December 6, 2021 Council Minutes
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
December 6, 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 ABSENT
Butler HERE Smith HERE
Jordan HERE Vincenzo HERE
Oprisch ABSENT
Five (5) Present Two (2) Absent
MINUTES: President Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the November 15th Council Meeting. Councilman Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from November 15, 2021, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Vincenzo.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler ABSTAIN Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) Abstain Two (2) Absent
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENTS: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked the St.Clairsville Chamber of Commerce for hosting the Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade. The Mayor thanked Whitesides Chevrolet for donating funds to feed the elderly and shut-ins for Thanksgiving. Furthermore, the Mayor thanked Councilwoman Terra Butler and Officer TJ Stewart for opening the Newells Town Diner on Thanksgiving and feeding those alone or who did not have dinner. An anonymous citizen donated money to the Police Department to purchase an additional speed radar sign.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reports that they are working on department budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. The East End Waterline Connection pipe has been laid. The Hess Substation project is out to bid. There have been 45 waterline breaks a year to date in the City. The leaf machine has been around the City; please contact the City if any residents need leaves picked up. Mr. Greenwood announced that Officer TJ Stewart is December’s Employee of the Month.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reports that Officer Mike Wheeler is home from Ruby Memorial Hospital and is recovering. Chief Arbenz and two other Officers participated in Shop with a Cop with the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. In November, there were 321 calls to service, 14 crashes, nine arrests, two warrants served, two domestic violence cases, and 79 traffic stops.
Finance Director Annette Williams reports that the temporary budget proposal for 2022 is out and asks the Council to review it, and legislation will be out by the next meeting.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy asked the Mayor to reappoint Randy Bernard to the Board of Zoning Appeals for another four-year term. Mr. Murphy stated that Mr. Bernard is the Acting United States Attorney and works out of the Department of Justice, Northern District of West Virginia. His office is located in Wheeling, WV. His legal knowledge and leadership have been a tremendous asset to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Mayor Thalman asked Council to confirm her reappointment of Randy Bernard to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to approve the reappointment of Randy Bernard to the Board of Zoning Appeals; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) Absent
Motion Carried
Mr. Murphy asked the Mayor to appoint Emily Shortall to the Planning Commission to fill a vacancy. Mr. Murphy stated that Emily Shortall is the President of Property Management for Harvey Goodman Realtor. She grew up in the St. Clairsville area. She has a very positive attitude when it comes to our community. Her understanding of development and real estate management will be advantageous when working with developers.
Mayor Thalman asked Council to confirm her appointment of Emily Shortall to the Planning Commission.
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the appointment of Emily Shortall to the Planning Commission; seconded by Councilman Smith.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) Absent
Motion Carried
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reports that a Utility Committee meeting was held before the Council meeting at 6:30 pm. The billing report was read for November. The Utility Committee approved a time change for the meetings from 6:30 pm to 6:45 pm.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch [ABSENT] No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo reports that he spoke to Mr. George about the Parshall Avenue alleyway and that Mr. George would like to express his gratitude to the City for resolving his issue.
Streets – South Side Chair Frank Sabatino [ABSENT] No report.
Safety Chair Frank Sabatino [ABSENT] No report.
Building and Grounds Chair Don Vincenzo reports that a meeting was held November 23rd where they discussed purchasing a few properties that could be assets to the City, no action was taken.
Planning Commission Chair Frank Sabatino [ABSENT] No report.
Fire Chair Frank Sabatino [ABSENT] Councilwoman Jordan read a report given to her by Councilman Sabatino. Councilman Sabatino reported that the Cumberland Trail Fire Department was taking bids for their 2012 Chevrolet Ambulance with the 144,000 miles; the Board received two bids, accepting the highest bid at $18,000. The Fire Department received their new emergency ambulance ordered in November of 2020. With the Fire Chiefs recommendation, the Board approved a one-time payment of $1,000 for the 23 full-time and 18 part-time employees; this payment is to be reimbursed by the Richland Township Trustees through the Recovery Act funding. The Board called for a Special Meeting on Wednesday, November 24th at 7:00 pm, where they received two applications for the At-Large Board member position: the Board unanimously reappointed John Slavik to the position, effective December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022.
Recreation Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2021-38 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CERTAIN CHAPTERS SET FORTH IN PART 11 (PLANNING & ZONING CODE) OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Resolution No. 2021-36 – PRELIMINARY LEGISLATION (LPA-ODOT-Let Project Agreement) (PARTICIPATORY)
A motion was made by Councilman Smith that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2021-36 and that the ordinance be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) Absent
Motion Carried
Rules requiring three separate reading suspended
ROLL CALL:
Bukmir YES Sabatino ABSENT
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) Absent
Motion Carried
SECOND 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
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Bukmir made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Smith. Meeting adjourned at 8:09 P.M.
Next meeting will be Monday, December 20th, 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.