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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The union contract with city employees was up for discussion Monday, and council is considering expanding the scope of public comment during meetings.
The board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, to discuss approving the tentative agreement between the city and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2292 Ohio Council.
Before the first reading of the resolution to approve the contract, Councilwoman Beth Oprisch requested a closed-door session to discuss contracts and negotiations.
"We were provided a copy of the contract and I have some questions," she said.
Council went into executive session for about an hour. When members came back into open session and heard the first reading of the contract, Council President Jim Velas announced the special meeting would be held.
"We will have a special meeting here in this city building to consider this contract at that time," Velas said. "The majority of that will probably be in executive session, but if there is any action taken after that, it will be in an open session of the meeting."
Afterward, council members would not comment on when the contract expires or the term of the proposed new contract. Oprisch said the contract covers about 15-20 employees.
Oprisch also proposed a change in meeting policy regarding public comment. She suggested loosening restrictions on how to go about speaking in a meeting.
"I feel like we're limiting access to the public and that's bothering me," she said. "I understand that they need to have a certain order to them."
Her proposed changes include requiring that members of the public provide a statement of the topic instead of a summary, and that more than one person would be allowed to speak on an issue. The topic should be a matter that falls under council's authority. Oprisch also agreed that a time limit should continue.
"I just think it's too limiting what we have now," she said. "I'm just asking council to look at it, think about it, and we'll start discussing it at the next council meeting."
Oprisch pointed out that there have been several controversial topics in prior years that have resulted in a crowded meeting room and multiple people wanting to voice issues. Some past meetings had been turbulent before the restrictions were put in place about seven years ago.
In other business, Police Chief Matt Arbenz reported that Officers Andrew Gazdik and Adam Porter have made full recoveries and are back on duty following a high-speed chase in early September that involved multiple agencies and concluded in Barnesville with a crash due to high levels of dust interfering with visibility. Arbenz said one city cruiser was totaled and a new one will cost about $17,700. He said the insurance will cover the cost.
He said a new cruiser will not be received and refurbished until November.
Meanwhile, an older cruiser will continue to be used by the school resource officer to free up another cruiser for patrols.
"We're shorthanded right now cruiser-wise, but we'll squeeze through," he said.
Arbenz also said St. Clairsville police participated in the escort for the Eyes of Freedom veteran display at the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival on Sunday. The police will also have a presence this Saturday, when the remains of a World War II veteran will be brought home and laid to rest in Bridgeport.
Meanwhile, Councilwoman Linda Jordan, who also holds a seat on the Cumberland Trail Fire District board, reported receiving a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio grant of $2,750 for hazardous materials training and an Appalachian Regional Commission public safety retention grant of $68,000.