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 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. 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 Mrs. Marshall.

A motion was made by Mrs. Marshall to accept the minutes ofMay 13, 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:

Mayor Lorentz stated that it had just been one week since our last meeting and he really didn’t prepare a report.  Mayor Lorentz stated that the Relay for Life this year went very well.  The preliminary numbers for this year was $171,000.

I attended the Awards Ceremony atBelpreHigh Schoolon Friday and the Graduation Ceremony on Sunday that went very well.

We met with ODOT on Friday and I will let Mr. Ferguson report on that.

The Sidewalk Project onRockland Avenuehas gone very well.  We only had one complaint and that has been resolved.

Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson announced that on your desk this evening is a chart along with a map regarding our paving projects.  The numbers on the left is where they start paving, the next column is the mile marker that they start at and end, the next column is when the Route was last paved and the final is the surface percentage.  They normally wait until thePCR gets around 70%.  To the right of the worksheet is the Estimated Cost to the City.  The last column shows 62 sidewalks that would need to beADA approved.  The estimated Ramp Cost would be $93,000.  The Mayor stated that in the past we used CDGB monies to help fund the project.  Mr. Ferguson stated that these are preliminary figures for projects to come.  The Department of Transportation is proposing that this is part of Triple W.  Our percentage would be 10%.  We would be responsible for 100% of theADA ramps.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that it is renewal time for the cities insurance.  Our last three years are up with Wells Fargo. We need to renew byJune 11, 2013.  I sent out three bids and have received three bids back.  The bids ranged from $53,000 to $80,000.  The last three years we have had a tremendous amount of losses.  Per the Ohio Revised Code we have to take the least expensive but the best.  I will be going through the two bids that came in at $53,000 and $55,000, comparing apples to apples to see which company is the best for our city is.  The one we are with now was the bid for $55,000.  These bids are for a one year contract.

At the last meeting we had a discussion about transfer of funds.  The question came up as to why we had to have a voice vote when the transfers were part of the appropriations.  According to the City Auditor it was the request of the Auditors.  They were in this past week and instead of a voice vote we now have to have a resolution in place.  At the next meeting I will be asking the law director to draw up legislation for our resolutions.

I will not be staying for the rest of the meeting this evening as I am meeting with the boy scouts at the fountain for planting.

City Law Director Mr. Webster was late for the meeting however had no report.

Mr. Ferguson clarified a statement about the Golf Course at Civitan.  Instead of it being a 10 year lease it is a 20 year lease.  The batting cages are getting quite a bit of use.

Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report this evening.

Communications and Petitions:

Mr. Neff informed council that his new phone number is 740-885-1929 or email him at wn1wn2@Suddenlink.net. if you need to get in contact with him.

All legislation has been distributed and I have no further legislation.

Report of Standing Committee:

Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss Indigent Burials which I will refer to the law director to draft legislation.  We also discussed the Supplemental Appropriations which we will need to amend to add an additional $118,000 to the Street Department Fund for the purchase of a tractor.  At this time, I would like to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATIONS.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  Ms. Abdella also asked that Mr. Sinnett inform the folks at the fire department that there will be a banquet for allEMSPersonnel tomorrow evening atSt. Joseph’s Hospital. Someone there should have received a correspondence informing them of the event.  I would also like to ask Mr. Ferguson if Go Mart has been contacted about moving the grass and fixing the awning at the station.  Ms. Abdella stated that everyone needs to be held accountable.

Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report.

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 however she added to the list of Committee Meetings forJune 24, 2013at7:05 PM, Demolition Capping.  Mrs. Marshall also stated that after the last meeting she has a concern about hiring contractors outside our city to do city work.

Mrs. Marshall, Economic Development Committee had no report.

Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee. Mr. Newberry made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE APPEALING SECTION 521.12 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  Mr. Newberry also stated that he has an article regarding Drilling Issues onPublicLandand disclosing chemicals during a fracking process if anyone would like to read it.

Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.  None

Unfinished Business:  None

New Business:

Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATIONS.

Ms. Abdella made a motion to amend the Supplemental Appropriations to include an additional $118,000 for the Street Fund.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

A vote was then taken on the first reading of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATIONS AS AMENDED. All members of council present voted aye.

Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second reading of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATIONS.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATIONS.  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 AN ORDINANCE APPEALING SECTION 521.12 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Newberry moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE APPEALING SECTION 521.12 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Newberry brought before council for second and third readings AN ORDINANCE APPEALING SECTION 521.12 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Newberry moved this be Ordinance 24, 2012-2013 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Persons Appearing Before Council:

Mr. Neff went over the committee assignments removing Smart Lease from Ms. Abdella Committee and AN ORDINANCE APPEALING SECTION 521.12 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES from Mr. Newberry’s committee.

Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from tonight’s meeting.  Mr. Neff stated that it was an excusable absence. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Police Officer Kirby was recognized for his performance and for working well with the Police and Fire Departments.

Adjourn:

Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:20 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.