February 28, 2022 Council Minutes Special Meeting
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
February 28, 2022 Special 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: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENTS: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman [ABSENT] No report
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood No report
Police Chief Matt Arbenz No report
Finance Director Annette Williams No report
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy [ABSENT] No report
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report
Utilities Chair Terra Butler No report
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report
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 [ABSENT]
SECOND 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
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-05 and that the resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; 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
Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2022-05; 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 Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
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
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-06 and that the resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; 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 Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2022-06; seconded by Councilman 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 Zero (0) 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
Councilman Smith asked Finance Director Annette Williams if worker’s compensation was in the Budget for any City’s departments. Finance Director Williams stated that Workers Comp. is factored into their salary end of the Budget. Councilmen Smith asked if Workers Comp. in the Street Fund is $140,000 because, in the sub schedule, it is only $6,150. Ms. Williams stated that it is not in the Street Fund because it can probably come out of the General Fund. Councilman Smith asked Ms. Williams to explain to the new members of the Council what the State Highway Fund is. Ms. Williams stated that it is the money the City receives from the Gas Tax and License Fee Tax. Councilman Smith noted that under one page on the Police Fund, it says $12,600, and on another page, it says $120,000. Ms. Williams stated that it should reflect the $120,000, not $12,600.
Furthermore, Councilman Smith asked Ms. Williams what the Community and Housing Improvement Fund is. Ms. Williams stated that the fund is used for Low-income housing home improvements and allows business owners to take low-interest loans to renovate their properties. Moreover, Councilman Smith asked about the use of the Other Capital Projects Fund. Ms. Williams stated that it is money received from the oil and gas companies. Councilman Smith asked what the Water and Enterprise Improvement Fund is. Ms. Williams noted that it is used to care for and fix the water system. Councilman Smith stated that the numbers don’t add up in the Sewer Fund. Ms. Williams indicated that the numbers don’t add up, and she will make the appropriate corrections. Lastly, Councilman Smith asked if there was any encumbered money in the Budget. Ms. Williams stated that there are encumbered funds, but she does not know the dollar amount.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Thomas made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Thrash. The meeting was adjourned at 6:47 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.