Belpre City Council Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City ofBelpre,Ohiowas called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at7:30 p.m.with Mr. Neff welcoming everyone to this evening’s meeting. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Newberry, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett and Mr. Wallace present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from theSeptember 23, 2013meeting was City Auditor Miss Pittenger and Council person Mr. Martin.
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 Mr. Neff.
A motion was made by Mrs. Marshall to accept the minutes ofSeptember 09, 2013as 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 September 10th we held the grand opening for Building 2 at the Marietta Memorial Complex. It was good to see council members in attendance to welcome the new doctors. Building 3 is well underway as well as theFarson Street expansion.
September 11th was the formal kick-off for the Mid-Ohio-Valley United Way Fund raising. The City ofBelpre reaps the benefits of this organization in many ways. I encourage all of council to participate as best you can. The goal for 2013 campaign is $730,000.00.
On September 16th I again met with the interested parties that want our sewer line extended north to the Eramet area on Rt. 7. As it stands now there are six companies wanting our services, and have agreed to pay the initial engineering fees we need to proceed. All parties are aware that Belpre will have no responsibility for costs to make this happen. Billing and maintenance issues will be discussed as we move to final resolution or planning. This is on the West side of 7, near the railroad track.
Council, I would like for you to start the supplemental tonight so that plans can start on the slip and other needs that have come up.
The Hagemeyer Corporation along with theUnited Waywill hold the first Kids Fest in Howe’sGrovePark. They are expecting 200 or more kids to show up for treats as well as some of the agencies will be here for information gathering. All food and games are free to those attending. The event will beOctober 19, 2013from the hours of9AMuntil2PM.
Trick or Treat is October 31st from6 to7:30 in Belpre,Parkersburg andVienna.
State Representative Debbie Phillips held a Roundtable discussion on September 23rd at 10 AM in the Belpre Public Library meeting room. Mr. Newberry and I were in attendance.
Eric Sinnett has been voted in as Fire chief by our department. Before adjourning tonight I would like to swear him in as Chief, Jenny Price as Squad Captain, and Tony Cronin as Assistant Chief.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson had no report other than he received a cell phone message that asked him to turn on the air. He apologized for the message.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absence. No report was given in her absence.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that the clerk has received the corrected sheets changing the incorrect date on the Residency of the Police Officers from the Walter Drane Company. Mr. Webster commented on the Mayors Report by stating that the Sewer line extension is a joint operation. There are two businesses that have been sited by the EPA. Additional parties may join. The volume won’t overwhelm the facility. Four out of the six businesses have paid the Port Authority for the sewer lines.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report. Mr. McAfee reminded everyone about the Apple Butter Stir-Off on October 12th and 13th.
Communications and Petitions:
Assigned to Committee was the following:
Finance/Audit Committee – Ms. Abdella – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 147.05 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES REGARDING THE FIRE CHIEF and A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATIONS.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee had no report. Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 147.05 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES REGARDING THE FIRE CHIEF. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except for Mr. Sinnett whom abstained due to a conflict of interest.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee announced that his committee met at7PMthis evening to discuss the 80/20 Squad Billing for MCA. Everyone in attendance was in favor of drawing up legislation changing the MCA Contract to the FD Inc. Mr. Martin was not in attendance. Ms. Abdella would like more information on what the money will be used for and what responsibility the City will still have. Mr. Sinnett stated that the Clandestine Lab would be discussed at the next meeting.
Mr. Wallace, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Economic Development Committee had no report.
Mr. Newberry reported that he had received a letter fromDexterUnitedMethodistChurchstating that they are no longer interested in theMemoryGardens. Also I would like to remind everyone of our committee meeting onOctober 14, 2013at6:30 PMfor the purpose of discussing Payment of Local Income Tax.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Newberry brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Newberry moved this be Ordinance 27, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. 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 third reading of RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 33, 2012-2013 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 AMENDING SECTION 147.05 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES REGARDING THE FIRE CHIEF. 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 AMENDING SECTION 147.05 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES REGARDING THE FIRE CHIEF. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 147.05 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES REGARDING THE FIRE CHIEF. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 28, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that as a Legislative Authority he was changing the chairperson of two committees. The chairperson for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer will be Mr. Sinnett and the chairperson for Police and Fire will be Mr. Wallace. A voice vote by Mr. Neff was done to confirm the assignment.
At this time Mayor Lorentz swore in Mr. Eric Sinnett as Volunteer Fire Chief for the City ofBelpre. Mayor Lorentz stated that Mr. Sinnett was elected by his piers at the Fire Department.
Jenny Price was sworn in as Squad Captain and Tony Cronin was sworn in as Assistant Chief.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evening’s meeting. Mr. Martin contacted Mr. Neff and stated that he was out of town and was driving home from work and he was almost positive that he would not make it back for the meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Congratulation was said by all to the newly elected appointments to the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:10. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.