Belpre City Council Minutes
Council President Mr. Neff 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, Mrs. Sinnett, and Mr. Turrill present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz; Safety Service Director Mr. Cross; City Auditor Miss Pittenger; City Law Director Mr. Webster; Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Lorentz gave the invocation.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the minutes of April 11, 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 on April 12th I met with our new Volunteer Representative and received our community reimbursement check. Volunteer returned just over $2,000 to Belpre on this day.
April 12th we attended the Historical Society Dinner at the Church of Christ. Our speaker was Tom O’Grady who just happens to be Ann Bonner’s husband. Ann is our tree lady for Belpre.
On April 13th and 14th Mr. Cross and I met with Dr. Breese and MCA in reference to our EMT service in Belpre. Mr. Cross and I will be bringing a plan forward very soon that should be acceptable to our residents. At this point the MCA contract is returning to the city management.
On the 13th a group from the city attended the Mayor’s Association Dinner and meeting at North Bend State Park. Harrisville was our host for this event.
Becky Hennen and I met with United Way representatives for our site interview on the 14th of this month. The ladies seemed to like our plan for the funding applied for this year.
The Tree Commission travelled to New Lexington for the awards ceremony on April 21st. Belpre has now been recognized as a Tree City for 20 years in a row.
On April 21st Mr. Cross and I met with ODOT to discuss our urban paving plan and update. There is legislation coming that needs returned by May 6th to meet the sale. We need to hold a very short special meeting to appropriate the funding and approve the legislation for our bridge approaches on May 2nd. It looks like it will be around the $70,000 range for our share.
Just a reminder, if you haven’t mowed your grass within the city yet, you have until May 1st to do so.
Mr. Neff called a Special Meeting on Monday May 2, 2016 at 5PM for the purpose of appropriating the funding and approving the legislation for our bridge approaches.
Safety Service Director Mr. Cross reported that our cities sewer cleaning has begun. They are cleaning the areas between Braun Road and Clement Avenue. Mr. Cross stated that Mr. Betz would be updating his voice mail daily as to where they will be cleaning the sewers. There is also a flyer that is being placed on resident’s doors regarding the sewer cleaning. If anyone should have questions please contact Mr. Betz at the number listed on the flyer.
Mr. Neff informed Mr. Cross that he has been contacted by a resident with concern of a deep catch basin at the corner of Talbot Street and Lois Street.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger had no report.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid reported that her March Cash Report in on line with a signed copy given to the clerk and copies placed on the table in the back. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Cash Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned two pieces of legislation to committee. They are as follows: CAS Cable to Mrs. Marshall’s Committee and EMT fees to Ms. Abdella’s Committee.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee made a motion to by pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT REGARDING BILLING AND COLLECTION OF EMT FEES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report however Mrs. Miller stated that she had attended the Business Expo prior to this evenings meeting at St. Ambrose Church. It was very well attended. She also attended the United Way meeting at the Smoot Theater and the Historical Society Dinner since our last meeting. She had nothing to report for the Police and Fire Committee.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer stated that he did have something to discuss but wanted to wait until there was a police officer present to discuss the issues.
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee had no report. Mrs. Marshall called a Utilities Committee meeting for May 9, 2016 at 7:15 PM for the purpose of discussing CAS Cable.
Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mrs. Sinnett announced that the RC Racing Club would start racing this Saturday at 5PM.
Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee reported that her committee met on April 13, 2016 at 2PM for the purpose of becoming more familiar with Regulations and Administration. Mrs. Drake reported that they looked at regulations and interpretations. They discussed the over all view of some properties for improvement of our community and its future.
Mrs. Drake also stated that residents on Pride Avenue questioned her, as they are concerned about the house that is closed and posted by the Health Department. She believes the address is 2212 Pride Avenue. The neighbors are concerned as to what is going to become of it, if anything. Their interest is in regards to their own properties.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that her committee met on April 14, 2016 at 11:30 AM at the Wine Guild with a presentation by Charlotte Codley of New Concord, Ohio which is a village of less than 2,000 and how they sought to change and grow their community. Mrs. Drake stated that she specially liked what they did with their water and sewer usage: if you use it you become incorporated.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee reported that he had attended the Pre-Audit meeting on the 14th. Mr. Turrill also informed council that he had obtained his certification on the Sun Shine Law.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2016 MANPOWER ROSTER. 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 third reading of AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2016 MANPOWER ROSTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2016 MANPOWER ROSTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 5, 2016-2017 and passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT REGARDING BILLING AND COLLECTION OF EMT FEES. 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 AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT REGARDING BILLING AND COLLECTION OF EMT FEES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT REGARDING BILLING AND COLLECTION OF EMT FEES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 8, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Jason Church, 718 Ohio Avenue asked if there was any new information on the Ohio Avenue closure. Mr. Webster stated that we are on the 4th week of advertising. It will be available next month for discussion.
Chris Brown, 414 Blennerhassett Avenue addressed council regarding concerns of standing water on private property. Mr. Brown’s concern is mosquitos. Mr. Cross stated that we do have ordinances in place regarding pools. He will take a look at the issue.
Mr. Webster announced that Saturday is opening day at the ball field. Mayor Lorentz will be throwing out the first pitch. The Superintendent of Belpre City Schools will throw out the first pitch for softball.
Mr. Webster also announced that the Civitan Pancake Breakfast would be held on Saturday from 7AM to 11AM.
Mr. Webster informed council that he would be having surgery on May 11, 2016 and would be out for two weeks.
Mrs. Marshall brought attention to the issue that was going on in Pike County. She stated that this is a small community like ours and she wants everyone to be aware of what is going on right here in our own community.
Adjourn
A motion was made by Ms. Abdella to adjourn at 7:55 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.