City of St. Clairsville

August 6, 2018 Council Minutes

Posted on August 22nd, 2018 by

Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.

COUNCIL MINUTES

August 6, 2018

St. Clairsville City Council met in Council Chambers on Monday, August 6, 2018 with the following present:

Tim Porter, Council President

Perry Basile, Council 1st Ward                        Terry Pugh, Mayor

Mark Bukmir, Council 3rd Ward                     Jim Zucal, Service Director

Linda Jordan, Council-At-Large                     Cindi Henry, Finance Director

Frank Sabatino, Council 2nd Ward                 Richard Myser, Law Director

Mike Smith, Council-At-Large                        Jeff Henry, Police Chief

Jim Velas, Council 4th Ward                           Tom Murphy, Planning & Zoning Administrator

Don Smithberger, Superintendent of Services

The meeting was called to order by President, Tim Porter

MINUTES:  Minutes of the July 16, 2018 meeting were distributed to Council.  A motion was made by Mike Smith and seconded by Perry Basile to approve the Minutes of July 16, 2018.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Abstain

Roll Call Vote:           Five (5) Yes                One (1) Abstain         Motion Approved

           

CITIZENS HEARING: 

Wendy Anderson, St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce

I am the Director of the Chamber of Commerce here in St. Clairsville and I am here to ask Council to approve a Fall Decorating Contest that we are going to have in downtown on Main Street in St. Clairsville.  It is not just for Chamber Members it is going to be for businesses.  What we are going to do is the decorating has to be done by September 30th and we are going to have a contest.  I have the Barnesville Chamber Director and the Flushing Business Director who are going to be our judges.  There will be a first place and second place winners.  There will be a $75 gift card for the first place winner and a $25 card for the second place winner.  This is really just to promote Downtown St. Clairsville.  We have a lot of people who say why don’t you do little things for the community so this is something I came up with and we are going to do this.  It should be really easy.  I talked to Tom Murphy, the Mayor and Chief Henry about this and they all said it sounds pretty good.  I am not going to do anything elaborate.  It is just going to be very nice.  It is just a way of showcasing the businesses in downtown and any other businesses.  On Friday, October 12th from 11:00 to 2:00 we are going to have the announcing of the winners.  My plan is to have two food trucks, one will be Wood Fire Pizza Company and the other one Desperado Dogs, they are actually out of Steubenville but he said he wanted to come down here.  We are planning it during lunch hours so people working in the City can come for lunch.  People have been asking for food trucks in town.  A motion to approve the Fall Decorating Contest was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Perry Basile.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Yes

Roll Call Vote:           Six (6) Yes                  Zero (0) No                 Motion Approved

I want to invite Council to our ribbon cuttings and open houses.  We get calls all the time from new businesses coming in and when we do a ribbon cutting they want to know who is our Councilman.  We would like to ask you to come to our ribbon cuttings so people can see who you are.  When you come it really does show that we are all together in the City.

American Electric Power:  Ryan Barnt, Chad Earhart, Paul Prater & Todd Heaston

Jim Zucal:  These gentlemen are here to discuss with us some of the issues we have been having with power outages in the City and around the area.  I thank the AEP representatives for coming this evening, they were very willing to do that.  What they are here to talk about is the City of St. Clairsville buys our electric from American Electric Power.   Don Smithberger and his crew do a great job of get that out to all of our constituents.  The Mayor and I thought it was a great idea to bring them in and talk about supply and transmission and special events with the weather where we lose power and such just to let our customers know it is not just this magic electric plant out there in St. Clairsville.  It is truly these gentlemen and their team and their associates that supply power to the city and they do a fine job of that.  There has been some strange weather lately so there have been some questions.  We thought that having these gentlemen come in would ease the minds of some of the people who pay for the electric.  Ryan Brant gave a power point presentation.  He told Council that he is here to talk to Council about the events that happened on July 6th and talked about the St. Clairsville Area improvement plans.  On Friday July 6th we had five momentary outages during the course of the day.  There was a tree 30 feet outside the right-of-way.  It fell over and there were some grape vines that were swinging into the phasor and ultimately tripped out the transmission system.  It started at 7:30 a.m. and went on throughout the day.  We had crews out there.  Finally we isolated the line so we could have crews safely go in and take care of the tree.  Over the course of the next five years we will be doing a capital improvement project.  We are going to rebuild 31 miles of line.

Don Smithberger:  AEP has been a good working partner with us over the years.  I am glad to see all the improvement that is going on.  I appreciate your support.  Mayor Pugh:  I will make one comment, all of this costs a lot.  There is a surcharge on the bill right now and it is to help AEP pay for this infrastructure.

