Lisbon council agrees to reduce food truck fees

Mayor abandons idea of preferred trash hauler

LISBON -- Lisbon Village Council agreed to reduce food truck fees to $50 per year and Mayor Peter Wilson dropped the idea of a preferred trash hauler program when council met this week.

The zoning committee of Lisbon Village Council met prior to the council meeting and Councilwoman Linda Donnalley said the members all agreed to bring the price down from what was in the new zoning code. She wasn't even sure how the higher fees were determined. Other members of the committee included Councilman Zachary Smith and Councilwoman Susan Temple.

The issue of the food truck fees came up at a council meeting last month when Councilwoman Melissa Hiner questioned why no fees had been collected for food trucks this year.

Fees for food trucks had been set in the new zoning code as $100 per day or $250 for six months or $500 for the year starting this year. Council recently agreed to let the fees go for 2026, but to start collecting in 2027 and include a definition for annual, saying it meant from January to December for any zoning fees. Six months was defined as January through June or July through December.

But then at the last meeting, Wilson said he heard some pushback regarding the fees, which were considered too high. The decision was made for the zoning committee to discuss the fees and make a recommendation.

That recommendation was $50 per year, period, whether here for one day or here every week, which council agreed to approve. The fee does not apply to food trucks at the Johnny Appleseed Festival, Columbiana County Fair or the fireworks since they pay for their spots. There will be no separate fee for one day or six months.

In other business, Wilson again raised the idea of a preferred hauler program for trash pickup, changing from his original proposal of a single hauler program, explaining again that the program would be bid out and certain requirements could be a part of the bid, such as offering curbside recycling. Originally, he talked about a single hauler program as a way to have one company doing trash pickup in the village, which he said could save the streets from wear and tear and save residents money through one contract. Then he talked about a preferred hauler program in the city of Hudson, and said Lisbon could do that. If people didn't want to participate they wouldn't have to -- it would be up to residents who they want to haul their trash.

Councilman Jerry Cox questioned what percentage of residents would have to sign up for the preferred hauler program. Wilson said there was no market share requirement. He also said residents wouldn't have to opt out.

"I don't think it's going to help with the streets," Donnalley said.

She indicated she wasn't in favor and informally, the mayor asked how the rest felt. The majority did not want to do it, so he said he was dropping it.

Lisbon resident Tracie Dixon addressed council regarding three topics, including the talk about the village looking trashy when all the different trash containers were out by the curb, showing photos of a house behind village hall with broken windows and other problems and then a photo of a trash can in front of a nice-looking home with a nice yard. She said an apology was owed to residents about where they put their trash cans.

Her second topic dealt with motorists not paying attention to the flashing lights and school crossing at Pritchard Avenue and Lincoln Way, saying a second grader almost got hit crossing the road by a car that had to come to a screeching stop. She said the police were called and asked if there was a license plate number. She questioned if the village was going to wait until tragedy happens before something is done and asked why the police department could post someone at the crossing in the morning and afternoon. She said there's been no announcement about the new school zone and cars are going fast. She said Lisbon's always crying poor -- this would be a way to make some money.

Her third topic dealt with the skate park, saying it should be up at Cedar Park where everything else is located.

Wilson said the signage had not been put up yet by the Ohio Department of Transportation for the school crossing. He updated council that the application for a school crosswalk with lights at West Lincoln Way and Thomas Road was submitted to ODOT.

Donnalley reported on a recent street committee meeting, with projects possibly for next year including catch basins on Washington Street from South Lincoln to Beaver and catch basins at Graham and Washington that would help with the flooding on Maple and Washington. Wilson also mentioned a project for possibly a new storm sewer along Maple. Another project was located at West Chestnut and Cedar or chip and sealing West Chestnut Street for next year.

Wilson said Lisbon may qualify for state Issue II money for 2028 and could also quality for a small cities grant.

In other matters, Tina Cutright Photography received permission to do photos with Santa at the gazebo on the square from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 before the Christmas parade, Carrie Hutchinson spoke with council about oil and gas leases for village property, particularly 56 tracts of about 50 acres and heard an update on the state Route 164 paving project, with the first layer almost finished, then the intersections and the second layer.

The mayor offered thanks to all village employees who helped out with the recent Johnny Appleseed Festival. Fire Chief Mark Hall offered his thanks for all the support for the fire department's pancake breakfast, noting donations from the Lisbon Eagles for the first 100 breakfasts and the donation of apple pancake batter from the Lisbon Ruritans.

The next meeting of village council will be 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at village hall.