February 22, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
February 22, 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 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:
Butler HERE Thrash HERE
Jordan HERE Thomas HERE
Oprisch HERE Vincenzo HERE
Smith HERE
Seven (7) Present Zero (0) Absent
MINUTES: Council President Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the February 7th Council Meeting. Councilman Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes from February 07, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan ABSTAIN Thomas YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Thomas informed Council that he has all changes to the Charter from 1994 to the present. Furthermore, Councilman Thomas explained that Article XI in the Charter states that Council can, with 2/3 vote, submit to the electors any proposed amendments to the Charter; this gives the Council the power to amend the Charter outside the regular five-year time frame.
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENTS: The Council received a letter from Woda Cooper LLC, seeking Council’s comment on a proposed project at 50590 National Road East, Richland Township, Ohio 43950. Council indicated their support of the project. A discussion was held to have the possibility of adopting a resolution in support of the project.
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported a possible miscommunication: the City had no plan for warming shelters during the recent power outage. The Mayor stated that all warming shelters are planned out by the Belmont County Emergency Management Association, not the City. The City is in the process of getting designated a warming center or shelter from the EMA. Dave Ivan of the Belmont County EMA will be reaching out to Thoburn United Methodist Church to work through getting designated as an official warming center. The Mayor indicated that the City is working with the EMA to get the Rec Center designated as an official shelter, but the City must do much work before that becomes a reality. Mayor Thalman passed on recommendations from the EMA to be prepared with all essential supplies for at least 72 hours if any emergency arises where the necessities of life cannot be accessed.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reports that the City has been approached about oil and gas leases, about seven parcels in total, equaling out to about 62 acres wanted for leasing; there will be more information in the next meeting. The concrete vault was set for the East End Water Connection, and the County is hoping to hook up to the water line in the coming days. The City met with a local HR firm to discuss the possibility of going into a contract with them. The National Road Bikeway Tunnel Project cost has increased from $1.6 Million to $3.8 Million due to recent inflation. Sketches of the layout for the new floor at the Rec Center were presented to Council. There have been seven waterline breaks year to date. The week of March 14 through March 18, the City will be conducting a clean-up from the recent storm.
Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood if the switch over to County Water would occur this year. Mr. Greenwood stated that the plan was to be switched over by May 11, but the County indicated that they could not meet that date and are asking for a one-month extension to the time frame.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked Mr. Greenwood if the City is still in contract with the current HR firm that the City has been using. Mr. Greenwood stated that the contract with the current firm is good until July, and they are just seeking out different options for the City to choose from.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz [ABSENT] Mr. Greenwood stated that Chief Arbenz asked him to present to the public one of the two used Police Cruisers purchased; and introduce them to the new Officer.
Finance Director Annette Williams informed Council that the pages they received at the meeting were changes in the budget and if anyone has any questions, please reach out.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that Horizon Telecom would be at the next meeting asking for Council’s approval for their Fiber Over Lash Project on the East End. This Fiber Over Lash will touch eight municipal utility poles. Moreover, Horizon has submitted another request for Fiber Over Lash in another area of the City, touching three of the municipal utility poles. Mr. Murphy explained that if this proposal is simple, it could also be possible to get Council’s approval for this project at the next Council meeting. Furthermore, Mr. Murphy reported that he is working on the Annual Storm Water Report for the EPA. AEP has submitted its Storm Water Management Plan; it has been distributed to the Storm Water Quality Board.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith announced that there would be a Special Council meeting on February 28th at 6:00 pm. The Finance Committee discussed the creation of an Asset/Fleet Committee to keep up with the City’s assets to ensure that the City is up to date with all its possessions and holdings. Mr. Smith stated that there was no financial report given at the last meeting and hopes he can share more in the future.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler No report.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch announced that the Police Committee meeting was canceled following tonight’s council meeting. The next regular Police Committee meeting will be on March 21st, following the Council Meeting. Furthermore, Councilwoman Oprisch welcomed Officer Andrew Gazdik to the Police Force. Officer Gazdik introduced himself to the Council and expressed his excitement to serve the City.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo reported that the culvert on Oak Street was plugged with debris with the recent heavy rains, which led to flooding on Willow Road and Oak Street. Councilman Vincenzo stated he called the Street Superintendent, who sent a crew to clean up the debris. Furthermore, Councilman Vincenzo noted that the bottom of Oak and Wildwood would need to be repaired to help divert the water. Moreover, Councilman Vincenzo reported flooding on Bellview, but it doesn’t appear to be severe.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash reported a sinkhole on Elm Street that has appeared with the recent rainfall, along with many potholes along the south side.
