March 7th, 2016 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
COUNCIL MINUTES
March 7, 2016
St. Clairsville City Council met in Council Chambers on Monday, March 7, 2016 with the following present
Jim Weisgerber, Council President Terry Pugh, Mayor
Mark Bukmir, Council 3rd Ward Tom Murphy, Planning & Zoning Administrator
Linda Jordan, Council-At-Large Lindsay Piccolini, Recreation Director
Beth Oprisch, Council-At-Large Richard Myser, Law Director
Jake Olsavsky, Council, 1st Ward Dennis Bigler, Service Director
Frank Sabatino, Council 2nd Ward Jeff Henry, Police Chief
Mike Smith, Council-At-Large Cindi Henry, Finance Director
Don Smithberger, Electric Superintendent
Shelley Fortney, Utility Office Manager
Scott Brown, Water/Wastewater, Superintendent
The meeting was called to order by Council President Jim Weisgerber
MINUTES
Minutes of the February 16, 2016 regular meeting and February 29, 2016 special meeting were distributed to Council. A motion to accept the minutes of both meetings was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Mark Bukmir.
Roll Call Vote February 16, 2016
Bukmir Yes Olsavsky Yes
Jordan Yes Sabatino Abstain
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) Yes One (1) Abstain Zero (0) No Motion Approved
Roll Call Vote February 29, 2016
Bukmir Yes Olsavsky Yes
Jordan Yes Sabatino Yes
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes Zero (0) No Motion Approved
CITIZENS HEARING: Brandon Coleman and two other scouts from Troupe 66 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Brandon Coleman: I am currently working on my Eagle Scout Project which will benefit the St. Clairsville Public Library. I am putting in a rock garden and replacing the shrubbery behind the garden that is currently there and we are going to be removing it hopefully on April 17th and if the weather is bad April 24th. I was wondering if I could close the alley behind the Library from 12:00 to 6:00 on Sunday. Jeff Henry: The only thing is there is parking for the hotel behind the Library now. That is their parking so you would have to leave that parking open. As far as closing the alley I don’t have a problem but the people who park there that live in the hotel, you are going to have to give them access to that.
REPORTS
Service Director, Dennis Bigler
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For those of you who don’t know who Brandon’s Dad is he is Brian Coleman who works for us in the Water/Wastewater Department. In the absence of a superintendent he ran the crew for a good while for us.
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We do have our new Water/Wastewater Superintendent here this evening. I just wanted to introduce Scott Brown to City Council. Scott comes from the Zanesville area. He was last a Village Administrator for a couple of different towns. He has a Bachelors in Public Administration from Ohio University and an Associate’s Degree in Environmental Science. One of his former employers was Ohio Rural Water so Scott called on us as kind of circuit rider for Ohio Rural Water a number of years ago. He brings some big background to us. We spent almost a year without a Superintendent so it is very good to have somebody covering that it is a big load off and I am sure Brian feels the same way.
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We are doing a lot of assessing in Water/Wastewater right now. The Mayor, Tom, Scott and some engineers from the Akron area and I spent a lot of time Friday covering a lot of bases. We are trying to make some improvements particularly to the plants. So that has been a big focus for the last few weeks.
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The other focus that has taken a lot of time is we are working a lot on St. Clair Commons with Plan Review, with utility plan review. The Tax Increment Finance Ordinance is still looming. As of today we thought it was going to come for a vote on March 21st and I think we may be delaying that because of some negotiations that are ongoing maybe delaying that until April 7th.
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There is an ordinance here tonight about buying some vehicles. We spent a lot of time putting this order together last week. We are replacing a lot of old vehicles
Mayor, Terry Pugh
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Police Report for February 2016
Calls and Complaints 247
Special Teams Call Outs 4
Accidents 13
Arrests 26
Parking Tickets Issued 34
Traffic Stops 61
Miles put on Cruisers 5387
Gasoline Used 507.2 gallons
The complete report is available in the Mayor’s Office
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I am sorry to say that one of our veteran officers David DelGuzzo who has been a great officer for the City of St. Clairsville has turned in his resignation as of March 31st and he will be moving on to the County Probation Department. In the near future we will be arranging for tests and interviews to hire another full time officer.
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Everybody I think got Ordinance No. 2015-45. This is only a portion of it. This is an ordinance that was passed last year. One thing that we need to do (this has to do with RITA) we must appoint a Tax Review Board. Council appoints two and the Mayor appoints one. This isn’t something I want done tonight but I just wanted you all to be aware of it. You can talk to Jim and talk about it with each other and by the 21st I will have the appointment for my one.
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Talking about RITA, there has been a couple of complaints called in from members of the community who have attempted to call the RITA office and get answers to their questions and so today I made that call to that 800 number and I am pleased to say that in five minutes I was speaking with a representative. After we spoke I ended up speaking with a supervisor and I expressed our concern that other citizens have called RITA and left messages and have not received a return call. I would like to advise that the number that should be called is 800-860-7482. The RITA office is open from 8:00 to 5:00 Monday thru Friday and now they are extending hours on Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00. If someone is not able to get through or does not get a call back if they will call my office I will call the supervisor who’s name I was given and he assured me they will get back to these people. I will say this, when I called I was given different selections, I just kept punching 0 until I was talking to a person. It worked for me if someone is having trouble they might try that.
