October 5, 2020 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
October 5, 2020 Meeting
[Teleconference format in compliance with temporary changes to Ohio’s Open Meetings Act]
Jim Velas, Council President Kathryn Thalman, Mayor
Perry Basile, Council, 1st Ward Jeremy Greenwood, Public Service/Safety Director
Mark Bukmir, Council, 3rd Ward Don Smithberger, Super. of General Services
Terra Butler, Council, 4th Ward Annette Williams, Finance Director
Linda Jordan, Council-At-Large Matthew Arbenz, Chief of Police
Beth Oprisch, Council-At-Large Tom Murphy, Planning & Zoning Administrator
Frank Sabatino, Council 2nd Ward Elizabeth Glick, Law Director
Mike Smith, Council-At-Large
The meeting was called to order by Council President Jim Velas at 7:31pm. President Velas led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the public were thanked for listening.
ROLL CALL:
Basile HERE Oprisch HERE
Bukmir HERE Sabatino HERE
Butler HERE Smith ABSENT
Jordan HERE Six (6) Present One (1) Absent
President Velas noted Councilman Smith gave notice he would not be present; absence excused.
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all councilmembers received the minutes from the last meeting. Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve the minutes from the September 21, 2020 Council meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith ABSENT
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Minutes Approved
CITIZENS HEARING: Three candidates for county office spoke before Council: Cory DelGuzzo, candidate for county recorder, J.P. Dutton, incumbent candidate for county commissioner, and Jason Garczyk, candidate for county recorder.
NEW BUSINESS: Law Director Glick advised Council on the governor’s guidelines for having trick or treat. Council discussed options and times.
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to have trick or treat on Saturday, October 31 from 5:30pm to 7pm. Seconded by Councilman Basile. The date is subject to change should St. Clairsville be in the playoffs.
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith ABSENT
Jordan ABSTAIN
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Motion Approved
Councilwoman Butler originally made a motion to hold trick or treat from 6pm to 7:30pm, but rescinded her motion after Council’s preference for an earlier time.
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman has been in negotiations with AFSCME. Finalized document to be coming soon. She has participated in virtual Mayors Association meetings and OMEGA meetings. The mayor urged residents to exercise caution while celebrating Halloween and trick or treating, giving recommendations to ensure safety. Additionally, she encouraged all residents to practice social distancing, wash their hands, use hand sanitizer frequently, and wear a mask. The mayor also clarified that the levy on the ballot for Memorial Park is a separate entity from the City of St. Clairsville.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported interviews are ongoing for the wastewater position. Employee meetings continue; about 10 more meetings to have. He discussed COVID funding and its usage. Many items have been ordered. The EPA letter regarding downspouts is being drafted and alternatives for Bellview Street are being considered. Mr. Greenwood met with Hull & Associates for an assessment report on both dams as well as a GIS update meeting. He discussed future project funding options through Belomar for the bike trail to redo the stairs and overlook. Also discussed was a possible collaboration with the Belmont County Sanitary Sewer District. The Recreation Center will be having a Halloween costume contest on October 24 starting at 12pm. Candy and prize donations are being accepted. Mr. Greenwood thanked Lowe’s in Wheeling for donating Halloween decorations. Mr. Greenwood attended an OMEGA meeting to apply for a grant for the East End Water Connection.
Councilman Sabatino asked if the OMEGA grant would be a matching grant. Mr. Greenwood confirmed it is and would be for approximately $155,000. The City would take out a loan for the same amount. The legislation before Council is to allow the City to submit the application for the grant and potentially take out a loan. Mr. Greenwood said the engineer for the East End Water Connection is Vaughn, Coast & Vaughn, after asked by Councilman Bukmir. Councilwoman Oprisch asked what the City is doing to ensure safety at costume contest. Mr. Greenwood replied the City would require social distancing, masks, and use of hand sanitizer. An occupancy limit will be explored.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported officers will be at a firearms qualifications training and that the new Ford Explorer has been delivered and is currently being outfitted.
Finance Director Annette Williams stated the first report to the Office of Budget Management regarding spending will be due October 20. A spreadsheet will be sent to Council. A post-audit meeting can take place October 13-16. She explained that Ordinance No. 2020-32 is regarding the TIF fund, while Resolution No. 2020-33 is for the grant.
Councilman Bukmir asked for a RITA collections report comparing 2019 to 2020. Ms. Williams stated the final copy of the 2019 audit is not yet available after asked by Councilwoman Jordan.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported he met with the engineer of the Bellstore project on South Marietta Street, reviewing the variances. The engineer said that he talked to the owners of the business and they discussed adjusting the location of the proposed structures. This would possibly have an impact on the variances. Changes Family Hair Salon has moved to West Main Street. They hope to open this month. The deadline to complete the 2020 Census has been extended to October 31. Results will be released next year.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith was absent. Ms. Williams requested a Finance Committee take place on Monday, October 19 prior to the scheduled Council meeting.
Utilities Chair Beth Oprisch reported the committee met before tonight’s Council meeting. The committee discussed: requests for refunds, policies regarding late fees, the online credit card cap, and a budget program for residents. All will continue to be discussed.
Police Chair Mark Bukmir: No report
Streets – North Side Chair Terra Butler: No report
Streets – South Side Chair Beth Oprisch: No report
Safety Chair Terra Butler: No report
Building and Grounds Chair Perry Basile: No report
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino: No report
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino stated the week of October 4-10 is National Fire Prevention Week. Safety classes for students that the Cumberland Trail Fire Department would ordinarily have are cancelled due to the pandemic. Next meeting will be October 14 at 3pm at the ECOESC.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked about the status of the Fire Board. Councilman Sabatino stated since the Board has not met since the last Council meeting, no action has been taken.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan: No report.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan discussed the capital improvement levy for Memorial Park on the ballot this November, noting some of the projects include: installing a new water line to the Rotary shelter and baseball field, constructing a new fence around the tennis courts and pool, replacing a playground set, and redoing the women’s restroom at the pool bathhouse. This weekend, nine new holes for disc golf will be installed, bringing the total to 18 holes.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick addressed the two pieces of legislation before Council. Both have emergency language.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2020-32 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Basile.
ORDINANCE No. 2020-32: AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS (COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE OHIO VALLEY GRANT) WITHIN THE FUNDS FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2020; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith ABSENT
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Ordinance No. 2020-32:
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith ABSENT
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Motion Carried
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2020-33 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Basile.
RESOLUTION No. 2020-33: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION AND/OR OHIO GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith ABSENT
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Resolution No. 2020-33:
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith ABSENT
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Motion Carried
OLD BUSINESS: Council Clerk addressed Council and the public regarding the upcoming charter amendments on the November 2020 ballot. The proposed amendments can be read on the city’s website under Ordinance No. 2020-14 or in The Times Leader on October 13 and 20.
The Law Director informed Council she received an email from the Ohio Ethics Commission stating a response would be forthcoming.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Sabatino made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:46pm.
Next meeting will be Monday, October 19, 2020 at 7:30pm via teleconference.