Columbiana will be getting a new police chief, and a local restaurant will soon be offering mixed drinks.

Columbiana Police Chief Michael Lann has tendered his resignation effective Nov. 1. And in a special called meeting held last Wednesday, in the absence of Councilmember Leslie Whiting,

the City Council voted unanimously to pay him for the balance of his accrued vacation and compensatory time as of Nov. 1.

Mayor Allan Lowe explained that while Lann has tendered his resignation and is out of the office on vacation until Nov. 1, he will be on call if needed.

Lowe said Lann tendered his resignation and the council &uot;happily agreed to extend his service until Nov. 1 so he could take advantage of his vacation time and leave that he has earned.&uot;

Lowe continued, &uot;Chief Lann has raised the standard for all future police chiefs in Columbiana and we wish him every success in his future career.

&uot;He allowed the Police Department to be more involved in the community. Under his watch such programs as the Student Resource Officer, Neighborhood Watch Program and Explorer Program for youth were all started and enjoyed great success,&uot; Lowe said.

Lowe said Lann brought a greater degree of professionalism to the police department and he was personally involved in the community as a youth football coach and a concerned parent.

&uot;I’ve truly enjoyed my four years working for the city and serving its citizens. My family and I have found a home here and greatly care about the community,&uot; Lann said. &uot;I have accepted a position as director of security for the branches of the First National Bank of Columbiana.

&uot;I am looking forward to working there and serving the community in that position.&uot; Lann also said he will continue to look for new ways to serve the community.

In another matter, Bernie’s On Main will soon be able to offer diners mixed alcohol drinks with their meals in addition to beer and wine.

The City Council voted 5-0 to grant the restaurant a retail liquor license.

Lowe explained that the special called meeting was held because Bernie’s wine and beer license was about to expire and would have had to be renewed by 12:01 a.m. last Thursday at a cost of $450.

The retail liquor license, which must also be approved by the ABC Board, will cost Bernie’s $900.

Lowe said the City Council would have held a special meeting for any other business which found itself in a similar situation.

It was explained by Bernard Tamburello and Lowe that the new license will be treated the same as was the beer and wine license, only the restaurant

will be able to offer more variety to customers.

It was explained that

alcoholic beverages will only be served with a meal or while a diner is waiting to be seated and there will be a limit on the number of drinks sold to an individual depending upon size.

In other matters, the council voted to place Phillip Carter on permanent status in the classified service as a general Street and Sanitation worker in Pay Grade V Step 3, effective Oct. 4.

The council approved the emergency purchase of a 2005 GMC cab and chassis for a six-yard garbage packer at a cost of $32,576.46. Because the truck compacts garbage, it can haul more than the two pickup trucks presently being used by the city. The pickup trucks will be eliminated.

Lowe appointed new Councilmember Danny Kelley as an ex-officio member of the Planning and Zoning Board to a term set to end Oct. 6, 2008.

The mayor and council approved the appointments of Leigh Shultz and Ashley Phillips to terms on the Parks and Recreation Board ending Oct. 1, 2009 and Ouida Mayfield, Pam Oliver, Alma McCarty and Scarlott Lowe to the Beautification Board