November 15, 2021 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
November 15, 2021 Meeting
Jim Velas, Council President Kathryn Thalman, Mayor
Don Vincenzo, 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:
Bukmir HERE Sabatino HERE
Butler ABSENT Smith HERE
Jordan HERE Vincenzo HERE
Oprisch HERE
Six (6) Present One (1) Absent
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the November 1st Council Meeting. Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve the minutes from November 1, 2021, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Smith.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSTAIN
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo ABSTAIN
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) Abstain One (1) Absent
Minutes Approved
President Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the November 3rd Special Council Meeting. Councilman Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from November 3, 2021, Special Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSTAIN
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo ABSTAIN
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) Abstain One (1) Absent
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Thalman recommended to reappoint William Hooker to the Board of Architectural Review.
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to reappoint William Hooker to the Board of Architectural Review; seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch,
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) Absent
Motion Carried
CITIZEN HEARING: Larry Taylor from Volunteer Energy presented Council with the Annual Gas Aggregation Civic Grant to the sum of $6,134. Mr. Taylor thanked the City for participating in Volunteer Energy’s Gas Aggregation Program and looks forward to returning in the future.
Tom Murphy, Planning and Zoning Administrator held a Public Hearing in front of the Council for proposed amendments and additions to the planning and zoning code. Mr. Murphy stated that the current update would address changes to the zoning map and some minor changes/additions to Chapter 1141 of the Planning and Zoning Code, which defines the zoning districts and district regulations, and 1148.05, which addresses access drives. There are fourteen areas of the city that are being proposed to have the zoning district of certain properties updated. The land use and the zoning designation have been matched with the most appropriate district in each case. The goal is to take a more progressive approach to zoning to ensure impediments for existing commercial uses and new commercial uses are removed and the zoning process streamlined. The proposed changes are as follows: (1) West Main Street Area, the proposed change is from Corridor District to the Downtown District. (2) North Marietta Street Area, the proposed change is from Corridor District to the Downtown District. (3) South Marietta Street Area, the proposed change is from Corridor District to the Downtown District. (4) North Sugar Street in the vicinity of Newell Avenue, the proposed change is from Corridor District to the Downtown District and Commercial District. (5) South Sugar Street and Woodrow Avenue Area, the proposed change is from Corridor District and R-2 Medium Density Residential to the Downtown District. (6) South Sugar Street/Progressive Communications/St. Clair Lumber Area, the proposed change is from Corridor District to the Commercial District. (7) South Market Street Area, the proposed change is from Corridor District to the Downtown District. (8) St. Clair Street Area, the proposed change is from Low-Density Residential to the Office and Institution District. (9) Halloran Park, the proposed change is from Office and Institution District to Community Facilities District. (10) City of St. Clairsville Electric Substation and Union Cemetery proposed changes from R-1 Low-Density Residential to Community Facilities District. (11) St. Mary’s Church Complex Area proposed changes from Corridor District to Community Facilities District. (12) Thoburn United Methodist Church Complex Area proposed changes from R-1 Low-Density Residential to Community Facilities District. (13) Cemeteries on Newell Avenue, the proposed change is from Corridor District to the Community Facilities District. (14) St. Clairsville-Richland School Complex, Park and Settling Tank Area, proposed changes are from Low and Medium Density Residential District, Commercial and Corridor District to Community Facilities District. (For more information, please see attached)
A motion was made by Councilman Sabatino to approve the map and text revision proposed by Tom Murphy, Planning and Zoning Administrator and move to writing the proposal into legislation; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino YES
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) Absent
Motion Carried
CORRESPONDENTS: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman welcomed Don Vincenzo as the new Ward 1 City Councilman. Mayor Thalman thanked everyone who worked hard on the recent water line break on Norris Street during the Friday night football game. The St. Clairsville Christmas Parade will be Sunday, November 21st at 4:00 pm, with the lineup starting at 2:00 pm. Mayor Thalman congratulated St. Clairsville Marching Band for their Superior Rating at the State Competition.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that the Bell Store waterline extension had been completed. The City submitted a $250,000 grant for the Water Distribution System. The East End Connection project has started. The City is receiving quotes for redoing the ceiling and floor in the Rec Center. The Hess Substation Metering System is out to bid. One person is hired for the Electric Department position. Year to date, there have been 43 waterline breaks. The City received two notices of violation because of the water; one was an issue with the laboratory transposing numbers, and the second was addressed to the Village of Cadiz, which is likely a mistake by the State EPA. The leaf machine has started picking up leaves around the City. The Speed Radar Sign was moved to North Market Street and will be going around the City all week. Mr. Greenwood congratulated Police Officer TJ Stewart on his promotion to Lieutenant.
Councilwoman Jordan asked Mr. Greenwood to please copy the Councilmembers in on all correspondence from the EPA.
Councilman Smith asked Mr. Greenwood about the progress of transferring the deed to the Fire Station. Law Director Glick stated that the CIC and the City are setting up a closing for the Fire Station.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz stated that the Radar Speed Sign was on North Market Street for approximately two weeks, where it registered 6,022 cars, and 3.7% of all traffic was over 25 MPH. Chief Arbenz thanked everyone in the City who supported Officer Mike Wheeler, released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Chief Arbenz also thanked Cumberland Trail Fire Department for assisting a resident in cleaning up water in her basement from the recent waterline break.
Finance Director Annette Williams reported that she is working on the 2022 Temporary Budget and will get it to Council for review as soon as possible.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy No Report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reports that the Finance Committee met before the meeting. Councilman Smith stated that the Bike Trail Project is federally funded, covering 90% of project costs. The I-70 waterline project will cost roughly $874,000. Finally, Councilman Smith stated that replacing the waterline for the Bell Store project was beneficial because they will be using the City’s utilities, bringing in more revenue.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler [ABSENT] No report.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo reports an issue about an alleyway off Parshall Avenue and will have more details in the coming weeks.
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Safety Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Building and Grounds Chair Don Vincenzo No report.
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino No report.
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino No report. [Next meeting is Wednesday, November 17th at 3:00pm at the ESC Center]
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan No report. [Next meeting is Thursday, November 18th at 4:00pm in the Rec Center]
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2021-34 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE V, GENERAL OFFENSES CODE, CHAPTER 505, ANIMAL AND FOWL, SECTION 505.15, VICIOUS DOGSOF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Ordinance No. 2021-37 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS 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
A motion was made by Councilwoman Jordan that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2021-37 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Smith.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino NO
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES One (1) NO One (1) Absent
Motion Carried
Rules requiring three separate reading suspended
Vote to pass Ordinance No. 2021-37
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino NO
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES One (1) NO One (1) Absent
Motion Carried
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Sabatino made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Smith. Meeting adjourned at 8:57 P.M.
Next meeting will be Monday, December 6th, 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.