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, Mr. Martin, Mr. Newberry, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett, and Mr. Wallace present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, and City Law Director Mr. Webster. Absent from theFebruary 11, 2013meeting was Treasurer Mr. McAfee, Council person Mrs. Marshall and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.
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.
A motion was made to accept the minutes ofJanuary 28, 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 January 31st, I did attend the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon asMariettaMemorialHospital was the sponsor. The event was well attended by our business owners and all seem excited about the growth we are experiencing. Later the same day I attended the Marietta Health System Board of Directors meeting inMarietta. The status reports were given by different department heads and all were favorable. The Marietta Memorial Health System seems glad to be part of our city.
Mr. Ferguson, Chief Clevenger and I attended a 911 meeting with the county entities that utilize 911 emergency services. The Marx Radios were the hot topic as well as their extremely high cost but, good service. We will meet again on February 26th in Belpre with all law enforcement agencies and fire departments being represented.
On February 13th Mr. Ferguson and I will meet with representatives from ODNR and others to discuss a Bow and Arrow range in our city. We will share more as we learn more.
Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Wiggins and I met with ODOT,AEP, AT&T, and the PM Company to discuss the upcoming construction onFarson Ave.This will go to bid in March with construction starting 12 weeks after the work is awarded.
On Wednesday February 6th Ms. Pittenger, Mr. Ferguson, and I attended the legislation luncheon inColumbus. This was quite enjoyable and worthwhile. We were seated with Council members fromAthens that were discussing legislation dealing with the shale opportunities. The council members had researched, drafted, and were presenting toAthens administrators. With all the projects we have on the books as well as union negotiations later this fall council here may be drawn to step up and assist with needed legislation should it arise.
February 9th the Lion’s Club held their annual volunteer awards luncheon. It is quite apparent that we need to emphasize to our younger residents the need to volunteer and care for our community.
Council, you have before you tonight legislation and information on another CHIP. If we are to participate again in 2013 we will need to hold hearings and assist with the information and education. This is a wonderful program if we do our homework and get the word out. Belpre administration and employees are striving to clean up various areas of town and cannot do so with just city funds. This program assists property owners with funds to repair, remodel and insulate their homes.
We are still experiencing problems with traffic lights on the 4-lane. Dave Shaffer is working with ODOT to remedy the troubles. Today one of them actually fell during the wind storm.
Belpre did not end up with a full slate of Council members to place on the May ballot. Is this due to us doing a good job, or just complacency? We are not fulfilling our obligation to the city until we have representation for all precincts and do what is expected of us. Please do not forget to send your Ethics Forms to the state.
On your desk tonight is a new roster for our volunteer fire department. All that is needed I believe is a voice vote for approval.
The Belpre Alumni Association is holding a Spaghetti Dinner at the Lawtonbuilding on February 16th at6 PM. I have tickets to sell this evening if you are interested.
Leonard Wiggins is here tonight and can give a report on the progress of some of our zoning and code enforcement issues.
Code Enforcement Officer Mr. Wiggins presented his report:
A. 1133.03 (B)(2) Petitions for Zoning Reclassification: change 150 feet to 100 feet for notification of property owners, the same as for Zoning variance.
B. 351.03 (A)(4) Parking Generally: change 10 feet to 25 feet, parking distance from a fire hydrant.
C. 123.01 Ordinances & Resolutions: change address from2014 Washington Blvdto2014 Rockland Avenue.
D. Need Ordinance making it illegal to park, store, or protrude over top of any uncurbed roadway.
Traffic-Pattern change:
A:Washington Blvd& Main Street – place tubular marking post on top of solid painted line marking turn fromMain StreetontoWashington Blvd. This will keep vehicles in proper lane traveling west off theBelpreBridge. Help with flow when Go Mart is constructed.
B: Intersection ofPutnam Howe Dr., Pomeroy Pike,Campus DriveandLee Street:
1. Place tubular marking post out approximately 27 feet between Pomeroy Pike andCampus Drive.
2. Install stop signs east bound on Putnam Howe, just west ofLee Streetand west bound on Campus Drive., east of intersection with Pomeroy Pike toCampus Driveand no right turn fromCampus Driveonto Pomeroy Pike.
