Belpre City Council Minutes
Council President Protem Ms. Abdella called the Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio, to order at 7:30 p.m. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mr. Colvin, Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Miller, and Mr. Turrill present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz; City Law Director Mr. Webster, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the May 09, 2016 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross; City Auditor Miss Pittenger; Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid; and Council person Mrs. Sinnett.
Ms. Abdella asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mrs. Marshall gave the invocation.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of April 25, 2016 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 reported that The Joint and Spine clinic opened at Marietta Memorial Campus in Belpre on April 26th. Our Chamber held a very nice reception and Ribbon Cutting on the same date.
On April 27th CAS Cable tied in their equipment to the City of Belpre lines. With just one or two small glitches all seems to have went well. This should save us upwards of a $100,000.00 a year in phone service
On the 27th I also met with Kenny Vigneron to discuss our Chip Agreement with the County Commissioners. We should see no difference in service but will have less paperwork for the Auditor’s Office. There is monies available for home repairs I encourage residents to contact Community Action for details very soon.
April 28th Mr. Cross and I met with our Negotiations Attorney from Columbus to discuss our upcoming negotiations as well as a couple grievances.
Arbor Day was the 28th and a group of us from the Tree Commission assisted all the students at the elementary to plant some 300 white pine trees for them to take home. The Mayor read a proclamation and our yearly hardwood was planted in front of the schools drive.
The local OCCL Chapter hosted the region on April 30th at the Church of Christ. My wife and I were invited to extend greetings from Belpre and thank them for all the guidance and help extended to our youth.
April 30th Opening Day of Baseball for Belpre Little League! Mr. Dunn and I threw out the first pitches for both baseball and softball. Fun times as always, and both of us made it over the plate.
During the scholarship process this year for all our service organizations I did get to meet a few very promising young college students. It really was a wonderful group of students interviewing for our small but much needed help.
In the mail today I received the Ohio Natural Gas Governmental Aggregation Certificate. This will run from May 4, 2016 until May 4, 2018 for our city.
Safety Service Director Mr. Cross was absent. No report was given in his absence. Mayor Lorentz stated that Mr. Cross was in Caldwell at a Southeastern Ohio Waste meeting. We did take ownership of a new pick-up. The pick-up was $8,000 less than what it was priced last year. Mr. Schaffer is sporting around town in the new truck.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. Ms. Abdella announced that the April Adjustment Report was on-line and is awaiting approval by council. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the April Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report. Mr. Webster reminded council that he may or may not be at the next meeting of council as his surgery is Thursday of this week. Please refer any questions you may have to Deloris or Carol.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid was absent. No report was given in her absence however it was announced that the April Cash Report was on line and is awaiting approval. Since there was no signed copies available for the clerk the April Cash Report will be approved at the next meeting.
Communications and Petitions:
Ms. Abdella assigned to the Finance/Audit Committee A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2016 APPROPRIATIONS.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee had no report. Ms. Abdella called a committee meeting for May 23, 2016 at 7:15PM. Mrs. Marshall stated that she would not be at the next meeting of council on May 23, 2016.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller stated that the Federal Government is investigating the Vap-Ez businesses. Mrs. Miller announced that she attended the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at the Joint/Spine Facility.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm addressed the cars that are unlicensed on city streets.
Also addressed were the scrubs growing out into the street near the railroad tresses.
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting at 7:15 PM for the purpose of discussing CAS. The Safety-Service Director is to make a contract with CAS for the City of Belpre’s telephone and Internet service. This contract will save the City up to $85,000 to $100,000 a year. The committee wants an update of what rates might go up after the contract in February when the new budget is started. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CAS FOR TELEPHONE AND INTERNET SERVICE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee reported that she had received an inquiry from residents on Clayton Avenue & Poplar Street concerning 721 Clayton Avenue which is a vacant house that had a fire a few months back, and the concern was about the grass getting tall, a car behind the house with no tag, and stuff strung around the back lawn. Mrs. Drake stated that she reported this to Mr. Leonard Wiggins and he was back to her within 48 hours to let her know a notice had been sent to the address and hopefully will be forwarded on to the people that had occupied the resident,
Mrs. Drake was also informed by a couple of local people about drug deals they witnessed: one at Civitan Park, and one in Kroger parking lot. The transactions transpired so fast a phone call would have done nothing, nor was license numbers obtained in either instance. She feels we need to do something to let citizens know they need to notice details and report them for the record.
Another concern was that on Saturday, April 30th, 2016 people were working the Kroger parking lot to beg money, and another that snatching of objects took place.
Another concern that was brought to her attention was about trash cans; (1) some are being put out for pickup way before the time allowed (5:00 PM day before pickup), (2) containers being left out sometimes for days after pickup. Is there something or some way people can be informed, put on notice or possibly being fined?
I have a questions and concern in respect to property owners on Blennerhassett Avenue, especially near Lee Street as to how the owner of the older home on the east corner of Blennerhassett and Lee can do something in respect to the neighbors and their property values. Now this is a twofold concern since we are trying to improve the community and help it grow. I did notice most of the scaffolding has come down but the roof looks unacceptable. Just what is our role-play here along with some other locations that are negative to neighborhoods? Do we just turn our heads and go on or do we have an obligation to the community? I don’t think we were elected to do nothing.
Also, regarding the property I brought before council last meeting I was informed it is in litigation and those neighbors have been informed.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that Donna Miller and I attended a special meeting last Monday afternoon with committee members, Port Authority and a law firm with good discussion, information and direction on moving forward with possibilities of a hotel and new restaurant to accommodate future needs of the community. Many steps are to be taken to bring positive infrastructure to bring new growth for Belpre.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: None
New Business:
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CAS FOR TELEPHONE AND INTERNET SERVICE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CAS FOR TELEPHONE AND INTERNET SERVICE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CAS FOR TELEPHONE AND INTERNET SERVICE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall moved this be Resolution 9, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street addressed obstructions and also a posting at 5th and Walnut Street. This property has been in foreclosure for two years.
Mrs. Marshall asked how we could fund payroll for people not doing their job?
Mrs. Drake made a motion to excuse Mrs. Sinnett from this evening’s meeting. Mrs. Sinnett had a legitimate excuse for being absent.
Mr. Neff wasn’t with us this evening as his wife had a procedure today and he needed to be with her.
Adjourn
A motion was made by Mrs. Drake to adjourn at 8:15 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.