April 3, 2023 Council Minutes
ST. CLAIRSVILLE CITY COUNCIL
April 3, 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 ABSENT
Lipscomb HERE Vincenzo HERE
Oprisch HERE
Five (5) Present Two (2) Absent
MINUTES: President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the March 20th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from March 20, 2023, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilwoman Lipscomb.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT Thrash YES
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch ABSTAIN
Roll Call Vote: Four (4) YES Zero (0) NO One (1) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
NEW BUSINESS: None
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman thanked Brandon Evans of RCAP for attending the Utility Committee Meeting and explaining the recent water rate study. Moreover, the Mayor thanked all the City workers for keeping the lights on during the recent storms. Mayor Thalman reported that she has met with the Attorney General’s Office regarding a new initiative for police interactions with veterans. Lastly, Mayor Thalman announced that she was selected to participate in the John Glenn Leadership Training.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood reported that the Gas Aggregation Program’s opt-out letters had been sent to residents. The water tank inspection has been completed; once the report is available, it will be shared with Council. Spring Cleanup for fallen brush will occur the week of April 17th, ward by ward. The Street Department is looking at potential streets for paving this season. Furthermore, the lining for the I-70 Waterline Project culvert is ordered and needs to be manufactured; as to when the lining will be complete, there is no timeframe. The starting point for the Water Distribution Project will be on the east side of the City in the Spring Park area. Moreover, the Electric Department has two openings for linemen. The Street Department has ordered an asphalt crack machine that will be in the week of May 8th. Lastly, Mr. Greenwood introduced the new Water Department Superintendent Mike Reed to Council.
Councilwoman Oprisch asked why the City needs to order more salt if they already have a lot in storage. Mr. Greenwood noted that the City must order salt from the ODOT program to be in the program in the future and will only be ordering 200 tons for this year, which could be use in one bad snow storm.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that in March, there were 511 calls for service, 14 crashes, 47 arrests, six warrants served, and 154 traffic stops. St. Clairsville School District has offered to pay for the Juvenile Jeopardy Program, introduced into the school last year.
Finance Director Annette Whealdon reported attending the Ohio Municipal League training, which provided great information.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy provided the Council with the official report regarding the rezoning request on the 17.5-acre property on the City’s west side. The report reflected that the Planning Commission voted 2-1 to recommend rezoning the 17.5-acre property. The next step requires the Council to instruct the Planning and Zoning Administrator to set up a Public Hearing before Council. Mr. Murphy noted that a motion and vote would be necessary. Due to the time required for public notice of a hearing, the Council Meeting on May 15th would be the date for the Hearing.
Councilwoman Lipscomb made a motion to direct the Planning and Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy to advertise and set up a Public Hearing before the Council regarding the proposed rezoning of the 17.5-acre parcel on the City’s west side. Councilwoman Butler seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT Thrash ABSENT
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Lastly, Mr. Murphy reported that the Zayo group had started their project on the alley across from PNC Bank.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Don Vincenzo announced that the April 17th Finance Committee meeting would be canceled and that the next Finance Committee meeting would be May 15th at 6:00.
Utilities Chair Terra Butler reported that there was a Utility Committee meeting before the Council Meeting. The Utility Committee granted four sewer requests. Moreover, the Utility Committee reviewed the March billing report. Furthermore, the Utility Committee discussed various topics involving rates and usage. Lastly, the Utility Committee will have a Special Meeting on April 17th at 6 pm.
Police Chair Mike Smith No report.
Streets – North Side Chair Mike Smith No report.
Streets – South Side Chair JC Thrash [ABSENT] No report.
Safety Chair JC Thrash [ABSENT] No report.
Buildings and Grounds Chair Beth Oprisch reported that the Building and Grounds Committee met on March 15th, where they toured various City properties. The next Building and Grounds Committee meeting has yet to be scheduled and will be announced when a date is picked.
Planning Commission Chair Kristi Lipscomb No report.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan [ABSENT] No report.
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that there are 15 spots open at the Community Gardens. The next meeting is on April 20th at 4:30 pm.
Park District Chair Linda Jordan [ABSENT] No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
FIRST READING
Resolution No. 2023-11 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ODOT ROAD SALT CONTRACTS AWARDED IN 2023 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2023-11 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Lipscomb.
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT Thrash ABSENT
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-11, the motion was seconded by Councilman Smith
ROLL CALL:
Butler YES Smith YES
Jordan ABSENT Thrash ABSENT
Lipscomb YES Vincenzo YES
Oprisch YES
Roll Call Vote: Five (5) YES Zero (0) NO Zero (0) ABSTAIN Two (2) ABSENT
Motion Carried
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Thrash made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilwoman Butler. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 P.M.
The next meeting will be Monday, April 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.