Belpre City Council Meeting
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio was called to order by Student Council President Zach Thompson at 7:30 p.m. with Mr. Thompson welcoming everyone to this evening’s meeting. The roll was called with the following members present: Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella; Miss Pickering, Mrs. Marshall; Mr. Mason, Mr. Martin; Ms. Whiting, Mr. Newberry; Miss Greg, Mr. Robinson; Mr. Martin, Mr. Sinnett; Mr. Postlewaite, and Mr. Wallace present. Also present were Miss Gherke, Mayor Lorentz, Miss Carpenter, Safety-Service Director, City Auditor Mr. Pittenger, Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Martin, Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. Leasure, Mr. McAfee, and Clerk of Council Mr. Parsons and Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the December 10th meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson.
At this time, Mr. Thompson asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Lorentz gave the invocation.
Mr. Martin moved to accept the minutes of November 26, 2012 as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Miss Gherke, Mayor Lorentz presented the Mayor’s Report.
On November 29th, Susie Casto and I attended the annual meeting to discuss the disbursements from the Senior Levy. We were pleased to find that the needs this year were under what was available to be disbursed and all projects were funded throughout the county.
Also on the 29th was the Annual Spirit of Giving at Grand Pointe. The PM Company hosts this event each year and since they are now part of our city, the Belpre Area Ministry is one of the recipients of their generosity.
The Holiday Lights are up and running. I took a turn at the Gingerbread House on December 2nd. If you have time and are able, I encourage all of council to take a turn at the toll booth. I was also invited to the Christmas Dinner for the Lights Committee. These hard working folks really enjoy their service and gift to our community.
Today Mayor Lorentz and I joined the Chamber of Commerce in the Grand Opening Ceremony for the Lark’s Nest. You will find this very nice shop just across the street from our library and encourage all to shop Belpre first.
We did make contact with Go Mart last week to offer any assistance necessary when they are ready to build. The corporation is aggressively working in other areas, and ours will be well into 2013.
O.D.O.T. is trying to assist us in right-a-way issues should we decide to attach Hill Street to Rich Miller in the future. The question to be answered will be funding for this project. At this time they see no issues that would stop the roadway continuation.
O.D.O.T. Representatives, Strand Associates, Mr. Ferguson and I met to discuss the Farson Street project. At this time with all the changes and O.D.O.T. design issues we are approximately $40,000 short in our engineering budget. Strand has absorbed some of the overages and now asks that we appropriate additional monies so to continue. After meeting with O.D.O.T. we believe there are areas that we can recoup some of this in construction. The issue is that engineering fees cannot come from ARC funds. They are for construction, job creating projects etc. The City will need to appropriate the additional funds for engineering in January.
This is our last meeting for 2012 and I would like to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and the happiest New Year ever.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson
Safety Service Director Miss Carpenter presented Mr. Ferguson’s Report. Miss Carpenter reported that we are continuing the hiring process for a new police officer. Chief Clevenger is working on the back-ground checks of these officers. Hopefully by the first meeting in January you can meet the new officer. The Sewer Cleaning process has been completed for this year with no major issues. It will continue again next year. Mr. Wiggins continues to work with right-away issues and parking issues throughout the city. He is also working on abandoned properties.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger:
Mr. Pittenger reported that earlier today he and Miss Pittenger worked on the Utility Adjustment Report for the Month of November. If there are no corrections, I would ask that council approve this report. Mr. Mason made a motion to approve the Utility Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
We have been notified that there is an insurance company from the United Kingdom that is trying to sell insurance from street to house for water line coverage. This insurance is not needed.
Again Belpre in Bloom is selling luminaries as a fund raiser. The luminaries are available this evening. Belpre in Bloom asked that these luminaries be lit on December 23, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. throughout the city.
City Law Director Mr. Webster
Mr. Martin, Mr. Webster had no report for the Law Director’s Office.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee
Mr. Leasure, Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the November 2012 Treasurers Report is before you tonight awaiting council approval. Miss Pickering made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Leasure thanked all students who participated in Student Government night. Also Mr. Leasure stated that Mr. McAfee had received a Special Christmas Card from the White House.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Thompson stated that since your last meeting Mr. Neff has copied legislation and placed on your desk. At this time, I would like to assign the Rockland Avenue Sidewalk Project to Street, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer Committee.
Report of Standing Committee:
Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella, Finance/Audit Committee, requested that Ordinance 14 and 15 be declared null and void. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Matheny asked the Mayor what was the Status of the Sewer Line Exposure. According to the Mayor this is being monitored. This will take two years to initiate as part of the Core of Engineers work. Mr. Matheny also requested a report from the Code Enforcement Officer at the next meeting.
Mr. Martin, Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Martin asked if there are any updates on the fire station on Farson Street? According to the Mayor there are none.
Mr. Postlewaite, Mr. Wallace, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading O.D.O.T. FINAL RESOLUTION – ROCKLAND AVENUE SIDEWALK PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Greg, Mr. Robinson, Utilities Committee, reported that on your desk this evening is a letter from Dominion Power with gas rates for the upcoming year.
Mr. Mason, Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Miss Pickering, Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Miss Pickering, Mrs. Marshall, Economic Development Committee had no report
Miss Whiting, Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Mr. Thompson asked if anyone had anything to discuss on the agenda items only for this evening. The items in which to discuss are:
1. AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BY CONTINUING HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS.
2. A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2012 APPROPRIATIONS.
3. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE TWO AGREEMENTS WITH COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM.
4. O.D.O.T. FINAL RESOLUTION – ROCKLAND SIDEWALK.
Anyone wising to speak should stand, state your name and address, and address your concern. Hearing none, Mr. Thompson moved on to unfinished business.
Unfinished Business:
Miss Pickering, Mrs. Marshall brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BY CONTINUING HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS. Discussion followed regarding road access. The Mayor stated that they are working with O.D.O.T. on this access. According to the Mayor he didn’t see a reason that we could not access this road. Mr. McAfee stated that engineers at O.D.O.T. are in the process of working on getting funds to this going. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Pickering, Mrs. Marshall made a motion that this be Ordinance 20, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2012 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the third reading of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2012 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2012 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 16, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE TWO AGREEMENTS WITH COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON-MORGAN COUNTIES, OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Matheny, Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 17, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
New Business:
Mr. Postlewaite, Mr. Wallace brought before council for first reading O.D.O.T. FINAL RESOLUTION – ROCKLAND SIDEWALK. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Postlewaite, Mr. Wallace moved to suspend the rule of council of three different days to allow for the second and third readings of O.D.O.T. FINAL RESOLUTION – ROCKLAND SIDEWALK. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Postlewaite, Mr. Wallace brought before council for second and third readings O.D.O.T. FINAL RESOLUTION – ROCKLAND SIDEWALK. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Postlewaite, Mr. Wallace moved this be Resolution 18, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Mr. Chris Palmer, Marietta, Ohio, Belpre High School Government teacher thanked council for their participation in Student Government Day and also recognized the students for the great job that they did this evening.
Mr. Martin, Mr. Sinnett asked the status of Dana Drive. According to Mr. Wallace the property has been surveyed but I have noting to report at this time.
Mrs. Marshall congratulated the students on a great job this evening.
Mayor Lorentz and Miss Pittenger also congratulated the students on such a great job.
Mr. Neff congratulated the students and the parents of these students. Mr. Neff stated that there is a bright future for these students.
Mr. Robinson stated that this was the first time that his student was from his ward.
Adjourn:
Miss Greg, Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mr. Martin and Mr. Sinnett whom voted nay.