REPORTS:

Service Director, Jim Zucal:  I want to inform Council that we do have two new hires coming on board.  They will start August 20th which is two weeks from today.  Our candidates have already been approved by the Civil Service Commission and they are ready to work.  They are Matthew Goletz a local St. Clairsville graduate who lives in the area, he will be working in the Street Department.  We also have Daniel Elerick who is going to be Operator in training at the Water Plant filling a vacancy possibly in the future.  We want to get a young person in there and train.  We did bring the new tractor and mower tonight, it is out in front of the Municipal Building .  It is a very large unit and we are very excited about it.  We did sell the old tractor and mower in the auction.  This tractor was purchased on State purchasing.  The mower was assembled on the tractor in South Dakota.  It has some unique new features.  It has a 21 foot reach.  We have been spraying weeds along Main Street and doing a lot of cleaning, weed eating whatever we can.  It has been a summer and not having the tractor made it a little tougher but we are giving it our best effort and you can see some of the improvements in the City.  Frank Sabatino:  The tractor it has multiple uses doesn’t it?  Jim Zucal:  It does, we have a lot of ideas for it.  We have talked about eventually getting a ditching wheel, and a snow plow.  It is very functional.  We have a nice unit and I think it will serve the City for a long time.

Mayor, Terry Pugh:  The person that we dealt with at Tiger for the mower was actually from St. Clairsville.

This past week the Master Gardeners did a lot of work trimming and pulling weeds at the Mayor’s Garden on the Biketrail.  Lorrinda Saxby purchased a lot of the materials that were used.  The spreading was done by the prisoners.  I want to commend all of them for helping the City out.

Police Chief, Jeff Henry:  No Report

Finance Director, Cindi Henry:  We have three resolutions tonight from my department.  Number 2018-18 is the $100,000 that is currently sitting in the vehicle license fund at the County.  We have asked the County Engineer to release that money.  It will be the partial payment for the paving we recently had done.  It is necessary that we pass this as an emergency as the bill is sitting on my desk.  The second one I have is number 2018-20.  Anytime I establish a new fund it requires Council’s approval.  This will be to establish a fund for the new water tank.  The last one I have is number 2018-21. Anytime you receive money over and above what you are anticipating for the year it is considered new money and Council has to approve if we are going to spend the money.  An employee of the Wastewater Department rolled our skid steer and was not injured however the insurance company settled with us for the cost and the money was deposited.  In order for us to spend it to replace the skid steer I need Council’s approval.

Our Audit has been completed.  I copied the last couple of pages which is where they ding the city for any wrong doings.  We were given one finding and it was for the Recreation Department.  This is an almost identical finding that they had last year.  The next page is last year’s findings and whether they have been corrected or not.  Everything was corrected except for the Recreation Center.  The Auditor’s sent the City a management letter which is where they have found some deficiencies that they felt should be put in black and white so there can be some changes.  The first one is a noncompliance with the Rec. Center.  It was a recommendation that we have cross training of the employees.  We have rectified that, they are all crossed trained now.  The third was credit card receipts which was mostly in the Utility Office.  Individuals who use credit cards we will be reversing those fees onto the credit card.  We just recently sent all the information to our software company.  Whenever somebody swipes their card or uses their number on our system to pay their utility bills a message will flash on the screen saying if you choose to use your credit card this is the fee you are going to pay not the city.  The last one they recommended, we spent money a few years ago getting our asset management plan updated because it had not been taken care of for many years.  They like what we did, it is an awesome program and they are thinking we need to do something similar with our consumable inventory.  What we take in every year such as police department bullets.  We need some type of policy put in place.  Don Smithberger is excellent giving me the inventory every wear.  It is everything that we utilize then it goes away and we buy it again.  They are just recommendations you don’t have to but they strongly recommend that you do.

Planning & Zoning Administrator, Tom Murphy:  Thanks to Wendy Anderson for taking over that project for the downtown.

There will be a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Tuesday, August 14th at 6:00.  There are two variance requests on the agenda.  The first is 131 Crisswill Road.  The property owner wants to build a desk to the south property line.  The second item is 111 Lexington Drive.  That property owner wants to construct an 8 foot high fence in the rear of the property.  The code allows for 7 foot high maximum.

COUNCIL COMMITTEES:

Finance, Mike Smith:

I just wanted to add that the Audit Reportt is a clean report, it is important to note that other than a few minor findings.  Good job.

Utilities, Frank Sabatino:

The committee met this evening and I want to thank Don and Anita for coming in.  Don Smithberger:  We are working on Route 9 South moving the power line back so that it doesn’t get destroyed.  We hope to have a power outage on Thursday, all residents will be notified.

Frank Sabatino:  I want to remind people that no signs are allowed to be posted on poles.

Police, Mark Bukmir:

We will have a meeting after the next Council Meeting.

