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. Mr. Neff called the roll with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mr. Gilbert, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Newberry and Mr. Robinson present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Miss Martin and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the March 24, 2014 meeting was Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson.
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.
Mr. Neff asked for a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of March 10, 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’s Report:
The executive committee and the county committee for Ohio Public Works met in Marietta on March 13th. After the meeting I am convinced we cannot be funded the way it is set up. This year’s grant cycle will tell the tale.
March 19th I met with the Southeastern Ohio Solid Waste Representative to discuss a dumpsite starting on Drag Strip Road. We also discussed the recycle bin off Washington Boulevard. We are preparing signs to post at both sites and will levy heavy fines to anyone littering or violating the rules. This is the last step before the dumpster disappears. Hopefully Rob and I can negotiate more frequent change outs or another container.
Chief Clevenger, Officer Kirby and I started the interview process to hire a police officer. As you know we are losing an officer soon, for a better career opportunity.
Today I attended a roundtable discussion with our State Representative Debbie Phillips. Questions asked of Debbie today ranged from the unified income tax issue to drug intervention and unemployment issues.
Mayor Lorentz asked for a voice vote by council authorizing the United Way Grants for the Senior Center and the Recreation Department. Mr. Neff informed the clerk to note that Mr. Martin is now in attendance. Mr. Neff called for the voice vote authorizing the Mayor to file for United Way Grants for the Senior Center and the Recreation Department. The roll was called with all members of council present voting aye.
Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger had no report.
City Law Director Mr. Webster was late in attendance. No report was given.
Treasurer Miss Martin was absent. No report was given.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced that he had received an invitation to the Founder’s Day Dinner that will be held April 8th, 2014 at 6:00 PM at the Belpre Historical Society.
Also received was a Copy of the Olden Eagle
Mr. Neff assigned to the Police and Fire Committee, the Care and Sustenance of Prisoners.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met on March 19th, 2014 for the purpose of discussing the Appropriations, Manpower legislation and the Part-time Sanitarian. Changes were made to the appropriations. There was a reduction to the beautification line item and a change to the line item for the fire department for equipment. At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2014. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Gilbert reported that the Police and Fire Committee met at 5:45 PM on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 to discuss the addition to the Manpower Ordinance and Clandestine Drug Lab. I didn’t receive any information on the Clandestine Drug Lab so there wasn’t anything discussed on that topic. According to Mr. Gilbert this was a carry over from last year and it would be reassigned at a later time. Also discussed was an additional patrolman for the police department. This will be an on going discussion so we will have additional meetings on this topic as we will have to involve other committees. Mr. Neff informed the clerk to remove the Clandestine Drug Lab and Abandoned Vehicles from the committee assignments.
Mr. Martin had no report for Streets, Sidewalks & Storm Sewer Committee.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mrs. Marshall had no report 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 had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2014. Discussion followed. There was some confusion as to the beautification line item. There was a point of clarification that the beautification line item was not for Belpre in Bloom. This line item was for swing sets, concrete pads, trashcans, and permanent structures in our parks. Ms. Pittenger wanted everyone to know that it is not going to plants, mulch, etc. Mrs. Miller feels that the citizens have a right to know what the money is going for.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to amend the line item back to $10,000. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except for Mrs. Miller and Mr. Robinson whom voted nay. Motion passed.
A vote was taken on the second reading of ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2014as amended. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mrs. Miller and Mr. Robinson whom voted nay. Motion passed.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the third reading of an ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2014. Mr. Webster stated that the appropriations have to be in place by March 31, 2014 or nothing can be paid. Additional meetings can be called until everyone is in agreement. Mr. Neff stated that changes could be made to the appropriations all year. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Motion passed.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2014. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 4, 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 ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2014. Discussion followed. 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: Hearing none the Public Forum was closed.
Miss Pittenger requested the following transfers from the General Fund 101. They are as follows:
- GF 101 to Street 202 – $120,000.
- GF 101 to Parks 401 – $110,000.
- GF 101 to Pool 601 – $60,000.
Miss Pittenger asked for approval by council. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Transfer of Funds. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Webster stated that the Mayor and the Law Director’s Office continues to communicate the dumpster issues in the park. They are working on a solution to the problem. There is trash being put in the dumpsters that should not be along with carcasses. Mrs. Miller stated that these are all health issues. The dumpster is meant for re-cycling not garbage. Mayor Lorentz is to put signs on the re-cycling box.
Ms. Abdella asked if the re-cycling bins could be moved to a locked area with times set for re-cycling.
Mrs. Marshall announced that her Uncle Dek Mayle passed away this week. Mr. Mayle was a long time business owner in the City of Belpre.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:20PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.