November 1, 2021 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
November 1, 2021 Meeting
Jim Velas, Council President Kathryn Thalman, Mayor
Vacant, 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 Pro Tempore Beth Oprisch at 7:30 pm. Councilwoman Oprisch led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the public were thanked for their attendance.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir HERE Oprisch HERE
Butler HERE Sabatino ABSENT
Jordan HERE Smith HERE
Five (5) Present One (1) Absent
MINUTES: Councilwoman Oprisch confirmed all councilmembers received the minutes from the October 18th Council meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from October 18, 2021, Council meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Oprisch YES
Butler YES Sabatino ABSENT
Jordan YES Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENTS: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked Wendy Anderson with the St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce for hosting the Meet the Candidates Night. The Mayor reports that the Boo at the Bike Trail was successful, with over 300 children attending. There were two cases at Mayor’s Court, one for zoning and one for traffic. The Christmas Parade is Sunday, November 21st at 4:00 pm. The Mayor read a letter with over 20 signatures of employees of the City, naming Service Director Jeremy Greenwood as November’s Employee of the Month and thanking him for his service and restoration of morale to the City.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reports that EPA Drop Metrics has been completed. The concrete on the manholes on Route 40 has been redone. Three hundred feet of waterline is being replaced for the Bell Store project on Route 9. The Ohio Department of Transportation has approved the preliminary design for the I-70 waterline project. Please call the City Building for leaf pickup. The New Rec Director starts November 6th. The Speed radar sign placed on Parshall Avenue reported that 0.4% of drivers were speeding on the street; the Radar Sign has now been relocated to North Market Street.
Councilman Bukmir questioned Mr. Greenwood whether he had heard from the paving company when they would get started paving. Mr. Greenwood stated that he has not heard from the company but is hopeful that they will get started soon.
Councilman Smith asked Mr. Greenwood if getting supplies for projects have been challenging to obtain. Mr. Greenwood stated that they could get some supplies in, but others are hard to get
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reports that in October, there were: 370 calls to service, one special team call out, 12 crashes, 12 arrests, three warrants served, five domestic violence cases, and 69 traffic stops. The Radar Sign, on Parshall Avenue, registered 5,356 vehicles, with an average speed of 19 MPH; out of the 5,356 cars that passed, only 24 were speeding.
Finance Director Annette Williams reports that she has been working on the temporary budget for 2022.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reports that there will be a public hearing at the November 15th Council Meeting regarding the proposed Zoning amendments; Mr. Murphy encouraged anyone with a question to reach out to him. Giacinta’s Gelato & Caffe had their soft opening on Friday, October 29th, serving around 800 people. Mr. Murphy reminded everyone that permits are required for building in the City and asked that you call him to receive a permit before starting construction. Cedar One Realty purchased 168 East Main Street, where they will have offices.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report [Next Meeting Monday, November 15th at 6:45pm]
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reports that the final language for the sewer credit non-pool fill-ups policy was approved.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report.
Streets – North Side Chair [VACANT] No report.
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Safety Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Building and Grounds Chair [VACANT] No report.
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan thanked Rodak Insurance for their donation of $500 towards the cost of first and second-grade flag football T-shirts, Buckeye pest for their contribution of $500 towards the cost of third and fourth-grade flag football T-shirts. Furthermore, Councilwoman Jordan thanked Thoburn Church and Revelation Wellness for donating cases of water and Whiteside Chevrolet and Belmont Savings Bank for donating candy. Bantam Basketball registration is underway, with games to begin in early December.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick [ABSENT]
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2021-35 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE/SAFETY TO SOLICIT COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR THE NEW 69kV HESS SUBSTATION DEADEND AND METERING ADDITION IN THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED $600,000.00 FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2022 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Smith that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2021-35 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Oprisch YES
Butler YES Sabatino ABSENT
Jordan YES Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO
Motion Carried
Rules requiring three separate readings suspended
Vote to pass Ordinance No. 2021–35
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Oprisch YES
Butler YES Sabatino ABSENT
Jordan YES Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO
Motion Carried
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Butler made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Smith. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
Next meeting will be Monday, November 15th, 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.