Belpre City Council Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio was called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Neff called the roll with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mr. Gilbert, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Martin, 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.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Council President Mr. Neff.
Mr. Neff welcomed everyone to tonight’s meeting and recognized Miss Kylie Martin as the new City Treasurer, Mr. Gilbert as Third Ward Councilman and Mrs. Donna Miller as Council at Large. I hope this council dedicates them selves to working diligently for the Citizens of Belpre.
Mr. Neff appointed Kim Meredith as the Council Clerk for the 2014-2015 terms. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff assigned the committee for 2014-2015. Roll was called with all members of council present voting aye except Mr. Martin whom voted nay.
A motion was made by Ms. Abdella to accept the minutes of January 13, 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:
On Tuesday December 11th I met in Marietta with the Urban Paving representatives to discuss the upcoming needs for our city. The four lanes from corporation line to corporation line will be re-surfaced as well as Washington Blvd. from the west line to the BelpreBridge. Main Street from the BelpreBridge to the northern limits also gets re-surfaced. There are also modifications to be made to bridge ramps. For us to prepare our crew must rebuild some joints both in Main Street and Washington Blvd and install curb ramps that meet today’s specifications. If all this work is completed as scheduled it will encumber something over $400,000.00 for the cities share. This does not cover the joints or curb ramps, ODOT estimates the curb cuts and ramps to be approximately $100,000.00 to install or correct.
Hopefully the slip on Drag strip Road is repaired to the point it can now be re-surfaced in the near future. David Shaffer is attempting to get estimates for us to pave this spring. Without the OPWC money it will be limited as to how much we can do. On February 3rd I meet with ODOT and W.W.W to discuss the bridge approaches and upcoming improvements. Hopefully by our next meeting I will have preliminary numbers and pictures of what is being recommended.
Mr. McCauley and I have been reviewing the contract between the city and Kimble to hopefully begin the recycle program. At this point there are no new developments to share with council.
CSX Rail called to announce that their Crossing Crew should be in our city during July. Although the schedule could slip they are planning improvements to all crossings in town. Inconveniences could be just over one week to complete.
Upcoming Events for council should include the TOWN TALK with our elected officials. The topic is economic development and the business climate within our city. Congressman Bill Johnson, State Senator Lou Gentile and State Rep Debbie Phillips will be among the speakers for the two hour event. Local Industry and Business owners will have information booths set up for you to view and ask questions.
These being a new year cause us to re-new or replace some of our commission members. For 2014 the Civil Service Board will remain the same with Karen Waller, John Underwood, and Darwin Mayle.
Our Health Board will remain the same with just one addition and or change. This board is comprised of Joel Whittaker with Unicorn Wine Guild is our food service rep, Karen Matthews, Linda Boso, Dr. Thomas Barrett, and a new member Stan Neff from Kroger’s. Planning and Zoning Appeal will be comprised of David Ferguson, Marian Duvall, and me. We are in the process of adding a couple more names as time allows.
Safety Service Director Mr. Ferguson welcomed all new members on council. Note was sent to summarize letters from Volunteer Energy Services, Inc. to residents and businesses that are not part of the aggregation. This has nothing to do with gas. There is a website that we can go to when we are talking about electrical and gas pricing. PUCO-(Apples to Apples). There are 57 different suppliers that we can purchase electricity from. I have a copy with me tonight if anyone would like to see it.
The Mayor received a letter this week from FEMA Organization regarding the Flood Plane for the City of Belpre. They will be making some very minor adjustments to our current Flood Plane Ordinance.
On your desk is a current list of Belpre Volunteer Fire Department Members. I believe we can have a voice vote to approve for insurance and workman’s comp. There is also a report of runs for Calendar Year 2013 for the BVFD. This letter also contained a break down of all squad and fire runs during 2013. Total Squad Runs were 1,180 and Fire Runs were 1,311.
As you probably noticed there is a 4% increase in water rates beginning with the January 2014 bill.
There is a Manpower Ordinance before you this evening. I would like council to consider moving Steve Lowe from Parks Manger to the Street Department. The departments work hand in hand. (Labor 2- (S4)) Miss Pittenger asked if Mr. Lowe was aware that this goes into the union. According to Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Lowe was aware of this. We hired James Hickman to fill the position that was vacated. In addition to the Manpower Ordinance I would like (1) Police Officer with (1) additional patrolman. With the amount of over time given it should account for the hiring of additional police patrolman.
In addition I have placed on your desk a copy of Employee Electronic Communication that I would like to be assigned. In addition I would like the following assigned: Washington Soil & Water Conservation District, Part-Time Sanitarian, Care of Sustenance of Prisoners, BlennerhassettIslandHistoricalState Park, and CSX.
