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. Martin, Mr. Newberry, Mr. Robinson, 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 the meeting was Council person Mr. Sinnett.

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 ofJuly 22, 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 presented his report.

Mr. Webster and I have tried to communicate the progress and or size of our Mayor’s Court. To put it into prospective here are some statistics. Since September of 2009 Capitol Recovery has collected $44,492.00 in fines. Still owed to us this day is $270,233.00 plus the recovery fees of $81,000.00.

On the 26^th I met with Representative Phillips, Senator Gentile and the Port Authority’s Terry Tamburini for a tour of Kraton. As you know Kraton is going through a period of huge improvements and projects to better make them competitive in a global market. Energy rates and pending legislation for the same is a major concern to large electrical users.

We are fast approaching the grant cycle for Issue 2 monies. The OPWC grant is due the first week of September and we are joining the county engineer and Beverly with a consolidated effort to obtain funding. Legislation needs approval for us to make the deadline. As far as we can tell Belpre has a competitive list and should score well. The three entities met today so to make sure all information was complete so far.

The Belpre Church of Christ celebrated 80 years of service to our community on August 4^th along with honoring Pastor Ron Laughery who has served as Pastor there for 40 Years. My wife and I were guests and I was honored to be one of the speakers for their celebration.

The Belpre Pools last day for the season will be on the 18^th of August as the first day of school is August 20^th.

If you receive complaints from residents about the fire department calling for ambulance billing please let them know it is not the fire department. MCA is calling just for insurance information only. Mr. Ferguson and I talked with representatives from MCA to assure this problem was solved.

On Wednesday of last week we did a final walk down ofFarson Street. This work is to start this week along with the new gas lines onMain Street. If you can avoid these areas it would be to your advantage as well as the construction workers. On Friday I met with WTAP to further alert everyone of the congestion. To further add to the delaysParkersburgis closing one lane of theMemorialBridgethrough October for painting.

Our Belpre Health Board met on Friday to discuss a representative for the licensing board. Dr. Joel Whitaker has agreed to fill this position and Stan Neff from Kroger’s has agreed to join the board also. Council I need a voice vote on record to accept Dr. Whitaker. The council also needs to approve Mr. Ferguson since he holds the license for the pool. The city has only two licenses one food and one for the pool since mobile home parks were deferred to the state. You have a detailed explanation of our needs on your desk.

Mr. Ferguson, Mike Betz and I will meet again tomorrow to discuss the options of extending sewer lines north to Blue Knob road. As reported many businesses need service in this area. As this progresses and costs come in I will report all back to council.

Also recognized was Joyce Lorentz as Grand Marshall for the Homecoming.

Ms. Abdella made a motion to approve Joel Whitaker as a representative for the licensing board and Mr. Ferguson for the license for the Belpre Pool.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson reported that theMemorialBridge will be down to one lane for painting that will last through October.

The Dominion Gas line should have started today onMain Streetand the Farson Street Project should have also started today.

Since school will be starting the Belpre Pool will be closing for the season.  There will be a Doggie Swim onAugust 21, 2013from5:30-7:30 PMfor dogs to swim.  The cost of the swim is $5.00.  Each dog must have proof of vaccination or a current dog license.  No aggressive dogs.  Aggressive dogs will be asked to leave.  No humans in the pool.  Children in the pool area must be supervised by an adult.  The Doggie Swim is presented by Marietta Family YMCA and the City ofBelpre.

Marvin Blake is here with us this evening to discuss a matter later on in the meeting.

School will begin on August 20^th.  I encourage all motorists to be cautious when entering a school zone.

There is a Computer, TV take back onColgate Drivenear the recycling area behind DOT from9-4PMon Saturday.

Should anyone receive calls from MCA being demanding please call me.  The issue has been addressed and we believe it has been taken care of however the calls coming through stated they are with the fire department.

I recently sat in on a meeting for the Implementation of the new 211 System inWashingtonCounty.  This system is being implemented for Social Services.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that the tax department sent the Mayor 11 warrants for signature.  These warrants will be sent out for unpaid taxes.

On Friday there were over 700 names sent out for delinquent taxes for 2011. We are finding out that there were coding errors.  Some of the reasons were that they were valid taxpayers but they had retired.

