December 5, 2022 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
December 5, 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 ABSENT Smith HERE
Jordan HERE Thrash HERE
Lipscomb HERE Vincenzo HERE
Oprisch ABSENT
Five (5) Present Two (2) Absent
MINUTES: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the November 21st Council Meeting. Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve the minutes from November 21, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Lipscomb.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: Wendy Anderson of the St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce spoke to Council to thank the Police Department, the Administration, and the Council for their assistance in making all the events that the Chamber holds successful.
CORRESPONDENCE: A Christmas Card was read from Riesbeck’s Food Market wishing the City a Merry Christmas and expressing thanks for the continued support over Riesbeck’s 97 years in business
REPORTS: Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked Wendy Anderson for all the work she does for the Community. The Mayor thanked Brenda Ponzani and the volunteers for preparing the wreaths for the City. City officials will be meeting with local emergency officials to discuss emergency preparedness. There were only six out of thirteen defendants who appeared for Mayors Court. On Saturday, December 17th, from 5-7 pm, there will be Christmas Caroling at the Gazebo.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that Miller Excavating had completed the South Marietta culvert project. Mr. Greenwood thanked the Shaffers on Crescent Road for donating this year’s Christmas Tree. Laroche Tree Service will be conducting training at Central Park and will be trimming trees at no cost to the City. The I-70 Waterline project is still on hold while waiting for parts for the culvert. Moreover, the Route 40 Waterline Extension Project is still being finalized with the engineer. The Transportation Alternative Program funding was approved for the Train Station Renovation Project. Furthermore, the Inflow and Infiltration Control Plan has been submitted to the EPA. The EPA has yet to contact the City about the Water Distribution Loan. For the remainder of the year, leaf pick-up will be bag only. All the lights in the Rec Center have been replaced. Lastly. Decembers Employee of the Month is Jennifer McMillen.
Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood if once the parts come in for the I-70 Waterline Project if the project starts immediately. Mr. Greenwood stated that the project would begin as quickly as possible once the parts came in.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that in November, there were 321 Calls for Service, 10 Crashes, 24 Arrests, 4 Warrant Served, 2 Domestic Violence Cases, and 75 Traffic Stops. Lastly, a part-time Officer resigned due to getting a job elsewhere.
Finance Director Annette Whealdon reported that the Temporary Budget is complete and needs to be passed to ensure funding for the beginning of the year. Furthermore, Ms. Whealdon reported that Ordinance No. 2022-46 is to establish a New Fund that will be strictly for Donations at the Rec Center.
Councilwoman Jordan stated that she was under the impression that the City needs to get permission from the State Auditor to create a New Fund. Ms. Whealdon stated that the City does not need permission to create this Fund.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that he met with a representative from CBIZ Evaluation Group, who will appraise properties owned by the City to determine the City’s insurance rate. Moreover, Mr. Murphy and Donnie Smithberger met with the Zayo Group to go over the plans for placing Fiber Conduit within the City. Furthermore, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved Perry and Associate’s relocating request to 128 South Marietta Street. Lastly, Trinity Health System will be opening Physician Offices at 107 Plaza Drive.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Mike Smith No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler No report.
Police Chair Beth Oprisch No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Don Vincenzo thanked the Street Department for keeping the leaves picked up and cold patching potholes.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash agreed with Councilman Vincenzo and thanked the Street Department for keeping the leaves picked up and cold patching potholes.
Safety Chair JC Thrash No report.
Building and Grounds Chair Linda Jordan asked Council if they had any ideas for South Park or if they would keep it as is.
Law Director Elizabeth Glick reported that the City is meeting with the Landowner by South Park and will hopefully have some answers soon.
Planning Commission Chair Kristi Lipscomb No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that the Fire Board approved the switch from part-time to full-time for a new employee
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb thanked everyone who made the Turkey Trot a success, raising over $8,000 for the OJ Diomedi family.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2022-46 – AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE PARKS AND RECREATION FUND – DONATIONS #2042, TO RECEIVE REVENUE FROM DONATIONS, MAKE ADDITIONAL PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS, FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1, 2022 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Vincenzo that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-46 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan NO Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES One (1) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Failed
Ordinance No. 2022-47 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Smith that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-47 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan NO Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSENT
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES One (1) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Failed
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Vincenzo made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilwoman Lipscomb. The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, December 19, 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.