T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman presents council member Terra Butler with a proclamation thanking her for her six years of service on council as council members Kristi Lipscomb, on left, Lucien Murzyn, on right, and Audry Brahler, on far right, applaud.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — After serving six years of serving city council, member Terra Butler attended her final meeting on Monday evening.

Mayor Kathryn Thalman honored Butler for her service to the city during the meeting by making a proclamation in honor of Butler.

“During her tenure as councilwoman, Butler brought her perspective, voice and dedication to the work of council,” Thalman said. “Throughout your service, you participated in the legislative process. You engaged in discussions on important issues facing our city, and you contributed to the decisions that helped shape St. Clairsville’s future.”

This past November, Butler was defeated in the 4th Ward by Mike Kasper who narrowly defeated her. Kasper received 140 votes to Butler’s 111.

Kasper will take Butler’s seat at council’s next meeting on Jan. 5.

Thalman said that although she and Butler clashed many times throughout the years, she appreciates and respects Butler and all that she has done to help the city.

“I’d like to thank Councilwoman Butler for her time and dedication to public service. We recognize the effort it takes to serve. We appreciate your willingness to step forward and fulfill that responsibility, and as you move on to your next chapter, we send our best wishes and thank you for your service to the residents of St Clairsville,” Thalman said. “Therefore Kathryn Thalman, Mayor of the City of St. Clairsville, Ohio, does hereby recognize and thank Council Member Tara Butler for her service to the city and to its residents as Ward 4 representative and extend best wishes in all your future endeavors. Thank you very much.”

She added that during Butler’s tenure, Butler participated in the legislative process and the consideration of matters impacting the governance and operations of the city.

“Public office requires time, commitment and willingness to engage in discussion and deliberation on behalf of her residents of the community, and whereas the city of St. Clairsville recognizes the importance of acknowledging individuals who have served their elected office and contributed their time to public service,” Thalman said.

Councilman Don Vincenzo then thanked Butler for her dedication in helping not only her ward but the entire city.

“You are a talented leader and your presence will be missed,” Vincenzo said.

Councilman Mike Smith added that it is important for all of council to acknowledge that it all temporarily serves council.

“We sit in these seats temporarily. It’s not permanent. We’re all going to come and go,” Smith said. “But Terra [Butler] you will sorely be missed and I appreciate everything that you’ve done.”

After the council honored Butler, local videographer Mason Goddard spoke during the open public forum.

At the last meeting, council member Kristi Lipscomb informed council that she reached out to Goddard to inquire about services he provides to record audio and video, store and upload all of the council meetings online.

During Monday evening’s meeting, Goddard addressed council to inform it of how much he charges and explain the services he offers. He said that he would run a two camera setup for all of the meetings.

“So essentially, I’d have one wide camera, probably back in the back of the room, so we can see everybody and I also have the ability to bring in a 360 camera, which would encompass the entire room,” Goddard said. “Then I would have another camera set up for whoever is speaking that will be more close up.”

He added that he would also bring professional microphones to capture clear audio and explained how the recordings would be stored.

“I would store all of these videos on three separate platforms. I have a two terabyte global hard drive, which is a physical hard drive, then store all of the videos on a Google Drive, and then lastly, they would also be stored on each social media platform that you guys want to post on, as well as your websites. So you’re covered in three ways,” Goddard said. “There should always be some way to access the videos, and you guys will be able to find those wherever you might be.”

He added that he charges $900 a month for the two regularly-scheduled meetings and an additional fee that council and he could negotiate on for any additional meetings.

Council President Jim Velas replied to Goddard that a special meeting is rare for council but when they happen they could be on any day.

Velas asked Goddard if that would be an issue for him, to which he replied that it wouldn’t be.

He then asked Goddard to email council everything he offered and at what price point by the end of the week, which he obliged.