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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- For the Christmas season, during the final teleconference meeting of 2020 Monday, St. Clairsville City Council voted unanimously to forgive late fees for utility bill payments this month, since delivery to customers has been delayed.
Safety and Service Director Jeremy Greenwood said while the bills were mailed on time Dec. 4, some of them have still not yet been received.
He added the city has notified residents through the Code Red automated calling system and the city website to contact the utility office, since bills are due Dec. 23.
"If anybody hasn't received a bill yet and they need it, they will probably need to call the utility office, and please be patient because they're swamped right now with people calling in," Greenwood said. He said the holiday rush, the COVID-19 pandemic, and heavy snowfall may have worked together to delay the mail.
The utility office can be reached at 740-695-1410.
In other matters, Councilman Frank Sabatino addressed the issue of public participation during teleconference meetings and relayed questions from residents. He said residents have pointed out that in October, political candidates were able to address council and asked if citizens' hearings might be conducted in the same way. There have been no citizens' hearings since the onset of the pandemic, when council shifted meetings to a teleconference format.
"That way, citizens can participate. ... I thought it was a great idea, and I think we should do it," Sabatino said.
Council President Jim Velas, who is responsible for conducting the meetings, said this could be arranged under the same rules for in-person public participation. The public would submit their requests in writing before 4:30 p.m. the Friday prior to council's Monday meetings. He said they must be topics that fall under council's authority.
Velas added it might also be possible for residents wishing to speak to come to the meeting chamber itself while council members participate remotely.
He said this would likely begin the second meeting of January, to allow time to publicize the procedure on the city website.
"I'm totally in agreement with that. People should always be able to speak with council anytime," Velas said.
Council again congratulated departing clerk of council Jason Garczyk, who will take office as Belmont County Recorder in January. Megan Shaw, who has served as an administrative assistant at the police department, was appointed to the clerk of council post and approved by council.
"We want to thank her for wanting the job, and we want to thank Jason for the job he's done in the past," Velas said.
Mayor Kathryn Thalman praised this past Saturday's parade through the city. In answer to a question from Councilman Perry Basile, Greenwood said about $96 was raised by city employees and a former chief to pay for gasoline used by the city fire truck during the parade.
Council will also consider renewing St. Clairsville's membership in Volunteer Energy's Gas Aggregate program. The city has been part of the program for 11 years and the two-year agreement expires in March. The agreement must be made by February. Larry Taylor, spokesman for Volunteer Energy, said the city would continue to have a guaranteed savings of five percent and receive a civic grant at the end of each year.
City employees were also commended for their work during and after last week's snowstorms. The public is reminded not to park on the street during times of snowfall.
The city continues to pick up bagged leaves for residents. They may call the utility office or city office at 740-695-1324.
Council entered executive session for about one hour to discuss personnel matters. When it came into regular session, Velas a special meeting would be scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 30 to address a proposed American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and other possible legislation. Council went back into executive session to discuss pending litigation. They came out of executive session and adjourned shortly after.