Council News from the meeting of March 1, 2010

Members of St.Clairsville City Council
Mayor	Robert Vincenzo	Present
Service Director	Dennis Bigler	Present
Council President	Patricia Bruhn	Present
Finance Director	Jill Lucidi	Present
Director of Law	Al Davies	Present
First Ward Councilman	Jake Olsavsky	Present
Second Ward Councilman	Frank Sabatino	Present
Third Ward Councilman	John Bukmir	Present
Fourth Ward Councilman	Terry Pugh	Present
Council-At-Large	James Weisgerber	Present
Council-At-Large	Michael Kasper	Present
Council-At-Large	Perry Jones	Present

Citizen's Hearing/New Business

None this evening.

Reports


Service Director	Dennis Bigler	Report
Mayor	Robert Vincenzo	Report
Police Chief	Martin Kendzora	Report
Finance Director	Jill Lucidi	Report
Zoning Officer	Tom Murphy	Report

Director of Public Services Report

Dennis Bigler submitted a short report to City Council stating that the main focus this past month has been plowing the snow. The weather is expected to warm soon which will help with snow removal and pot hole patching.
Bigler said that the City will be topping off the salt bins before the end of the season to have them full for next year at this year's pricing.
Bigler and the Mayor have received many, many complaints concerning snow being plowed and blocking driveways from residents. There just is no good solution for this when the weather is at record setting levels as it has been this past month. Bigler asked for patience from the residents.
Several City Council members applauded the work of the various City Departments that were out plowing snow. Mike Kasper rode with one of them during the first storm. He explained that the residents do not see the parked cars, the blinding snow and adverse conditions that these employees have to contend with to clear the roads.
Other members of Council who extended their gratitude to City Crews were Frank Sabatino, Perry Jones, Terry Pugh and Jim Weisgerber.
Bigler explained that with the use of the extra equipment for snow removal and the extra hours the equipment is used, there have been equipment failure and the crews are working to keep the equipment up and running.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Vincenzo also complimented the City Crews for snow control. He stated that all departments chipped in and created a relief team for round the clock coverage. There were near record levels for snow fall in February this year and our employees handled it well.
Mayor Vincenzo reported that he was in Washington DC recently attending the annual Association of Public Power Legislative Conference.
This conference gives the over 4000 membership the opportunity to meet with several Washington politicians such as Senator George Voinovich, Senator Sherrod Brown, Congressman Zack Space, Congressman Charlie Wilson and Congressman Tim Ryan. Discussions were held on the laws and legislation of the municipal power industry.This is the opportunity of the communities to bring the concerns directly to the politicians in Washington. Among the 4000 members were 88 Mayors attending. The Mayor stated that when the communities band together, there is a show of strength. By banding together, "we are able to stay in the market and compete."

Police Chief's Report

Police Chief Martin Kendzora reported that although the weather has been bad, the City has been fortunate in that there were several "fender benders" but nothing serious and no injuries.

Finance Director's Report

Jill Lucidi distributed the recent financial statements but said that the Finance Committee has not had the opportunity to review and approve them due to the last meeting being cancelled due to the weather.
Jill Lucidi introduced two pieces of legislation this evening. One pertaining to an increase in pay for a position that was overlooked on the original ordinance and the other for permanent appropriations.

Zoning Officer's Report

Jeff Vaughn reported to Tom Murphy that the school has received several bids on the visitor's bleachers project but as of yet has not awarded the bid.
Murphy stated that beginning around March 15th, residents should be receiving the 2010 census in the mail. He strongly urges all residents to take a few minutes to answer the 10 questions and mail it back. The form is very short and should be easy to complete. A representative from the Census, Susan Sabatino, will be at the City Building daily beginning the week of March 15th until mid April for any questions or assistance.

