Southern were each reappointed to continue serving on the board; the council approved both nominations by roll call after a motion and second.

Council members also handled a notice from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control regarding a proposed transfer of C1/C2 liquor permits for “Ohio Springs Inc. DBA” at the intersection of State Route 7 and State Route 14 in Columbiana. The council discussed the municipality’s right to object and to hold a public hearing on such transfers. A motion was made on the agenda item to hold a public hearing to consider the transfer; the transcript records the motion and a subsequent roll call, but the transcript’s roll-call lines are unclear about the final tally. The council’s procedural options — to consent, object, or request a hearing — were explained by a speaker at the meeting.

Separately, the council nominated and appointed a council member to serve on the Volunteer Firefighters Dependence Fund board for 2025 after a council member volunteered for the position; the motion carried with at least one abstention recorded. The council accepted the bill list and the minutes of the Dec. 17, 2024, meeting as submitted.

Mayor Rick Noel used the council comment period to announce he will seek reelection, saying after “careful consideration and strong support from my friends and family, I have decided to seek reelection for my second term as the mayor of the city of Columbiana.”

The council voted to enter an executive session to discuss personnel matters under the cited statutory provision; the mayor said no action would be taken after the executive session. The meeting closed after the council returned from executive session and voted to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to solicit letters of interest and set Jan. 16 as the deadline for applicants to fill the council vacancy: procedural action taken; council directed staff to solicit and distribute letters for consideration at the Jan. 21 meeting (no formal roll-call tally specified in the transcript). - Reappointment: Terry Kelly, Board of Zoning Appeals — motion approved by roll call (transcript records roll-call support; detailed tally not fully specified). - Reappointment: John Southern, Board of Zoning Appeals — motion approved by roll call (transcript records roll-call support; detailed tally not fully specified). - Motion to hold a public hearing regarding an Ohio Division of Liquor Control transfer (C1/C2 permit for Ohio Springs Inc. DBA at State Route 7 and State Route 14): motion made and seconded; roll call recorded in the transcript but the final tally is not clear from the transcript excerpt. - Appointment to Volunteer Firefighters Dependence Fund board for 2025: motion approved; at least one abstention recorded (Graham — abstain).