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, and Mr. Newberry present.  Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Miss Martin and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.  Absent from the February 23, 2015 meeting was Councilperson Mr. Robinson.

At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand 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 09, 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 February 10^th the Chamber and some council members joined me at the new emergency room complex to view and cut the ribbon for the Bistro snack bar.  Food was very good and the coffee was perfect.  This was a much-needed service for hospital employees as well as people waiting at the E. R.

February 11^th I prepared and read a proclamation stating that day as 211 day.  Representatives from the Washington County United Way joined me for the pictures.

Mr. Ferguson and I met with O.D.O.T. representatives to discuss and make changes if necessary to the engineering drawings for our two downtown bridge approaches.  This work will take place in 2016 and should relieve some of the safety issues at both approaches.

For the toll bridge intersection, the City is asked to commit $20,000.  As of now, the project would need 87% of that amount or $17,400.  The estimate includes a 20% design contingency for potential project item additions from now until completion of the design and a 10% reserve for change orders during construction.

At Main Street and Washington Boulevard, the City is asked to commit $62,500.  As of now, the project would need 76% of that amount or $47,500.  The same contingency percentages were applied to this location as above.

On March 2^nd at 5:30 there will be a Q & A session in Parkersburg to further discuss the Cracker Plant issues for our area and report out our trip to North Dakota.  The meeting will be held in their Council Chambers on 2nd floor.  A similar meeting will be set at a later date for the Ohio groups that are interested.  Possibly March 16^th.

The Washington County Commissioners set a meeting on February 19^th to discuss the new emergency call system for our region.  Everbridge Emergency Communication System is the new generation call systems that will even reach cell phones in emergency situations.  Cost for Belpre is in the $2,500 range.  Leonard Wiggins attended in my absence and will report later in our meeting if you like.  Be aware that there is some responsibility for business as well as residents if they want the calls.  NOT THE CITY.

Surpassingly you will register your number on line.  Calls will be received in an emergency situation on both home and cell phone.  This new system will replace the CAN system.

Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson reported that before him this evening is the contract for the Washington County Jail.  I ask that the President of Council assign this piece of legislation to committee.

Mr. Ferguson also stated that he had an invoice from the Washington Soil and Water Conservation District.

Mr. Ferguson asked council to read the Manpower legislation for only one time this evening as there will be some amendments made to the legislation.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that she is happy to report that 10% of our citizens pay their water bill on line.

Mr. Neff asked that the minutes reflect that he has signed the bank reconciliation for the month.

City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.

Treasurer Miss Martin reported that the Cash Report for December 2014 and January 2015 are now available on-line.  Signed copies of each report have been given to the clerk for file.  I would ask that council please approve these reports this evening.  Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Reports as presented.   A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Communications and Petitions:

Mr. Neff assigned the Jail Contract to the Police and Fire Committee/Mr. Gilbert, Chairman.

Mr. Neff asked that the clerk show that the minutes reflect that Mr. Martin is now in attendance.

Mr. Neff also stated that he has received the revised legislation for the bidding of the Garbage Collection Contract to include the emergency clause and the Part-Time Sanitarian.

Report of Standing Committee:

Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee announced that the meeting that had been called for Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 6:00 PM for the purpose of discussing the Permanent Appropriations for 2015 capital improvements was cancelled due to illness.   At this time, Ms. Abdella rescheduled the meeting for March 3, 2015 at 6PM for the purpose of discussing the Annual Appropriations Budget for 2015.  At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THE PARK FUND.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  Ms. Abdella asked about the Dog Warden that had been assigned to committee.  Mr. Ferguson stated that it would need appropriated.

Mr. Gilbert, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Gilbert called a committee meeting for March 9, 2015 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of discussing the Jail Contract.

Mr. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report.

Mr. Robinson, Utilities Committee was absent.  No report was given in his absence.

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

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

Mr. Newberry had no report for Economic Development Committee.

Mrs. Miller had no report for the Rules Committee.

Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.

Items that appear on the agenda for this evening are:

1. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
2. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER.
3. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A PART-TIME SANITARIAN.
4. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015.
5. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTIZE FOR BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE AWARDING OF AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE AND RUBBISH WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BELPRE.
6. AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THE PARK FUND.

Unfinished Business:

Mr. Martin 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.

Mr. Martin moved this be Resolution 13, 2014-2015 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 AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 14, 2014-2015 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 MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A PART-TIME SANITARIAN.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 15, 2014-2015 and passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  This will lie over until the next meeting of council.

Mr. Martin brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTIZE FOR BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE AWARDING OF AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE AND RUBBISH WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BELPRE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Martin moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the third reading of AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTIZE FOR BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE AWARDING OF AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE AND RUBBISH WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BELPRE.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Martin brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTIZE FOR BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE AWARDING OF AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE FOR THE COLLECTION OF GARBAGE AND RUBBISH WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF BELPRE.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Martin moved this be Ordinance 15, 2014-2015 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

New Business:

Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THE PARK FUND.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  This will lie over until the next meeting of council.

Persons Appearing Before Council-

Karen Locke, 726 Tuttle Street asked council about the Ordinance Regarding the Park Fund and what that was about.  Ms. Abdella stated that the Park Fund is a single line item fund and that they were going to move to the General Fund so that they will not have to continue transferring money from one fund to the other.  Ms. Abdella stated that they would continue to track the Park Fund.

Leonard Wiggins, Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Belpre, appeared before council with a report regarding the new Everbridge 24-7 Call Service.  He stated that the business would employee approximately 250 employees.  There services would include voice mail, text messaging, cell phones, and hard wire phones.  The cost to the city would be approximately $2,800.  Mr. Wiggins also stated that the more people we have on board the less we will have to pay.  There is and Oil and Gas Company that may want to get on board and pay half or the whole amount.  The agreement has to be in place by March 30, 2015 with the service going live on July 1, 2015.  It is a 1-year contract.

Mr. Gilbert made a motion to excuse Mr. Robinson from this evenings meeting.  Mr. Neff stated that Mr. Robinson followed the rule of council and had an excusable absence. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Ferguson informed Mr. Gilbert that the Jail Contract meeting that he had scheduled should only take 5 minutes, as it was a housekeeping piece of legislation.  Mr. Gilbert left the meeting at 7PM.

Council and the administration recognized all those who were involved in cleaning our city streets during the last snowfall.

Ms. Abdella asked Mr. Ferguson if the Manpower changes would be available before the committee meeting on March 3, 2015?  According to Mr. Ferguson they would be available.

Mr. Webster announced the Port Authority Meeting that would be held at Washington State Community College at 7:30 AM.  Mr. Webster also stated that if you see any of our city workers, be sure and thank them for clearing our city streets.

Mrs. Marshall announced that the Wittman Chapel would be celebrating Black History Month at Rockland United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 28^th, 2015 at 12:00 Noon.  Lunch will be served at a cost of $10, along with a Program and Silent Auction.  Mrs. Marshall stated that this is very interesting and she invited all to come.

Adjourn

Mr. Newberry made a motion to adjourn at 8:15PM.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.