3. No left turn from Pomeroy Pike toCampus Driveand no right turn fromCampus Driveonto Pomeroy Pike.
C. Parking only on one side of street that is 24 feet wide or less. Allowing this to continue is creating a problem for fire and rescue equipment to pass safely and not allowing access for the snowplow to clear the roadway.
City Emergency Response:
A. Update phone listing for all City Officials.
B. “Golden Hour: response sheet
C. Emergency Information flow chart.
Other items discussed:
A. Working with possible new business: 2 onMain Streetand 1 onWashington Boulevard.
B. FEMA meeting February 27,WSCC
C. Portable basketball goals.
D. Building permits, code complaints/firebreak Main Street Apt.
E. updated plat maps: now on computers
F. meter reading, receptionist
G. Farson Streetproject/Main Street width: Mary Street RR crossing.
Ms. Abdella reminded Mr. Wiggins about pop-up swimming pools.
Mr. Martin suggested that Mr. Wiggins take a look at a home onLee StreetandBlennerhassett Avenueas there appears to be an abandoned house. The owners need to be contacted to get this house secured. Deck is rotted and there is a pool behind the home that is not secure.
Mr. Sinnett discussed No Parking Signs on City Streets.
Mr. Webster discussed city streets and issues you may run into.
Mr. Martin made a motion to approve the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department Roster. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson announced that on our website is a list of job opportunities for the City of Belpre. We will be testing for several different positions on March 18, 2013at the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department Training Center at 6PM. Applications must be in by February 28th, 2013. Please check out the website for the positions.
Mr. Ferguson stated that a lot of the items that Mr. Wiggins went over requires quite and effort on our part and a lot of change. We need to think this through clearly.
Chad Henson is with us this evening and is the Founder of the Smart Network Lease. I would like this to be assigned to committee this evening. A copy of the agreement is before you tonight. Mr. Henson explained the Smart Networks Tower Lease before council.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that each member of council should have received a copy of the January 2013 Utility Adjustment Report that is awaiting council approval. At this time, Mr. Martin made a motion to accept the January’s Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster addressed the water supply. The bill number needs changed for the Municipal Tax Collections Legislation. This is becoming a very hot topic. The intoxilizer is still a topic.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee was absent. No report given.
Communications and Petitions:
1. Mr. Neff assigned the below topics to committee.
Assigned to Finance/Audit Committee – Ms. Abdella is the following:
1. Smart Networks Tower Lease Agreement.
2. A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT TO CONDUCT A COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
3. Annual Appropriations was assigned to Finance/Audit committee.
Assigned to Parks and Recreation: Mr. Martin
1. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND HISTORICAL STATE PARK.
Information regarding the Colony Theatre is before you tonight.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee called a Finance Audit Committee meeting for February 13th, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing Permanent Appropriations, Refinancing Loans and Smart Network.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report. The squad and fire department have been quite busy.
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. Mr. Martin requested that the agreement with theBlennerhassettIslandHistoricalState parkbe added to theFebruary 25, 2013meeting.
Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee/Economic Development were absent. No report was given.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee. Mr. Newberry called a committee meeting for 6:15 p.m.on Wednesday February 13th, 2013 to discuss the Greenspace Ordinance.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Martin brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO’S TAKING OVER COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX. Ms. Pittenger requested that the HB be changed to 5. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Martin brought before council for second reading RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER with new attachment. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Martin brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2013. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICAION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE BY NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business: None
Ms. Abdella informed council that the Permanent Appropriations needs to be placed on the agenda for the next agenda.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Karen Locke,Tuttle Street, thanked Mr. Wiggins for his report. She is in favor of the No Parking signs and the request to do something about the portable basketball poles.
Leonard Wiggins,Belpre,Ohioaddressed the City ofBelpre,Ohio, Income Tax Revenue Base and Collections. The spreadsheets cover from 2008 to 2011. All information is facts. This is what was collected. This is what came through the door. Mr. Wiggins thought that an error had been made regarding the collection percentage.
Mr. Neff encouraged folks to run for positions on council.
Mr. Sinnett made a motion to excuse Mrs. Marshall from this evenings meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson shared in his wonderful day yesterday. They have been married 60 years.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:43 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.