Crime prevention, a new youth facility and a community grocery store were just some of the ideas thrown around with how Warren can spend American Rescue Plan funds in a meeting organized by 6th Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold Thursday night.

"It's something that obviously will have to be legislated," Saffold said. "Whether it be through legislation or just a resolution of support."

Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold created the idea to equally divide some of the ARP funds to be spent for each ward in the city. The concept gained some push back, some questioning the legality of it, whether incoming council members should have a say and why council just doesn't work collectively.

"There was a wish list that was given to the administration as to how we wanted the money spent in our respective wards," Saffold added.

Other ideas discussed include surveillance cameras for elderly residents.

"Considering how last year we had a number of homicides, I believe the most in the history of the city," Saffold said. "We need some of that money to go into the neighborhoods. Our neighborhoods are suffering and so we want to make sure some of that money is being spent specifically in our neighborhoods."

Saffold added there's talks of flipping the former Palmyra Road fire station into a police substation.

"It had been one several years ago and so we're hoping to repeat that," Saffold added.

While no decisions were made Thursday, Saffold is hopeful decisions should come soon once council agrees on how the funds should specifically be spent.

"We are the gatekeepers for the finances for the City of Warren and we should be privy to every penny that's being spent in our city," Saffold said.

Saffold added the City of Warren has until 2024 to spend the 28 million of ARP funds.