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, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Newberry, and Mr. Robinson present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, City 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. Mr. Neff gave the invocation.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of October 26, 2015 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 the 26th I assisted in the crowning of the New Miss Belpre in Bloom. Claudia Church will represent Belpre for the upcoming year.
On the same day I attended the OPWC meeting to decide points for upcoming projects. Belpre, it was agreed had the top job for our county but, scored 4th. Please don’t ask me to explain this.
October 29th I attended the Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. The evening went very well and was well attended.
November 1st I attended the Recognition service for area servants to our neighbors and communities. As you remember Mr. Vaughn was here and told of the prayer meeting for Fire Fighters, Police, teachers, Social Workers and Elected Officials. This was very nice and well attended.
On November 2nd Mr. Ferguson and I met with property developers that are in the process of purchasing a business in our city. We are locating information for them as well as our last traffic count or study.
November 3rd Mr. Ferguson and I met with the fire department officers to start the process of naming a new chief. As we get closer and have agreement, council will be notified.
As I reported last meeting Council is being asked to enter into a contract with the Washington County Board of Commissioners for the services of the Dog Warden. Costs are to be $200.00 per month. The letter and sample documents are on your desk for consideration and or implementation.
On November 4th I spent most of the afternoon arguing for funding to accomplish our rt. 7-sewer line project. The EDA funding has changed again making us almost ineligible for funding. It turns out Washington County is not considered a distressed county so as usual all the funding will go to the North. We are still working on this but be aware the repairs to our portion of this may all fall on council to fund.
Wednesday November 4th Evelyn Alemanni from America in Bloom visited to help us to the next step. Evelyn is an international judge and very interesting. The council chambers were full of folks wanting to see and hear about her travels and ideas for our city.
Please mark your calendars for the 24th of this month at 6pm. Our Police Department, City and the Celebration Center is hosting another town hall style meeting to communicate the issue of drugs in our community. Sergeant Stump and the Task Force will also have a drug take back that evening along with the Governor’s Start Talking initiative speaking.
The election is over and most of us will return in January. At this time I want to personally thank Mr. Newberry, Mr. Martin and Mr. Robinson for their service to our community. So much has been accomplished but so much more has to be done. I hope that the new council people will enter their respective positions with an open mind and no agendas to cloud our path to success. Good luck to all!
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson thanked all members of council that will not be serving during the 2016-2017 term. He extended thanks to Mr. Robinson, Mr. Martin and Mr. Newberry. Mr. Ferguson also congratulated the newly elected officials that include Mr. Colvin, Mrs. Drake and Mr. Turrill.
A Public Hearing has been called for November 23, 2015 at 7:15 PM for the purpose of discussing a zoning variance on the height regulations as per Ordinance 1149.02 (e) (1). The property owner request a variance of the maximum permitted height from fifteen feet to eighteen feet so as to construct a 20 x 50 storage building.
I would also like to request that before the meeting is over this evening that we go into Executive Session to discuss Contract Negotiations for the City of Belpre.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that the City of Belpre Fee Schedule that was placed on Council’s desk was revised on October 26, 2015. The cost of Bad Check Fee went from $25 to $35. The other fees were approved May 14, 2012.
Miss Pittenger also stated that the Adjustment Report for October 2015 has been posted on-line and is now awaiting approval by council. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report for October 2015 as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff announced that he has signed off on the reconciliation for the past two months.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid reported that a copy of the Cash Report for October 2015 is on line. A signed copy has been given to the clerk, and is now awaiting approval by council. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff thanked everyone for the support shown to both his family and the family of Chief Eric Sinnett during a difficult time.
Mr. Neff announced that he has received letters of interest from several citizens regarding filling the vacant seat for the Third Ward Council. A meeting has been called for November 30, 2015 at 5:30 PM for the candidates interested. We would like each member to briefly discuss what his or her interest is for serving on council. The interviews should last approximately 15 minutes. Mr. Colvin has been invited to attend this meeting and the other two newly elected members of council will be contacted to also attend. If there is no decision made by council the Mayor will appoint someone after January 31st, 2016.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:50PM for the purpose of discussing Contract Negotiations for the City of Belpre. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met this evening at 7:00PM for the purpose of discussing AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 181 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO REGARDING MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX and TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2016. It was the decision of the committee to add TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2016 to the agenda of November 23, 2015. At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2015 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
No report was given for the Police and Fire Committee.
Mr. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report
Mr. Robinson, Utilities Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mr. Newberry had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mr. Newberry, Economic Development Committee reported that the BACC met on October 26, 2015 at 6PM. Mr. Newberry stated that the BACC has decided to join with the City of Belpre in Economic Development. The BACC dinner was held on October 29, 2015.
Mrs. Miller, Rules Committee had no report. Mr. Miller was so thankful that the Marijuana Issue on the ballot was voted down.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 181 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO REGARDING MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX. 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 CHAPTER 181 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO REGARDING MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 181 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE, OHIO REGARDING MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 21, 2014-2015 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 SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2015 APPROPRIATIONS. This supplemental was to transfer $7,000 to Fund 3118 and $6,000 to Fund 3163. 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 SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2015 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2015 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 25, 2014-2015 and passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion for a voice vote on the ASCME Contract. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council-
Cynthia Henderson 1449 Boulevard Drive asked the President of Council what was required to hold the Third Ward Council Seat. Mr. Neff stated that you have to be a registered voter and you must live in the Third Ward.
Ms. Abdella asked that the City Income Tax assignment be removed from her committee.
Mr. Neff assigned Dog Warden to her committee. Ms. Abdella called a Committee Meeting for December 14, 2015 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of discussing the Dog Warden.
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street spoke briefly about the Dog Warden.
Ms. Abdella stated that she would not be present at the next meeting of council.
Mr. Martin stated that he would not be present at the next meeting of council.
Mr. Neff recognized Mr. Robinson, Mr. Martin and Mr. Newberry for their service to the City of Belpre.
Adjourn
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.