We have finished our Civil Service Testing and we are currently conducting interviews for dispatchers. Welcome everyone to 2014.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that the note that the city had on the water tank expired on the 10th of this month. In order to re-finance the note on the water tank council must approve at tonight’s meeting. We received one citation on the State Auditor’s report due to one line item being over by $1,000. A copy of the December 2013 Adjustment Report is before you this evening and is awaiting council approval. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the December 2013 Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that the City Prosecutor came down with the flu and was unable to complete his Annual Report for this evening. It will be presented at the next meeting. We continue to have issues with municipal court hearings. Several calls have been made to Kimball’s attorney but we have yet to hear back from them.
AssociateCity Law Director Mr. Webster introduced himself to new members of council and informed them of his role on council. He also addressed Legislation on the new tablets. He asked guidance on how his office needs to move on with this new set up. Mr. McCauley also addressed public access issues.
Mr. Webster brought up council communication among all council also.
Ms. Abdella suggested that the Rules Committee call a meeting to get all the above issues worked out and to outline how things should operate.
Treasurer Miss Martin presented the Cash Report for the City of Belpre, Fiscal Year(s): 2013-2013. The report is online with the attachment. At this time, Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Cash Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned the following legislation to committee.
1. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTE TO REFINANCE A NOTE FOR A WATER TANK – Finance/Audit Ms. Abdella.
2. A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF NAT’L CHURCH RESIDENCES APPLICATION FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS. – Economic Development – Mr. Newberry
Kristin Hoffman was at the council meeting to discuss questions that council may have regarding the renovation project. This project is a 7 million dollar renovation project. Discussion followed.
3. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRESENIORCENTER – Recreation – Mrs. Marshall.
4. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2014 – Finance/Audit Ms. Abdella
5. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT – Planning and Zoning – Mr. Newberry
6. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BLENNERHASSETTISLAND HISTORICAL STATE PARK – Recreation – Mrs. Marshall.
7. AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A WRITTEN POLICY REGARDING CITY EMPLOYEES USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. – Rules – Mrs. Miller
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee had no report. Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s meeting for first reading AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUEANE OF A NOTE TO RE-FINANCE A NOTE FOR A WATER TANK. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Ms. Abdella called a committee meeting for January 27, 2014 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of discussing the Manpower Ordinance.
Mr. Gilbert had no report for Police and Fire Committee.
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 Parks and Recreation Committee. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mrs. Marshall also made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND HISTORICAL STATE PARK. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Newberry had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee. Mr. Newberry made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Economic Development Committee. Mr. Newberry made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF NAT’L CHURCH RESIDENCES APPLICATION FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff assigned to Rules Committee Employee Electronic Communication. This meeting has been called for all members of council to attend.
Mrs. Miller had no report for the Rules Committee. Mrs. Miller called a Rules Committee meeting for January 22, 2014 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing Employee Electronic Communication. Mr. Webster suggested that someone contact the Ohio Municipal League regarding Employee Electronic Communication.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: none
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTE TO RE-FINANCE A NOTE FOR A WATER TANK. Discussion followed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTE TO RE-FINANCE A NOTE FOR A WATER TANK.A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTE TO RE-FINANCE A NOTE FOR A WATER TANK. Discussion followed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 1, 2014-2015 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. Mr. Neff asked for the timeline. Mr. Ferguson said the normal three readings would be fine. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND HISTORICAL STATE PARK. Discussion followed regarding the landing being secure. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Newberry brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF NAT’L CHURCH RESIDENCES APPLICATION FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Newberry brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SSD TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. 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:
Mr. Bill Locke, 726 Tuttle Street appeared before council regarding a question on the Water Tank Refinancing. Miss Pittenger explained the balloon payment. The option was to refinance or pay for it all now. It makes more since for the budget to refinance.
Miss Pittenger directed a question to Mr. Sinnett regarding the BVFD roster. Should Mr. Wiggins be added to the BVFD since he does squad runs throughout the day? Mr. Wiggins is a city employee however we need to have all angles covered. Mr. Sinnett stated that he would add Mr. Wiggins to the roster of the BVFD. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to approve the amended roster. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Ferguson spoke briefly about the outstanding business that Bill and Karen Locke have in town. Karen stated that RCC is a Club. It is very family oriented. I invite you all to stop by sometime.
Mayor Lorentz informed council that there is a flier on your desk this evening regarding the Belpre Economic “Town Talk” I would like to see members of council attend this meeting.