February 6, 2023 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
February 06, 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 HERE Smith HERE
Jordan ABSENT 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 January 17th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from January 17, 2023, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
NEW BUSINESS: Council President Jim Velas addressed an oversight that occurred at the previous meetings of the new year. Council failed to appoint a President Pro Tempore of Council. Council President Velas asked Council to appoint a President Pro Tempore of the Council so that if there is a time when the Council President cannot be at a meeting, the President Pro Tempore can preside over the meeting.
Councilman Mike Smith made a motion to appoint Councilwoman Beth Oprisch as the President Pro Tempore of the Council; Councilwoman Butler seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN One (1) ABSENT
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported that February is American Heart Month, when everyone can focus on cardiovascular health. Furthermore, Mayor Thalman raised awareness on how 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with heart disease annually. The Mayor asked all residents to reflect on their habits and to conform to a more heart-healthy lifestyle.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that the City had purchased a 2023 GMC Sierra Truck to assist the Wastewater Department. The Ohio EPA has awarded the City a $50,000 grant to buy a new generator for the Water Plant. Contracts have been executed for the Water Distribution System Project; the Contractor can now begin ordering supplies and materials. Moreover, the City has received the Ohio Public Works Clean Ohio Funding to purchase 7.8 acres at the Southern End of the Bike Trail; Ohio Public Works will contribute $41,465 to the purchase of the property, leaving the City responsible for $13,822. There are two candidates for the Wastewater Superintendent position and one candidate for the Assistant Electric Department Superintendent. Furthermore, the I-70 Waterline Project has begun; upon further inspection of the waterlines underneath I-70, it appears both were broken. Belmont County Water asked to extend the City’s switchover to County Water to May. The City has sent a letter to the EPA seeking an extension until October. There has been one waterline break this year to date. Lastly, contract negations will begin soon.
Councilman Vincenzo asked if the Water Department will need to allocate more funds, as they will be making water further into the year than planned. Mr. Greenwood stated that the Water Department should not need any more funding.
Councilman Thrash asked if a pre-bid meeting had been scheduled with the Contractor for the Water Distribution Project. Mr. Greenwood stated there has yet to be a pre-bid meeting but hopes to have one soon.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked Mr. Greenwood to update Council on the Gas Aggregation Program. Mr. Greenwood stated that all necessary paperwork had been submitted. The City is now waiting on Trebel to tell them when to sign an agreement.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that in January, there were 457 calls for service, 15 crashes, 44 arrests, two warrants served, two domestic violence calls, and 139 traffic stops. Officers are completing various training, state-mandated and department-wide training for the new kinetic breaching tool.
Finance Director Annette Whealdon [ABSENT] No report.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that he submitted the Grant for the ODOT Oil and Shale Roads Program; no decision is expected until spring. ICR Property Management LLC. is seeking a zoning change for a 17.56-acre parcel on the City’s west side near exit 215. The Rezoning Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 13th, at 6 pm in the Council Chambers. Lastly, Mr. Murphy informed the Council that he had renewed the City’s System for Award Management, which allows the City to be eligible to receive federal grants.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Don Vincenzo reported that Council had received the Budget and asked Council to ask any questions to Annette. Furthermore, Councilman Smith advised that if Council wants any changes to the Budget to reach out to Annette as soon as possible.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reported that the Utility Committee met before the Council meeting, where they reviewed January’s billing report and discussed Gas Aggregation and the new ACH automatic payment system.
Police Chair Mike Smith No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Mike Smith reported that the property across the Laundry Mat has a pipe draining into the property. The water is not that deep but empties onto the road once it gets so high. Councilwoman Butler asked the Street Department to look at the road to the Jr. Sports Complex.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash No report.
Safety Chair JC Thrash Councilman Vincenzo attended the Safety Meeting; he reported that the meeting was very informative and that all employees were engaged in the meeting.
Buildings and Grounds Chair Beth Oprisch reported that the Building and Grounds meeting on January 20th discussed property acquisitions and potential funding sources. Moreover, the committee discussed future projects for the City. The next Buildings and Grounds meeting will be on Friday, February 17th, at 2 pm in the Council Chambers.
Planning Commission Chair Kristi Lipscomb No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan [ABSENT] No report.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that the floors in the front of the Rec Center would be replaced to match the floors in the rest of the building. Oglebay Art Institute contacted the Rec Center to use the meeting rooms as a permanent art studio for the Institute to offer more classes year-round; more details are to come. The Summer Concert Series is being finalized; Councilwoman Lipscomb noted that corporate sponsors, not the City, fund the series.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan [ABSENT] No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Ordinance No. 2023-07 – AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PERMANENT 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
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilwoman Lipscomb made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Thrash. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 21, 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.