January 3rd, 2017 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
COUNCIL MINUTES
January 3, 2017
St. Clairsville City Council met in Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 with the following present:
Jim Weisgerber, Council President Terry Pugh, Mayor
Mark Bukmir, Council 3rd Ward Jim Zucal, Service Director
Linda Jordan, Council-At-Large Jeff Henry, Police Chief
Beth Oprisch, Council-At-Large Tom Murphy, Planning & Zoning Administrator
Jake Olsavsky, Council, 1st Ward Richard Myser, Law Director
Frank Sabatino, Council 2nd Ward Cindi Henry, Finance Director
Mike Smith, Council-At-Large Don Smithberger, Electric Superintendent
John Tomlan, Council 4th Ward
The meeting was called to order by Council President Jim Weisgerber.
MINUTES
Minutes of the December 19, 2016 meeting were distributed to Council. A motion to accept the minutes with corrections was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Mike Smith.
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
APPOINTMENTS: Council President asked Council to reappoint Kathy Kaluger as Council Clerk for 2017. A motion was made by Jake Olsavsky and seconded by Mark Bukmir to make the reappointment.
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
We also need to appoint a Pro-Tem for Council President. A motion was made by Mike Smith and seconded by Jake Olsavsky to reappoint Frank Sabatino as Council President Pro-Tem for 2017.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Olsavsky Yes
Jordan Yes Sabatino Abstain
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) Yes Zero (0) No One (1) Abstained Motion Approved
CITIZENS HEARING:
Mike McCormick & Dr. John Mattox:
Mike McCormick: Dr. Mattox and I are members of the Board of the Underground Railroad Museum. The Underground Railroad Museum desires to purchase the Benjamin Lundy property and to develop it into a park and garden in the rear areas. It is one of the few rear areas behind Main Street that has remained unchanged over the years and we desire to develop that area and also use the home as a part of our museum program. We are applying for a Clean Ohio Grant proposal and it is very important for us to acquire the support of the political sub-divisions that are immediately above us the City of St. Clairsville and the County Commissioners. We ask for your support for us obtaining a grant to purchase and develop the property. I submitted to the Solicitor and your Clerk a proposed Resolution and a letter granting that approval. Your ever diligent Law Director has revised it and I approved his revisions with two changes. We will ask the Council for its support and to enact this as emergency legislation. Linda Jordan: When you say park and garden what do you mean by park? Is that just in order to receive the grant? Mike McCormick: In part that is what the purpose of the Grant is. What we plan to do is put in period and native plants in the rear and landscape it. Tom Murphy: Because it is in the rear of the building it will not need approval of the Architectural Board of Review. Beth Oprisch: Is the reason for the emergency the grant? Mike McCormick: The grant submission date is February 1st, and I assume that Council only meets once a month. Clerk: We meet twice a month. John Mattox: I would like to give an overview of what we are really trying to do, to bring the historical significance of Abolitionism and the movement of the Underground Railroad together. This is a desire to make sure this history is not forgotten. I can tell you that there are structures that were occupied by this particular person in other states, but we certainly don’t have to spend $200,000 to obtain it. What we want the City of St. Clairsville to do is have this for eternity for the young children and for the old people. I say that without any verbiage to tell you how important this is. We leave that to the community. By bringing these two entities together I think you can see personally what you know about how important this will be to the educational community and the community at large. We hope that you will take this under consideration and do whatever is necessary for the grant. Jim Weisgerber: Thank you gentlemen for presenting this to us. I think it will be a nice improvement for our community. I appreciate what you have done.
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2017-01; A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MUSEUM IN ITS SUBMISSION OF A CLEAN OHIO GRANT PROPOSAL FOR ACQUIRING AND IMPROVING THE FORMER BENJAMIN LUNDY PROPERTY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Linda Jordan moved that the rules requiring ordinances and resolutions to be read on three separate readings be suspended and declaring an emergency; Beth Oprisch 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, RESOLUTION NO. 2017-01. A motion was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Beth Oprisch that Resolution No. 2017-01 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
Resolution No. 2017-01 was declared adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Jim Weisgerber: I would suggest that we go into executive session. A motion was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Jake Olsavsky that Council go into Executive Session per Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 (G) (1) to consider the appointment of a Public Official.
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
A motion was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Mike Smith that Council return to Regular Session.
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
Frank Sabatino: I want to publicly state that I was in charge of the nominating committee to fill the vacant seat of Councilman Trouten. The three committee members met on the 19th of December. Each candidate was given the same questions and the same amount of time. We made our recommendation based on the interview and the resume submitted. We were looking for the most qualified person to represent the Ward. The majority of the Committee has nominated John Tomlan to fill the vacancy. A motion was made by Frank Sabatino and seconded by Mike Smith to have John Tomlan fill the Council vacancy for the 4th Ward.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir No Olsavsky Yes
Jordan No Sabatino Yes
Oprisch Yes Smith Yes
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) Yes Two (2) No Motion Approved
The Oath of Office was administered by Law Director, Richard Myser and Mr. Tomlan took his seat at the Council Table.
