January 3, 2023 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
January 03, 2023 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 HERE
Six (6) Present One (1) Absent
MINUTES: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the December 19th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from December 19, 2022, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Minutes Approved
NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to enter executive session under ORC 121.22 (G)(3), the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Executive Session entered at 7:05 pm
Councilman Smith made a motion to exit Executive Session, the motion was seconded by Councilman Thrash
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Executive Session exited at 8:15 pm
Council President Jim Velas reported that no action was taken in Executive Session.
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: Councilwoman Jordan read a statement to Council and asked that the statement be attached to the Minutes of the meeting. (for the statement, please see attached)
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked all the City employees who worked long hours during the freezing temperatures of Christmas weekend. Mayor Thalman asked all residents to please locate their main water shut-off in their house so that if a water break occurs, the residents can shut their water off and mitigate as much damage as possible. Lastly, Mayor Thalman thanked Newellstown Diner and Mary Jane’s Bakery for opening their doors on Christmas Day and providing food and company for those who lack it.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that there were four waterline breaks over the Christmas weekend. There have been 142 new water nodes delivered to the City. Furthermore, Mr. Greenwood reported that 70 water meters in the City cannot be read due to the water node malfunctioning and are being charged minimum amounts. In 2022 there were 24 water line breaks. The I-70 Waterline Project is set to begin on January 9th, weather permitting. Mr. Greenwood noted that the City received several complaints about snow on the street over the Christmas weekend but informed the residents that once the temperature falls below 15 degrees that salt no longer works and causes more harm than good. Moreover, Scott Belcastro of Trebel Energy informed the City that natural gas prices are low, and that the City should consider locking in its Gas Aggregation rates. Lastly, Mr. Greenwood stated that Trebel Energy held Public Hearings for the Gas Aggregation Program, but no one attended.
Councilman Smith asked Mr. Greenwood how the Temporary Waterline overcame the cold weather. Mr. Greenwood noted that they kept the Water Plant open, making water to keep water moving through the line to combat freezing.
Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood about the time frame for the I-70 Waterline Project. Mr. Greenwood stated that the project should take 2-4 weeks.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that in 2022 the Police Department made 4,741 Calls to Service, 2 Swat Team Calls, 132 Accidents, 331 Arrests, 49 Warrants Served, 49 Domestic Violence Calls, and 1,360 Traffic Stops.
Finance Director Annette Whealdon reported that she is working on rolling over the books into the New Year. Ms. Whealdon noted she hopes to have the Budget ready for its first reading in February.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy explained the basis behind Ordinance No. 2023-01, stating that the funding is very competitive, and that the City determined that North Sugar Street was the most likely to receive funding from the State.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Don Vincenzo No report.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler [ABSENT] Councilwoman Oprisch reported that the Utility Committee met before the Council Meeting, reviewing the 2022 Utility Report. Furthermore, the Committee granted four sewer credit requests from residents. Lastly, the Committee approved an ACH payment program for the Utility Department.
Police Chair Mike Smith No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Mike Smith No report.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash No report.
Safety Chair JC Thrash No report.
Buildings and Grounds Chair Beth Oprisch No report.
Planning Commission Chair Kristi Lipscomb No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported the Fireboard approved the Chairperson for 2023 and approved the compensation and appointments of the Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Fiscal Officer.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that the Rec Center was awarded an $11,000 grant from the Pittsburgh Pirates to rehabilitate the Bronco Baseball Field at the Junior Sports Complex. Registration is open for indoor soccer age kindergarten to fourth grade. Girl’s indoor volleyball registration is also available for all third through sixth-grade girls. Lastly, registration is open for adult coed volleyball leagues ages eighteen and over.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Resolution No. 2023-01 – 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 LOCAL ROADS OIL AND SHALE PROGRAM FUNDING FOR THE REHABILITATION OF NORTH SUGAR STREET AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2023-01 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Jordan.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Jordan made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2023-01, the motion was seconded by Councilman Thrash
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Ordinance No. 2023-02 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE INTERFUND TRANSFERS 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 Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2023-02 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-02, the motion was seconded by Councilman Vincenzo
ROLL CALL:
Butler ABSENT Smith YES
Jordan YES Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
Motion Carried
SECOND 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
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Thrash made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Vincenzo. The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 17, 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.