Street North Side, Jim Velas:  No Report

Street South Side, Beth Oprisch:  Not Present

Safety, Beth Oprisch:  Not Present

Building and Grounds, Perry Basile: No Report

Planning Commission, Mike Smith:  No Report

Recreation, Linda Jordan: 

The summer concert series is over, we would like to thank all the Citizens for coming out and any Council Members who came out.  Tomorrow Friends Church is holding their Music under the Stars.  There will be live music, inflatables, games, food and it is open to the public.  The next meeting is Monday, August 20th.

Park District, Linda Jordan:  Community Day is Sunday, August 12th from Noon to 5:00.  Pool admission is free, there will be food and a chance to see the new Pickle Ball Courts, etc.

Fire District, Frank Sabatino:  The Fire District met in regular session on the 26th of July.  It was a working luncheon.  Just normal operating meeting.  Last Monday there was a story and a picture in the Times Leader that Murry Energy donated $15,000 plus the $7,000 grant for a new SUV.  It is allows us more accessibility in the area.  Robert did a nice job.  Our next meeting will be Wednesday August 15th at the Main Station.

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTION: Law Director, Richard Myser:  We have five pieces of legislation tonight and basically they are all administrative matters.  We would like to have those passed on Emergency Basis.  We have six Council Members here today so we could suspend the rules and pass them tonight.  As Cindi explained three of them deal with accounts she need to set up.  Resolution No. 2018-19 is a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement Programs.  Jim Zucal:  That is allowing the Mayor to apply for a grant so that we can work on the engineering and the final solution for the flooding on Bellview and Overbaugh.  The last one is to advertise for bids for the construction of a 500,000 gallon water tank.

There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2018-18; A RESOLUTION TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS WITHIN THE 2011 FUND FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2018 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2018, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  Jim Velas moved that the rules requiring Ordinances and Resolutions to be read on three separate readings be suspended and declaring an emergency; Mike Smith seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           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. 2018-18; a motion was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Perry Basile that Resolution No. 2018-18 be passed by Council.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Yes

Roll Call Vote:           Six (6) Yes                  Zero (0) No                 Motion Approved

Resolution No. 2018-18 was declared adopted.

There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2018-19; A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM(S) AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED 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; Mark Bukmir seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           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. 2018-19.  A motion was made by Perry Basile and seconded by Mike Smith that Resolution No. 2018-19 be passed by Council.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Yes

Roll Call Vote:           Six (6) Yes                  Zero (0) No                 Motion Approved

Resolution No. 2018-19 was declared adopted.

There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2018-20; A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE NEW RESERVOIR IMPROVEMENT (WATER TANK) FUND AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  Mike Smith moved that the rules requiring Ordinances and Resolutions to be read on three separate readings be suspended and declaring an emergency; Perry Basile seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           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. 2018-20.  A motion was made by Linda Jordan and seconded by Perry Basile that Resolution No. 2018-20 be passed by Council.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Yes

Roll Call Vote:           Six (6) Yes                  Zero (0) No                 Motion Approved

Resolution No. 2018-20 was declared adopted.

There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, RESOLUTION NO. 2018-21; A RESOLUTION TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS WITHIN THE FUND FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY L, 2018 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2018, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.  Jim Velas moved that the rules requiring Ordinances and Resolutions to be read on three separate readings be suspended and declaring an emergency; Linda Jordan seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           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. 2018-21.  A motion was made by Mike Smith and seconded by Mark Bukmir that Resolution No. 2018-21 be passed by Council.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Yes

Roll Call Vote:           Six (6) Yes                  Zero (0) No                 Motion Approved

Resolution No. 2018-21 was declared adopted.

There was presented and read to Council on its first reading by title only, ORDINANCE NO. 2018-22; AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS AND ACCEPT BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 500,000 GALLON WATER TANK LOCATED OFF OF DOROTHY PLACE 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; Mark Bukmir seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           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 ORDINANCE NO. 2018-22.  A motion was made by Mark Bukmir and seconded by Perry Basile that Ordinance No. 2018-22 be passed by Council.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Yes

Roll Call Vote:           Six (6) Yes                  Zero (0) No                 Motion Approved

Ordinance No. 2018-22 was declared adopted.

NEW BUSINESS:  The Mayor’s report for July, 2018 is $6,815.90.  A motion was made by Jim Velas and seconded by Perry Basile to accept the Mayor’s report.

Roll Call Vote:

Basile                          Yes                              Sabatino                     Yes

Bukmir                       Yes                              Smith                          Yes

Jordan                        Yes                              Velas                           Yes

Roll Call Vote:           Six (6) Yes                  Zero (0) No                 Motion Approved

The Next Council Meeting will be Monday August 20, 2018 at 7:30 in Council Chambers.

There being no further business to come before Council a motion to adjourn was made by Frank Sabatino and seconded by Mike Smith.

August 6, 2018 Council Minutes