December 18 2023 Council Meeting Minutes
Once approved, a link to the official council minutes will be at the bottom.
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: Council President Jim Velas confirmed all Councilmembers received the minutes from the December 4th Council Meeting. Councilwoman Butler made a motion to approve the minutes from December 4, 2023, Council Meeting; motion seconded by Councilman Smith.
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
Motion Carried
NEW BUSINESS: Council President Jim Velas honored Councilwomen Oprisch and Jordan for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to serving the City Council and the community. As a token of appreciation, the Council President presented them with plaques, recognizing their eight years of dedicated service to the City and its residents.
CITIZEN HEARING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORTS:
Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported that she had been busy with all the festivities around the City. Furthermore, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Councilwomen Jordan and Oprisch for their commitment to the betterment of the City over the past eight years. Their selfless dedication has been instrumental in shaping the City and making it a better place for the community.
Service/Safety Director Jeremy Greenwood asked the Council to table Resolution No. 2023-40 as he is still trying to exhaust all available options before hiring a GIS Coordinator. Lastly, Mr. Greenwood asked Councilwomen Jordan and Oprisch to sign their media archiving document to archive their city emails for the record retention schedule.
Police Chief Matt Arbenz announced that Officer Porter was recently a new father and congratulated him.
Finance Director Annette Whealdon reported that the temporary budget for 2024 had to be passed to ensure that the City could remain functioning at the beginning of 2024 and that expenses could be covered.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission met on December 11th and approved the Cumberland Trail Fire District’s final site plan. The main part of their project is the construction of two new additions and reconfiguring the interior.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Finance Chair Don Vincenzo reported that the temporary budget needs to be passed to ensure proper funding for the city for the first quarter of 2024. Moreover, he explained that when the permanent budget is released, the Council will go through every line of the budget, ensuring the appropriations are reasonable.
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 No report.
Safety Chair JC Thrash No report.
Buildings and Grounds Chair Beth Oprisch No report.
Planning Commission Chair Kristi Lipscomb reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission met on December 11th and approved the Cumberland Trail Fire District’s final site plan. The main part of their project is the construction of two new additions and reconfiguring the interior. Also, the DORA Committee will meet on January 23rd at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. All members of the public are encouraged to attend.
Fire Chair Linda Jordan No
Recreation Chair Kristi Lipscomb No report
Park District Chair Linda Jordan No report.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS: Law Director Elizabeth Glick
Resolution No. 2023-40 – A RESOLUTION CREATING THE POSITION OF GIS COORDINATOR AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Councilwoman Butler made a motion to table Resolution No. 2023-40; Councilwoman Oprisch seconded the motion.
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. 2023-42 – 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, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
A motion was made by Councilwoman Oprisch that the rules requiring three separate readings be suspended on Ordinance No. 2023-42 and that the Ordinance, be passed on an emergency basis; seconded by Councilwoman Butler.
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 Burler made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-42, the motion was 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
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Councilwoman Oprisch made a motion to enter an Executive Session under ORC 121.22 (G)(1); Councilwoman Lipscomb seconded the motion.
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
Executive Session entered at 7:27 pm
Councilwomen Lipscomb made a motion to exit Executive Session; seconded by Councilwomen 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
Executive Session exited at 8:11 pm
Council President Jim Velas reported that no action was taken in Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to come before Council, Councilman Thrash made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Councilman Smith. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 P.M.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 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.