May 17, 2021 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 17, 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 7:30 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 ABSENT
Butler HERE Smith HERE
Jordan ABSENT Five (5) Present Two (2) Absent
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all councilmembers received the minutes from May 3rd Council meeting. Councilman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from May 3, 2021 Council meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Smith.
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT Minutes Approved
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman reports she participated in a meeting regarding how to spend the CARES Act Funds. Mayor read a proclamation at the National Day of Prayer on May 6th at the Court House. Mayor spoke with all departments to discuss any needs or upcoming projects. Mayor and Debbie Reed [Rec Center] participated in a grant workshop and several grants are being reviewed and appropriate grants applied for. Mayor met with Mr. Smithberger regarding upcoming projects and commended the Street department on their efficient work. Second Saturday was held at the local downtown businesses and had many attend. Mayor commended St. Clairsville Music Makers for playing music at Second Saturday and the Drama students for their production of The Adam’s Family. Mayor thanked Officers Yates and Klotz for holding the drone and training simulator demonstration for administration and Council members. Mayor reports the Community Garden should be open by June 1st; contact Debbie Reed to reserve a plot for $30. Mayor reports they are looking into the condition of the south park basketball court and it is part of the master plan.
Service Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood states the Wastewater superintendent resume was sent out to Council. Mr. Greenwood states he is working on coordinating the street paving and he has been researching the old water tank reports and has 2001 report. Mr. Greenwood reports he participated in several meetings, including GIS monthly meeting, health insurance, law director on various projects, interviews for summer help, Police committee meeting, AEP Zoom call, Appalachian Ohio State of the Region conference, Building and Grounds committee meeting, Belomar meeting, 6-month evaluation for two employees, and with property owners on a potential development. Mr. Greenwood reports the Community Garden are completed and to contact the Rec Center for a $30 plot [5×20]. St Clairsville Arbor Day Celebration will be on May 21st at 11 am where we receive the Tree City USA Award [21st year in a row]. Upcoming projects include clean up the trees on Main Street, concrete curb repairs, Rita Board, and Inflow and Infiltration Control Plan. Building projects still in progress, include renting the building [S. Sugar] to Belmont County Soil and Water, the fire department building to Cumberland Trail Fire District, touchless fixtures for the City and Rec Center restrooms, Train Station renovation, and Utility window awning. Wastewater are waiting on quotes to fix the fence, repairing equipment, stone and sand the West End Beds, replacing the blower this week, and have the deodorizer system running. Mr. Greenwood reports they are still waiting to hear from Clemans-Nelson to continue updating the Administrative Policies and Procedures and may have to discuss with Council on how to move forward. East End Water Connection received the $155,000 grant from the Appalachian Development Program Grant and tonight’s legislation allows us to get the loan for the second part of funding; this connection has been approved by EPA and ODOT and must go forward per EPA as a second connection to a water system. Pre-application for the ARC funding has been submitted for the Water Distribution System. Continuing to work on ASFME Contract. Coordinating with departments to continue dam repairs. Electric Department are doing utility locates, service work, Sub Station work, trimming trees, replacing poles, powerline work, and transformer repairs. Water/Wastewater department are cleaning septic tanks at the Water plant, meter readings, waiting on pump for dechlorination, Auto Sampler, passed every E Coli test for treatment at the Main Plant new feed, quotes on valve replacement, Clarifier is back up, Deodorizer is fully functioning, testing sampler for E Coli is ordered, ordered 2 units for 4 Gas Detectors, and stone and sanding the West End Package Plant. Street crews are mowing, prepping for flower baskets, repairing streets/alleys, equipment repairs, and street sweeper. Rec Center has Community Day June 26th [partnered with Riesbeck’s and Unified Bank], fishing tournament, Red Devil Classic Track meet in June, all 10 concerts booked for concert series [first one Hoard and Jones], and starting to take reservations. Police department had a drone and training simulator demonstration last week. Mr. Greenwood congratulated Ryan [Water department] and his wife for welcoming a baby girl. Students from National Honor Society helped with the community garden. Mr. Greenwood thanked our officers for their hard work and to the citizens who reached out last week for Police Appreciation.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked the status of getting the fire building to Cumberland Trail; Law Director Elizabeth Glick stated the CIC develops an agreement and gets it back to be reviewed by Council and approved. Councilwoman Oprisch asked if there was a list for paving; Mr. Greenwood stated yes but it is not finalized with upcoming projects and stated he will email the list to her.
Councilman Basile asked when the second connection is hooked up on the East Side, will it be something that will be used so it will not deteriorate; Mr. Greenwood stated yes, when the City hooks up with the County, the County will not be able to supply us 100% from our existing connection until the beginning of next year. Mr. Greenwood states both connections will have to be used to supply water for the City.
Police Matt Arbenz thanked all the business for their gifts for Police Appreciation Week. Officer Clark and Stewart delivered food boxes to the elderly for the last time this year. Chief Arbenz reports the officer who was out sick has now tested negative for COVID and has returned to work. Chief Arbenz is reviewing application for the Administrative Assistant position. Chief Arbenz is checking into a few parking complaints passed on from Mr. Murphy.
Finance Director Annette Williams reports she completed some state auditor training. May 12th, 13th, and 14th the auditors were at the building for the 2020 fiscal year audit.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reminds Council of a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Thursday, May 20th at 6 pm and there are 5 items on the agenda. Mr. Murphy stated he has answered several questions regarding a truck stop going behind the Bell Store [246 S. Marietta], Mr. Murphy confirms it will be a new car wash behind the Bell Store.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith: Councilman Smith stated at tonight’s Finance committee meeting, they reviewed if there will be savings hiring the Wastewater superintendent and finding members for the RITA board.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler: No report.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch: Councilwoman Oprisch stated they had a meeting on May 10th via teleconference. Councilwoman Oprisch stated they discuss personnel changes. Councilman Basile reported back to Council regarding the speeding issues on Parshall, and after review the committee decided to increase patrolling on Parshall and will reevaluate in 3 months. After the meeting, Council had a drone and training simulator demonstration. Next committee meeting is June 14th at 7 pm.
Streets – North Side Chair Perry Basile: No report.
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino: Not present.
Safety Chair Frank Sabatino: Safety Meeting is May 20th.
Building and Grounds Chair Perry Basile: Councilman Basile reports at the meeting they discussed the fire department building and if they leave that location, the building will revert back to the City. Belmont County Soil and Water are negotiating being able to do renovation on the building on S. Sugar in place of rent. Belmont College [Building Preservation & Restoration students] will be doing renovations to the Train Station.
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino: Not present.
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino: Not present.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan: Not present.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan: Not present.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick addressed three pieces of legislation before Council.
Ordinance No. 2021-11 AMENDING CODIFIED SECTION 337.20 (ORC 4513.22) TO ADD LANGUAGE REGARDING THE USE OF ENGINE BRAKES (JAKE BRAKES) WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Resolution No. 2021-12 RESOLUTION HIRING JASON DUVALL AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WASTE WATER DEPARTMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Basile that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution 2021-13 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
Resolution No. 2021-13 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR KATHRYN THALMAN TO APPLY FOR, ACCEPT, AND ENTER INTO A COORPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST END BELMONT COUNTY WATER CONNECTION PROJECT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO AND THE OHIO WATER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Resolution No. 2021-13:
ROLL CALL:
Basile YES Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT Motion Carried
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Bulter made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Smith. Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm.
Next meeting will be Monday, June 7, 2021 at 7:30 pm. All Councilmembers will be present at the City building for the next meeting. Members of the public will remain via teleconference.