November 16, 2020 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
November 16, 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 7:34pm. 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 HERE
Jordan HERE Seven (7) Present Zero (0) Absent
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all councilmembers received the minutes from the last meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 2, 2020 Council meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch.
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) YES Zero (0) NO Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: President Velas announced Clerk of Council submitted his resignation effective January 1, 2021, informing Council a replacement will be needed. Clerk Garczyk noted he campaigned that he would dedicate himself exclusively to his new role as County Recorder. Several councilmembers and city officials thanked Mr. Garczyk for his service.
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported meetings have continued regarding the East End Water Connection; the mayor met with Jeff Vaughn to complete the OMEGA paperwork for its funding. Documents were submitted on time. Plans are in place to close the Recreation Center if needed to mitigate the virus’ spread. COVID Rapid Tests have been dispersed to the police and fire departments, as well as the school. The deep sanitizing ion aerosol mister may be used by city businesses by contacting the mayor’s office. The mayor congratulated the St. Clairsville football team, band, and cheerleaders for their exceptional season. She also thanked Don Smithberger and his crew for decorating the town; Christmas tree will be up soon. Community tree lighting will take place Sunday, November 22. Santa Claus will be riding through town on December 19 at 2pm. The mayor emphasized residents to please continue wearing masks, washing hands, using hand sanitizer, and practicing social distancing. The crews were commended for their work during the recent high winds. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported the electric department hired two individuals; both started today. Additional information was requested by the Ohio EPA, including a written commitment for the city to obtain other water sources. A meeting with Quicksall took place about optimum operating directions for the new water tank. The Building Committee is investigating the possibility of renting to Belmont Soil & Water Conservation District, as well as turning the fire department building over to the Cumberland Trail Fire District. The Belmont County Community Improvement Corporation would be used to transfer the facility. The water distribution leak detection system has been ordered. Last month’s loss was about 36% including a couple recent water breaks. The EPA mandated letters to residents on Bellview Street have been sent; discussions are taking place with owners. Letter regarding backflow preventers has been sent to businesses; required by EPA. Councilmembers Smith and Butler have been trained on the new sanitization machine. Discussion about technology upgrades and other COVID improvements continue. Council will be issued city emails and iPads soon. PlexiGlass has been installed in the Utilities Office. Concrete will be laid to access the Utilities Office window outside. AFSCME contract negotiations continue with five meetings to date. The street department has been vacuuming leaves, picking up bagged leaves, and patching streets. Please call the city to be placed on the schedule. Ohio University Eastern will be a COVID testing site on November 18 from 10am-2pm. A couple employees are out with possible COVID exposure.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz was out of town for training; report read by Mr. Greenwood. October consisted of: 12 criminal arrests, 2 juvenile arrests, 1 warrant served, 2 domestic incidents handled, 84 traffic stops with 9 citations issued, 321 calls and complaints, 9 accidents, 19 parking tickets issued, and 41 officer return calls. Fingerprint machine is in and cruiser technology upgrades were discussed.
Finance Director Annette Williams has been working on COVID funding appropriation and legislation. Information has sent to Council. Encumbrance period for COVID allocations is due to the auditor by November 20. Legislation is before Council tonight.
Councilman Sabatino asked about ‘contractual services’. Ms. Williams said this is for a nurse to do on-site COVID testing as well as for cleaning service. Councilwoman Jordan asked about the items ‘contributions’ and ‘personal’. Cumberland Trail is being donated $50,000 under ‘contributions’ since the district was unable to apply. ‘Personal’ is hazard pay for employees.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported the Board of Zoning Appeals will meet on December 17 at 6pm at the Municipal Building with COVID protocol enforced. MAAS Training, an athletic training facility, is requesting a special exception permit to operate a business at 273 E Main St (former St. Clair Animal Hospital). City code requires a public hearing take place. The sale of the carwash property on S Marietta St has finalized and is now owned by Campbell Oil. There is no timeline on the renovation project. A new retail tattoo shop and parlor will be opening at 110 E Main St (former Changes Family Hair Salon). Owners of a vacant lot at Circle and Harbel Dr are interested in building a single family home in spring 2021.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reported the Finance Committee met before tonight’s Council meeting. He discussed that expenditures must be legitimate to qualify for this specific funding – and submitted to the County Auditor and Office of Budget and Management. Ordinance No. 2020-35 was encouraged to be passed tonight as an emergency.
Utilities Chair Beth Oprisch: No report. Next meeting December 7 at 6:30pm.
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 restated the possibility of leasing out city facilities.
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino: No report
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino reported the Fire Board held a special meeting on November 10 in executive session to review the five applicants. Interviews will take place Wednesday afternoon. Regular meeting will be Wednesday, November 18 at 3pm at the ECOESC.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan: No report. Next meeting on November 19 at 4:30pm.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan: No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick addressed the one piece of legislation before Council.
A motion was made by Councilman Basile that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2020-35 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ORDINANCE No. 2020-35: AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE TRANSFERS FROM ONE FUND TO ANOTHER AND REALLOCATIONS, (SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS), AND ADD NEW LINE ITEMS 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 YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) YES Zero (0) NO Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Ordinance No. 2020-35:
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) YES Zero (0) NO Motion Carried
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Butler made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:21pm.
Next meeting will be Monday, December 7, 2020 at 7:30pm via teleconference. President Velas noted Governor DeWine’s new guidelines mean Council meetings will continue telephonically.