January 4, 2021 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
January 4, 2021 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 7:35 pm. 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. Councilman Basile made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 21, 2020 Council meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Smith.
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
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all councilmembers received the minutes from the special meeting. Councilman Basile made the motion to approve the minutes from the December 30, 2020 special meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Smith.
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: Councilman Sabatino asked the status on residents being able to participate in the Council meetings. President Velas said that residents will be able to participate in the Council meetings. They must submit a written request to the Council Clerk one business day prior to the Council meeting (4:30pm on Friday for regular Council meetings). Guidelines will be added to the City website for residents to review by the next Council meeting.
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman reports that she is checking with the Health Department twice a week on the availability of COVID vaccine. The strict protocol requires them to go to group homes first and then it will be available to the population starting at the age of 65. Kroger’s and Riesbeck’s pharmacy will be distributors of the vaccine. Thanks to the Street crew for their hard work on getting the streets cleared on Christmas Eve. The mayor wished all a happy holiday season and a happy New Year.
Service /Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reports on upcoming projects including renting out the building to Belmont County Soil and Water, turning the fire building over to Cumberland Trail Fire District, and updating bathrooms at the City building and City properties. Mr. Greenwood has had budget meetings for all departments and will finalize the year budget in the next month. Finishing on EPA findings and orders, they have found additional issues to work on. Mr. Greenwood is meeting with [Belmont County] EMA to discuss Emergency Action Plans. The Utility department is advertising for a part-time utility clerk position. The Electric department has been doing service work. The Water/Wastewater has issues with the new water tank and received a complaint from a company about water quality. The Street department is picking up Christmas trees. Please notify the City building and they will pick it up. Mr. Greenwood reported that no one is out sick. Mr. Greenwood also thanks the crews and the Police department for their work during the recent snow; he also reminds everyone to keep vehicles off the streets when it snows and to not shove snow into parking spaces but to leave it on the edge of the sidewalk.
Councilman Smith thanked the Street department on their hard work on clearing the streets Christmas Eve. Residents were pleased with their efficiency.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz has a health status update. One officer that is not sick but was in close contact will quarantine until Friday. Chief Arbenz thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting an “Ugly Christmas Sweater” contest and raising $75 towards the K9 fund. Drug Interdiction officers have had an increase and have been hard at work. Chief Arbenz has finished the paperwork for the end of the year and is starting a project for a youth education program. This project was presented last year but did not have the funds in place. Chief Arbenz is asking Juvenile Court and Prosecutors Office to assist with funding, also advised if anyone would like to donate to please contact him.
Finance Director Annette Williams reports that she is working to close 2020 and will have the final numbers at the next Finance committee meeting.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reports that the Board of Architectural Review approved the change to the new Utility office window; including new window and locking system for protection of the employees and the residents. The Board also approved the changes for Convenient Food Mart, located at the former Crosby Oil. A rendering is available, please contact Mr. Murphy to review. This is the first step of the overall project, and it includes an addition to the original store.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith: No report. Next meeting is Tuesday, January 19th at 6:45pm.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler: The Utilities meeting has passed two policies regarding late fees and sewer credit. The refund policy was tabled until next meeting, and a customer concern was addressed.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch: No report; plans to set up a meeting with the Chief.
Streets – North Side Chair Perry Basile: Wants to discuss with the Chief about getting speed bumps or signage on Legion Road due to kids almost getting hit from speeders. President Velas suggested to discuss it with Law Director Elizabeth Glick to review liability on public highways.
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino: No report
Safety Chair Frank Sabatino: No report
Building and Grounds Chair Perry Basile: No report
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino: No report
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino: Next meeting is January 13th at 3pm in the ESC building.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan: Next meeting is January 21st at 8pm through Zoom.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan: No report. The City park appointee has expired on December 31st. Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to reappoint David Trouten Jr.; seconded by Councilman Sabatino. Councilwoman Oprisch asked President Velas if the motion came from the mayor or council rep. Law Director Elizabeth Glick said the Charter was repealed in 1994, and it will need referred to the Park Board Bylaws. President Velas and Law Director Elizabeth Glick deferred for review until next Council meeting on January 19th. Councilwoman Jordan and Councilman Sabatino have withdrawn the motions.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick addressed two pieces of legislation before Council.
A motion was made by Coucilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2020-40 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Basile.
ORDINANCE No. 2020-40: AN ORDINANCE ABOLISHING THE POSITION OF UTILITY OFFICE MANAGER/ASSISTANT FINANCE/IT AND CREATING THE POSITION OF “UTILITY MANAGER”’ AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir NO Sabatino NO
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan NO
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Three (3) NO Rules requiring three separate readings failed
ORDINANCE No. 2021-1: AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERANCE FOR THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE’S NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM AND DECARING AN EMERGENCY
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Basile made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:12pm.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 7:30pm via teleconference.