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, 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 and Treasurer Miss Martin.   Absent from the July 27, 2015 meeting was Councilperson Mrs. Marshall and Clerk of Council Kim 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. Miller made a motion to accept the minutes of July 13, 2015 as presented and by-pass the reading.  Mr. Neff pointed out a correction to the minutes on Page 1 under the Safety-Service Director’s Report, second sentence reads,” Then Mr. Ferguson explained the intergovernmental insurance plan for the pool,” It should read, “ Then Mr. Ferguson explained the intergovernmental pool insurance for the City of Belpre.” Mr. Martin made a motion to accept the amended minutes.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

 A motion was made by Mr. Martin to amend the agenda to change the order of New Business because of Mr. Martin needing to be excused early from the meeting.  New Business appears on the agenda this evening after the Reading of the Minutes.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

New Business:

Mr. Gilbert brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONTRACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC ENTITIES POOL.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Gilbert moved 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 AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONTRACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC ENTITIES POOL.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Gilbert brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONTRACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC ENTITIES POOL.  Due to time restraints this must be passed this evening. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Gilbert moved this be Resolution 20, 2014-2015 and passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  Motion passed.

Mr. Neff excused Mr. Martin from this meeting.

Reports of City Officials:

Mayor Lorentz reported that since we last met the Judges for America in Bloom have arrived and left. It looks like they appreciated the efforts made to this point. Both judges were very personable, and willing to share ideas for our city. Hopefully in September we will receive a favorable report.

Homecoming is this weekend so you will see the park transform from quiet and peaceful to a crazy hub of activities. Be safe, be courteous, and enjoy the hard work and efforts of the Homecoming Committee. If you plan on attending the opening ceremony please call Karen at the Chamber of Commerce Building ASAP.

Mr. Ferguson and I have been in contact with a group interested in the Middleton Doll Building. Nothing to report at this time but, we are encouraged with the recent activity in this area.

Mr. Ferguson and I have been working with the AFSCME Union that represents our employees. At some point very soon we need to re-vamp our manpower ordinance to reflect our changes to the maintenance pool in Belpre.

Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson reported that there has been a beehive of activity on Rockland Avenue relocating sewer lines on three different parcels of property. Mr. Ferguson commended the workers for a job well done.

Mr. Ferguson announced that at the last meeting Sue Chrisman addressed council about property on Florence Street that needed cleaned up.  According to Mr. Ferguson that project did begin today.

Mr. Ferguson announced that the last day for the pool is August 16, 2015.  Wood County Schools open August 13 and Belpre City Schools open August 19, 2015.  There still may be a doggy swim.

Mr. Ferguson also announced that in the first three weeks of recycling the Kimble Company has collected 17.06 tons of recyclable material.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger had no report.

City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.

Treasurer Miss Martin had no report.  Mr. Neff asked for Miss Martin’s new name.  Miss Martins’ name changed to Mrs. Kincaid. Clerk to update record.

Communications and Petitions:

Mr. Neff stated that the only thing he has received is a copy of the letter that was sent to the residents of 310 ½ Florence Street regarding property cleanup.  Mr. Neff thanked Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Wiggins for following up with this.

Mr. Neff also stated that if you plan to attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Belpre Homecoming please contact Karen Waller at the Chamber of Commerce.

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. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer was excused early from the council meeting.  No report was given in his absence.

Mr. Robinson, Utilities Committee had no report.

Mrs. Marshall, Parks and Recreation Committee was absent.  No report was given.

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

Mr. Newberry, Economic Development Committee reported that he had attended a chamber meeting prior to this evenings meeting.  Pamela Lankford was the guest speaker.  Topic of discussion was Small Business Development.  Mr. Newberry also requested that Bob McCloy be allowed to speak during the next council meeting for about 15 minutes regarding Economic Development.

Mrs. Miller, Rules Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller did speak briefly about the Jr. Library.

Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None

Unfinished Business:  None

Persons Appearing Before Council-

Fire Chief Eric Sinnett 927 Belrock Avenue informed council that each of them should have received a copy of the Squad Billing. The report shows the total amount of income versus expenses.  If anyone has any questions they can contact Mr. Sinnett.

Harlen Colvin, 732 George Street, Belpre asked council about the ruptured sewer line on Middle Street and when it was installed.  According to Mr. Ferguson it was probably in the late 1950’s early 60’s.  Mr. Colvin asked if there was a report generated from Metropolitan that examined the sewer lines.  According to Mr. Ferguson there was no report.  How much did that cost the city?  Mr. Ferguson stated a rough estimate would be 10-12,000 dollars.  Mayor Lorentz stated that they don’t get a report but they get a film.

Mr. Colvin stated that we have a council here and meeting after meeting there is no report.  What is the purpose of having council if no one has a report?

Mr. Neff gave point of clarification as to who works for whom.

Ms. Abdella stated that council is here to legislate and appropriate.

Mr. Robinson stated that he gets calls from all over the city.  Mr. Colvin asked then why he didn’t have a report?

Karen Lewis 1628 Hill Street addressed council regarding high grass issues, mud issues, dirt on city streets, junk cars, and traffic speed on Hill Street to Braun Road.

Wayne Needs, Hill Street addressed speeding on Hill Street and dirt on city street.

Becky Copen, Franklin Avenue addressed theft in her neighborhood and no one dealing with the problem.  Mrs. Copen also addressed junk everywhere in the city.

Mrs. Miller Beach Drive, Belpre addressed junk cars at 805 Pomeroy Pike.  There are several in the backyard.

Mrs. Miler also addressed the Trailer Court on Barclay Street that needs inspected.

Adjourn

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