June 19th, 2017 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
COUNCIL MINUTES
June 19, 2017
St. Clairsville City Council met in Council Chambers on Monday, June 19, 2017, with the following present:
Jim Weisgerber, Council President Terry Pugh, Mayor
Mark Bukmir, Council 3rd Ward Cindi Henry, Finance 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 Jim Zucal, Service Director
Mike Smith, Council-At-Large
John Tomlan, Council 4th Ward
The meeting was called to order by Council President Jim Weisgerber.
MINUTES
Minutes of the June 05, 2017 regular meeting were distributed to Council. A motion to accept the minutes was made by John Tomlan and seconded by Jake Olsavsky.
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
CITIZENS HEARING:
Bob Watkins: Gulfport
We are here to present the water line and nature trail route that we have submitted and discussed with the Mayor, Tom Murphy the Planning and Zoning Administrator and briefly discussed it with Jim Zucal, Service Director. We just wanted to come and see if there were any additional questions or anything else to discuss. Beth Oprisch: I had an opportunity to take a walk on that lane and I appreciate that opportunity and you guys going extra slow so I could make it. Tom Murphy came along with us. It is a beautiful piece of property and I appreciate the chance to see it.
REPORTS:
Service Director: Jim Zucal
I want to let you know that I have been working diligently with the negotiating team of the AFSCME group and I should have something very soon for Council. It is progressing well.
The Mayor, Roberta, Cindi and I attended a public works training session in Marietta. We were looking at funding and grant opportunities for the city. I assure you I look at every grant opportunity that is possible. The most needed component in the future will be out at the Commons Mall Crossing with the new water tank. It is a half a million gallon tank. The preliminary number is about 1.2 million dollars. We pre applied with the ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) for the first leg of funding. I am also looking at Public Works and OWDA which is the water development authority. That needs to happen and we are perusing that and I will keep Council informed.
You may notice that the drop box is almost complete in the alley behind city hall. That will be for utility payments. It is a secure stainless steel box, it has also been bricked by a couple local masons and they have done a fantastic job with that. We are going to clean it up, put some protective bollards around it. I think the public will love the ability to come there in the evenings and on the weekend and even during the day and drop off their utility bills. It is a one way alley. If you get an opportunity take a look at that.
We are also doing something that may have been neglected around the community for a long time, we are evaluating and cleaning up the fire hydrants. The three summer students that we have working are an exceptional group. They have been trained to wrap a tarp, use a wire brush and a scraper. The color that you see on there now is a primer. When it is finished the hydrants will be painted in St. Clairsville colors so they will be red and gray. At the same time we are replacing some old hydrants and we are focusing on the downtown and the core of the city to make sure that it is safe. When we are done I am sure we will be very pleased with what we have. Beth Oprisch: The summer interns are they city employees? Jim Zucal: Two of them are students at Ohio State they are good kids. We pay them minimum wage. Beth Oprisch: The selection process? Jim Zucal: We advertise for applicants and the ones that are turned in are evaluated and interviewed and we came up with these three.
Mayor: Terry Pugh
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week I attended the Ohio Mayor’s Conference in Columbus. I found it very worthwhile. It seem like the state is continuing to pursue centralized collection for the Income Tax. That is something that the cities have fought against. I don’t know where it is going yet but we will probably be asked to pass another resolution with the fact that we are not for it.
Another big issue that is coming and we are going to have to decide what St. Clairsville is going to do is about medical marijuana. The State as of May 8th has issued 12 licenses for what they consider large cultivators of 25 thousand square feet and 12 small cultivators of 16 hundred square feet. And they will be issuing licenses for distribution. I personally am not against medical marijuana but I do have a problem with the fact that a doctor does not give a prescription, he gives a recommendation. There is a question about who gives that recommendation, it may not have to be a M.D. I am against distribution in St. Clairsville. I would like to push for legislation that we don’t support that in the city limits.
I will say that I totally support the walking trail and I am sure .everybody who was able to make the work session with and Beth and Tom felt the same way. I have heard nothing but good from anyone in the community who has heard about it. When Gulfport is done and they go to reclaim it the good thing is that it we will have a walking path. The other thing is the above ground pipe line will be cutting down on the truck traffic on Barton Road and Route 40. I think that is a real plus.
Police Chief, Jeff Henry: No Report
Finance Director, Cindi Henry: The Audit is completed and they will be sending it to the State by the end of this week. We will have a Post Audit where we will either call or email it to all of you to tell you when we will be scheduling it and you are welcome to attend.
We also have been contacted by R.I.T.A. We did the subpoena program last year and took in $50,000. We will be repeating that again on September 18th. It will be held at the Recreation Center.
Hopefully by the next meeting we will be disseminating the new policy book to all of the staff members.