As Mr. Ferguson stated the Doggy Swim will be held on Wednesday at5:30for owners to bring their dogs for a swim.  Admission will be $5.00

Before you this evening is the July 2013 Utility Adjustment Report awaiting Council Approval.  At this time, Mr. Marshall made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of Council present voting aye.

City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that the communication involving the progress and or size of our Mayor’s Court is not me; it is the other Mr. Webster.  The contract involving the new fire station has been revised and sent on for signature.  Once we have the signature construction should begin.

Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the July 2013 Treasurer’s Report is before you tonight and is awaiting council approval.  Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the July 2013 Treasurer’s Report as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Communications and Petitions:

Mr. Neff reported that he has distributed to council a copy of the Ohio Public Works legislation to Finance/Audit Committee.  This needs acted upon this evening.  Assigned to the Rules Committee was the Codified Ordinance along with a bill that was presented to the City Auditor.  Also received from the Ohio Municipal League was notification of their Annual Conference to be held September 26 and 27^th, 2013.

Report of Standing Committee:

Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee had no report for the Finance/Audit Committee.  Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS/S AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee was absent.  No report was given in his absence.

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 had no report.

Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report. Mrs. Marshall called a Committee Meeting for August 26^th, 2013 at7:00 PM for the purpose of discussing Abandoned Vehicles.

Mrs. Marshall, Economic Development Committee had no report.

Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee.

Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.

Karen Locke,726 Tuttle Streetappeared before council asking what the Ohio Public Works legislation was for.  According to Ms. Abdella it is to allow the Mayor to participate in roadway monies.

Unfinished Business:

Mr. Robinson brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Robinson moved this be Ordinance 26, 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 A RESOLUTION AUTHORZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS/S AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  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 A RESOLUTION AUTHORZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS/S AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORZING THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION STATE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND/OR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS/S AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 32, 2012-2013 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Neff went over the committee assignments. Deleted from the list were Indigent Burial, and Gas Aggregation.  Added to the list was the Codification of Ordinances.

Persons Appearing Before Council:

Carol Will,120 Locust Streetappeared before council regarding a leak onLocust Street.  Tree is dying, there is a pole leaning and I have a bill where I had to have the mold scrubbed from my home.  Mr. Ferguson is to check about the stability of the pole.

Mr. Martin reported that it was asked in the minutes of the last meeting if there was any progress done on theLocust Streetwater leak. Mr. Martin had contacted the Mayor about the issue.  According to the Mayor the leak has been fixed.

Mrs. Will stated that the water line has broken nine times in the past year.

Mr. Webster stated that there needs to be a reason that the tree is going to fall.

Mr. Marvin Blake,708 Blennerhassett Avenueappeared before council with an idea of putting aMemorialGardensat theRocklandChurch.  According to Mr. Blake this hasn’t been agreed upon by the church.  He wanted to see if this would be permitted before taking it to the church council. Papers pertaining to the topic were presented to Mr. Newberry/Rules Committee Chairman.

Ms. Abdella stated that this would be a long range planning with the church.

Lucille Burgess ofO’Neil Streetappeared before council regarding the plants invading her property.  The type of plant is bamboo.

Mr. Greenfield from WTAP asked for point of clarification on the bamboo plant.

Miss Pittenger stated that bamboo plants will invade your property.  They will check with Ann Bonner at the ODNR about the problem.

Mr. Sinnett appeared before council advising the administration and the Belpre City Council that as ofNovember 1, 2013the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department Inc. will no longer be providing paidEMT/Firefighters services during the hours of Monday – Friday8 am to 4 pm.  Due to the financial reasons stated at theJuly 8, 2013council meeting.

Ms. Abdella reported that there was a meeting on July 8^th where they discussed the needs of the community as far as the fire department.  She feels that there needs to be some strategic planning by member of the fire department, council members, and citizens of Belpre to discuss the needs and then move forward.

Mr. Robinson stated that he agrees with Ms. Abdella.

Mr. Martin made a motion to excuse Mr. Sinnett from this evenings meeting.  Mr. Sinnett is on vacation.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Decision needs to be made before our next council meeting regarding the funding of the fire department.

Mr. Robinson asked about Station II Fire Department.  Mr. Robinson was told that once the contract was approved we can break ground.

Adjourn:

Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:32.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.