November 21, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
November 21, 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 Whealdon, 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 November 7th Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from November 7, 2022, Council Meeting; motion 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
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: A representative from Zayo Group, a fiber communications company, sought permission from the Council to continue with plans to locate fiber underground along certain streets and alley rights-of-ways within the City. Mr. Murphy noted that Zayo had submitted all the application information and that Don Smithberger, Jeremy Greenwood, and himself had reviewed the proposal and approved of the project.
Councilman Thrash made a motion to allow Zayo Group to continue with their project to locate fiber underground throughout the City; Councilman Vincenzo 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
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman [ABSENT] No report
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that the Loan paperwork had been submitted to the EPA, and an answer is expected on December 1st. A Fire Hydrant was fixed on South Marietta Street. The City received its Oil and Gas Land Bonus Check for $273,000. The culvert project on South Marietta has started, and paving will begin once the culvert is finished. The County pushed back its timeline on the City’s switch to County Water until April, meaning another extension is needed from the EPA. The I-70 Waterline project is still waiting on parts before it begins. The Police Locker Room project has started. Furthermore, the Electric Department is continuing to build power lines. The Street Sweeper will be out of service for seasonal service. The Leaf Truck is up and running and will continue picking up leaves. Moreover, the Police Department will be getting a new K-9 Unit. The Police Department has also purchased a new ford Explorer for the K-9 Officer for $28,000. Lastly, the Street Department hired a new employee, Michael Stewart.
Councilwoman Jordan asked if the City ordered the parts needed for the I-70 Waterline Project before ODOT finished their work. Mr. Greenwood stated that the City ordered the parts before ODOT started their project, but the pieces were custom and had a lead time. Furthermore, Councilwoman Jordan asked if the paver on South Marietta Street would mill down the old and place a new base and topcoat. Mr. Greenwood stated that there would not be a new base because under the road is brick, and all the contractors will need to do is install a new topcoat.
Councilman Thrash asked the price for paving the portion on South Marietta. Mr. Greenwood stated that the Contractor had yet to give him revised numbers, but the original cost was around $75,000.
Councilman Vincenzo asked if there had been any correspondence with Trebel Energy. Mr. Greenwood said that he has not heard from them but expects them to get him a contract soon.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that the Police Department had its annual Active Shooter Training at the School with all the local authorities. The Chief thanked all involved in the training.
Finance Director Annette Whealdon reported that she had given the Council a packet that included all the significant funds in the Temporary Budget. The legislation will be ready by the next meeting for the Temporary Budget.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that the Planning Commission met on November 14th for Trinity’s Hospital, which voted to approve the proposed site plan with several conditions and recommendations. Lastly, there will be a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting to discuss moving the Shaheen Law Group Offices to the office space where Perry and Associates are located and Perry and Associates moving to where the Shaheen Law Group offices are.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith reported that the Finance Committee met before the Council meeting. Revenues are at 81%, with Expenditures at 55%. Councilman Smith stated that he is planning on talking to the State Auditor and that if any Councilmember had any questions or wanted to participate, to let him know.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler No report.
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 next Planning Commission meeting is on December 12th at 6 pm.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan No report.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that there had been 203 participants registered for the Thanksgiving 5K. Bantam Basketball sign-ups have concluded there are 225 kids signed up. The recent Craft Show at the Rec Center was successful, with excellent attendance. Rec Center submitted the ODNR grant for funding at Central Park. The Christmas Parade was a huge success. Lastly, the next Rec Board meeting will be on December 8th at 4:30 pm.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
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 8:29 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.