September 20, 2021 Council Minutes
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
September 20, 2021 Meeting
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 their attendance.
ROLL CALL:
Basile ABSENT Oprisch HERE
Bukmir HERE Sabatino HERE
Butler ABSENT Smith HERE
Jordan HERE Five (5) Present Two (2) Absent
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all councilmembers received the minutes from September 7th Council meeting. Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve the minutes from September 7, 2021, Council meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Basile ABSENT Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Sabatino asked President Velas if Councilman Basile was still a member of the City Council due to his absence from the last three meetings and working out of town.
President Velas stated that Councilman Basile is still a member of the City Council, and he cannot be removed from Council until he misses four consecutive meetings unexcused. Furthermore, President Velas stated that it is Council’s responsibility is to determine if the absences are excusable or inexcusable.
Councilman Sabatino asked Law Director Glick to research the requirements surrounding the issue of removal for the next meeting. Furthermore, Law director Glick commented that the Charter states that a Councilmember can be removed if absent at four consecutive regular meetings without an excuse acceptable to two-thirds of the full membership of Council.
CORRESPONDENTS: President Velas read a letter from the St. Clairsville Student Council Co-advisors regarding seeking Council’s permission to have their Homecoming parade and Bonfire on Wednesday, October 6th at 6:00 pm.
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to allow St. Clairsville Student Council to have their Homecoming Parade and Bonfire on Wednesday, October 6th at 6:00 pm; seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch.
ROLL CALL:
Basile ABSENT Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
President Velas read a letter from the Tri-County Help Center seeking permission to hold their 15th annual Domestic Violence Awareness March on Wednesday, October 20th at 6:00 pm.
Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to allow the Tri-County Help Center to hold their 15th annual Domestic Violence Awareness March on Wednesday, October 20th at 6:00 pm; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan
ROLL CALL:
Basile ABSENT Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman [ABSENT] No Report.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that a scheduled power outage would be coming up in the future on South Marietta Street and encourages the public to visit the City’s website for updates on the dates and time of the outage. The East End Water Connection contractor is going to be starting work in the next week. Mr. Greenwood reported that the East End Lift Stations force main is leaking, resulting in moving the generator. Two employees from the Electric Department have resigned, leaving two positions needing to be filled. Year to date, the City has had 37 waterline breaks. Mr. Greenwood stated that the Library received their grant for a storybook trail.
Councilman Sabatino questioned Mr. Greenwood on the likely hood that the paving contractor will get the paving complete this year. Mr. Greenwood stated that he hopes that they will get it all completed this year, but there is a possibility that it might go into next year.
Councilman Smith asked why a majority of the legislation has emergency wording in it. Law Director Glick stated that the legislation has emergency wording in it so that when it is passed, it can take effect immediately instead of 30 days after passage. Councilman Smith stated that he feels that this practice should be avoided.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz stated that the Police Department applied for a secondary bodycam grant from the Department of Justice. The radar speed sign is delayed due to a manufacturing issue. The Police Department applied for a five-thousand-dollar grant through the Aftermath Cleaning Service for the K9. Chief Arbenz presented retired Officer Troullous with a plaque thanking him for his 25 years of service to the Department.
Councilman Sabatino questioned Chief Arbenz if he had resolved the issue with the failure to activate the tornado siren during the most recent tornado warning. Chief Arbenz stated that it was a manpower issue and that they are looking for a way to avoid the problem in the future.
Finance Director Annette Williams No report
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reminded everyone that the Planning Commission Public Hearing is on Monday, October 4th at 6:00 pm, and if there are any questions, feel free to contact him. The Bell Store Project is moving along quickly. The Convenient Food Mart Express Project is progressing.
Councilwoman Oprisch questioned Mr. Murphy on the expected date of reopening the Bell Store. Mr. Murphy stated no official date but noted that they hope to be open by the end of the year.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reported that the Finance Committee met before the Council Meeting. The members received the revenue and appropriations status, which indicated that the finances are in order for what was budgeted in the budget. Expenditures are down year to date. At the next meeting, he will have more on the State Audit Report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler [ABSENT] No report.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch reported that the Police Committee had a meeting last Monday, September 13th, at 7:00 pm. Councilwoman Oprisch said that the Fraternal Order of Police contract was negotiated fairly and that both parties were left happy with the results. Councilwoman Oprisch thanked Officer Troullous for all he did for the City in his 25 years of service. The new Police SUV will be used as a K9 vehicle replacing one of the oldest cars in the fleet. The Police Committee is hoping to appropriate money left in the equipment line item to purchase ballistic shields for the officers. The Reach Out Program for seniors has been well received in the community. Councilwoman Oprisch reminded everyone that the School Jeopardy Program is about to be rolled out. The next meeting is Monday, October 11th at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers.
Streets – North Side Chair Perry Basile [ABSENT] No report.
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Safety Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Building and Grounds Chair Perry Basile [ABSENT] No report.
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino reported that the meeting on Wednesday, October 22nd at 3:00 pm has been moved to 4:00 pm at the ESC Center.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2021-26: AN ORDINANCE DETERMINING THE LOWEST AND BEST BID FOR RESURFACING OF STREETS IN THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND AWARDING THE CONTRACT TO CAST & BAKER AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2021-26 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Basile ABSENT Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Ordinance No. 2021-26
ROLL CALL:
Basile ABSENT Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Ordinance No. 2021-27 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF ERIC GAY TO A FULL-TIME POSITION OF DIRECTOR OF THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Ordinance No. 2021-28 – RESOLUTION APPROVING TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, OHIO LABOR COUNCIL, INC. AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Sabatino made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Bukmir. Meeting adjourned at 8:09 P.M.
Next meeting will be Monday, October 4th, 2021, at 7:30 P.M. All Councilmembers will be present at the City building for the next meeting. Members of the public are welcome to join the in-person meeting in the Council Chambers, masks are required.