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 the meeting was City Auditor Miss Pittenger and Councilman 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 Mayor Lorentz.
A motion was made by Mrs. Marshall to accept the minutes ofMarch 11, 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 presented his report:
On council’s desk tonight is an invitation to a training class for The Sunshine Law and Public Records. Someone from council should attend. The Auditor attended last year for our record of training. The date is August 13, at Washington St. University. Instructions to enroll are below.
Darla Miller,PHR
WashingtonCounty
Director of Human Resources, Safety and Loss Control
223 Putnam Street
Marietta,OH 45750
Phone: 740-373-6623, Ext. 269
Fax: 740-374-7693
Email: dmiller@wcgov.org
We are going to again take part in the summer youth program through Washington County Job and Family Services. If you know of eligible youth please let David or I know. The applications are at the front desk.
Civil Service testing is complete as of Monday the 18th. Our Civil Service Commission along with Sherry Becker fromWashingtonState conducted the testing for all departments. Hopefully by this time next month our manpower issues will be solved.
On March 28th, the Tree Commission and I will travel toLogan,Ohio to accept ourTreeCityU.S.A. awards. The punch list for theSr.Center is complete. We are in the process of painting, hanging lights and readying for the final inspections. Anybody that wants to help me paint should not be bashful. Come on down.
Along with the other area Mayors I took part in the 3rd Annual Easter Parade in Parkersburg on Saturday the 23rd. KIKI Angelos again did a wonderful job bringing everyone together.
On Friday, I received notice from our engineers and environmental resource group that the final contamination research study satisfies ODOT. One more piece of the puzzle is now complete.
Upcoming events council should consider, March 30th, at 1 PM Easter egg Hunt at Civitan, Opening Day for soccer April 6th, groundbreaking at the museum April 11th, Graduation 5/19.
April 5th we will have a pre-construction meeting with O.D.O.T. to discuss the S.R.T.S. grant alongRockland Avenue.
The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority asked for a summary of projects or upcoming projects for the city. If you look around or pay attention to our surroundings it is evident that things are changing. Council, I need your voice approval to submit the yearly United Way Grant for the Recreation Commission and, The Belpre Senior Center: Mrs. Meredith, I will need a copy of the minutes to submit with the grant.
Mr. Neff called for a voice approval to submit the yearly United Way Grant for the Recreation Commission and, The Belpre Senior Center. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson announced that the opening day for the Belpre Pool is May 24th, 2013. There will be a free community swim on May 27th, 2013. We are looking to purchase a set ofADA steps for the pool.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent however Mr. Ferguson read the report that was prepared by Miss Pittenger. You will notice on the Treasurer’s report fund #280 – FEMA Funds. This fund was created several years ago and has been sitting with a zero balance. Mr. Ferguson worked with a FEMA representative for months on paperwork to recoup some of the expenses from the June 2012 storm. These funds were received in February, deposited in the Fema Fund and disbursed to the funds of issue in 2012 in March. All disbursements were approved by the Independent Auditor firm who has been assigned by the State ofOhio to Audit the City ofBelpre for the 2012 business year.
These funds were for work done to clear debris, reimbursement of hours for overtime for City Employees, damages to structures – less depreciation and insurance claim.
If you have any questions, I’m sure Mr. Ferguson can assist you – he has PILES of paperwork from this project.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that the OVI decision has not yet been resolved. The City ofBelpre had one pending case however this has been resolved. The number of cases continues to be high in Mayor’s Court. The Belpre Youth Baseball is selling low fat, low calorie Easter egg’s for anyone wishing to purchase.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that before you tonight are a corrected January Treasurer’s Report and the February Treasurer’s Report awaiting approval. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the January and February Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. McAfee state that Fund #280, FEMA Funds will appear on the next Treasurer’s Report
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff reminded all members of council that their Financial Disclosure Forms must be filed byMay 7, 2013.
Mr. Neff also made it known that his contact information is changing. Make note of email change and phone number changes.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met last Tuesday to discuss 2013 Capital Improvement Budget needs. The mayor submitted a list of capital needs. He will prioritize them as to there need.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Sinnett announced that since this morning until time of council the squad had 13 runs. He also mentioned the OPOTO Training. Also if you haven’t done so, please remember to help Alex Lowe who is handling the 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
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. Ms. Abdella reported that Parks and Recreation met to discuss the bow range proposal. It was recommended that the Mayor continue with the grant as long as the liability insurance comes back okay.
Ms. Abdella recognized the volunteers running squad. As a recipient of the squad runs the volunteers are doing an outstanding job.
Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Economic Development Committee had no report.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND HISTRORICAL STATE PARK. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 24, 2012-2013 and duly passed.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2013. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 23, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS-CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR SERVICES OF A PART TIME SANITARIAN. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 25, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT TO CONDUCT A COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 26, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall tabled AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LANDSCAPING OF CERTAIN AREAS, INCLUDING SETBACK, OFF-STREET PARKING, AND OTHER VEHICULAR USE AREAS, IN CONNECTION WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION, CHANGE IN USE, OR RECONSTRUCTION, RENOVATIONS OR REMODELING: REQUIRING A LANDSCAPE PLAN TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
New Business: none
Persons Appearing Before Council:
There was a letter received to change the variance of property on Parkersburg Avenue. A committee meeting was called for April 8th, 2013 at7:00 p.m. Discussion followed by Ms. Abdella regarding variance onBlennerhassett Avenue. Mr. Neff informed Ms. Abdella that she could petition council.
Karen Locke,726 Tuttle Street, Belpre asked for clarification on the Public Hearing.
Eric Sinnett made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evening’s meeting. Mr. Martin called Mr. Neff and said he was ill. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:05 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.