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, and Mrs. Sinnett present. Also present were Safety Service Director Mr. Cross; City Auditor Miss Pittenger; City Law Director Mr. Webster and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the February 22, 2016 meeting was Mayor Lorentz, Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid, and Council person Mr. Turrill.
Mr. Neff 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 February 08, 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 was absent. Mr. Neff presented the Mayor’s Report that was prepared by Mayor Lorentz. Council, during tonight’s meeting I will need a voice vote from you to submit grants to The United Way for Belpre Recreation as well as The Belpre Sr. Center. Our minutes will be added to the grant showing council approval.
On February 9th I attended the Marietta City Council meeting in support of the O’Neill Center gaining ownership of the Marietta O’Neill Center facility.
February 14th we attended the Chocolate on the Betsy in support of Eve. At days end we had a sugar buzz but, for a good cause.
On February 18th I met with The Parkersburg Treatment Center folks, as they want to be a part of our Drug removal effort in this area. Representatives will be here on March 8th to assist and learn.
Belpre had another Ribbon Cutting Celebration on February 18th at the Marietta Memorial Campus. Marietta Occupational Health Partners opened their facility on the west end of the main hospital building. Welcome and thanks to Marietta Memorial for their continued support and trust in us.
February 19th Mr. Cross, Mr. Webster and I met with the Herb Academy that is partnering with our Jr. Baseball commission to improve the facility and assist with scheduling as well as program. As these progresses we will communicate to council.
This past Saturday February 20th Chief Williams, Mr. Webster and I took part in the Men That Cook fundraiser for 211. This was a huge success for the group and really a lot of fun. The room started out fairly busy and just got bigger. If you are asked to participate in the future please do so. It was a fun evening.
This week on the 24th Our Chamber of Commerce is having their Quarterly Luncheon at 11:30. If you would like to attend please contact Karen at the Chamber.
Safety Service Director Mr. Cross thanked everyone for his or her help and patience while he is learning his new job. Couple items that I would like to mention is that we had a waterline break near our Degussa Plant. The break was repaired with no loss of service to the plant. We also had a Power outage that affected a small portion of Belpre along with our Sewer Plant. Once again the guys got right on it and got it taken care of.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger stated that in the Mayor’s Report he had asked for a voice vote from council allowing the Mayor and City Auditor to submit grants to The United Way for Belpre Recreation as well as The Belpre Sr. Center. Miss Pittenger stated that this wasn’t done therefore she was going to make a motion. Mr. Neff stated that he would take care of this further on in the meeting. In January 2016 the Ohio Checkbook was brought up. It includes all expenses including payroll and all of 2015 Payroll is online now. At this time you can start comparing 2015 and 2016. Since it is audit time I am not going to add 2014, 2013 and 2012. Our 2016 Budget has begun and we are sending reports to Julie Negrew who puts together the report for the State Auditor’s review. Today Mr. Cross and I went down to Civitan Park to find areas to install a fit trail. This will be a nice addition to Civitan Park and has all been done though grants and volunteers.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that we have started collecting past due water bills from our folks here within the city. The first set of small claims was filed and we will be going forward as we get judgment and collections. Part of the problem is that a lot of the water bills that are not paid are due to tenants disappearing during the night and it is hard to locate them. We do serve the landlords who then are responsible for paying for the service. The 211 Fund Raiser was a fun evening. Public Awareness is really necessary. Some folks are still calling 911to get referrals. Some of the cooks quit early however I was not one of them.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff had nothing to announce for Communications and Petitions.
Mr. Neff asked for a motion from council for a voice vote giving the Mayor and City Auditor permission to submit grants to The United Way for Belpre Recreation as well as The Belpre Sr. Center. Ms. Abdella made a motion for a voice vote giving the Mayor and City Auditor permission to submit grants to The United Way for Belpre Recreation as well as The Belpre Sr. Center. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that he was informed that any motions other than for legislation from now on would be handled under Communications and Petitions.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella reported that the Finance Audit Committee met prior to this evenings meeting for the purpose of discussing a request from the Mayor regarding changes to our Manpower. We did discuss it and we are waiting for additional information from the Auditor and Safety-Service Director for the next meeting. At that time we will decide whether or not to move on with the request.
Mrs. Miller reported that the Police and Fire Committee met at 6:45 PM for the purpose of discussing updating our parking ticket rates, Active Shooter training and income within the police department. Additional meeting’s to come. Also I attended the 211 Fund Raiser. It was a lot of fun. I would like to see more support from our citizens when we have these events. There were 250 people in attendance.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer discussed parking on some of the streets in downtown Belpre. I tried to explain that the streets are smaller and the vehicles today are larger. We may need to visit the possibility of parking on one side of the street. Also addressed were vehicles that are not licensed.
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee had no report.
Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee reported that she had been in contact with Mr. Wiggins regarding duties of the Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Wiggins is to prepare a report within the next month or so. Mrs. Drake also stated that she has had two complaints from concerned citizens. Complaint one: was from occupant of 527 Wirt Street. Resident Barbara Reynolds previously tried without result from the City’s previous Safety Service Director, as to who the owner of the vacant lot, which is located to the east of where she resides. She has an issue with the tree on the vacant lot. Her mother is the owner of the property of 527 Wirt Street. They would like to resolve the issue with the tree as they consider it a nuisance. Mr. Webster stated that this is a Civil Matter between the two owners. Mr. Webster also said that he would check at the court house as to who owns the vacant lot. Complaint two: A resident on Ames Street has complained about an unfenced swimming pool located at 780 Ann Street There is in fact an above ground pool at this location and it does not have a fence to safe guard it as required by Ordinance 1325.04 (a) which states Every pool shall be completely surround by a fence or wall not less than four feet in height, which shall be constructed as not to have openings, holes or gaps larger than four inches in any dimension, except for doors and gates; and if a picket, board or other like fence is erected or maintained, the distance between members thereof shall not exceed four inches. A dwelling or accessory building may be used as part of such enclosure.
Mr. Neff stated that it has to be at 4 feet in height.
The concerned citizen is for the protection of both children and animals.
Mrs. Drake had no report for Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2016. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 3, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 3, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AND APPROVE FOR USE BY THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO, A HOUSING REVOLVING LOAN FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT WITH THE OHIO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AGENCY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 4, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION ENACTED BY THE CITY OF BELPRE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2016. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Miller brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR THE CARE AND SUSTENANCE OF PRISONERS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business: None
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Steve Brown, Oak Tree Villa’s asked the status of the Ohio Avenue Alley. Mr. Webster informed Mr. Brown that it would have to be advertised for six weeks in the newspaper. At this time, the alley will remain closed due to the possibility of damaging the water meters unless the Safety-Service Director sees otherwise.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Turrill from this evenings meeting. Mr. Neff stated that Mr. Turrill followed the rule of council. He contacted Mr. Neff and stated that he was ill. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella asked the Safety-Service Director to notify the fire department and request a meeting with Mrs. Miller and Ms. Abdella regarding Squad Service.
Mr. Webster informed council that tomorrow morning the Annual Southeastern Ohio Port Authority meeting would be held at Washington State in the auditorium. Everyone is welcome to attend. Some items for discussion will be the Oil and Gas Industry, Kraton Project etc.
Adjourn
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to adjourn at 8:05PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.