Police Chief, Jeff Henry
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We will have a short Police Committee meeting after the Regular Council Meeting.
Finance Director, Cindi Henry
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There are two Ordinances 2016-13 and 2016-14. I emailed you earlier this week with the limited information I had on these, I received them today. 2016-13 is regarding a post issuance compliance policy that our Bond Council has put together. I am not going to tell you that I am an Attorney and I can tell you all the ins and outs on this but basically it states right in the Ordinance that this is part of what they need to have on file and we need to have a policy on then they will forward regarding the necessary security laws and income tax laws for the bond to be rewritten. 2016-14 is actually the ordinance that they set up that is the actual instrument that will be used to proceed forward in rewriting those bonds. It will be a significant money savings over the life of the bond because of the interest rate being down. I advised them if they chose to do the first reading tonight we required three readings before we would pass anything.
Planning & Zoning Administrator, Tom Murphy
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We do have a Planning Commission Meeting set up for Monday, March 21st at 6:00 pm. That is the St. Clair Commons preliminary plat. It is a public hearing and the preliminary plan hearing for the Senior Living Facility. Anybody on Council or the Public are welcome to attend.
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A Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting is set up for March 28th that is a Monday at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers for a conditional use establishing a new business at Woodrow and South Sugar.
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Finance, David Trouten – Not Present
Utilities, Frank Sabatino
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The Utility Committee met prior to this meeting. Again we want to welcome Scott Brown to the City of St. Clairsville and look forward to working with you.
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Scott Brown, Water/Wastewater Superintendent: No Report tonight
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Don Smithberger, Electric Superintendent: I would just like to say thank you to all the departments Water/Wastewater, Street, Electric and Police and to all the Citizens most of all for allowing us to get our job done out here on East Main Street. A tree fell across there and we had a pretty good job just thanks for everything.
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Shelley Fortney, Utility Office Manager: We are working along and anxiously awaiting spring. We discussed in Utility Committee tonight that we are going to continue with our pool meter program which will start April 1st. It is a first come first served program.
Police, Mark Bukmir: As Chief Henry said we will have a short meeting tonight.
Street North Side, Jake Olsavsky – No Report
Street South Side: Linda Jordan – No Report
Safety, Beth Oprisch – No Report
Building & Grounds, Mark Bukmir – No Report
Planning Commission, Mike Smith
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Beth and I met with Tom before this meeting going over the plat for the St. Clair Commons
Fire District, Frank Sabatino
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The Fire Board met in regular session on the 29th of February. The agenda included the Fire Chief recommended Jarod Greenwood for a full time position as Firefighter, Paramedic after the successful completion of his one year probation period.
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The Fire Board appointed Perry Jones to the Fire Board as a Citizen Representative.
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The Fire District received a $2,500 check from XTO Energy
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From the Chief we heard a report on vehicles and equipment and exhaust system repair to the station
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Received information on the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Class
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The Department is going to meet with a company on energy improvements to the station
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Next meeting will be Wednesday, March 23rd at 3:00 in the Main Station
Recreation, David Trouten – Not Present
Park District, Linda Jordan
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I did have a Citizen reach out to me in regards to the gates at the Park being locked. They wanted to know when they are going to be unlocked. I hope to find out exactly what the Board’s plans are for that.
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I did give everyone a handout that is available to the public that tell everything that is being done with the current levy money and what they propose to do in the future with the renewal levy
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The next meeting is Monday, March 14th so I will be attending that
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS:
Law Director, Richard Myser:
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We have several Ordinances for this evening. The first one I want to discuss with Council is 2016-10. That is the Ordinance that we have read twice before. It is ready for a third reading and apparently we are not going to read it for a third reading tonight.
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I put at everyone’s table an amended version of 2016-10. When Gregory Daniels met with us at our Special Meeting he suggested and Council approved to limit the first TIF to just the Senior Services Center and basically what the changes that you all have is to limit that TIF to just that area. You will see attached to the Ordinance that you have is Exhibit A. Originally it was for the entire exhibit A now it is limited to only Lot #4 which is the Senior Services Center. So that particular Ordinance we will not read tonight for the third reading.
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We have three new ordinances 2016-13 which Cindi just explained to you. 2016-14 which Cindi also explained to you. By the way Cindi would you like for them to pass this tonight? We have six members in session tonight so if Council wishes to suspend the rules we could pass them. Cindi Henry: That is totally up to Council. I expressed our concern with Bond Council and the fact that you wanted three readings normally so that is why there was such a rush to get it prepared for tonight if we are doing three readings.
