February 21, 2023 Council Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
February 21, 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 Pro Tempore Beth Oprisch at 7:00 pm. President Pro Tempore Oprisch 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 Pro Tempore Beth Oprisch confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the February 6th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from February 06, 2023, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Thrash.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSTAIN Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Six (6) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Zero (0) ABSENT
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman Mayor Thalman took a moment to reflect on the service of the Presidents that worked to make America the greatest country on Earth. Mayor Thalman thanked Chief Arbenz and Officer Greg Clark for initiating the Outreach program for Valentine’s Day, visiting many Senior Citizens around the City. Moreover, Officer Greg Clark took Valentine Cookie Kits to the Children at Fox Run. Mayor Thalman noted that she met with the Provost of Ohio University and the Ohio University Eastern President to discuss potential collaborative opportunities that would benefit the School and City. Lastly, the Mayor thanked the Library for hosting Trivia Night and expressed that she hopes they do it again.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy reported that the Mayor signed an agreement for the Gas Aggregation Program for a natural gas rate of $0.5790 per Ccf. The City renewed its Health insurance plan with a 1.8% increase with the same benefits. The South Side of the I-70 project has been extended, and work is now moving to the North Side. The City’s 1929 Water Tank will be inspected this year. Furthermore, the Electric Department has an opening for a lineman. So far this year, the Street Department has used 100 tons of salt, leaving about 200 tons in storage. Lastly, Mr. Greenwood reported that the Rec Department has started replacing the floor in front of the Rec Center.
Councilman Vincenzo asked Mr. Greenwood if there was a completion date for the I-70 Waterline project. Mr. Greenwood stated there is no set completion date as work is moving slower than anticipated. Furthermore, Councilman Vincenzo asked if the City is still in partnership with Richland Township for the Road Patcher. Mr. Greenwood noted that the City sold its interest in the machine to Richland Township as getting emulsion for it proved difficult.
Councilwoman Butler asked Mr. Greenwood if he had developed any plans for the road to the Baseball Fields. Mr. Greenwood noted that he is considering double taring and chipping the road. Furthermore, Mr. Greenwood indicated that he is considering getting an outside company to evaluate all streets in the City to have exact measurements and bases on all roads so that the City can provide better information to paving contractors in the future leading to better pricing.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that Fox Run provided the Police Department with a $500 donation to the K-9 Fund. Lastly, Chief Arbenz thanked the Belmont County Probations C-Cap program for bringing their groups of kids in to paint the basement area of the Police Station.
Finance Director Annette Whealdon reported that the Rec Center applied for a $5,000 grant through the JB Green Team for trash cans and new park benches at Central Park. Moreover, Finance Director Whealdon reported that the Budget was a big part of the discussion at the Finance Meeting, where she addressed any questions or concerns the committee members had.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reminded Council that a Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for 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. The only proposed use so far for the property is a Honda Direct Line Dealership. Furthermore, Mr. Murphy reported that he is working on the annual Storm Water Report for the Ohio EPA. Lastly, Mr. Murphy noted that the City has a Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) fund available to anyone interested who can apply for the fund. There are income guidelines that make individuals eligible for the funds.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Don Vincenzo reported on a Finance Meeting before the Council Meeting, where they discussed the appropriations in the Permanent 2023 Budget. Councilman Vincenzo noted that the Committee went through the Budget line for line and that everything looks in check.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler No report.
Police Chair Mike Smith No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Mike Smith No report.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash reported that he had asked the Street Department to place a No Outlet sign on Bethel Lane.
Safety Chair JC Thrash No report.
Buildings and Grounds Chair Beth Oprisch reported that a Building and Grounds meeting was held on February 17th, where they discussed various topics, including grants and other opportunities to purchase properties. Furthermore, they discussed some potential improvements that could be made this year to City Buildings.
Planning Commission Chair Kristi Lipscomb No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan reported that the Fire Board had the privilege of hiring the first Full-time Female Firefighter, Sarah Starr.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that Junior Sports signups have concluded with 301 boys and girls. Furthermore, Indoor Soccer signups are complete with 73 applicants, and Indoor Volleyball signups have ended with 73 applicants. Moreover, Councilwoman Lipscomb reported that the Community Garden registration would start the first week of March. Lastly, Councilwoman Lipscomb announced that the Oglebay Art Institute would offer various projects starting in mid-March.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Resolution No. 2023-08 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC SERVICE/SAFETY DIRECTOR, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITH THE OHIO FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION FOR TRAIN DEPOT AND FAIR EXHIBIT BUILDING REHABILITATION FUNDING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2023-08 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; 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
Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2023-08, 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
Resolution No. 2023-09 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF WILLIAM BURNS TO A FULL-TIME POSITION OF DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ELECTRC DEPARTMENTAND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2023-09 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Oprisch.
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 Butler made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2023-09, 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
Resolution No. 2023-10 – RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIRING OF MICHAEL REED AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilman Thrash that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Resolution No. 2023-10 and that the Resolution, be passed on an emergency basis; 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
Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2023-10, 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
SECOND 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
A motion was made by Councilman Vincenzo that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2023-07 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
Councilman Thrash made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-07, 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 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, March 06, 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.