Council Committees
Finance	Jim Weisberger	No Report
Utilities	Frank Sabatino	Report
Police	Mike Kasper	No Report
Street North Side	Terry Pugh	No Report
Street South Side	John Bukmir	No Report
Safety	Jake Olsavsky	No Report
Building & Grounds	Perry Jones	Report
Planning Commission	John Weisberger	No Report
Fire District	Frank Sabatino	Report
Fairgrounds		No Report
Recreation	Mike Kasper	No Report
Park District	Perry Jones	Report
Charter Review Committee	Kathy Kaluger	Report

Utility Report

Don Smithberger, Electric Superintendent, stated that due to the diligence of the tree trimming program, the City experienced very little outage time during the recent bad winter storms.
Shelley Fortney, Utility Manager, explained to City Council that with the permission of the Service Director and the Mayor, the bills will be estimated due to the weather conditions. It is not safe for the City employees to walk from house to house to read the meters. This is only the fourth time in 16 years that the meters have been estimated.

Police Department

Council member Mike Kasper did not have an official report since Chief Kendzora was in attendance but thanked the City and Mayor for allowing he and Terry Pugh to attend a one day seminar in Columbus. It was very informative and they learned quite a bit. Terry Pugh also extended his thanks for the seminar and to Mike for driving during bad weather.

Building and Grounds

Perry Jones reported that he and Terry Pugh had the opportunity to go on an in depth tour of the Clarendon Hotel with Tom Murphy and Dennis Bigler. He strongly encourages all City Council members to go on this tour. Murphy and Bigler explained in detail the plans for the hotel. This tour allowed Jones and Pugh to see the vision for the future of the hotel.

Fire District

The Fire Board held a meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.
Despite the weather, overall things went well. There was one structure fire but no loss of life.
Fire crews are cleaning around the fire hydrants now. It is a concern that they be cleared to avoid being hit by a snow plow but also for faster access during an emergency.
The next meeting will be March 24, at 4:30 at the main station.

Park District

Perry Jones reported that park is pretty well shut down due to the weather.
Jones also commented that the Park Board is putting together a pamphlet and it should be ready soon.

Charter Review Committee

Kathy Kaluger reported that she has 10 names that have either been submitted, or expressed an interest to serve on the Charter Review Committee. She said that she only needs nine members but appreciates having more than nine names.

Kathy has sent letters to all ten names asking for their participation. She has not heard back from all of them at this time. She will give them a follow up call if she does not get a response soon.

Confirmations have been received from: Sue Douglass, Phil Pata, Harlan Thomas, Susan Stepputtis, Jeff Toothman, and Libby Heintzelman

Ordinances & Resolutions

Ordinances and Resolutions must be read at three council meetings in order to be passed into law. This allows the public ample time to respond or comment. The ordinance or resolution goes into effect 30 days after its third reading. Legislation can be passed on an emergency measure if so directed by council. This allows the readings to be heard at one meeting and eliminates the 30-day period. For details on any legislation, contact the mayor's office at 695-1324.

2010-07 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE'S PARTICIPATION IN THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (ODOT) COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

First Reading	February 17, 2010
Second Reading	March 1, 2010
Third Reading
Passed as Emergency	No

2010-09 - AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES AND WAGES OF CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE NON-UNIONIZED EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE

First Reading	March 1, 2010
Second Reading
Third Reading
Passed as Emergency	No

2010-10 - 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, 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

First Reading	March 1, 2010
Second Reading
Third Reading
Passed as Emergency	No

Mayor's Collection

This section will be updated after the second meeting of each month.

Forfeits, Fines, and Costs	$342.00
General Revenue Fund	$00.00
Victims of Crime Fund	$18.00
Computer Fund	$20.00
Indigent Driver Alcohol Fund	$3.00
Indigent Defense Support Fund	$40.00
Drug Law Enforcement Fund	$7.50
Justice Program	$0.00
Seat Belt(Driver)	$00.00
Bonds	$00.00
Zoning Permits	$60.50
Zoning Fees	$00.00
Parking Tickets	$0.00
County Court Monies - OVI	$00.00
County Court Monies - DRUGS	$0.00
Gazebo Rental	$0.00
Community Garden	$0.00
Donation (Community Garden Gas)	$0.00
Garage Sale Permits	$0.00
Subtotal	$490.50
Overpaid Ticket	0.00
Check Returned	($0.00)
Deposit Correction	$0.00
Deposit Slips	$0.00
Total	$490.50