Planning & Zoning, Tom Murphy:
We do have an ordinance before you extending the Preliminary Plat Approval for the St. Clair Commons sub-division until March 17, 2018.
Reiterating what Beth and the Mayor said you can walk that trail location and it will be a great addition to the City and to the Park. On Wednesday Terry & I met with the Park District and they are on board all the way.
COUNCIL COMMITTEES:
Finance, Mike Smith: No Report
Utilities, Frank Sabatino:
There is a lot of Utility work going on at the East End at St. Clair Commons. The Utilities are moving at a fast pace. There was a nice article in the Sunday paper about the project being a little ahead of schedule.
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:
It is good hearing about the Fire Hydrants getting painted. Next Fire meeting is tomorrow at 3:00 at the Main Station. Beth Oprisch: Any more information about the Fire Department Building? Frank Sabatino: Nothing new.
Recreation, Linda Jordan:
The Red Devil Classic Track Meet for little kids went very well last Saturday. There will be another race this Saturday.
Community Day plans are coming along very well.
Park District, Linda Jordan:
The next meeting is June 26th
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
Law Director, Richard Myser:
We have a number of legislation to go over tonight. The first one Resolution 2017-24, that is the Resolution for the renewal levy. This is the second reading and Cindi would appreciate it if you would suspend the rules and pass it on an emergency. The next piece of legislation being read on its second reading is Resolution No. 2017-29. It authorizes and directs the Service Director to solicit bids for resurfacing and make expenditures not to exceed $150,000. We have three pieces of legislation to be read for the first time. The first one Ordinance No. 2017-31 is the one Tom Murphy talked about. It is to extend the time to file the Final Plat for the St. Clair Commons. This is not an Emergency. The next one is Ordinance No. 2014-32 An Ordinance requiring Cash Deposits of Tenants to be Refunded or Credited. The last one Ordinance No. 2017-33 is an Ordinance Authorizing a temporary easement and right –of-way agreement with Gulfport Energy.
There was presented and read to Council on its second reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2017-24; RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NECESSITY FOR THE RENEWAL LEVY WITH NO INCREASE AND NO DECREASE OF A CONTINUOUS TAX IN EXCESS OF THE TEN (10) MILL LIMITATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CURRENT OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO, FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS. Jake Olsavsky moved that the rules requiring ordinances and resolutions to be read on three separate readings be suspended and declaring an emergency; Frank Sabatino seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan No
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes One (1) No Motion Approved
There was presented and red to Council on its third and final reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2017-24. A motion was made by Frank Sabatino and seconded by Linda Jordan the Resolution No. 2017-24 be passes by Council.
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan No
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) Yes One (1) No Motion Approved
Resolution No. 2017-24 was declared adopted.
There was presented and read to Council on its second reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2017-29; A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO SOLICIT COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR THE RESURFACING OF STREETS IN THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED $150,000.00 FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2017 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2017-31; AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TIME TO FILE THE FINAL PLAT FOR THE ST. CLAIR COMMONS SUBDIVISION FROM SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 TO MARCH 17, 2018
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2017-32; AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 943.01 AND 943.02 REQUIRING CASH DEPOSITS OF TENANTS TO BE REFUNDED OR CREDITED.
There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2017-33; ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A TEMPORARY EASEMENT AND RIGHT-OF-WAY AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO AND GULFPORT ENERGY CORPORATION 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 Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan Yes
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) Yes Zero (()) No Motion Approved
There was presented and read to Council on its third and final reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2017-33. A motion was made by Beth Oprisch and seconded by John Tomlan that Ordinance No. 2017-33 be passed by Council
Roll Call Vote
Bukmir Yes Sabatino Yes
Jordan Yes Smith Yes
Oprisch Yes Tomlan Yes
Olsavsky Yes
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) Yes Zero (()) No Motion Approved
Ordinance No. 2017-33 was declared adopted.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Belmont County Tourism:
Thank you for your help with this year’s Wagon Train. The event was a huge success! I am fortunate to have your support! Several participants commented on how much they enjoyed the route and the hospitality they received while in St. Clairsville. I express heartfelt thanks.
St. Clairsville Public Library:
Thank you so much for providing street parking for library visitors during the library’s Summer Reading Open House on June 5. During Open House we had 415 visitors. By the end of Open House over 200 people had joined Summer Reading at the Library. Convenient parking was important to making the library Open House a success. On behalf of the library, thank you for providing parking spots for the event.
NEXT MEETING: The next Council Meeting will be Wednesday, July 5, 2017 – 7:30 p.m.
in Council Chambers
There being no other business to come before Council, a motion to adjourn was made by John Tomlan and seconded by Beth Oprisch.