March 1, 2021 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
March 1, 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 7:32 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 Sabatino stated he made a public records request for the letter read by the Mayor last Council meeting. Councilman Sabatino stated the first two sentences were not read, and asked Law Director Elizabeth Glick if legally it should be added to the minutes; Law Director Elizabeth Glick stated she would have to review this matter and address it at the next meeting. Mayor stated she contacted Ms. Gralinski and was given permission to read the letter at the Council meeting. Councilwoman Oprisch stated the minutes should wait to be voted on next Council meeting (March 15th); President Velas agreed to skip the minutes until next Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Jordan read a letter from the Council of Churches asking to approve the National Day of Prayer and Bible Reading Ceremony in April (attached to minutes).
A motion was made by Councilwoman Sabatino to approve the National Day of Prayer and Bible Reading Ceremony in April; seconded by Councilman Smith.
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSTAIN
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Motion Carried
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman participated in several zoom meetings, including an Omega Zoom meeting regarding potential money available from the Covid bill, Governor’s Zoom meeting on Covid vaccine availability, Ohio Municipal League Zoom meeting detailing the Ohio budget, and with Clemans-Nelson to discuss revisions to the City Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual. Mayor commended the Street department for their hard work during the winter months. The Mayor also relayed to Mr. Pytlak and Mr. Smithberger potholes, storm sewers, and branches on the bike trail that will need addressed. Mayor participated in a Rec Board meeting to discuss upcoming events, including soccer clinics and summer concerts. Mayor and Mr. Murphy discussed the progress on the Convenient Food Mart (E. Main). Mayor’s Court held its first session [February 24th] but had no contesters. Mayor met with Law Director Elizabeth Glick to discuss various ordinances, legal decisions, and to discuss the Cumberland Trail fire building. Mayor met with Ms. Smith, Ms. Williams, and Mr. Greenwood regarding the three funds alluded to in the last Finance committee meeting. Chief Arbenz updated the Mayor on the department’s recent findings, along with updates on the Community Outreach program from Officer Clark.
Councilman Sabatino asked if the Mayor spoke with a certain resident on Maher St.; Mayor stated Mr. Smithberger and Mr. Pytlak went down to speak with this resident.
Service /Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood sent the Fire Department report to Council and the part-time Utility clerk’s resume to Councilwoman Jordan; please contact Mr. Greenwood if you did not receive it and would like a copy. Mr. Greenwood had many meetings, including GIS monthly update meeting, insurance renewal meeting with Terry Foster, Law Director on various projects, Rec Board meeting, Ms. Robinson on Utilities policies, BelOMar Reginal Council meeting, Master Gardeners regarding the Community Garden via zoom, and AMP/OMEA Legislative Rally. Mr. Greenwood spoke and negotiated with the citizen who wants to hold a memorial on the bike trail. Utilities will have a rate increase from previous legislation. Projects that are still in progress: renting the building [S. Sugar] to Belmont County Soil and Water, fire department building to Cumberland Trail Fire District, and the touchless fixtures in the City and Rec Center restrooms. Community Garden will resume this year. Council will soon be presented legislation to hire a Wastewater Superintendent; still working on a job description for this position. Mr. Greenwood and the Mayor had a phone meeting with Clemans-Nelson updating the PPP manual; Council President and two Council members will need to help regarding Section 1.03-3. The East End Water Connection is still waiting on funding to be approved. The Water Distribution System has the Ohio EPA WSLRA (Water Supply Revolving Loan Account) application for potential loan forgiveness, due March 3rd; if this moves forward it will require Council’s approval. Mr. Greenwood reports that we are still working on dam repairs based on the Monthly Inspection report and the 5yr. ODNR report. The Electric department is doing service work, utility locates, equipment maintenance, and trimming trees. Water/Wastewater department have had waterline breaks and are jetting the sewers. The Street department is cleaning catch basins, clearing the bike trail, repairing streets and alleys with the Dura Patcher and cold patching, and equipment repairs. Mr. Greenwood reports Ryan [Water department] passed his Water III License Certification. The iPads are available for Council; please contact Jenn to set up email. Mr. Greenwood reports no one is out sick. Mr. Greenwood reports the 1st Employee of the Month is Officer Greg Clark.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reports the department has had a very active two weeks; recovered a stolen vehicle resulting in two arrests, recovered methamphetamine, marijuana, and cash from serving a warrant, a traffic stop with a convicted felon who took off with a loaded hand gun, and 4 trafficking drug arrests. Officer Keven Yates preformed CPR on full cardiac arrest victim from an overdose; Chief Hall contacted Chief Arbenz and informed Officer Yates action saved this person. Chief Arbenz congratulated and commended Officer Clark for receiving Employee of the Month. The department has joined ATF’s NIBN program; weapons recovered from cases can be test fired and the casings will be entered into a database system. This database system can help link the brass casings to past or future cases. This program also has an eTrace program that will trace where the firearm has been purchased.
