July 18, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
July 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: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the July 5th Council Meeting. Councilman Thomas made a motion to approve the minutes from July 5, 2022, Council Meeting; motion 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
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: Councilwoman Jordan reported that the St. Clairsville High School Alumni Picnic would be held on July 30th at the Rec Center. The Doors will open at 10 am; the Distinguished Alumni Award will be announced at 11 am, with lunch following. The Alumni Association will also announce a new scholarship in memory of long-time teacher Emery Stewart.
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman [ABSENT] No report.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that to receive a new Gas Aggregation Program, the City must submit a request for qualifications to the firms expressing interest in the program. Ward One Sewer Smoke Testing continues, but the City has purchased a new machine due to the machine breaking frequently. All paving in Edinburgh Way is complete. The Water Distribution System bid will be open in October. Sourcing of materials will be an issue for the Contractor. The Contractor who paved Edinburgh is willing to pave South Marietta Street. Although there will be a Water Pipe that will go under South Marietta Street during the Water Distribution Project, the City will trench the road while the Contractor is paving and place the Waterline in that area so the road can be paved. Furthermore, Mr. Greenwood announced that ODOT is no longer willing to sell their property on Route 9. The other properties the City is looking at purchasing with the Clean Ohio Funds require resolution of support from both the County and Township. The new lights have been installed in the Rec Center. There have been 12 Waterline breaks so far this year. Lastly, Mr. Greenwood announced that there were five applicants for Program Supervisor at the Rec Center.
Councilman Thomas asked about the details of the Gas Lease, one of the pieces of Legislation that the Council will address further in the meeting. Mr. Greenwood stated that it is $4,000 an acre at 18%. Furthermore, Councilman Thomas asked about the recent power outage in the City. Mr. Greenwood said he doesn’t know for sure but suspected it was due to tree branches falling in the power lines.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked Mr. Greenwood about the cost of the new Sewer Smoke Testing Machine. Mr. Greenwood stated that it cost around $2,000.
Councilwoman Jordan asked Mr. Greenwood if there had been an update on the South Park Renovations. Mr. Greenwood stated that he has met with the Army Corps of Engineers but has yet to hear back from them after the meeting.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz [ABSENT] No report.
Finance Director Annette Williams reported that the City is receiving funds from the Opioid Pharmaceutical Lawsuit, with the first payment being $26,448 and the second payment being $37,783 for a total of $64,231. Lastly, Ms. Williams announced that Rec Director Gay had submitted several grants.
Councilwoman Jordan and Oprisch asked Ms. Williams for a list of things that the American Rescue Plan Funds and the One Ohio Settlement funds can be spent.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals met on July 7, where they approved both variance requests before them. The First was related to signage at First Settlement Physical Therapy, and the second was to approve the location of a shed at 146 North Sugar Street. The Board of Zoning appeals will meet again on August 3, 2022, at 6 pm to discuss variances that Trinity Hospital requests related to their new site at the former NAPA property. Secondly, Edward Perzanowski is seeking approval for two parking spots on Forest Lawn Avenue within the right of way. Cedar One Realty had its grand opening at 168 East Main Street.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reported that revenues are at 45%, with expenditures only at 34%. Councilman Smith noted that both figures are suitable for halfway through the year. During the Finance meeting, the Committee discussed placing projects on hold to save money due to the excessive fuel deficit. During the meeting, the Committee also discussed the purchases of properties in the City.
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 the Rec Board would meet on July 28th at 4 pm. The Rec Center will host a Catfish Tournament at the Reservoir on August 12th from 6 pm to 6 am. Rec Director Gay reported that the Rec Center provided concessions at the Jr. Sports Complex, which became a success. Lastly, there will be a Children’s Fishing Tournament on August 17th at the Reservoir from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2022-31 – AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE BID FOR THE OIL AND GAS LEASE WITH ASCENT RESOURCES – UTICA, LLC AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Jordan that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-31 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. 2022-31, 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
Resolution No. 2022-33 – RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NECESSITY FOR THE RENEWAL LEVY WITH NO INCREASE AND NO DECREASE OF A CONTINUOUS TAX IN EXCESS OF THE TEN (10) MILL LIMITATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CURRENT OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO, FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-33 and that the Resolution, 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 Thrash made a motion to pass Resolution No. 2022-33, 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. 2022-34 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE AND 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. 2022-34 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. 2022-34, 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
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Butler made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Thrash. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, August 1, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. All Councilmembers will be present at the City Building for the next meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meeting in the Council Chambers.