Belpre City Council Meeting
Council President Mr. Neff called the Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio, to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Neff called the roll with the following members present: Mr. Gilbert, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Newberry and Mr. Robinson present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Miss Martin and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the April 28, 2014 meeting was Councilperson Ms. Abdella and Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Neff gave the invocation.
Mr. Neff asked for a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting. Mrs. Miller made a motion to accept the minutes of April 14, 2014, as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Lorentz’s Report:
Over the past couple of weeks the volunteers have been busy cleaning up different areas of town. On Saturday we helped a group of PTA Parents and students at the Elementary, mulch, and rake. It seemed that everyone had a pretty good time and lots of work was completed.
The United Way has completed their site visits for both recreation and the Sr. Center Grant. Our next step is interviews next week.
On April 21st I was invited to the Girl Scouts Awards Ceremony at the Congregational Church. Four young ladies were awarded the bronze award for scouting one of which was Celina Wiggins. Celina is the daughter of Leonard that works for our city.
The Superintendent and I attended the drug forum on April 22 at Marietta High School. This is an ongoing problem in our area. We should all be paying close attention to what is happening around us. It appears that drugs are even worse then in the past. If you see one of our patrolmen or the Sheriffs Deputies make sure to thank them for the major bust we just experienced this past week. Good Job to All.
On the 23rd I assisted the Chamber of Commerce with a Ribbon Cutting at Vape-EZ in the shopping center. This establishment sells the electronic smoking devices.
April 25 marked the first assembly at Belpre High School to honor our students that have decided to enter the military in lieu of college at this point in their lives. Our American Legion as well as the school held a very meaningful assembly. Our own Bill Harpold of the Water Department is the Commander for Post 495 this year.
Leonard Wiggins and I are working on the CDBG Grant to repair sidewalks in town. As of now we will repair walks in the area of the Legion and on Washington Blvd. across from Rockland United Methodist Church. Maximum we can ask for is $30,000.
At this time I was going to introduce our newest officer Derek Tewanger however he is out on the road and will be back shortly.
Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger had no report.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Treasurer Miss Martin was absent from the last meeting when the Treasurer’s Report was distributed. This evening Miss Martin asked that council approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A signed copy was presented to the clerk. Mr. Martin made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced that each of us had received a pamphlet from Belpre in Bloom. The flower color for 2014 is pink. Please use this color in your yard. Judging by America in Bloom will be July 7th and 8th, 2014. Please join us in “Planting Pride”. Community Wide Beautification Week is May 12th thru May 18th. One of the judges for competition this year will be Miss Pittenger.
At the last meeting you received the City of Belpre Budgetary Process for Calendar and fiscal year 2015. There was something missing in it and know one has yet pointed it out. If you haven’t read this I would appreciate you all taking the time to do so.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Mr. Gilbert, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Gilbert called a committee meeting for Thursday May 8th, 2014 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing an addition for the Manpower Ordinance (Police Personnel).
Mr. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer Committee had no report. Mr. Martin requested the need for the street-paving list.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mrs. Marshall had no report for the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Mr. Newberry had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Economic Development Committee.
Mrs. Miller reported that the Rules Committee met prior to this evenings meeting at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing Fracking and written policy regarding city employees using social media. There were no decisions made at this time.
At this time, Mayor Lorentz introduced Derek Tewanger as the newest police officer to the department. Derek spoke briefly to council about his past.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Gilbert brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2014. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Gilbert moved this be Ordinance 5, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
New Business:
There was no new business to come before council.
Persons Appearing Before Council: none – Public Forum Closed.
Mr. Neff assigned to Police and Fire Committee – Clandestine Drug Lab.
Mr. Neff informed council that Judy Smith, one of our former council members passed away since our last meeting of council. Wonderful lady.
Mrs. Miller made a motion to excuse Ms. Abdella from this evening’s meeting. Ms. Abdella contacted President of Council Mr. Neff and he stated that Ms. Abdella had an excusable absence. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
On May 9, 2014, from 2-4 there will be an open house at the new Ingenuity Building.
On May 10, 2014 there will a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Army Reserve Center in Reno for the transfer of the GSA building to the Port Authority.
Opening day for Belpre Baseball and Softball will be on Saturday. The Mayor will throw in the first pitch for baseball and Tony Dunn will be throwing in the first pitch for softball. We will also be recognizing the Emily Spencer Foundation for softball.
Mrs. Marshall made council aware of what people are using for a high. They are taking Burt’s Lip Balm and rubbing it on their eyelids for a high. This will affect their eyesight.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 7:50 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.