October 3, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
October 3, 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.
ROLL CALL:
Butler HERE Smith HERE
Jordan HERE Thrash HERE
Lipscomb HERE Vincenzo HERE
Oprisch HERE
Seven (7) Present Zero (0) Absent
MINUTES: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the September 19th Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from September 19, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Vincenzo.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSTAIN Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: Belmont County Commissioner candidate Jack Regis introduced himself to Council and explained his purpose for running for office.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked the City’s Departments for their work in making the City’s projects a success. The Mayor clarified the City’s responsibility of cutting grass and trimming trees, stating that the City can only cut grass on City property. Moreover, the Mayor described the uses and purpose of grants explaining further that the City only applies for grants with a good return on investment. Furthermore, the Mayor addressed the benefits of South Park. Still, she cautioned that it is challenging to rehab the Park because all entrances to the Park are on private property, and the owner is unwilling to sell it to the City. The Mayor reminded the citizens that Halloween would be held on Monday, October 31st, from 6:00 – 7:30. Lastly, the Mayor read a proclamation making the week of October 2nd – 8th as Public Power Week.
Councilwoman Oprisch clarified with the Mayor that the City does not own access to South Park. The Mayor confirmed that access to South Park is on private property. Councilwoman Oprisch stated that it would be hard to commit to rehabbing South Park when access to the property is not guaranteed in the future.
Councilwoman Butler asked what the return on investment would be with the current legislation allowing the City to pursue a Grant for native trees. Mr. Greenwood stated that summer part-time grass cutters cost the City around $28,000 a year, and planting trees would create forest space that does not have to be cut, saving money in the long run.
Councilman Thrash asked how much it costs to create a new basketball court. Mr. Greenwood stated that making a new basketball court costs around $40,000.
Councilwoman Jordan stated that she spoke to Rec Director Gay, and he said that resurfacing a basketball court would cost around $12,000. Councilwoman Jordan expressed further that although the City doesn’t own access to South Park, the City should commit to resurfacing South Park, and if an issue arises in the future, it would be addressed.
Councilwoman Lipscomb asked if there was any legal avenue that the City could take to protect itself in the case that access to South Park is not allowed by the property owner. Law Director Glick stated the only way to ensure access to South Park is available is to create a right of way, lease, or an outright purchase of the property.
Council continued the discussion on South Park and deliberated the open and available options.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that two representatives from the companies who want to provide the City with the Gas Aggregation program would be at the next meeting to present to Council. The Water Distribution Project is out to bid. The Water Department received the first order of Water Nodes originally ordered in March 2020. There will be a Civil Service Exam on October 25th at the Rec Center. ODOT has not updated the City on when they will be complete with their Interstate Project, allowing the City to start its Water Line Project. Sewer Smoke testing will be beginning in Ward 4. Out of the three Wards that have been Smoke Tested this year, only about 3% of houses are in violation. OEPA granted the City’s request to allow the City to switch over to County Water in February of 2023. Furthermore, Mr. Greenwood reported that the re-stain of the Amphitheater is complete. There have been 17 Waterline breaks a year to date. There will be a meet the candidate night at the Rec Center on October 6th. Mr. Greenwood asked that you please keep all the Police Officers in your thoughts and prayers as they have had a rough couple of weeks with calls.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked if there was a final number for the grants in the final reading of the legislation. Mr. Greenwood stated that he doesn’t have any figures, but if the Grants were approved, he would have to come to Council for approval of amounts.
Councilman Vincenzo asked if any commercial properties did not pass Sewer Smoke Testing. Mr. Greenwood stated that he doesn’t believe that there were any violations for commercial properties but is not sure.
Councilwoman Butler asked if the Street Department could patch potholes on Grady Alley. Mr. Greenwood said they would look at the potholes and see if they could patch them.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that in September, there were 377 calls to service, 14 crashes, 26 arrests, two warrants served, eight domestic violence calls, and 89 traffic stops. Two Officers will return from paternity leave, returning the Department to full staff. Lastly, Chief Arbenz asks that all citizens keep their firearms stored in safe places out of reach.
Finance Director Annette Williams [ABSENT] No report.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that there is a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Wednesday, October 12th, at 6 pm. The meeting is regarding 107 Hanson Drive for the addition to an accessory structure. Moreover, a Planning Commission meeting is set up for Monday, November 14th, at 6 pm, regarding Trinity Health Systems’ planned proposal. There will be a Storm Water Quality Board meeting that will be scheduled at a later date. Lastly, there is a single-family home under construction on Norris Street.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reported there was a Utility Committee meeting before the Council Meeting. Among the discussion topics, they covered the new Utility Policy and the monthly billing report. Lastly, the Utility Committee approved two requests for a Sewer Credit.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo asked if the City maintains the Street that goes to the Recycling Bins due to the recent road fixes he noticed. Mr. Greenwood stated that the City does maintain the Street, which does get a lot of wear from the large recycling trucks.
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 has met with Mr. Murphy and is now familiar with her role on Planning Commission.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that the Board accepted the retirement of Lt. Allen Kinsel III, effective January 31, 2023. Moreover, the Board accepted the resignation of Thomas Coyne as a part-time employee due to accepting full-time employment with the City of Columbus. Lastly, the Board accepted a FEMA Grant for $44,645 to replace fire hoses on the apparatus.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that she visited the Rec Center to look at the issues addressed at the last meeting and hopes they are addressed. The next meeting will be at the Rec Center on October 21st at 4:30 pm.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
THIRD 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
Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2022-37; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
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
Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2022-38; seconded by Councilman Smith.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Seven (7) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
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 8:09 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 17, 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.