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 Miss Martin and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the November 10, 2014 meeting was Councilperson Mr. Martin.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand 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 27, 2014, 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 presented his report.
On October 28th we crowned a new Miss Belpre in Bloom. This was a lot of fun and will be interesting working with the new queen in the upcoming Year. Miss Megan Collins is our new Belpre in Bloom for 2015 and I am sure she will represent Belpre with energy and grace.
Trick or Treat has come and gone with no incidents. Our police officers kept a constant presence during the evening. Thanks to all of those who gave up an evening at home to help.
Saturday November 1st my wife and I were honored to take part in an Eagle Scout Ceremony for Justin Hensley and Alex Matheny were awarded the rank of Eagle. Both scouts completed projects that benefited Belpre. We have another scout wanting to complete a project for the city being planned at this time. The strong spirit of scouting in Belpre should be obvious to all that pay attention to improvements in town. Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are very active and interested in our cities health.
Thursday November 6th our Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bohio Restaurant. These folks are trying very hard to provide us a clean and attractive new business. Hopefully all will give them a visit.
Our new Government Teacher at the high school Katie Pintz and I have confirmed December 8th as Government Day in our city. As we plan or discuss legislation please keep this in mind, as it will probably be the last meeting in 2014.
The city has received the new cruiser council had appropriated for this year. It is in the shop at this time being marked. Hopefully I can make it available for our next meeting for all to inspect. Council should feel proud of the improvements made in our city to not only provide services but safe and dependable equipment for our employees.
Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson stated that council should have received two emails from me regarding small storm water change from ½ acre to 1 acre and the other one regarding inoperable vehicles. Mr. Ferguson requested that this be assigned to committee. Mr. Neff assigned storm water change to Rules Committee, Mrs. Miller, Chairman. Inoperable vehicles had already been assigned to the Rules Committee.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that she had received an amazing opportunity for our area. Ann Bonner w/Ohio Department of Natural Resources is presenting the freshman course of the Tree Academy. Ms. Bonner would like this information passed on to anyone interested in the tree canopy. The course will be held on December 3rd and 4th at a cost of $25. Anyone wishing to attend can get an application from the Mayor or myself.
The Utility Adjustment Report is on-line for your review. At this time I would like council to approve the Utility Adjustment Report. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Treasurer Miss Martin reported that a copy of the Cash Report for October is on-line for viewing. A signed copy has been given to the clerk. At this time I would like council to approve the Cash Report for October. Ms. Abdella made a motion to approve the Treasurers Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned to committee HVAC to the Finance/Audit Committee and On-line City Utility Bills to Finance/Audit Committee. Assigned to Police and Fire Committee was AIR EVAC LIFETEAM.
At this time, Mr. Neff recognized Chris Pedersen with Air Evac Lifeteam. Mr. Pedersen explained that this business announced that any individual whom resides within the boundaries of Belpre, Ohio when transported for medical necessity by Air Evac Lifeteam (for any AirMedCare Network Provider) will be covered under the standard terms and conditions for an AirMedCare Network membership. Further discussion regarding this topic will be held during the Police and Fire Committee meeting.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss HVAC (heating and air conditioning for this building). As you all can feel there is a little nip in the air this evening. At this time I would like to make a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first readingAN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW HEARING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE BELPRE CITY BUILDING WITHOUT FORMAL BIDDING AND ADVERTISING, AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR AND SSD TO EXECUTE A TAX-EXEMPT LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ESCROW AGREEMENT, AND DECLARING A REAL AND PRESENT EMERGENCY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO ON-LINE PAYMENT OF CITY UTILITY BILLS. Brief discussion followed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that he had reviewed and will sign off on the monthly bank reconciliation before leaving the building this evening.
Mr.. Gilbert, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Gilbert stated that the Manpower assignment still appeared under his list of assignments. This was completed at the last meeting and will be removed.
Mr. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer Committee 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 had no report for the Economic Development Committee. Mr. Newberry stated that he was present at the Economic Development Town Talk.
Mrs. Miller had no report for the Rules Committee. Mrs. Miller called a committee meeting at 7:00 on November 24th to discuss inoperable vehicles and storm water.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDIANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2015. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS ITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A PART-TIME SANITARIAN. 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 AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS ITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A PART-TIME SANITARIAN. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS ITY-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 10, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW HEARING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE BELPRE CITY BUILDING WITHOUT FORMAL BIDDING AND ADVERTISING, AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR AND SSD TO EXECUTE A TAX-EXEMPT LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ESCROW AGREEMENT, AND DECLARING A REAL AND PRESENT EMERGENCY. 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 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW HEARING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE BELPRE CITY BUILDING WITHOUT FORMAL BIDDING AND ADVERTISING, AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR AND SSD TO EXECUTE A TAX-EXEMPT LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ESCROW AGREEMENT, AND DECLARING A REAL AND PRESENT EMERGENCY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW HEARING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR THE BELPRE CITY BUILDING WITHOUT FORMAL BIDDING AND ADVERTISING, AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR AND SSD TO EXECUTE A TAX-EXEMPT LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ESCROW AGREEMENT, AND DECLARING A REAL AND PRESENT EMERGENCY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 12, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO ON-LINE PAYMENT OF CITY UTILITY BILLS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council of three different days to allow to the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO ON-LINE PAYMENT OF CITY UTILITY BILLS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO ON-LINE PAYMENT OF CITY UTILITY BILLS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 11, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evenings meeting. Mr. Martin had to work late and was unable to make it in time for the meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff went over the Assignments of Committee.
Mr. Gilbert called a Police and Fire Committee meeting for November 24, 2014 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing AirMedCare.
Ms. Abdella asked about the Dog Warden assigned to committee. Mayor Lorentz to check about and get back with her.
Mr. Webster discussed the engineering of Rte. 7 Sewer Line Project. The contract has been reviewed with no approval at this time. Also there is no money authorized to spend at this time. We are in the process for looking for grants to pay for engineering. The contract needs signed and sent in. At this time Mr. Neff assigned the Engineering Agreement w/Burgess & Niples to the Finance/Audit Committee. Ms. Abdella asked for a voice vote to approve an unfunded contract with Burgess and Niples. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Chief Sinnett stated that the flag at the fire department was flying in recognition of our Veterans.
Persons Appearing Before Council-
Albert Nelson, 613 Lambert Street addressed council about honoring teachers that lived on Elm Street as Teacher Boulevard. He is not asking to change the name of the street however he would like a plaque to show honor to all the teachers that lived on this street.
Eric Sinnett, 927 Belrock, addressed council regarding AirMedCare. Mr. Sinnett stated that this company does an outstanding job of transporting patients in need. He stated that it would be a real value to the city.
Mrs. Marshall recognized her granddaughter for her community service that she has done. Mrs. Marshall stated that she is now collecting coats. If anyone has any coats that they would like to donate to help our community, please contact Mrs. Marshall.
Adjourn
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:12. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.