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: Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Newberry, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett and Mr. Wallace present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from theSeptember 09, 2013meeting was Council persons Ms. Abdella and 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 ofAugust 26, 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.
Council, it is my intention as you know to return to a volunteer fire chief. If the legislation or manpower needs changed I ask that this be discussed and sent to committee for approval. The Fire Department has elected Eric Sinnett as Chief and I need to recommend him to council for approval.
Mr. Ferguson and I will start negotiations with the Police Department the first of October, with the AFSCME contract shortly after. Chief Clevenger is gathering information for us to start the process of hiring an officer and dispatcher for his department. Bad news came to us on Friday when one of our attorneys inColumbuscalled to say that Cheri Hass our attorney had fell to her death while rock climbing and died. Our heartfelt prayers go out to Cheri’s family.
Our application for Ohio Public Works is in as of September 5th. This is Drag Strip, portions of Blennerhassett, Rich Miller, andDepot St. Today I met with contractors and the county engineer to discuss the repairs needed now to hold the slip until roadway repairs can be made. My recommendation is before you in appropriations tonight. Both the engineer and contractor believe this amount will be sufficient to cover the repairs.
Open House for the new medical building is tomorrow night from5PMuntil7PM. I encourage all to attend and pay attention to all the improvements and construction in this area.
Tomorrow night after5:00PMwater will be shut-off onFarson StreetandNorris Avenuefor approximately two hours. There will be a boil advisory in effect for the next 48 hours.
Over the past several days there has been a lot of confusion over phone calls received regarding our electric. These calls are coming from anAEPRetail company not ourAEPCompany. They are informing customers that their rates are cheaper. If you receive any of these calls please let them know that your electric is aggregated throughout the city. If you choose to go withAEPRetail then that is your decision.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson suggested that council might consider adding $3,000 for message signs that are put out on the highway on the appropriations. I am not in favor of this however this is what they are saying. I am going to talk with Debbie Fought at ODOT regarding this issue. I feel that this is a charge that should be incurred by ODOT. I am not signing this as I disagree with the charge.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that next week there are four members from Belpre in Bloom that is going toOrlando,Florida for the Annual Symposium. I hope that we can come back with good information for all our services. Also, before you tonight is the Utility Adjustment Report for August that needs council approval. At this time, Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the Utility Adjustment Report for the Month of August as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that we will be having the second reading on AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. Mr. Newberry brought it to my attention that he located an incorrect date on the Residency of the Police Officers. Walter Drane has been contacted of the error. Changes will be made and a new sheet will be sent to the clerk from the Walter Drane Company. Once the sheet is received we will replace it with the existing sheet.
I would like to thank the Mayor for supporting Jr. Baseball on Saturday morning. The Mayor’s grandson is playing this year and he was there to support him.
Mr. Webster told Mr. Ferguson that he doesn’t have the legislation onDrag Strip Roadas of yet. There is some question as to where the city owns. I will look at the legal description and let you know.
There is a question regarding the Manpower Ordinance for our Fire Chief. I think we can just appoint a chief and not fill the position at this time. Our new fire chief will be notified and sworn in at the next regular meeting of council. Mr. Ferguson is to review the Manpower Ordinance.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the August Treasurer’s Report is before you this evening and is awaiting approval by council. Mr. Wallace made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. The Apple Butter Stir-Off will be held the second weekend in October. The dates will be October 12th and 13th. The Belpre Lions Club Pancake Breakfast will be held this Saturday from7AM until11:00 AM. All is welcome.
Communications and Petitions:
Assigned to Committee was the Supplemental Appropriations for 2013 to Finance/Audit Committee and Changes to Squad Run Billing to Police and Fire Committee.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee was absent. No report given.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Sinnett called a Police and Fire Committee meeting forSeptember 23, 2013at7:00 PMfor the purpose of discussing MCA Contract and Clandestine Drug Labs.
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. Mrs. Marshall announced that this Saturday there will be a gathering from12PM – 4PMatCivitanPark. There will ten churches joining together to show the community how they can work together. There will be Gospel Music at the Gazebo.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee. Mr. Newberry called a committee meeting for October 14, 2013 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing Payment of Local Income Tax and Memory Gardens.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
New Business:
Mr. Newberry brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINACNES 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Donna Miller,2710 Underwood Drive, Belpre appeared before council with questions regarding gas and electric aggregation.
Doug Hess,813 Walnut Streetinformed council that he was proud to be a resident of Belpre for 20 years.
Miss Pittenger told council that in order for us to pass 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 in a timely manner we should have the first reading on this legislation this evening.
Mr. Neff assigned 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 to the Finance/Audit Committee.
Mr. Wallace made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda 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.
Mr. Wallace brought before council for first 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin and Ms. Abdella from this evenings meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Pittenger recognized two Government Students fromBelpreHigh Schoolthat are with us this evening. She welcomed the students.
Mr. Robinson thanked the Mayor for advising the community of the water shut-off on Farson andNorris Avenueand the boil advisory. Mr. Robinson advised the citizens of the turn lane onFarson Street.
Mr. Sinnett asked Mr. Ferguson about turn lane signs.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:10. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.