October 4, 2021 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
October 4, 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 HERE Smith ABSENT
Jordan HERE Five (5) Present Two (2) Absent
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all councilmembers received the minutes from September 20th Council meeting. Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to approve the minutes from September 20, 2021, Council meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch.
ROLL CALL:
Basile ABSENT Oprisch YES
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSTAIN Smith ABSENT
Jordan YES
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSENT One (1) ABSTAIN
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Oprisch read a letter of resignation from Councilman Basile (SEE ATTACHED), who resigned from Council effective October 4, 2021.
Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to have Trick or Treat in the City on Saturday, October 30th, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm; seconded by Councilwoman Butler
Vote to allow Trick or Treat on Saturday, October 30th, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Oprisch YES
Butler YES Sabatino YES
Jordan ABSTAIN Smith ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSENT One (1) ABSTAIN
Motion Carried
CITIZEN HEARING: Mr. Doug Walsh from the St. Clairsville Public Library spoke to the Council about a grant awarded to the library to install a storybook trail in our area. Mr. Walsh provided pictures to show Council examples of how they look and gave a copy of the grant application. The grant period begins November 1, 2021, and ends July 31, 2022.
The grant would pay for all materials, a total of $5861. An ideal location is along the Bike Trail, as it would be accessible to wheelchairs and families with strollers. The library will work with the City to install and maintain the storybook walk. Library staff will be responsible for buying, installing, and switching the children’s books for display every two months. The St. Clairsville Public Library was one of 45 recipients of the grant, which was a competitive process among nearly 500 other eligible libraries in Ohio.
Twice a year, the library will use the storybook trail to display Imagination Library books. The Belmont County Imagination Library provides a free book by mail each month to any child in Belmont County, birth to 5. It started in 2020, and there are 1300 children enrolled in the county. The program is run by local volunteers who register children, troubleshoot delivery problems, and fundraising through the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library and the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley. Mr. Walsh provided a handout showing how parents can sign up their child to receive a free book in the mail each month.
Finally, Mr. Walsh presented that the library’s 5-year levy is up for renewal this fall. The levy was first approved by 70% of voters in 2017. It is the only levy and only significant source of local funding for the library. Most funds come from Ohio, which has been cut 24% and is less now than 20 years. The levy will be for current operating expenses of the library, such as books, programs, and services, and ensuring the historic downtown building is maintained. Mr. Walsh provided a fact sheet about the library levy renewal.
CORRESPONDENTS: President Velas was contacted by Mr. Virgil Yingling, who was seeking permission from Council to hold a fundraiser at the Bike Trail for the Special Olympics.
Councilman Sabatino made a motion to allow a fundraiser at the Bike Trail for the Special Olympics, seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Oprisch YES
Butler YES Sabatino YES
Jordan YES Smith ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman reports that she met with Ohio University Eastern’s Dean Rahall to discuss a more prominent presence the University could have in the Community. Mayor Thalman said that the playground picnic tables and benches located by the Amphitheater were vandalized; she stated that whoever is caught will be dealt with harshly and severely. On a brighter note, the Mayor would like to thank all the businesses and homes making our town look so beautiful with fall decorations. She will be acknowledging these efforts again with accolades from the City of recognition. Councilwoman Terra Butler, owner of the Newellstown Diner, has again offered to donate a cup of coffee to a person bringing in this certificate. Furthermore, the Mayor read a proclamation for Public Power Week celebrating the St. Clairsville Light and Power Department.
Councilman Sabatino asked Mayor Thalman how Mayor’s Court has been. She stated that no one attended Mayor’s Courts held last week. Councilman Sabatino asked the Mayor if there was a report with the income generated by Mayor’s Court; she affirmed that there was a report and that she would get it to him promptly.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that the roof was repaired on the City building due to leaks. The deed to the Fire Department has been transferred to Belmont County CIC, where they will, in turn, transfer it over to the Fire Department District. The East End Water Connection Project will begin shortly, depending on crew availability. Plan A for the permanent water line under Interstate 70 has been submitted for review; there is no estimated response time. There will be a Civil Service Exam on October 5th, where the Police Department is looking to hire one new full-time officer. The Electric Department will be accepting resumes and applications for two positions. There have been 38 waterline breaks this year to date. The Street Department has ordered salt for the coming winter. Mr. Greenwood announced Mr. Brandon Goletz as October’s Employee of the Month. Mr. Greenwood reported an incident where a citizen’s dog was attacked by another citizen’s dog and killed. He assures everyone the Police are looking into the incident; please report it to the Police if anyone knows anything.
