May 2, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
May 2, 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 ABSENT Thrash HERE
Jordan HERE Thomas HERE
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo HERE
Smith HERE
Five (5) Present Two (2) Absent
MINUTES: Council President Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the April 18th Council Meeting. Councilman Vincenzo made a motion to approve the minutes from April 18, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thomas.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Thalman made a recommendation to the Council to reappoint Ed Reese to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to reappoint Ed Reese to the Board of Zoning Appeals, seconded by Councilman Thomas
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman wished the St. Clairsville track team good luck during the OVAC Tournament. The Mayor reported that the Governor was in town announcing the investment of $550 Million into the 32 Counties making up Appalachia; she explained that she does not know how the apportionment will fall but will inform the citizens when the information is available. Furthermore, the Mayor thanked everyone involved in making the Governor’s visit successful. Lastly, The Mayor wanted to remind everyone to go and vote Tuesday during the Primary Election.
Councilman Thomas shared his thoughts on the possible apportionments coming that the Governor announced last Thursday. Councilman Thomas expressed that the City needs to start thinking about how they could best use the funds so that if or when the money becomes available, the City will already have plans in place to use it.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that there are three companies interested in providing the City with a gas aggregation program. The Rec Center Floor is complete and will be getting its first use during the Primary Election. LED lights have been ordered for the Rec Center to replace the 40-year-old light fixtures. During the week of May 2, all three Water Tanks will be inspected. The OWDA loan has been approved, which will allow the I-70 waterline project to begin shortly. The Department of Justice Body Camera Grant funds are in, which enable the Police Department to purchase new ones. Lastly, Mr. Mark Berry of the Street Department is May’s Employee of the Month.
Councilwoman Jordan asked Mr. Greenwood when the South Park project would begin. Mr. Greenwood stated that he is waiting to hear back from the Army Corps of Engineers to get them scheduled.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported during April, there were 432 Calls to Service, six Vehicle Crashes, 32 Arrests, three Warrants served, five Domestic Violence calls, and 170 Traffic Stops. Moreover, Chief Arbenz stated that the force is working hard to combat drug trafficking with a few recent significant drug seizures.
Finance Director Annette Williams reported that she finished the quarterly report for the American Rescue Plan Act, which will hopefully allow the City to get the other $269,000 owed.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy [ABSENT] No report
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report
Utilities Chair Terra [ABSENT] No report
Police Chair Beth Oprisch [ABSENT] No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo reported that Councilman Thrash and himself met with Mr. Greenwood, where they were shown maps of streets where the waterline project will affect. Councilman Vincenzo stated that if the City starts paving streets, it will be a waste of money because they will be torn back up to replace the waterlines underneath. Furthermore, Councilman Vincenzo encourages the rest of the Council to meet with Mr. Greenwood to see for themselves the vastness of the upcoming waterline project.
While discussing paving, Councilman Thomas asked Mr. Greenwood about the likelihood of the approved roads to be paved in 2021 being torn up with the waterline project. Mr. Greenwood stated that several streets were approved to be paved in 2021, which is slated to replace the water lines in the upcoming project. Mr. Greenwood said that he has met with the paving contractor, and they are currently trying to figure out where they can pave without wasting money.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash No report.
Safety Chair JC Thrash reported that the most recent safety meeting was on the importance of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire drills, and tornado drills. Councilman Thrash also added that an individual has three minutes to get out of the building once a fire starts before the smoke becomes too thick to see or breathe.
Building and Grounds Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Planning Commission Chair Mark Thomas No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that the Fire Board approved the Health Insurance renewal with Anthem and the Dental Insurance renewal with Ameritus. The Fire Board approved a Diesel Exhaust System under the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Lastly, the Fire District has partnered with the St. Clairsville library and its summer reading program to reward children who read books with tickets to give them a chance to ride the firetruck to school in the fall.
Recreation Chair Mark Thomas reported that the first Summer Concert will be Wednesday, May 25th. There will be 10 Summer Concerts between May 25th and August 4th; seven of the events will be held at the Amphitheater, and three will be held at the Gazebo at the Bike Trail.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan reported that Pool Passes are available, and if anyone is interested in getting to, do not hesitate to contact her. She will provide details on where individuals can purchase them.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
Councilman Thomas asked if it is possible to receive the Legislation and Agenda by Friday morning so that Council can have time to review the materials to make a proper decision on voting. Councilwoman Jordan and Councilman Smith agreed with Councilman Thomas that they would like to see the Legislation by Friday Morning.
FIRST READING
ORDINANCE 2022-18 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS TO LEASE OIL AND GAS OWNED BY THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Jordan that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-18 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thomas
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to pass Ordinance 2022-18, seconded by Councilman Thrash
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
ORDINANCE 2022-19 – AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE 2018 REPRINTING OF THE ST. CLAIRSVILLE CODIFIED ORDINANCES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-19 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thomas
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to pass Ordinance 2022-19, seconded by Councilman Thrash
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
ORDINANCE 2022-20 – AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE 2019 REPRINTING OF THE ST. CLAIRSVILLE CODIFIED ORDINANCES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thomas that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-20 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thrash
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilman Thrash made a motion to pass Ordinance 2022-20, seconded by Councilman Thomas
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
ORDINANCE 2022-21 – AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE 2020 REPRINTING OF THE ST. CLAIRSVILLE CODIFIED ORDINANCES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Vincenzo that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-21 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thrash
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilman Thrash made a motion to pass Ordinance 2022-21, seconded by Councilman Thomas
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
ORDINANCE 2022-22 – AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE 2021 REPRINTING OF THE ST. CLAIRSVILLE CODIFIED ORDINANCES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-22 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thomas
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilman Thomas made a motion to pass Ordinance 2022-22, seconded by Councilman Thrash
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSENT Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
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 8:06 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, May 16, 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 meeting in the Council Chambers.