LISBON — Police Chief Mike Abraham said he’s working on an issue involving a woman allegedly causing chaos in the downtown area, noting she’s been arrested several times already.

The woman’s name wasn’t identified, but during a recent village council meeting, H & R Block owner Judy McGraw complained a woman who lives downtown has been stopping clients from entering her business and runs out in front of cars on the street.

She said the woman rubs herself up-and-down poles and spits on people.

“We can’t run a business like that. She’s going to get killed in the street,” McGraw said, adding that she tried to talk with her and “she cussed me out.”

McGraw said she’s trying to fix up her building on Market Street and plans to replace the roof. A question was raised about who owns the building where the woman lives, but she didn’t know. Mayor Peter Wilson made a comment that he thought her lease was expiring. No action was taken related to the complaint.

In other business, council approved the list of committees presented by the mayor at the last meeting after he was asked to reconsider some of them. He kept the list the same. The assignments include: Public Safety, Councilman Jerry Cox and Councilwomen Linda Donnalley and Melissa Hiner; Street, Donnalley, Councilwoman Susan Temple and Councilman Zachary Smith; Finance/Insurance, Hiner, Donnalley and Councilman Joe Morenz; Parks, Smith, Temple and Morenz; Personnel, Morenz, Smith and Hiner; Cemetery, Temple, Cox and Morenz; Fireman’s Relief, Cox, Hiner and Morenz; Sewer, Cox, Hiner and Morenz; Zoning, Donnalley, Temple and Smith; with Donnalley also serving on the Community Foundation, Shade Tree Commission and Planning Commission.

Village Solicitor Alec Beech said he would have something prepared for council for the next meeting related to their request about reducing the speed limits and declaring school cross walks on Lincoln Way. He said it’s up to the village to request it and up to the Ohio Department of Transportation to decide whether it’s appropriate.

Wilson announced a meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday regarding planning for the Ohio 250th celebration this summer, with a lot of groups interested.

Council also briefly discussed being unable to have the swimming pool inspected for the leak due to the snow and ice, the search for more grants for the Willow Grove bridge project and the approval of a grant for an Active Transportation Plan. A street committee meeting was set for 5 p.m. today to prepare for the chip and seal deadline on March 3. Council accepted the resignation of Zachary Mayer as the mayor’s administrative assistant and zoning clerk. The plan was to review the applications already on file and possibly see if another applicant was still interested.

Senior Plant Operator Chris Peterson reported he was contacted by Columbiana County Fair Board President John Wolf regarding the retention pond near the fairgrounds. Peterson said he would look at it in the spring. According to Cox, there had been a problem two years ago related to the pond overflowing and with all the snow, they’re just trying to be proactive.

Council gave permission for the mayor to apply for up to $1,000 for a Global Services Youth Day Grant for children to plant trees, with an educational component required.

Wilson raised a question about warming shelters and whether the village should have a plan in place in case of a need for one in town. A church hosted a warming shelter, but he wondered if the village should have something in place and said he would check with the school district. He had contacted the county Emergency Management Agency and was told if there was a power outage, there were plans in place for shelters at the health department and the Center Township garage.

The mayor also talked about creation of a village seal, advising that a police officer had designed a logo for new jackets for the police department and had three different designs. He said he would check about bringing some designs to show council.

Council approved a request by Allison Bardo for Lisbon Little Blue Devils and cheerleaders for permission to use Cedar Park again for the football games.

The next meeting of village council will be 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24.

mgreier@mojonews.com