Councilman Sabatino asked Mr. Greenwood why Council needed to pass Ordinance No. 2021-29, which allows the Service Director to spend up to $200,000 on paving since Council already approved Ordinance No. 2021-24, which allowed the Service Director to spend up to $185,000 for the paving of the streets. Mr. Greenwood stated that when he received the bid for paving, they all came in higher than what Council allowed in Ordinance No. 2021-24. Ordinance No. 2021-29 is amending Ordinance No. 2021-24 to enable the Service Director to spend up to $200,000, which would cover the bids that came in.
Councilman Sabatino further lamented the tragicness of the loss of a citizen’s dog in such a horrific way. Councilman Sabatino stated that the City needs to re-examine the vicious dog ordinance currently on the books.
Councilwoman Oprisch stated that it was a tragic incident and complemented the Police for their work. She furthermore said that if any incident happens with vicious animals to please report it to the Police.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reports for September that there were: 365 calls to service, ten accidents, 49 callbacks, 11 arrests, one warrant served, six domestic violence calls, 95 traffic stops. Chief Arbenz shared his hopes for the individuals to pass the Civil Service Exam, giving the Department a bigger employment pool.
Finance Director Annette Williams reports that the City received the 2020 Audit report from the state; she expressed that she was pleased with the results. The report is available to the public on the City’s website.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reports that the Public Hearing before the Planning Commission for the proposed amendments to the zoning map and text was held on October 4, 2021. The staff outlined 14 proposed changes to the zoning map and four minor changes to the Planning and Zoning Code text. Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the Council adopt the proposed changes to both the map and the text. A Public Hearing will be held before Council on November 15 to discuss the proposed changes. Mr. Murphy reminded the public to feel free to reach out to him, and he would gladly explain the proposed changes.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith [ABSENT] No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reports that the Utility Committee discussed the September billing report. The Committee reviewed a policy change for sewer credits for non-pool use. Ms. Butler says that a customer is seeking reimbursement for issues regarding water; she stated that the problem is still being discussed and will have more later.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report [ Next meeting is Monday, November 8, 2021 at 7:00 pm]
Streets – North Side Chair [VACANT] No report.
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino thanked Mr. Bill Brooks and the citizens of the Second Ward for honoring him and the Lyons family with plaques on Friday, October 1st, at the South Park. Mr. Sabatino stated that anyone interested in assisting the South Park group could call Unified Bank at 740-699-2261 and donate to the South Park Community Project Group. Mr. Sabatino announced that he is donating his final check on City Council to the South Park Community Project Group.
Safety Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Building and Grounds Chair [VACANT] No report.
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino reported that a Fire Board meeting was held on Wednesday, September 22nd. The Board accepted the resignation of one part-time employee, and the Board hired a part-time employee. The Cumberland Trail Fire District received a FEMA grant of $368,809.52; the money was awarded to replace 26 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), to purchase all new structural firefighter gear for all employees, and to install a diesel exhaust capture system in station 23. The Board honored full-time firefighter and paramedic Aaron Peterson and full-time firefighter and EMT Nick Jesse for saving a gentleman’s life from a burning vehicle.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2021-29: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2021-24 AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO SOLICIT COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR THE RESURFACING OF STREETS IN THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED $200,000.00 FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2021 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2021-29 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Oprisch YES
Butler YES Sabatino YES
Jordan YES Smith ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Ordinance No. 2021-29
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Oprisch YES
Butler YES Sabatino YES
Jordan YES Smith ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
SECOND READING
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 8:27 P.M.
Next meeting will be Monday, October 18th, 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.
October 4, 2021 Council Minutes
Basile_resignation letter_read to Council at October 4, 2021 City Council meeting