September 6, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
September 6, 2022 Meeting
Jim Velas, Council President Kathryn Thalman, Mayor
Don Vincenzo, Council, 1st Ward Jeremy Greenwood, Public Service/Safety Director
Vacant, 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
Oprisch HERE Vincenzo HERE
Smith HERE
Six (6) Present Zero (0) Absent
MINUTES: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the August 15th Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from August 15, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the September 1st Special Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from September 1, 2022, Special Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Council President Velas brought to the attention of the Council that Halloween is approaching, and it is once again Council’s responsibility to decide when St. Clairsville will hold Trick or Treat. After Council deliberation, Councilwoman Oprisch motioned to have Trick or Treat on October 31st from 6:00 – 7:30 P.M.; motion seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch ABSTAIN Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
CITIZEN HEARING: Cumberland Trail Fire District #4 Chief Tim Hall spoke to Council about the plans to renovate the main Fire Station in the City. Furthermore, Chief Hall presented to Council a conceptual design plan for the building. Council thanked Chief Hall for keeping Council updated on the plans for the station.
CORRESPONDENCE: The St. Clairsville Student Council sent a letter to Council seeking permission to hold their annual Homecoming Parade and Bonfire on Wednesday, September 28th at 6:00 P.M. Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to allow the St. Clairsville Student Council to hold their annual Homecoming Parade and Bonfire on Wednesday, September 28th at 6:00 P.M.; motion seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Belco Works Inc. sent a letter to Council seeking permission to hold a Tree Dedication for former Board Members at the Bike Trail on September 8th at 5:00 P.M. Councilwoman Oprisch made motion to allow Belco Works Inc. to hold a Tree Dedication for former Board Members at the Bike Trail on September 8th at 5:00 P.M.; motion seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked the Fire Department for bringing their plans to Council and the Administration. The Rec Department is debating on organizing a Film Festival for 2023. Mayor’s Court was held, and there were two no-shows. Mayor asked all citizens to try to attend the Rhythm and Brew Fest on September 10th. Mayor Thalman read a proclamation designating the September 11th – 17th Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.
Mayor Thalman asked Council to approve her appointment of Mike Klinec to the Civil Service Commission. Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Mike Klinec to the Civil Service Commission; Councilman Vincenzo seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Mayor Thalman asked Council to approve her appointment of Mark Sommers to the Civil Service Commission. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Mark Sommers to the Civil Service Commission; Councilman Thrash seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Mayor Thalman asked Council to approve her appointment of Jayne Long to the Board of Architectural Review. Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Jayne Long to the Board of Architectural Review; Councilman Thrash seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Oprisch asked the Mayor if the individual whose dog killed another resident’s dog last year had begun building the fence to keep the dog from getting loose. Mr. Murphy reported that last week he checked, and the fence was about halfway complete.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood No report.
Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood about the progress of fire hydrant repairs. Mr. Greenwood noted that hydrants were planned to be replaced with the Water Distribution Project. Still, due to the cost rising from $7 Million to $12 Million, the scope of the project has decreased, and he doesn’t know what will be able to be completed in the project.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked Mr. Greenwood if there was an update on the South Park Project. Mr. Greenwood stated that the project is still on hold, but Rec Director Gay is looking at applying for a grant that would be a one-to-one match meaning that if the funding were awarded, the City would get another $50,000 to put into South Park.
Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood why the cost has inflated so much on the Water Distribution Project. Mr. Greenwood stated that all the prices, from supplies to asphalt, had increased exponentially, leading to reducing the project scope.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that in August, there were 395 calls to service, eight crashes, 21 arrests, four warrants served, 5 Domestic Violence calls, and 108 Traffic Stops. Chief Arbenz reported that an Officer received training for advanced roadside and impaired driving enforcement; another Officer will train to be a red dot sight instructor to facilitate the new weapons purchased. Lastly, Chief Arbenz announced the Department was awarded the Lexipol Connect Gold Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Policy Management.
Councilman Smith asked if there were any issues with the Block Party’s recent street closure. Chief Arbenz noted that there were not any issues reported.
Councilman Vincenzo asked how many traffic stops ended in Mayor’s Court. Chief Arbenz stated that the only people required to attend Mayor’s Court are those with licensing issues like a suspended license.
Finance Director Annette Williams reported that she had received a letter from the State Auditor stating that the Audit is complete and will be able to be reviewed in a couple of days. Furthermore, Ms. Williams said that legislation 2022-39 is to appropriate money to funds running low to ensure that there is money for the funds until the rest of the year.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy thanked the Council and the Mayor for approving and appointing Jayne Long to the Board of Architectural Review. Lastly, Trinity Health Systems have started submitting its plans for the Hospital.
Councilwoman Jordan asked Law Director Glick that at the last Council meeting, the Council was advised that the Assistant Rec Director’s salary did not have to be approved by Council, but Article 3 Section 8 of the Charter says that Council should have the power to fix its compensation and that of each employee of the City. Law Director Glick stated that the salary was within the salary range that Council has already approved in the Annual Budget. Councilwoman Jordan asked if that was stated in the Charter. Law Director Glick indicated that it had been the custom and practice of the body for many years.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No Report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler Councilwoman Oprisch reported that Councilwoman Butler could not attend the Utility Committee Meeting before the Council Meeting so that she would give the report. Councilwoman Oprisch reported that the Utility Committee reviewed the monthly billing report. Moreover, the Utility Committee approved a Sewer Credit for $82.25. Furthermore, the Utility Committee grandfathered in individuals who were on the Utility Budget before, but now landlords will not sign the new Utility Budget. Lastly, the Utility Committee discussed the possibility of a Clean Water Fee for residents whose homes did not pass the Sewer Smoke Testing and who are not attempting to fix the issue.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch reported that the Police Committee met after the last Council Meeting. Police Committee discussed how the Police Department plans to spend money from the Opioid Settlement. Furthermore, the Committee addressed the need for a decontamination area for the Police.
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 Vacant No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that the Fire Board is in Unanimous support of the Fire Station Project.
Recreation Chair Vacant President Velas read a report from Rec Director Eric Gay. Rec Director Gay reported that there would be a Rhythm and Brew Fest on September 10th from 4:00 to 10:00 P.M. Lastly, Final Floor will be touching up the gymnasium floors.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Resolution No. 2022-37 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION’S NATURAL RESOURCES ASSISTANCE COUNCIL’S CLEAN OHIO CONSERVATION FUND FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION AND PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY ALONG THE NATIONAL ROAD BIKEWAY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Resolution No. 2022-38 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF NATIVE TREES FOR CITY PROPERTY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Ordinance No. 2022-39 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUES 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 Councilman Vincenzo that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-39 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-39, seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Councilwoman Butler made a motion to enter Executive Session, under ORC 121.22(G)(1), to discuss the appointment of Ward 3 Council Position; Councilwoman Jordan seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Executive Session entered at 8:08 P.M.
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to exit Executive Session; Councilwoman Jordan seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Thrash YES
Jordan YES
Oprisch YES Vincenzo YES
Smith YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Executive Session exited at 8:55 pm.
Council President Jim Velas reported that no action was taken in Executive Session
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Butler made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 19, 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.