November 7, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
November 7, 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 17th Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from October 17, 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: Council President Velas addressed rumors on social media stating that City Council held a secret meeting without notice to the public. President Velas noted that the rumors were untrue, and that Council held no such meeting.
Councilwoman Jordan motioned to designate Trebel Energy as the City’s Gas Aggregation Provider; Councilwoman Lipscomb seconded the motion.
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
Recreation Director Eric Gay sought Council’s approval to host a Turkey Trot 5K event on Thanksgiving morning, with all proceeds going to help a family in need.
Councilman Thrash made a motion to allow the Recreation Department to host their Turkey Trot 5K event on Thanksgiving morning; Councilwoman Lipscomb seconded the motion.
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: None
CORRESPONDENCE: East Richland Christian School sent a letter requesting permission to host their annual live nativity scene on the plaza at the Courthouse on Thursday, December 8th, Monday, December 12th, and Thursday, December 15th, from 6:00-8:00 each evening.
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to allow East Richland Christian School to host its annual live nativity scene; Councilman Smith seconded the motion.
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
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported that she instructed the Law Director to send a letter to the resident beside South Park regarding a property matter. The Mayor thanked everyone in the administration who has worked diligently to apply for the recent grants. Governor DeWine visited the City for a meet and greet and discussed the issues facing the area.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported the Water Distribution Project lowest bid was $7.6 million. The Rec Center restrooms are almost finished. Four people took the Civil Service Exam. The I-70 project is still waiting on parts before the project is started. No new update on the County Water Agreement. The leaf machine was scheduled to pick up leaves in the Wards, but the schedule might be behind due to mechanical issues. November’s Employee of the Month is Will Burghy.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked to keep the Council updated on the status of leaf pickup. Councilwoman Oprisch asked about the Chamber’s meeting about the parking issue in the City. Mr. Greenwood stated that the City is working on determining how it will address the parking issue.
Councilwoman Jordan asked how the City decided to make an athletic court with the funds from the Grant in legislation 2022-42. Mr. Greenwood stated that Rec Director Gay and himself determined that an athletic court at Central Park would be the best, following the parameters needed to apply for the Grant.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that in October, there were 409 calls for service, eight accidents, 30 arrests, five warrants served, two domestic violence calls, and 104 traffic stops. The Police Department was awarded a Grant from the State of Ohio for six body-worn rifle-caliber ballistic vests to respond to active shooters.
Finance Director Annette Williams reported that she is working on the temporary Budget for 2023.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that the Board of Zoning Appeals has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd, at 6 pm. Perry & Associates propose setting up their office at 128 North Market Street, where Shaheen Law Group is located. Shaheen Law Group purchased 150 West Main Street. Wayne Doors is setting up an office at 103 Plaza Drive.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reported that the Utility Committee met before the Council Meeting, where they reviewed the October billing report. Furthermore, the Committee reviewed the policy for smoke testing repairs and the Water and Sewer Tap policy.
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 Kristi Lipscomb reported that the Planning Commission is meeting on November 14th at 6 pm in Council Chambers to consider the final site plan proposed for Trinity St. Clairsville Neighborhood Hospital.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that the Fire Board approved the promotion of Eric Peterson to Lieutenant. The County has hired a new Cares Director, which the Belmont County Commissioners will announce.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that the Rec Board met on October 20th at the Rec Center, where the Board voted unanimously to ask the Law Director to send a letter to Mr. William Brooks regarding him granting a written easement of his portion of the property, which serves as the access of South Park. The Rec Center bathrooms have been completed; the Rec Center staff did the painting. The Rec Center floors got a new epoxy coating. The American Legion Post #159 donated a new flag for the outdoor flagpole at the Rec Center. Bantam Basketball registration is ending; so far, 184 youth signed up. The Gobble Till We Wobble 5K proceeds will support the OJ Diomedi Family.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Resolution No. 2022-42 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO SECURE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE ATHLETIC COURT AND A SHELTER WITH TWO ATTACHED RESTROOMS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-42 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan NO Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES One (1) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilman Thrash made a motion to pass Resolution No. 2022- 42, seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan NO Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES One (1) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Resolution No. 2022-43 – A RESOLUTION TO TENTATIVELY AWARD A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO JAMES WHITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1 AND 2A PROJECT AS IT WAS THE LOWEST AND BEST RESPONSIVE BIDDER AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Vincenzo that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-43 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
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 pass Resolution No. 2022-43, 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
Ordinance No. 2022-44 – AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE’S NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Jordan that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-44 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Vincenzo.
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
Councilwoman Lipscomb made a motion to pass Ordinance No. 2022-44, 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. 2022-45 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S EMERGENCY GENERATOR EQUIPMENT GRANT PROGRAM FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR FOR THE CITY’S WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2022-45 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Lipscomb.
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 pass Resolution No. 2022-45, 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
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 8:29 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, November 21, 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.