REPORTS:
Service Director: Jim Zucal
I think we have been very productive. We wrapped up some major projects and had a successful 2016, and I am looking forward to 2017.
We are preparing for a pre-construction meeting with ASK Services to begin the Young Lane water line project to Dorothy Lane, so that is going to be very positive and economically a boost to the City with the development that is occurring out there.
I also want to mention that Scott Brown, the Utility Director and I have met and we are looking to replacing 19 lights at the Water & Waste/Water plants. They will be LED fixtures and the total savings for the City next year will be $4,114. It will have an initial cost of around $836.
I also met with Mr. Murphy and the Mayor and we talked about eventually presenting to Council legislation on road cuts and right-of-way boring. So, when Utility Companies and outside businesses want to work in the public right-of-way, we will have regulations.
Beth Oprisch: Anything new with the Fire Department. Frank Sabatino: The Fire Board met last Wednesday. The Chief brought it up and my recommendation was for the Chief to make an appointment with Jim Zucal and Richard Myser.
Mayor: Terry Pugh
I am looking for 2017 to be another positive year as 2016 has been. I would like to express our appreciation to the American Legion Post 159 for their support to the Police Department. They have provided a training aide for our Police Dog Bo.
I have three individuals for two different Boards that I would like to recommend. For the Architectural Board of Review, I recommend Jeremy Greenwood and Pauline Henry. A motion was made by Jake Olsavsky and seconded by Linda Jordan to re-appoint Jeremy Greenwood and Pauline Henry to the Architectural Board of Review.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan Yes
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) Yes Zero (0) No Motion Approved
I would like to appoint a new member to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Jared Sloan. A motion was made by Beth Oprisch and seconded by Jake Olsavsky to appoint Jared Sloan.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan Yes
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) Yes Zero (0) No Motion Approved
Police Report for December, 2016
Calls and Complaints 177
Special Teams Call Outs 2
Accidents 20
Arrests 22
Parking Tickets Issued 4
Traffic Stops 42
Miles put on Cruisers 5,801
Gasoline Used 591.9 gallons
Police Chief, Jeff Henry: No Report
Finance Director, Cindi Henry:
Ordinance No. 2016-44 is the very end of the year when all of the money is placed where it needs to be and all the financials are good to go. We balanced today, and we will be rolling tomorrow into 2017 and going forward. It is just normal housekeeping at the end of the year.
Planning & Zoning, Tom Murphy:
There will be a Planning Commission Meeting on Thursday, January 12th at 6:00 p.m. The only item on the agenda is the final plans for the Senior Living Facility located at the St. Clair Commons. In March last year the Planning Commission and Council recommended approval of the preliminary plan. There really are not many changes to the final development plan. The Planning Commission makes the final decision on the final plan.
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Finance, Mike Smith: No Report
Utilities, Frank Sabatino:
The Utility Committee met tonight.
Don Smithberger: Looking forward to a new year
Starting in February, Utility Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m.
Police, Mark Bukmir: No Report
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: No Report
Fire District, Frank Sabatino
The Fire Board met last Wednesday, and it was a lengthy meeting. During the Regular meeting we discussed personnel and usual end of year business. Reorganization we re-appointed Chief Rice, Assistant Chief, Mark Sommers and Financial Secretary Matt King. As the City Rep, I was appointed Chairman for the year. Gregg Bizzarri will be coming on for the Township. Next meeting will be Wednesday, January 25th at 3:00 p.m.
Recreation, Linda Jordan: No Report
Park District, Linda Jordan: No Report
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
Law Director, Richard Myser
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2016-44; AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE INTERFUND TRANSFERS AND RELOCATIONS (SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS) WITHIN THE FUNDS FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2016 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2016, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. Linda Jordan moved that the rules requiring ordinances and resolutions to be read on three separate readings be suspended and declaring an emergency; Jake Olsavsky seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan Abstain
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes Zero (0) No One (1) Abstain Motion Approved
There was presented and read to Council on its third and final reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2016-44. A motion was made by Beth Oprisch and seconded by Linda Jordan that Ordinance No. 2016-44 be passed by Council.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan Abstain
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Seven (6) Yes Zero (0) No One (1) Abstain Motion Approved
Ordinance No. 2016-44 was declared adopted.
NEW BUSINESS:
Cindi Henry: We will need an appropriations meeting for the City Budget. I would like to have it on Friday or Tuesday next week. Beth Oprisch: Can it wait until our next meeting? Cindi Henry: I am not allowed to spend any money until the appropriations are put in place by Council. Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. was agreed upon by Council.
The next regular Council Meeting will be Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at 7:30 in the Council Chamber.
There being no other business to come before Council, a motion to adjourn was made by Beth Oprisch and seconded by Jake Olsavsky.