April 4, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
April 4, 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 March 21st Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from March 12, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thomas.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSTAIN Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported participating in the District Advisory Council Meeting at the Roscoe Garage Center. They addressed the emergency with the ice storm and various funding opportunities for the City and townships during the meeting. The Mayor expressed her appreciation to the Rec Center Staff for their quick work in accommodating gubernatorial candidate Joe Blystone, who held a Rally at the Courthouse but had to move the Rally due to the inclement weather. The Mayor stated that The Rally was moved to the rec center last minute, and Eric and Debbie made it work great. The candidate was pleased, as were the many who attended. Furthermore, the Mayor stated she spoke at the Welcome Vietnam Vets rally at the Courthouse, where there was a moving remembrance of the veterans who returned home to very little fanfare.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that servers have been ordered to upgrade to the City’s Server System. A grant to the EMA has been submitted, allowing the City to purchase backup generators for all the Sewer Lift Stations and the Rec Center. The OWDA loan has been submitted for the I-70 waterline project. The Water Department is looking to schedule dates to smoke the Sanitary Sewer System to look for illegal connections. Hydrant flushing will be occurring the week of April 18th. Year to date, there have been eight waterline breaks. Starting April 11th to May 1st, the Rec Center Gym will be closed to replace the flooring. April’s Employee of the Month is Tonya Hutchison.
Councilman Vincenzo asked if there is any maintenance work scheduled for the Amphitheater. Mr. Greenwood stated that it had been budgeted to recoat the Amphitheater but is waiting to complete a few other projects before starting.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked for an update on the paving projects. Mr. Greenwood stated that the Asphalt plants aren’t scheduled to open until mid-April, but hopefully, the paving company can start right away once they are open.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that there were 471 calls to service in March, 18 crashes, 34 arrests, five warrants served, three domestic violence cases, and 174 traffic stops. Chief Arbenz has applied for a grant through the City’s new insurance company, paying back around $1,000 towards the Police Department Lexipol policies and procedures and daily training bulletins.
Finance Director Annette Williams [ABSENT] No report.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy explained to Council the purpose of Ordinance 2022-17, which would allow the City, through its Community Housing Improvement Program, better known as C.H.I.P, to provide individuals funds for low to moderate-income households to help with their home improvements.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reported that the Utility Committee received March’s billing report. The Committee also approved the Delinquent, Final, Termination and Utility Services Policy. Lastly, the Utility Committee approved a Sewer Credit Request.
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
FIRST READING
Ordinance 2022-17 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF A HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Jordan that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-17 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
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2022-17; 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
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 7:57 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, April 18th ,2022, at 7:00 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.