Columbiana City Council on Oct. 7 approved multiple emergency measures including appointments to two department posts, authorization to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission funding for a stormwater project, and several contracting actions tied to a new city administration and police building and a storm sewer project.

The council passed emergency Resolution 25-R-673 approving the appointment by the city manager of Kurt Seacrest as street superintendent effective October 2025. The council also approved emergency Resolution 25-R-674 appointing Jesse Wilson as service director, and emergency Resolution 25-R-675 authorizing the city manager to prepare and submit an application to participate in Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding programs and to execute required contracts.

City Manager Lance said the OPWC action will support a planned rework of a sewer on Middle Street and that the city is preparing the application now: "We did put an opportunity for us to go out to Ohio Public Works, OPWC, for a grant opportunity or a lower interest loan," Lance said. The council passed the OPWC resolution as an emergency so the application could be submitted within the program's deadlines.

Council members also moved forward legislation and contracting actions for capital and utility work. On first reading the council authorized Ordinance 25-O-3308, directing the city manager to enter into a contract with House and Baird, Inc., civil engineers and surveyors, for engineering services on design and renovations for a new city administration building and police department. The council approved an efficiency agreement with American Municipal Power Inc. under Ordinance 25-O-3305 and passed an emergency ordinance, 25-O-3309, authorizing the city manager to advertise for bids for construction of the Court–Herbster Street storm sewer project.

The meeting also included an emergency ordinance amendment, 25-O-3306, setting salaries and establishing positions and other conditions of employment for certain appointed personnel; and Ordinance 25-O-3307, an emergency right-of-way agreement authorizing work within a municipal easement tied to ongoing development with Hillcorp.

As a non-legislative action, the council formally appointed council member Ty as the council liaison to the school board after a motion and second; the motion carried with one member recording an abstention. The city manager reported several departmental updates and community events: a mattress fundraiser by the Columbiana High School baseball team on Oct. 26; a Flying High Inc. job fair on Oct. 29 at Risers Tavern from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the Columbiana Community Safety Day on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Station 1 on South Vine Street. Manager Lance also reported that the Beverly Ray street project team was mobilizing and that the Court–Herbster stormwater project must be completed by next summer under FEMA grant timing.

Votes at a glance: the emergency resolutions appointing Kurt Seacrest (25-R-673) and Jesse Wilson (25-R-674) and the OPWC authorization (25-R-675) passed on roll call votes recorded during the meeting. Ordinances to proceed with the House and Baird contract (25-O-3308, first reading), an efficiency agreement with American Municipal Power (25-O-3305), the emergency amendment setting appointed personnel salaries (25-O-3306), a right-of-way agreement (25-O-3307), and authorization to advertise for bids on the Court–Herbster storm sewer project (25-O-3309) were all advanced or adopted as indicated on the agenda.

There were no public comments during the period set aside for public input. The council thanked two student representatives from Columbiana High School, Alexis Davis and Leah Shipe, for attending and noted continued outreach and regional engagement efforts by city staff.