Finance Director Annette Williams reports she has worked with Ms. Smith on the funds. Ms. Robinson is now on the UAN system and is ready to close out January. Ms. Williams has spoken with the Auditors regarding the 2020 audit. Ms. Williams will send an email to Council regarding the request the Auditors have made concerning the reporting of bank reconciliation; it will require legislation and a decision from Council.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reports owner of Convenient Food Mart has submitted the information required for the variances that are requested; hearing will be held March 24th at 6 pm and if Council wants to review plans contact Mr. Murphy. Mr. Murphy, Ms. Robinson, and Ms. Mertz have worked on sending the annual permit reminder in the March utilities bills. Mr. Murphy reminds residents to contact him if they are planning any projects and check on the requirements if permits are required. A new business will be located at 118 W. Main St; Cedar Ridge Behavioral Health Solutions will offer therapy to the public.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith: No report. Next meeting is March 15th via teleconference.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler: Councilwoman Butler reported that a new Ordinance will be presented next month pertaining to shutting off water at the curb and a monthly fee. Councilwoman Butler reports of an increase in the water and sewer rates; $1 per 1,000-gallon increase [minimum $49.48].
Councilman Basile asked if the increase in water and sewer was related to previous legislation passed in 2018; Ms. Robinson stated yes, it was an Ordinance from 2018; $1 increase per 1,000 gallons of water and sewer.
Discussion about waiving the disconnect fee took place. President Velas advised Council must pass a motion to waive disconnect fees.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch to waive late fees for March’s utilities bill; seconded by Councilman Basile.
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 Motion Carried
Police Chair Beth Oprisch: No report. Next committee meeting is Monday, March 8th at 7:00 pm via teleconference.
Streets – North Side Chair Perry Basile: Councilman Basile said he made a list of potholes that need filled. Mr. Greenwood asked for the list to review and manage
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino: Councilman Sabatino advised the patching crews were out
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: No report.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan: Councilwoman Jordan reports that soccer clinics (ages 4-12) are next week; registration closes on Wednesday. The Rec Center will be posting information on summer league basketball which will be held in June for jr. high boys and girls. Councilman Jordan advised 6 shows have confirmed for the summer concerts.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan: No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick addressed three pieces of legislation before Council.
A motion was made by Councilman Basile that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2021-2 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Smith.
ORDINANCE No. 2021-2: AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR CURRENT EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021, AND DELARING AN EMERGENCY
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan NO
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES One (1) NO Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Ordinance No. 2021-2:
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSTAIN
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Motion Carried
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2021-3 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Basile.
ORDINANCE No. 2021-3: AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE INTERFUND TRANSFERS AND REALLOCATIONS WITHIN THE FUNDS FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2021 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2021, 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. 2021-3:
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
RESOLTION No. 2021-4: A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF THE JEFFERSON BELMONT REGIONAL SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Smith made a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm.
Next meeting will be Monday, March 15, 2021 at 7:30 pm via teleconference.
Letter read by Councilwoman Jordan during the meeting:
March 1, 2021
Dear Mayor Thalman and City Council:
The 2021 National Day of Prayer and Bible Reading Marathon Task Force schedule of events for April and May are as follows:
The Bible Reading Marathon will begin on Thursday, April 29th at noon. We are inviting Mayor Thalman to do the honorary reading to begin the marathon. Our elected officials and Council members are invited to join with us as we read God’s Word and pray for this great nation.
As in the past, we and several hundred Belmont County readers would be grateful to read under the shelter of the big tent on the Belmont County Courthouse Plaza. We are requesting the tent to be in place on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021.
The Bible Reading Marathon proposed schedule for 2021:
Thursday, April 29 Noon
Opening Prayer & Honorary Reading
Thursday, April 29 12:15- 8:00 pm
Friday, April 30 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday, May 1 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday, May 2 Noon – 10:00 pm
Monday, May 3 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday, May 4 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday, May 5 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
The 29th Annual National Day of Prayer observance will be Thursday, May 6th beginning at 11:30 am with music, and the service beginning at noon. This year’s National Day of Prayer Theme is: Lord Pour Out Your LOVE, LIFE, and LIBERTY from 2 Corinthians 3:17.
This Task Force appreciates the St. Clairsville City Council’s service to the citizens and community.
We thank God for your support of this event.
Sincerely,
Daniel & Andrea Barritt Alicia Freeman Linda Jordan
Mary Ann Homard Leonard Payne Steve Roten
Gwen Scales Pastor Paul Todd (304)-551-1530