October 17, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
October 17, 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 October 3rd Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from October 3, 2022, Council Meeting; motion 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
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to nominate Council Clerk Jacob DeBertrand to be the representative on behalf of Council for the State Auditor’s Certified Public Records Training, the motion was seconded by Councilman Thrash.
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
Councilman Thrash made a motion to nominate Administrative Assistant Jennifer McMillen to be the representative on behalf of the Finance Director for the State Auditor’s Certified Public Records Training, the motion was 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
CITIZEN HEARING: Scott Belcastro, Owner of Trebel Energy, and Jay Sell, Aggregation Specialist of Aspen Energy, both individually presented their proposals for providing the City with a Gas Aggregation program to Council. Council interacted with both representatives after their presentations. Councilwoman Oprisch indicated that she would like Council to decide at the next meeting which of the two companies would provide the City with the Gas Aggregation Program.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported she met with a representative of the Governor’s office who provided details about several grant opportunities for the City. Sunday, November 20th, at 2 pm, the City will host its annual Christmas Parade. Furthermore, the Mayor reported that Rec Director Eric Gay had painted the bathrooms at the Rec Center. Moreover, the Mayor reminded the public that the Boo at the Bike Trail would be on October 25th from 4-6 pm. Lastly, the St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce is hosting an adult Halloween Bash on Friday, October 28th.
Councilwoman Jordan asked what the status of the Waterline Project crossing the Interstate. The Mayor stated that Mr. Greenwood would have more in his report, but that City received a letter from ODOT stating that the City was allowed to proceed with the Project.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that Sewer Smoke Testing had been completed in Ward 4. The Water Distribution Project bids are due November 1st. The plumbing lines at the Rec Center were camera scoped, there were some issues with concrete debris in the lines, but the problem has been resolved. The donated property on Reservoir Road is in the process of being transferred. Furthermore, Mr. Greenwood reported that the leaf machine would be up and running shortly. Lastly, October’s Employee of the Month is Mr. Bob Rauschenberg.
Councilwoman Jordan asked Mr. Greenwood if he could get someone to remove the flag caught in the tree at the Rec Center. Mr. Greenwood stated that he would have it done tomorrow. Furthermore, Councilwoman Jordan asked if the paving on South Marietta is still slated for the end of October. Mr. Greenwood stated that he has met with the contractor to put the casement underneath the road and hopes the paver can have it done by the end of October.
Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood to update Council about the road work completed on North Sugar Street and Bellview Street. Mr. Greenwood stated that a Catch Basin failed and needed to be replaced.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked if extensive plumbing issues were discovered at the Rec Center with the recent plumbing scope. Mr. Greenwood stated that some debris in the line had been removed, but he didn’t expect any more issues.
Councilman Thrash stated that he had received many complaints about the deer destroying property within the City. Mr. Greenwood noted that the Police Department has reached out to the Game Warden for advice on what to do and is still waiting for a response.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported he is scheduled to meet with the County’s Critical Incident Training Committee to discuss more training and available services. Moreover, Chief Arbenz reminded the public that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Tri-County Help Center is having its annual march on October 19th at 6 pm. Lastly, Chief Arbenz asked all citizens to avoid traveling during Trick or Treat.
Finance Director Annette Williams reported that the 2021 Audit report is available to the public and that within the Audit, there were no significant findings to report.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy [ABSENT] No report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reported that revenues for the year are on track at 75%, while expenses are at 53%. Councilman Smith reported that he would speak to the State Auditors and that if any Councilmembers had any questions pass them along to him.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler No report.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo thanked the Street Department for their continued pothole patching. Councilman Vincenzo stated that some patching is needed on Kilsyth Court and the alleyway near Belmont Savings Bank.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash thanked the Street Department for their continued pothole patching.
Safety Chair JC Thrash No report.
Building and Grounds Chair Linda Jordan reported that she had the opportunity to attend the dedication Ceremony at South Park, which was very nice. Councilwoman Jordan asked Law Director Glick if the City has approached Mr. Brooks about an Easement in Perpetuity on his property, which is at South Park’s entrance. Law Director Glick stated that she had not had any formal discussion with Mr. Brooks about his property.
Planning Commission Chair Kristi Lipscomb No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that Fire Board would like to thank the Belmont County Commissioners, Lisa Kazmirski of Belmont County Senior Services, Jeff Felton of Belmont County Job and Family Services, Rob Sproul of Belmont County Health Department, and Jeff Britton of Ohio Hills Health Centers for their involvement of getting a Cares Administrator for the County.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that Bantam Basketball registration is still open, and signups end November 7th.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan reported that new lights are being installed on the Tennis and Pickle Ball Courts. The Allen Pool Bathhouse will be getting some well-needed renovations.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
No Ordinances or Resolutions
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 8:39 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, November 7, 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.