January 3, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
January 3, 2022 Meeting
Jim Velas, Council President Kathryn Thalman, Mayor
Don Vincenzo, Council, 1st Ward Jeremy Greenwood, Public Service/Safety Director
Mark Thomas, 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
JC Thrash, 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. President Pro Tempore Oprisch led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the public were thanked for their attendance.
Prior to the Roll Call, a swearing-in ceremony was held where Law Director Elizabeth Glick swore in Mark Thomas, JC Thrash, and Terra Butler and installed them to Council.
ROLL CALL:
Butler HERE Thrash HERE
Jordan HERE Thomas HERE
Oprisch HERE Vincenzo HERE
Smith HERE
Seven (7) Present Zero (0) Absent
Councilman Smith made a motion to reappoint Councilwoman Oprisch as President Pro Tempore of Council; Seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSTAIN Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) YES Zero (0) NO
Motion Carried
Councilman Smith made a motion to reappoint Jacob DeBertrand as Clerk of Council; Seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) YES Zero (0) NO
Motion Carried
MINUTES: President Pro Tempore Oprisch confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the December 20th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from December 20, 2021, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Vincenzo.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash ABSTAIN
Jordan YES Thomas ABSTAIN
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSTAIN
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Jordan read a statement (see attached) to Law Director Elizabeth Glick where she explained that in early 2020 she requested files that would assist her in deciding on a vote. After not receiving the files promptly, she made a Public Records Request and received the files on December 22, 2021. A few weeks after receiving the files, Councilwoman Jordan received an invoice in the mail for the files; she asked if this practice was standard for everyone on Council or if this was an attempt to single out and silence her.
Law Director Glick stated she was not aware of where the invoice came from and that she forwarded her request to Chief Arbenz because they deal with all matters about the Police. Law Director Glick stated that it is policy to charge for the coverage of copying the files. Councilwoman Jordan noted that if she had received the files promptly, she would not have made a Public Records Request. Councilwoman Oprisch asked what the amount was on the invoice. Councilwoman Jordan stated that the invoice was for around $19. Councilwoman Oprisch noted that there should be a meeting between the Administration and Councilwoman Jordan to see why she had been charged. Councilman Thomas stated that he finds it outrageous that a Council Member has to pay for records within the organization they represent. Councilman Thomas asked to see the Public Records Policy because it should exclude Councilmembers. Councilwoman Oprish agreed with Councilman Thomas that for a Councilmember to do their job, there will be instances where they need to see certain records; furthermore, she stated that it needs to be figured out why a member of Council was charged. Councilman Smith said he also agrees with Councilman Thomas and Councilwomen Oprisch and Jordan.
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENTS: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman welcomed all the family and friends who came to support the new Council Members. The Mayor met with Congressman Bill Johnson to discuss possible grants that the City could apply for and recommend certain people and websites the City could use to apply for grants. Since COVID is making a resurgence, the Mayor asked all citizens to follow CDC guidelines and encouraged them to get the vaccine.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood [ABSENT] No report.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that there were 375 calls to service in December, 21 crashes, 21 arrests, one warrant served, four domestic violence calls, and 116 traffic stops.
Finance Director Annette Williams reports that the finance office has been busy with payroll and closing out the end of the year. She will have more in the future.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy informed Council that the final reading for Ordinance No. 2021-38 is the Ordinance amending specific Chapters outlined in part 11 of the Codified Ordinances. Certain address changes have been rectified within the City. Mr. Murphy participated in a Belomar Meeting, which is this region’s planning organization that handles projects. They reviewed and approved the National Bikeway Tunnel Project that will come to fruition in 2024.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reported that Utility Manager Anita Robinson gave the Committee the December billing report. The Committee also discussed some of the plans that the recent $5 million grant would allow them to do.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch reports the Police Committee meetings have been moved to the second Monday of the month following the regular Council Meeting. The Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 18th, following the Council Meeting.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo No report.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash No report.
Safety Chair JC Thrash No report.
Building and Grounds Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Planning Commission Chair Mark Thomas No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Recreation Chair Mark Thomas No report.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
THIRD 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
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2021-38; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) 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 Thomas. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, January 18th, 2022, 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.