Belpre City Council Meeting
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City ofBelpre,Ohiowas called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at7:30 p.m.with Mr. Neff welcoming everyone to this evening’s meeting. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Newberry, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett, and Mr. Wallace present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from theJanuary 28, 2013meeting was Council person Mr. Martin.
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.
Ms. Abdella moved to accept the minutes ofJanuary 14, 2013as 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 presented his report:
January 15th probably set a record for Mayor’s Court in that we did not conclude until almost1 p.m. With the holidays we were almost a month between courts which accounted for the added load.
January 18th the Health Board met to set food service rates as well as our normal business for the month. At this time we did discuss the partnership between us and the county. Our plan is to discuss this in more detail during the February meeting. At this time our board has no interest in making a change but, will at least list so to make the right choice for Belpre citizens.
On January 22nd, I met with Ron Feathers our new Commissioner. Ron assures me that he will be responsive to Belpre and the entire county. We discussed the sewer contract between Belpre and the county along with other issues that have been joint interests.
The Belpre Chamber of Commerce held a reception for Marie Gustke to honor her for over 60 years of service to our city as a business owner. The event was a total success with over 100 people attending and wishing Marie well. As Mayor I presented Marie with a key to the city, as well as Commissioner Irvine presenting a proclamation from the county.
The 18th was Dudley Hardesty’s last day with the city. We wish Dudley well in his retirement and start the process of hiring his replacement. A reception was held for him in the city building on the 18th.
The Civil Service Commission is continuing to work toward a date for testing in all departments of the city. As soon as a date is finalized it will be advertised in our local papers so the interview process can begin.
Safety-Service Director announced that Leonard Wiggins is ill today and will not be attending this evenings meeting. He will be present in the near future to give a report as Code Enforcement Officer as what is taking place in our city.
Someone pointed out to me that the Manpower Ordinance is off by 1. Total should be 37. Equipment Operator 1 should be 1 and the bottom line should be 37.
There is a leading light at Farson andBraun Streethowever there must be two cars in line in order to get a turning signal. There is an intermittent problem with the light onFarson Street. This doesn’t happen to often however we are aware of it. Mr. Sinnett asked about the right turn on red. According to Mr. Ferguson the right turn on red is not going to change. Mr. Webster pointed out to the police chief that citizens are not abiding by the law. Whether there is a no turn on red sign present, citizens continue to turn right on red.
There is an Ordinance for Environmental and Landscaping Design on your desk this evening that needs to be assigned to committee.
Mr. Ferguson discussed the opting out issue forAEPfor both commercial and residential residents.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger had no report for the Auditor’s Office.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that before you tonight is the Belpre Summary of 2012 Criminal Cases opened by my office.
Although there were (8) cases opened, there were a total of (17) actual multiple charges in Municipal Court, each requiring prosecution.
The total number of cases still pending in Marietta Municipal court is 24 cases.
The criminal files have been broken down by charge totaling 151 cases. In addition they have been broken down by the different police departments. The total cases still pending in Marietta Municipal Court for 2012 are 24. There are 142 cases for the City ofBelpre, 5 for the City ofMarietta, 5 for the Ohio State Patrol and 2 for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The total number of cases opened for 2013 for the City of Belpre is 2.
If any of you have questions or concerns, please feel free to discuss with me.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report.
Communications and Petitions:
1. Mr. Neff thanked Mr. Ferguson for the lighting ofLee Street.
Assigned to Finance/Audit Committee – Ms. Abdella is the following:
1. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR SERVICES OF A PART-TIME SANITARIAN.
Assigned to Planning and Zoning/Economic Development – Mrs. Marshall is the following:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN.
2. AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICAION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BY NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella reported that the Finance/Audit Committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss several pieces of legislation. At this time I would like to make a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading the following pieces of legislation:
1. A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO’S TAKING OVER COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX.
2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER.
3. A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AND APPROVE FOR USE BY THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO, A HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT.
4. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2013.
A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mr. Wallace, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee, was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee/Economic Development had no report.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading the following:
AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICAION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BY NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH.
A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: None
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO’S TAKING OVER COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AND APPROVE FOR USE BY THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO, A HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AND APPROVE FOR USE BY THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO, A HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AND APPROVE FOR USE BY THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO, A HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 19, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2013. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICAION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BY NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Wallace made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Wallace brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Wallace moved to suspend the rule of council requiring readings on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Wallace brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Wallace moved this be Resolution 20, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council: none
Mr. Sinnett moved to excuse Mr. Martin from this evenings meeting. Mr. Neff stated that he was in contact with Mr. Martin and his job has changed and he wouldn’t be present at tonight’s meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Discussion followed about Suddenlink and the amount of customers going to Direct TV.
Mr. Newberry told council that he has been in contact with Mr. Baker and he is doing ok. Mr. Baker wanted Mr. Newberry to tell everyone hi.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:15 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.