City of St. Clairsville

December 19, 2022 Council Minutes

Posted on January 4th, 2023 by

Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL

December 19, 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 December 5th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from December 5, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thrash.

ROLL CALL:

Butler                   YES                                                    Smith                   YES

Jordan                  YES                                                   Thrash                  YES

Lipscomb             YES                                                   Vincenzo              YES

Oprisch               ABSTAIN

Roll Call Vote:    Six (6) YES    Zero (0) NO    One (1) ABSTAIN    Zero (0) ABSENT

Minutes Approved

President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the December 14th   Special Council Meeting. Councilman Smith made a motion to approve the minutes from December 14, 2022, Special Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Vincenzo.

ROLL CALL:

Butler                    YES                                                             Smith                   YES

Jordan                  ABSTAIN                                                     Thrash                  YES

Lipscomb             ABSTAIN                                                     Vincenzo              YES

Oprisch                ABSTAIN

Roll Call Vote:    Four (4) YES    Zero (0) NO    Three (3) ABSTAIN    Zero (0) ABSENT

Minutes Approved

NEW BUSINESS: None

CITIZEN HEARING: None

CORRESPONDENCE: None

REPORTS:

Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked everyone who made the Christmas Caroling at the Gazebo successful. Santa appeared in St. Clairsville, riding around town in the Fire Departments Bucket Truck. The Mayor reported that she participated in a ribbon cutting for the Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Center in Martins Ferry. Lastly, the Mayor noted that with the upcoming cold weather, St. Clairsville warming center is located at East Richland Friends Church.

Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that the paving on South Marietta Street had been completed. There was an emergency sewer line repair on Plaza Drive. Laroche Tree Service conducted training at Central Park; Laroche trimmed some trees at the park at no cost to the City. Five new Fire Hydrants have been delivered and will replace the ones around the City that are out of service. The Water Department has installed 16 Water Nodes around the City. Furthermore, the Electric Department is finishing up the power line on Reservoir Road. The Street Department has an estimated 350 tons of Salt for the roads this Winter. Moreover, the City came to a tentative agreement for an easement for the entrance of South Park.

Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood if there was any concern about the Temporary Waterline crossing I-70 with the upcoming frigid weather. Mr. Greenwood stated that he isn’t concerned as most of the City’s water flows through that pipe, making it unlikely to freeze.

Councilwoman Lipscomb asked Mr. Greenwood about water build-up on Border Lane, leaving the residents concerned about ice. Mr. Greenwood stated that he would take a look at it.

Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that K-9 Ruger and Officer Weyand had completed their certifications. Officer Porter will be returning to work after elbow surgery. Lastly, the Police department submitted a $1,000 PEP Grant to cover the cost of safety items. 

Finance Director Annette Whealdon reported that the two pieces of Financial Legislation need to be passed tonight to ensure the City will be operational on the first of the year. 

Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that the Zayo Group will not be starting their underground fiber lines until the first of the year due to the upcoming weather. V Bakery and Bistro, located at 153 East Main Street, will be reopening. Furthermore, Interim Healthcare has opened an office at 121 East Main Street, the former Title Office. Moreover, The Melting Pot Marketplace is opening at 128 West Main Street, where the Boutique on Main was located. Lastly, Mr. Murphy received a call from an out-of-town individual who complimented the City for its Christmas decorations in the Downtown Area.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Finance Chair Mike Smith reported that the Finance Committee met before the Council meeting, covering the Expenditures, which are 62%. Councilman Smith encouraged Council to pass the Temporary Budget to ensure the City is in operation come the New Year.

Utilities Chair Terra Butler reported that the Water Department continues to replace the Water Nodes and Water Meters as they come in.

Police Chair Beth Oprisch reported that the last Police Committee meeting was on November 21st, where they discussed applying for various grants for the Police Department and the new   K-9.

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 No report.

Fire Chair Linda Jordan No report.

Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that spring sports signups are open on the Rec Center website. There will be a teens basketball league, girls’ volleyball, ages 3-6, adult volleyball, and indoor soccer. The United Methodist Church has been utilizing the Rec Departments green building for bow and arrow shooting classes. Pastor Ron Taylor has approached the Rec Center about offering such courses; Mr. Taylor is certified to teach such classes and is willing. Lastly, Bantam Basketball is underway, with 230 participants signed up.

Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report. 

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick  

FIRST READING

Resolution No. 2022-49 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SERVICE/SAFETY DIRECTOR, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) FOR TRAIN DEPOT REHABILITATION FUNDING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

SECOND READING

Ordinance No. 2022-48 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NORMAL EXPENSES AND OTHER EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, STATE OF OHIO, FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2022 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2022-48 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; 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

Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2022-48, 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

THIRD READING

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

Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2022-47, 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

ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Butler made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Smith. The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 P.M.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 3, 2023, 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.

December 19, 2022 Council Minutes