April 18, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
April 18, 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 7:00 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 April 4th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from April 4, 2022, Council Meeting; motion 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
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman [ABSENT] No report
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that Volunteer Energy had declared bankruptcy, directly affecting the City’s Gas Aggregate Program; other companies have expressed interest in restarting the Gas Aggregation Program with the City. A test run on the East End Water Connections SCADA system has been completed, putting the City one step closer to completing the project. The new servers for the City Building have been delivered. The Rec Center Floor is nearing completion. The City is looking at Health Insurance quotes for the City Employees. The Electric Department has received its 30th Safety Award for Excellence. The Arbor Day Celebration will be held on May 6th at 1 pm at the Rec Center.
Councilman Smith asked Mr. Greenwood what the Arbor Day Celebration would be entailing. Mr. Greenwood stated that there would be planting of trees and a speech and a blessing. Furthermore, Councilman Smith asked about how long it would take to make the permanent repairs for the I-70 Waterline Project. Mr. Greenwood stated that they expect it to take around three to four months under the best circumstances.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked Mr. Greenwood when the paving company plans to start paving in the City. Mr. Greenwood stated that he has not heard from the paving company yet and doesn’t anticipate paving to begin until the weather becomes warmer.
Councilwoman Jordan asked Mr. Greenwood if there were any updates on the water tank inspections. Mr. Greenwood stated that they had signed a contract with a company that would conduct inspections of the water tanks, but he does not have a date.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz No report
Finance Director Annette Williams reported on a Finance Committee meeting before the Council Meeting, where they discussed the finance reports for the month.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy Tom reported reviewing the Charter and specifically Section 105.01 Division Into Wards, which states, “The City is hereby subdivided into four wards… which boundaries are so fixed as that each Ward shall contain as nearly as practicable an equal number of inhabitants.” Mr. Murphy asked Council’s guidance on if he needed to review the most recent Census to determine the total population in each Ward. Councilwoman Oprisch and Councilman Thomas both expressed that they would like to see the population count for each Ward so that Council can comply with the Charter as closely as possible. Furthermore, Mr. Murphy reported that the term of Ed Reese, who is on the Board of Zoning Appeals, expires May 20, 2022. Mr. Murphy stated that Mr. Reese has expressed that he would like to continue as a Board Member. Moreover, Mr. Murphy explained that the appointment must be made by the Mayor, who is not at the meeting, but she has said that she would like to reappoint Mr. Reese to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Murphy explained further that it is the Council’s decision if they want to reappoint Mr. Reese tonight or wait until the Mayor is at the next meeting.
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to reappoint Mr. Ed Reese to the Board of Zoning Appeals, seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
Law Director Elizabeth Glick stated that Council should wait to reappoint Mr. Ed Reese until the Mayor can make a formal recommendation to follow the law correctly.
Councilwoman Jordan withdrew her motion to reappoint Mr. Ed Reese to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith thanked Mr. Greenwood for saving the City around $20,000 on the Server Upgrades. Mr. Smith reported that the second portion of the Cares Act Funding should be coming shortly. Lastly, Mr. Smith stated that the Finance Committee is working on developing reports that would help the Council to understand the City’s financial standing and liabilities.
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 reported that the steps on the tunnel at Bike Trail are closed due to a safety hazard. The steps will be replaced in the upcoming Tunnel Remodel Project.
Planning Commission Chair Mark Thomas No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Recreation Chair Mark Thomas reported that the floor at the Rec Center is coming together nicely and should be finished in time for the midterm elections on May 3rd. Councilman Thomas and Rec Director Eric Gay thanked the St. Clairsville National Honor Society Students for volunteering for the Rec Center Easter Egg Hunt last weekend.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
No Ordinances or Resolutions
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Smith made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Thrash. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, May 2nd ,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.
April 18, 2022 Council Minutes