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, and Mr. Newberry present. Also present were Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Prosecutor Mr. Webster, Treasurer Miss Martin and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the August 11, 2014 meeting was Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, Councilpersons Mrs. Marshall and Mr. Robinson. 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. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the minutes of July 28, 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 was absent. No report was given in his absence. Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson reported that CSX is working on the Railroad Crossings. They started on Drag Strip and Middle Street today. They will continue working on this area tomorrow moving on to Pomeroy Pike on Thursday and Friday. They are going to take out two tracks that make up the Pomeroy Pike tracks. Avoid these areas at all possible. The following week they plan to do tracks within the city, replacing 12,000 railroad ties within the city. I spoke to Lisa Sevecki from Burgess and Niples regarding putting together the OPWC Grant. This grant is to extent a 10-inch waterline from Rich Miller to Mary Street on to Farson Street boring underneath the highway at the Farson Street area to Hanvey. The total cost of this project is $320,000 that includes the drawing, pre-construction, permission by EPA, etc. The hospital area on Farson has low water pressure and this would certainly improve the water pressure in the entire area. With us this evening is representatives from Washington State Community College. Later on in the meeting we will introduce these folks and tell why they are with us this evening. City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence. City Law Director Mr. Webster was absent. City Prosecutor had no report for the Law Director’s Office. Treasurer Miss Martin reported that the Cash Report for Period 7 is online for viewing. A signed copy has been presented to the clerk. We now must have the approval of council. Mr. Gilbert made a motion to accept the Cash Report, as it appears online. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Communications and Petitions: none Report of Standing Committee: Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss the city bus line, sale of tower and an additional police officer. At this time there is no action to be taken on the sale of the tower therefore I would like to have it removed from the committees agenda. The Safety-Service Director will bring it back up at a later time if needed. The committee has decided to do a survey regarding the city bus line to see how many residents are interested if we would bring it to town. Last but not least was the discussion regarding an additional police officer? There was a great discussion regarding the additional police officer. The Safety-Service Director is going to gather some information and get back with us in a few days. Mr. Gilbert, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Gilbert reminded council of his committee meeting on August 25th, 2014 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing Clandestine Drug lab and Golf Carts in the city. Mr. Martin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer Committee had no report. Mr. Robinson was absent. No report was given for the Utilities Committee. Mrs. Marshall was absent. No report was given for the Parks and Recreation Committee. Mr. Newberry had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee. Mr. Newberry had no report for the Economic Development Committee. Mrs. Miller reported that the Rules Committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss electronic communication. Due to timing the meeting will continue after the regular meeting of council. Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None Unfinished Business: none New Business: Mrs. Miller brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENET CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mrs. Miller moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENET CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mrs. Miller brought before council for second and third readings AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENET CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mrs. Miller moved this be Ordinance 8, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Gilbert brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF TITLE TO 1984 FORD FIRE ENGINE/PUMPER. 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 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF TITLE TO 1984 FORD FIRE ENGINE/PUMPER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Gilbert brought before council for second and third readings AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF TITLE TO 1984 FORD FIRE ENGINE/PUMPER. Discussion followed. Ms. Abdella stated that she understands the program but I would like for you to explain the program to our community. Brad Eversol, President of Center for Public Safety, spoke briefly about the program at Washington State. The 1984 Ford Fire Engine/Pumper will be used when training Volunteer Fire Fighters. Mr. Burdett, Director of Public Safety stated that he would be giving a 36-hour certification class for volunteer firefighters to enhance their training capabilities. Mr. Ferguson introduced the other distinguished members of Washington State that was with us tonight and welcomed them to our meeting. He introduced the following: Dr. Nutter, Claudia Owens, and Mr. Gary Williams and his wife. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Gilbert moved this be Ordinance 9, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Ms. Abdella asked if this transfer happens immediately or within 30 days due to the emergency clause. Mr. Neff stated that it would happen immediately. Chief Sinnett, recognized Mark Wile for putting this into motion. Chief Sinnett presented Mr. Eversol with a set of keys to the Engine/Pump. Persons Appearing Before Council- Mr. Dave Cedars, 124 Maple Street appeared before council with concerns of citizens going the wrong direction on a one-way street. This problem was referred to Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Martin made a motion to excuse Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Marshall from this evenings meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mrs. Miller announced that following our last meeting of council Mr. Newberry and myself visited the new fire station. The new facility is very nice. They will be having an open house in the near future. Mrs. Miller stated that a citizen approached her about putting a height sign limit on the tressel where they had the bad accident the other day. Mrs. Miller was informed that one already exists. Mrs. Miller reminded council that we would continue with the Rules Committee meeting after we adjourn from our regular scheduled meeting. Adjourn: Mr. Gilbert made a motion to adjourn. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
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