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 Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the January 26, 2015 meeting was Mayor Lorentz, Treasurer Miss Martin, and Councilman Martin.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the minutes of January 12, 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 was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson reported that the State of Ohio, Department of Commerce needs two members from council to serve on the Volunteer Fire Fighters Dependents Fund along with two members from the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department has elected Eric W. Sinnett and Eric W. Sinnett II to serve a one-year term commencing on January 1, 2015. Mr. Robinson and Ms. Abdella accepted the role from council.
Mr. Ferguson announced that we have advertised for bids for Management of the Belpre Pool.
I have also started the process for looking for a new Police Chief. We will also be testing for Labor II and an additional police officer for the Police Department.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that the Payment Service Network also known as PSN has been live since January 1, 2015 and has been very successful.
Citizens of Belpre that have used this Payment Service Network seem to be very pleased with positive comments.
The new cities website is up and live. You will be able to view PSN, Council Reports, Agenda’s Minutes, in addition to other city reports and information.
I have asked the Law Director’s Office to prepare legislation to move the Parks Fund to the General Fund.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that the Parks legislation has been prepared. Municipal Court continues to take up more time of the Law Director’s Office as well as our police officers. We do have some pending trials. The process with the Police Department is going well.
Mr. Neff stated that he has also been in contact with the Mayor and he stated that it is warmer in Minot, ND then it is here.
Treasurer Miss Martin was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff asked if anyone from council would like to volunteer to serve on the Volunteer Fire Fighters Dependents Fund along with two members from the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department has elected Eric W. Sinnett and Eric W. Sinnett II to serve a one-year term commencing on January 1, 2015. Mr. Robinson and Ms. Abdella volunteered to assume the position for a one-year term.
Mr. Neff also assigned the Park Fund to the Finance Audit Committee.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss Manpower, Budget for 2015, Part-Time Sanitarian, and Management for the Senior Center. We ran out of time and were unable to discuss the Manpower at tonight’s committee meeting. At this time I would like to make a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER and 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 also called a committee meeting for February 9, 2015 at 6:45PM for the purpose of discussing Manpower, Parks Fund and to discuss two more departments for the Budget.
Mr. Gilbert, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mr. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer was absent. No report was given in his absence.
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 made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SIZE OF DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CITY’S CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTE AND STORM WATER RUNOFF REGULATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Newberry had no report for Economic Development Committee.
Mrs. Miller had no report for the Rules Committee. Mrs. Miller requested that inoperable vehicles and the ½ to 1-acre storm water be removed from her committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Mr. Neff read the four pieces of legislation that was up for discussion. One piece already appeared on the agenda while the other three pieces were added to tonight’s agenda.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A PART-TIME SANITARIAN.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SIZE OF DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CITY’S CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTE AND STORM WATER RUNOFF REGULATIONS.
New Business:
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first 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. This will lie until the next meeting of council.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first 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. This will lie until the next meeting of council.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first 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. This will lie until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Newberry brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SIZE OF DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CITY’S CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTE AND STORM WATER RUNOFF REGULATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Newberry made a motion to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SIZE OF DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CITY’S CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTE AND STORM WATER RUNOFF REGULATIONS. Discussion followed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mr. Robinson.
Mr. Newberry brought before council for second and third readings AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SIZE OF DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CITY’S CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTE AND STORM WATER RUNOFF REGULATIONS. Mr. Robinson would like to make a motion to table the legislation at this point pending clarification. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting nay. The vote was then taken on the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SIZE OF DEVELOPMENTS SUBJECT TO THE CITY’S CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTE AND STORM WATER RUNOFF REGULATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mr. Robinson whom voted nay.
Mr. Newberry moved this be Ordinance 13, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mr. Robinson whom voted nay.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evenings meeting due to a work related matter. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council-
Jeff Holbert, 1118 4th Street, Belpre appeared before council regarding Notices on Delinquent Taxes. His concern was that these notices are being sent out to citizens who haven’t lived in the City of Belpre for a number of years. His concern also was the statement that there was a warrant for your arrest.
Laura Holbert, 1118 4th Street, Belpre spoke also on the same matter.
After some discussion the couple was informed that this was not a council matter and would have to be discussed with the City Auditor and City Law Director.
Adjourn
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:20PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.