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The next Ordinance you have in front of you is Ordinance No. 2016-15. This is an Ordinance that actually is an amendment to an Ordinance that we passed in 2015, it was 2015-49. Actually we are changing the ¾ ton pickup to a 1 ton pickup and we are adding another 550/5500 4wd truck with steel dump bed and a 350/3500 tandem with steel dump bed. So we are actually adding three items to the list of trucks to be purchased. Dennis explained to you that they are in some need for additional vehicles. This Ordinance you can once again suspend the rules and pass it tonight. This Ordinance has the emergency language in it so it can go into effect immediately. Dennis Bigler: I would like it passed tonight. Jim Weisgerber: Some times and this may be one of them in order to get these vehicles on the Cooperative Purchasing Program you have to move quickly. So this is something you should take into consideration. For the new people on Council, we have only purchased vehicles when we needed them. I know there is equipment out there that goes back 15 or 20 years. If we take care of this equipment as well as we did in the past we won’t be facing some of these issues for quite a few years again. Mayor Pugh: I would like to add that the money for this equipment has all been set aside. Cindi Henry: We initially it will come from the Oil & Gas proceeds and depending on what the totality of this will be we can take it from the Permanent Improvement money. The Digger Truck is coming from the Electric Department Permanent Improvement Fund.
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That is all the Legislation I have this evening and no one has contacted me about going into Executive Session.
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2016-13; APPROVING A WRITTEN POST-INSURANCE COMPLIANCE POLICY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF TAX-EXEMPT AND TAX-PREFERRED OBLIGATIONS BY THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE.
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2016-14; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN THE AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $5,4000,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVANCE REFUNDING A PORTION OF BONDS ISSUED IN APRIL 2007 FOR THE PURPOSE OF (1) PAYING THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING A GARAGE FOR THE USE BY THE CITY’S ELECTRIC SYSTEM; (2) PAYING THE COSTS OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY’S SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM; (3) PAYING THE COSTS OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY’S WATER SYSTEM; (4) PAYING THE COSTS OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY’S RECREATIONAL FACILITIES: (5) PAYING THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING AND IMPROVING BICYCLE TRAILS; (6) PAYING THE COSTS OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CITY’S WASTEWATER SYSTEM; (7) PAYING THE COSTS OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING AND INSTALLING AN ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION, INCLUDING THE SITE ACQUISITION AND ENGINEERING COSTS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH; (8) PAYING THE COSTS OF ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING AND INSTALLING AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM SUBSTATION AND LAND ACQUISITION; (9) PAYING THE COSTS OF ACQUIRING A SLUDGE TRUCK AND TANKER FOR USE BY THE SEWER DEPARTMENT; (10) PAYING THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING AND INSTALLING A ROOF FOR THE RECREATION CENTER; AND (11) PAYING THE COSTS OF ACQUIRING A LINESTRIPER FOR USE BY THE STREET DEPARTMENT, AND AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING RELATED MATTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS.
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2016-15; AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING AUTHORIZATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO SOLICIT COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR CERTAIN EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES UNDER THE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM, AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE IN EXCESS OF $25,000.00 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Jake Olsavsky moved that the rules requiring ordinances and resolutions to be rad on three separate readings be suspended and declaring an emergency; Linda Jordan seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Olsavsky Yes
Jordan Yes Sabatino Yes
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes Zero (0) No Motion Approved
There was presented and read to Council on its third and final reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2016-15. .A motion was made by Jake Olsavsky and seconded by Linda Jordan that Ordinance No. 2016-15 be passed by Council.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Olsavsky Yes
Jordan Yes Sabatino Yes
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes Zero (0) No Motion Approved
Ordinance No. 2016-15 was declared adopted.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor’s Report: The Mayor’s Collection for February 2016 was $4,499.12. A motion to accept the Mayor’s Report was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Mark Bukmir.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Olsavsky Yes
Jordan Yes Sabatino Yes
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes Zero (0) No Motion Approved
CORRESPONDENCE:
Bible Reading Marathon: A letter was received from the Bible Reading Marathon Task Force asking for permission to once again hold the Bible Reading Marathon from Friday, April 29th at 7:30 until Thursday, May 5th at 10:00 just before the National Day of Prayer observance. They are asking permission to read under the shelter of the big tent on the Belmont County Courthouse Plaza as they have in the past. A motion was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Jake Olsavsky to permit the use of the tent for the annual Bible Reading Marathon.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Olsavsky Yes
Jordan Yes Sabatino Yes
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes Zero (0) No Motion Approved
Hanson Drive Block Party:
The Clerk read a letter from Jane Kalonick asking to have Hanson Drive blocked off for the Fourth of July from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m… Jeff Henry: I don’t have a problem with closing the street if all the neighbors agree. Beth Oprisch: Does everyone on the street agree? Jim Weisgerber: We have plenty of time to address this maybe it would be a good idea if you find out if everyone is in agreement. Jeff Henry: You could send a letter. There are not that many residents on that street, if she lists all the people she has contacted I don’t think we should have to send a letter. Beth Oprisch: It sounds like it would be safe but I would just think that we would want to know if everybody wanted that on that block. I think that would be up to them to say we are all wanting it. Jeff Henry: If she gets a signature from everybody on a letter.
NEXT MEETING:
The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 7:30 in Council Chambers
There being no other business to come before Council a motion to adjourn was made by Beth Oprisch and seconded by Jake Olsavsky.