June 21, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
June 21, 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: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the June 6th Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from June 6, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thomas.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSTAIN Thrash YES
Jordan YES Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSTAIN Vincenzo YES
Smith ABSTAIN
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Zero (0) NO Three (3) ABSTAIN Zero (0) 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 YES Thrash YES
Jordan ABSTAIN Thomas YES
Oprisch ABSTAIN Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Two (2) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported attending a Mayor’s conference in Columbus with 80 other Mayors around the State. During the conference, the Mayor met the Consul General of Japan and other Japanese Emissaries looking for opportunities to invest in Ohio. The Mayor thanked the Street and Electric crews who worked to get the City’s power running and streets cleared as quickly as possible during the recent storm. The Mayor informed the Council that Debbie Reed of the Rec Center has accepted a job in Columbus and will resign from her post at the Rec Center. Community Days will be held on Friday, July 1st, at the Amphitheater. Lastly, the Mayor noted that she attended the Ribbon Cutting for the Story Book Trail, and she would like to thank Doug Walsh of the St. Clairsville Public Library for securing the grant to make the trail possible.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported meeting with local refuse companies to discuss an issue with heavy garbage trucks tearing up the City’s street. No resolution has been met, but he will keep Council updated. The Lab at the Water Plant has been recertified. Sewer smoking will start in the coming week, beginning in Ward 1. Due to the projected $60,000 fuel deficit in the City Budget, the City will put off all nonessential projects until the end of the year to ensure there is enough money in the Budget. There have been 9 Waterline breaks this year. Mr. Greenwood thanked the Police Department for their several large drug busts in the recent weeks.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked Mr. Greenwood about several properties around the City with high grass that has not been mowed. Mr. Greenwood stated that Mr. Murphy takes care of contacting the properties with overgrown grass and that after warning the property owners several times via letters, the City will hire someone to mow the grass and put the bill as a lien on the property. Lastly, Mr. Greenwood noted that getting to a position where the City can hire someone to mow the grass is not a quick process.
Councilwoman Jordan asked Mr. Greenwood about the piece of torn-up road in front of First Presbyterian Church on South Marietta Street and how the City plans on fixing it. Mr. Greenwood stated that he is waiting to hear from the engineers working on the Waterline Project to confirm whether the waterlines will be under the road or the sidewalk. Because if the waterline is under the road, it would not be cost-effective to pave the road and then tear it up to replace the waterline underneath. Councilwoman Jordan requested recent correspondence from the Ohio EPA. Mr. Greenwood stated that he earlier provided the requested correspondence for Councilwoman Jordan, and he is aware that she received this correspondence.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported the new Body Cameras are in and in use. The Officer Wellness ARPA grant has been submitted. The Common Pleas Court awarded the Police Department over $5,000 from a bond revocation on a recent drug bust. Officers are scheduled for multiple training exercises at St. Clairsville Schools for active shooter response. The Police Department is looking at purchasing a Kinetic Breaching Device that would allow officers to breach hardened structures that would otherwise be unbreachable. Due to the usefulness of the breaching device inside the School, St. Clairsville City Schools has offered to pay half the purchase price.
Finance Director Annette Williams reported that the 2023 Budget is part of the legislation this evening for Council. This Budget is not the final Budget that Council will pass next year; this Budget is just a projection that is required to be sent to the County Auditor for approval. Ms. Williams asked that this Budget Ordinance be passed on an emergency basis so that the Auditor has reasonable time to review and approve it.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy [ABSENT] No report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reported that the Finance Committee met before the Council Meeting. The Committee discussed the price hikes and the projected fuel deficit in the Budget, along with discussing projects that will be taking place in the City. Councilman Smith asked the Finance Director to please provide a breakdown, and a dollar amount for all non-union employees who will be getting cost of living raises in Ordinance No. 2022-26. Lastly, Councilman Smith noted that the City’s income and expenditure are on target for the year.
Utilities Chair Terra 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 reported that Rec Board had canceled the June meeting due to a conflict with the Summer Concert Series. The Summer Concert Series and the Acoustic Fridays will resume their regular schedule this Thursday and Friday. Councilman Thomas thanked Rec Director Eric Gay for his hard work and for attending the meeting. Councilman Thomas asked Council to ask Mr. Gay any questions that have for him.
Councilman Thrash asked Mr. Gay about the schedule for the Kids Fishing Tournament and the Catfishing Tournament at the Rec Center. Mr. Gay stated that the Kids Fishing Tournament would be on July 23rd, and the Catfishing Tournament will be on August 12th. Councilman Thrash asked Mr. Gay if any event was happening at the Rec Center that needed more advertisement. Mr. Gay stated that there is a new Little Kids Basketball League at the Rec Center this summer with open registration.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2022-29 – AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-29 and that the Ordinance, 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 pass Ordinance No. 2022-29, 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
Ordinance No. 2022-30 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL 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.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-30 and that the Ordinance, 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 Butler made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-30, 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
Ordinance No. 2022-32 – A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CERTIFY TO THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE THE TOTAL CURRENT TAX VALUATION OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD BE GENERATED BY ONE AND NINETY-FIVE HUNDREDTHS (1.95) MILL AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-32 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; 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
Councilman Thomas made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-32, 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
SECOND READING
Ordinance No. 2022-23 – AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN ELECTRIC SERVICE BUDGET AGREEMENT WITH ST. CLAIRSVILLE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Jordan that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-23 and that the Ordinance, 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
Councilman Thrash made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-23, seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
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
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
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-27 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
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 Thomas made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-27, 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
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
THIRD 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
Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-24, 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
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
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-25, seconded by Councilman Thomas.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash NO
Jordan NO Thomas YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Two (2) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Butler made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Thomas. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 5, 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.