City of St. Clairsville
City of St. Clairsville

June 6, 2022 Council Minutes

ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL

June 6, 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                   ABSENT

Four (4) Present                             Three (3) Absent

MINUTES: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the May 16th Council Meeting. Councilman Vincenzo made a motion to approve the minutes from May 16, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thrash.

ROLL CALL:

Butler                   ABSENT                                           Thrash                  YES

Jordan                  YES                                                  Thomas               YES

Oprisch                ABSENT                                           Vincenzo             YES

Smith                   ABSENT

Roll Call Vote:    Four (4) YES    Zero (0) NO    Zero (0) ABSTAIN    Three (3) ABSENT

Minutes Approved

President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the June 1st   Special Council Meeting. Councilman Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes from June 1, 2022, Special Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thrash.

ROLL CALL:

Butler                   ABSENT                                          Thrash                  YES

Jordan                  ABSTAIN                                        Thomas                 YES

Oprisch                ABSENT                                          Vincenzo               YES

Smith                   ABSENT

Roll Call Vote:    Three (3) YES    Zero (0) NO    One (1) ABSTAIN    Three (3) ABSENT

Although there was a quorum present for the Council meeting, all non-emergency matters approved by Council require a majority of the Councilmember’s approval (4 votes). Due to the Abstention in the Roll Call Vote, the Minutes from the June 1st Special Council Meeting did not meet the majority of votes for approval, requiring the Minutes to be voted on again at the June 21st Regular Council Meeting.

NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Jordan presented Council with a plaque that she and Councilman Vincenzo accepted on the City’s behalf from the Run for the Wall organizers during their Memorial Day Ceremony held at Courthouse.

CITIZEN HEARING: Doug Walsh from the St. Clairsville Public Library provided Council with an update on the progress of the Story Book Trail at the Bike Trail and an update on the St. Clairsville Public Library’s Summer Reading activities. The Ribbon-cutting Ceremony for the Story Book Trail at the Bike Trail is on June 14th at 11 am; there will be snacks, games, and prizes, along with an opportunity for families to follow the trail and read a story while doing so. There will be a new story along the trail every few weeks, allowing families to read different stories all summer long.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman asked everyone to remember the great sacrifice made by all military men and women during the D-Day Invasion 81 years ago. The Mayor reported that she and Mr. Greenwood met with Chief Arbenz about School Safety, which has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds since the most recent School Shooting. Furthermore, the Mayor stated that the City is committed to providing the Police Department with whatever is needed to ensure our schools are safe. The Mayor is attending the Ohio Mayors Conference this week, where she will have the opportunity to meet with Japanese. Businessmen who are interested in investing in the area. On Thursday, June 9th, from 5 pm – 7 pm, the St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring an Art Walk through the City.

Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that 2/3 of the Water Tank inspections had been completed. The Dorothy Tank and the Light Bulb Tank (1982) have been inspected; the only outstanding tank to be checked is the Witches Hat Tank (1929). The inspection company recommended pressure washing the 1982 tank and completing interior work due to corrosion. The EPA has inspected the West End Plant reports available upon request. Moreover, the EPA inspected the Water Plant, where the City received a notice of violation due to the secondary high service pump being down. The first round of Sewer Smoke Testing notifications has been sent out to residents via postcard. The Construction of the I-70 Waterline Project has been postponed until October or November due to a project being done by ODOT. A General Fund 5-year Levy is coming up. May’s water loss has been calculated at 38%. Mr. Greenwood read a report compiled by the ODNR on the sport fish habitat at the Reservoir; attached is the St. Clairsville Reservoir Sportfish Summary at the end of the minutes. Mr. George Rauschenberg is June’s Employee of the Month.

Councilwoman Jordan asked for an update on the South Park Project with the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Greenwood stated that he has not yet heard back from the Corps. Councilwoman Jordan asked if Mr. Greenwood could give her the Army Corps commander’s contact info so she could attempt to reach out.

Councilman Thomas asked if the General Operating Fund Levy was a renewal or if a new levy would replace it. Mr. Greenwood stated that the Levy would be a straight renewal at 1.95 mils, generating around $209,000.

Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that during May, there were 431 calls for service, nine accidents, 45 arrests, six warrants served, three domestic violence cases, and 135 traffic stops. The Police Department received a $1,000 grant for the department’s Lexipol policy and procedures bill. Chief Arbenz stated he is applying for an ARPA grant for officer wellness. Lastly, Chief Arbenz updated Council on the robbery that happened at a bank in the St. Clairsville Plaza

Finance Director Annette Williams reported that she is currently working on the Tax Budget for 2023, which is due by the first week of July to the County Auditor.

Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that there is a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Tuesday, June 14th, at 6 pm in Council Chambers with two hearings on the Agenda. The first hearing on the Agenda is First Settlement Physical Therapy, which is seeking a variance to be permitted to cover their entire front window with signage due to patient privacy from HIPPA. The second hearing on the Agenda is a resident requesting to be allowed to have an 8×10 shed in the front yard to accommodate the residence’s quadriplegic stepson. Nusta Cosmetics has opened up at the former tattoo shop at 110 East Main Street. Another new business has opened at 252 West Main Street called Refresh Aesthetic Center. Mr. Murphy addressed some concerns about high grass in the City; he stated that he is aware of most of the properties but asked if you have concerns to contact him. Lastly, Murphy noted that the Storm Water Quality Board met in May and approved the AEP Storm Water Management Plan for the new transmission lines through the City.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Finance Chair Mike Smith [ABSENT] No report.

Utilities Chair Terra [ABSENT] No report

Police Chair Beth Oprisch [ABSENT] No report.  

Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo reported a few potholes needing to be patched at the bottom of Willinda Drive.

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 reported that at the recommendation of the Fire Chief, the Board had voted to accept the resignation of part-time employee Zachary Hazinakis effective June 1, 2022. The Board also voted to approve the removal of Taylor Fogle from full-time employee to part-time employee effective June 18, 2022, at the rate of $15.50 hr. Furthermore, by the recommendation of the Fire Chief, the Fire Board has approved hiring Clayton Gilliam as a part-time employee at the rate of $15.50 hr., effective May 25, 2022. Moreover, the Board has voted to approve accepting sealed bids for the sale of boat 23 and to receive the grant from South Central Power for $3,600 to purchase an inflatable rescue boat. The Board approved the bid for the Diesel Exhaust System in compliance with the FEMA grant from MagneGrip for $96,760. Lastly, a Cumberland Trail Monument has been placed in front of the Sheriff’s Museum in collaboration with the Fire District, the Fire Union, and the Fire Fighter Association.

Recreation Chair Mark Thomas reported that the Charcuterie Class at the Rec Center was a huge success making the Rec Center host another class this fall. On June 23rd, there will be a succulent’s class at the Rec Center. The Next Board meeting was scheduled for June 23rd, but due to the Concert Series, the meeting has been postponed and will be rescheduled later. The Acoustic Night at the Gazebo will be Friday, June 10th; Councilman Thomas asked everyone to spread the word.

Councilman Vincenzo asked Councilman Thomas what an individual would need to do to host their food truck at an event at the Rec Center. Councilman Thomas explained that they should speak to Eric at the Rec Center for assistance.

Park District Chair Linda Jordan reported The Park District would like to thank the City for filling the Allen Pool. 

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick 

FIRST READING

Ordinance No. 2022-23 – AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN ELECTRIC SERVICE BUDGET AGREEMENT WITH ST. CLAIRSVILLE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Resolution No. 2022-26 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY COUNCIL TO INCREASE THE YEARLY COMPENSATION OF SOME OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Resolution No. 2022-27 – A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ONEOHIO REGION 11 GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE UNDER THE ONEOHIO MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Ordinance No. 2022-28 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE I, ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 105, WARDS AND BOUNDARIES, SECTION 105.01, DIVISION INTO WARDS OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE

SECOND READING

Ordinance No. 2022-24 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE INTERFUND TRANSFERS AND REALLOCATIONS WITHIN THE FUNDS 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

Ordinance No. 2022-25 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2021-29 AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES TO SOLICIT COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR THE RESURFACING OF STREETS IN THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND AUTHORIZING AN EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED $250,000.00 FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2021 TO BE COMPLETED IN CALENDAR YEAR 2022 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Thrash made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Vincenzo. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 P.M.

The next meeting will be Monday, June 21, 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.

June 6, 2022 Council Minutes