September 19, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
September 19, 2022 Meeting
Jim Velas, Council President Kathryn Thalman, Mayor
Don Vincenzo, Council, 1st Ward Jeremy Greenwood, Public Service/Safety Director
Kristi Lipscomb, 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.
Prior to the Roll Call, a swearing-in ceremony was held where Law Director Elizabeth Glick swore in Kristi Lee Lipscomb and installed her to Council.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith HERE
Jordan HERE Thrash HERE
Lipscomb HERE Vincenzo HERE
Oprisch HERE
Six (6) Present One (1) Absent
MINUTES: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the September 6th Council Meeting. Councilman Vincenzo made a motion to approve the minutes from September 6, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the September 12th Special Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from September 12, 2022, Special Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: Mr. Bill Brooks invited Council and all Citizens in the City to a Dedication at the South Park on October 1, 2022, at noon.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman [ABSENT] No report.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported Smoke Testing had been completed in Ward 3. The I-70 Waterline Project is on pause until ODOT completes its barrier project. Paving on South Marietta Street is slated for the end of October. Furthermore, the County has asked for an extension until December to allow the City to connect to its water system. Due to the County asking for extensions, the City has requested an extension from the EPA until February 2023. The Waste Water Department received a Notice of Violation for I&I issues. The re-staining of the Amphitheater will be completed this week. The Rec Center has received a $1,000 grant to landscape the Amphitheater. Moreover, the Rec Center will host a Craft and Vendor show on November 19th.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked if the number were consistent in the Third Ward with the other Wards with the Smoke Testing. Mr. Greenwood noted that he doesn’t have the numbers yet and will keep Council updated. Furthermore, Councilwoman Oprisch asked what the City’s one-for-one match would be with the grants that are in the legislation. Mr. Greenwood stated that he doesn’t have a figure yet and will let Council know before passing the legislation.
Councilwoman Jordan asked if road patching is still being completed in the City. Mr. Greenwood stated that road patching is being completed when the Street Department has available staffing. Moreover, Councilwoman Jordan asked what the cost is to re-stain the Amphitheater. Mr. Greenwood noted that it is about $10,000. Lastly, Councilwoman Jordan stated that a Fire Hydrant on Young Lane is covered with weeds. Superintendent Smithberger indicated that Street Department would take care of it.
Councilman Vincenzo asked if the companies interested in the Gas Aggregation Program had provided any figures. Mr. Greenwood stated that the Companies will not offer any figures until the City signs with them.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported Police Department was granted $5,200 through the Ohio First Responders Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience program. The money will cover two years of officers being able to use the Cordico app, which is targeted toward first responders’ wellness. Chief Arbenz said he hopes this app will allow the Officers to get help if needed.
Finance Director Annette Williams stated that Resolution No. 2022-41 needs to be passed on emergency as it must be submitted to the Auditor’s office by October 1st.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting scheduled for October 12th at 6 P.M. The meeting is regarding a variance requested at 107 Hanson Drive, where the resident would like to add to an existing structure, and a variance is needed regarding the setback and overall size of the structure. Moreover, Mr. Murphy reported a new bakery opening at 110 West Main Street. Plans are continuing to be submitted for Trinity’s Community Hospital.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reported that the Finance Committee met before the Council Meeting, where they discussed the grants received by the Rec Center and the Police Department. The City has received money from the Opioid Settlement. Moreover, Councilman Smith encouraged Council to review their recent draft audit. Lastly, Councilman Smith went over the monthly revenue and expenditure report, which indicated that revenues are 65% and expenditures are 46%.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler [ABSENT] No report
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report – September 19, 2022 meeting cancelled.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo asked about the salt reserves for the upcoming winter. Mr. Greenwood stated the City has 16 tons of salt is reserved that are purchased through an ODOT program.
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 Kristi Lipscomb reported that she spoke with Mr. Murphy and planned on setting up a meeting to get up to speed with what the Planning Commission is doing.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that the projected revenue of the Rec Center is $100,000, whereas two years ago, the revenues were a fraction of that. The Rec Center is looking into getting a Liquor License that could be used when City events are held.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked if the Rec Center has upgraded the Bathrooms yet. Mr. Greenwood stated that nothing has been done yet due to the cost and trying to restrict spending. Councilwoman Oprisch wished that the bathroom be completed at least partially, so there is privacy when using the toilet. Councilwoman Jordan and Councilwoman Lipscomb both indicated their agreement with Councilwoman Oprisch. Mr. Greenwood stated that it would be a superficial upgrade as massive renovations must be done to make the bathrooms usable.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Resolution No. 2022-40 – ODOT Project Title: Municipal Bridge Inspection Program
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-40 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilman Thrash made a motion to pass Resolution No. 2022- 40, seconded by Councilman Vincenzo.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Resolution No. 2022-41 – RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINEDBY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-41 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to pass Resolution No. 2022-41, seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
SECOND 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
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Thrash made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 3, 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.