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. Gilbert, Mrs. Marshall, 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, Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.   Absent from the August 10, 2015 meeting was Councilperson Mr. Martin.

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 July 27, 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 the 83rd Belpre Homecoming has come and gone. Our crowds were very good and entertainment wonderful. It is amazing how much can be accomplished with volunteers and a little work. Congratulations to the Chamber, thanks to the Lions Club and all the others that helped.

Over the past couple months Mr. Ferguson and I have been in contact with Chinese Company looking at the Middleton Doll facility. A letter of invitation was sent from my office to their delegates inviting them to visit Belpre and view just what we have to offer. As details become available I will communicate to council.

The Route 7 sewer project is progressing, I received a call on Thursday that the EPA was receptive to extending our loan nomination into 2016. With this extending into next year it also gives us a better chance at Principal Forgiveness Funding. You also have the approval for applying to the OPWC on your agenda this evening.  This needs to be completed by next month.

Hopefully council noticed the home between Giovanni’s and Red Barn Trailers has been removed. The owners of the trailer sales purchased the property and are having it cleaned up. Looks Great!

With retirements and illness the city is in the process of re-assigning folks employed in the maintenance departments. Hopefully by going to one department and assignments being handled by two supervisors more work can be accomplished and in a safer manner. David Shaffer and Denzil Ray will handle the week-to-week assignments and or break-ins with Mr. Ferguson’s guidance. We will be meeting with union officials shortly to resolve any issues. A change in the manpower document will make once everything is resolved.

Over the past few days my phone has rang off the hook with parents worried about the drug issues in our area. As most of you know we lost a young man this past weekend due to what may be a drug issue. It is imperative that we do all in our power to stop this senseless junk from infiltrating our schools and society. This is not just a police department problem; it belongs to all of us. I encourage all council members to contact your state officials and tell them the Marijuana legalization has to stop and with that the penalties for all illegal drug sales must be more severe. Our Police Officers that responded received a lot of praise for their professionalism and manners from the family.

Due to a problem with our email account in the city building the addresses you had are now changed. My new email is belpremayor@lumos.net.

Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson reported that there are two pieces of legislation lying on your desk that needs council action.  Other than that I have nothing else to report.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that the Adjustment Report is on the City of Belpre’s Website.  I hope that everyone has had the opportunity to review so that council can approve.  Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  Also I received an email from RITA informing me that there has been 1,000 letters sent out to delinquent taxpayers for the 2013 Tax Year. Today was a busy day with about a dozen folks coming in.  Out of those folks all but one failed to file their taxes.  We are working to get taxes up to date.  Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that there has been an amendment to the State Statute regarding Income Tax. Several changes have been made that will go in effect January 2016 at which time an Ordinance will be proposed.

Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid reported that a copy of the Cash Report has been uploaded on line for your review and a signed copy has been given to the clerk for file. I would ask that the council approve the Cash Report as presented.  Ms. Abdella made a motion to approve the Cash Report as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Communications and Petitions:

Mr. Neff announced that the legislation for the OPWC is on your desk this evening and will appear under New Business.  At this time, I would like to assign this piece of legislation to the Utilities Committee, Mr. Robinson, Chairman.

All of you should have received an update precinct map for the City of Belpre.

We have received 17 Sets of the 2015 Replacement Pages from the Walter Drane Company regarding our Belpre Codified Ordinances.  I would like to assign this to the Rules Committee.  Along with that I received an invoice from them for their services.

The city has entered into a contract with Kimble Company for the removal of trash and recyclable s for a period of 5 years.  The rate beginning on 08/01/15 for residential customers will be $17.07.  The rate is subject to change if the cost of diesel fuel goes above $4.25 a gallon.

I would also like to assign to the Police and Fire Committee an Ordinance from Orrville that deals with Nuisance Police Calls.  As the City Police continues to receive nuisance false security alarm calls among others.

The 5 Year contract with Kimble Company needs revised under Rubbish Removal Chapter 969 in light of our new contract

Thanks to the SSD and Mr. Gilbert for following up on the issue on Hill Street.

OSU is Ranked #1 and the University of Michigan isn’t listed anywhere.

Report of Standing Committee:

Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee had no report at this time.

Mr. Gilbert, Police and Fire Committee had no report.  Mr. Gilbert called a Police and Fire Committee meeting for August 24, 2015 at 7:15 PM for the purpose of discussing Nuisance Police Calls.  Mr. Gilbert also made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evenings meeting as he is having some health issues.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer was absent.  No report was given in his absence.

Mr. Robinson, Utilities Committee had no report.  Mr. Robinson made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mrs. Marshall, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.

Mrs. Miller had no report for the Rules Committee

Mr. Newberry had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee.

Mr. Newberry, Economic Development Committee reported that this evening he would like to welcome Chamber members that are working with our Economic Development.  With us this evening is Mr. Bob McCloy.  Mr. McCloy stood and introduced the other members present with him this evening.  They are Janet Nelson, Bob Rauch and Cathy O’Donnell.  Mr. McCloy spoke briefly about Economic Development in our Community.  A copy of his report is on file in Council Chambers.

Discussion followed by members of council.

Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None

Unfinished Business:  None

New Business:

Mr. Robinson brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Webster stated that this is Grant money for the Rt. 7 Sewer Line Project.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Robinson moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Robinson moved for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye

Mr. Robinson moved this be Resolution 21, 2014-2015 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Persons Appearing Before Council-

Bill Locke 726 Tuttle Street spoke before council about how the RC CLUB was able to give back to Belpre.  We had a fundraiser and were able to give to the Belpre Band.

Ms. Abdella spoke briefly about the amount of drugs in the Mid-Ohio Valley asking citizens to speak up and be heard if they see something unusual or hear something of concern.

Mrs. Miller spoke briefly about legalizing Marijuana and the reason we need to say No!  I feel we need to get some literature out about this topic.

Mr. Webster announced that there was a Baseball Tournament held at Civitan Park with 21 teams participating.  All fields were in use.  Also the RC Remote Control Cars were running.  It was nice to see multiple groups working together in our parks.

Mr. Webster stated that the water line break at the park had been resolved.  I would like to thank the SSD and city employees for a job well done.

Mr. Neff announced that the bank reconciliation for the last two months was signed today in the Auditor’s Office.

Mr. Robinson told council that about 8 years ago he was hunting and ran into a crop of marijuana.  I got the heck out of there.

Mrs. Marshall also spoke about the drug problem in the Mid-Ohio Valley and that we need to all stand up for our youth.  Mrs. Marshall offered to help if she could.

Adjourn

Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 PM.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.