While discussing streets, Councilman Thomas asked Mr. Greenwood what the plan is this year for paving. Mr. Greenwood stated that the paving from last year was rolled over to this year and that the company claims that we are at the top of their list when the asphalt companies begin producing in the spring. As for the paving package this year, Mr. Greenwood explained that he is trying to get the Water Distribution Plan complete to know which roads will be getting torn up to replace water lines. Councilman Thomas explained that he spoke with Mr. Vaughn about the Water Distribution Plan, and Mr. Vaughn stated that he could give Council a rough idea of which streets will be replacing water lines and which roads will not. Furthermore, Mr. Vaughn noted that Council could also provide him with a list of the street they wished to see paved, and he could advise whether it would be a wise choice to pave their roads.
Safety Chair JC Thrash reported that the Committee met on February 17th, where 13 employees showed up. The discussion was about ergonomics and the proper way to lift things without injuring yourself.
Councilman Vincenzo noted that with all the overtime the City employees have been accruing, he is impressed that there have been no injuries reported.
Building and Grounds Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Planning Commission Chair Mark Thomas No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that the Board approved hiring two part-time; they also approved a bid from Johnsons Fire Equipment for new structural turnout gear for all 45 employees totaling $134,977. The Board also approved the purchase of 20 new self-contained breathing apparatuses totaling $167,690. Both purchases were made in compliance with the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant the station had received. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded $17,319 to purchase wildland gear and boats for all 45 employees. The Department conducted Ice Rescue Training on February 7th – 15th at Fox Commerce Park. The Department is also concluding its Bi-annual paramedic training to certify all its members with Ohio.
Recreation Chair Mark Thomas reported that the Rec Board met on February 17th. The Board discussed the Summer Concert Series, where Rec Director Eric Gay stated he had received $8,000 in sponsorships. Councilman Thomas showed Council the new layout for the Rec Center floor. Director Gay also announced to the Board that he is applying for an $8,000 grant for a Bluetooth speaker system for the gym. Councilman Thomas also announced that Director Gay is applying for an ODNR paddling enhancement grant, which would add a boat dock and an ADA accessible ramp and parking lot at the Reservoir. Lastly, the Rec Center is applying for money through the State Legislature’s Capital Build Fund for $400,000 to completely revamp the old fairground building adjacent to the Rec Center for events and other activities.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick [ABSENT]
Due to changes in the budget, Ordinance No. 2022-03 was asked to be rescinded and replaced with Ordinance No. 2022-09.
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to rescind Ordinance No. 2022-03, seconded by Councilman Thomas.
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 Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
FIRST READING
Resolution 2022-05 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR KATHRYN THALMAN TO APPLY FOR, ACCEPT, AND ENTER INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTUION OF THE INTERSTATE-70 UNDERPASS WATER MAIN PROJECT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND THE OHIO WATER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Ordinance 2022-06 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT FOR THE TEMPORARY I-70 WATERLINE REPAIR AND PERMANENT PIPING CONNECTION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Resolution 2022-8 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO, TO PURCHASE AND USE “EMPLOEE DISHONESTY AND FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE OF DUTY POLICY” THROUGH PEP INSTEAD OF INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS FOR OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND APPOINTEES WHO ARE OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY LAW TO ACQUIRE A BOND BEFORE ENTERING UPON THE DISCHARGE OF DUTIES
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-08 and that the resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan NO Thomas YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES One (1) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2022-08; seconded by Councilman Thomas.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan ABSTAIN Thomas YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Ordinance 2022 – 09 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2022, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
SECOND READING
RESOLUTION 2022-07 – A RESOLUTION MOVING THE TIME OF ALL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS FROM 7:30 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilman Smith requested to go into Executive Session under Section 121.22(G)(2) of the Ohio Revised Code; To consider the purchase of property for public purposes, the sale of property at competitive bidding, or the sale or other disposition of unneeded, obsolete, or unfit-for-use property in accordance with section 505.10 of the Revised Code, if premature disclosure of information would give an unfair competitive or bargaining advantage to a person whose personal, private interest is adverse to the general public interest; motion 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 Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Executive Session entered at 9:14 p.m.
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to leave Executive Session; Seconded by Councilman Thrash
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 Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Executive Session exited at 9:28 p.m.
The council announced no action was taken regarding the topic discussed in Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Butler made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Smith. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, March 7th, 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 attend the in-person meeting in the Council Chambers.