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.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Neff gave the invocation.
Mrs. Marshall moved to accept the minutes ofOctober 08, 2012as 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:
On October 11th Belpre was host to the Mayor’s Partnership group. Fourteen members attended the meeting and presentation for the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The same evening our Senior Citizens held their building fund raiser at the St. Ambrose Church. As I understand the evening was a success and very enjoyable for all. Becky Hennen is a marvelous cook.
Interviews for now have concluded for a Police Officer until a civil service test is given. Interviews are ongoing for the dispatch position that will be open soon due to a retirement.
October 13th was the open house at our firehouse. Due to the almost perfect weather the crowd was down but everyone still seemed to enjoy the visit and tour of equipment and buildings.
The Bureau of Public Debt is transferring many employees from theWashingtonDCarea toParkersburg. Our Chamber of Commerce as well as our educators and I assisted the bureau with questions and answer time about our area. We supplied area realtors, bankers, educators, leaders, business owners and pastors to field questions these folks may have about housing, transportation, and diversity issues.
On October 20th my wife and I enjoyed the Heritage Day ceremonies and open house at the museum.
It is my pleasure to introduce our newest Police Officer tonight. Officer Seth Cook comes to us fromParkersburg,WV. With six years experience Officer Cook will be on the road quickly and will be a welcome addition to our small unit. At this time, I would like to swear Officer Cook in as our newest Officer.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson congratulated Mr. Seth Cook and welcomed him to Belpre. He will be a great asset to the department.
I have been working with Frank Morris, FEMA Representative, regarding the damages from the June 29th storm. There were a few items that needed detail. We are awaiting the reimbursements of charges that we incurred during that storm.
Repairs to the slide at the pool were completed last week. The slide is now much brighter.
I have received a list of three persons that we would like approved by council for the fire department. They are Jeremy Crouse, Ryan Williams and Ron Plummer.
I would also like to remind everyone of the Public Hearing onNovember 12, 2012at6:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the following request for rezoning.
1) Mr. and Mrs. Hoselton have requested several parcels of property located at405 John Streetbe rezoned from C-3 to C-2.
2) New Christian Life Church, has requested one parcel of property located along the 400 & 500 block of Lee Street be rezoned from R-1 to R-2.
3) The owners of 48 acres on the west end ofHill Streethave requested the property be rezoned from R-1 to R-2.
Mr. Sinnett asked if there would be any other access toHill Street. Mr. Ferguson referred Mr. Sinnett to Page 2 of Chapter 1107 Parking Lot Design. According to Mr. Ferguson there would be access fromRich Miller LanetoHill Streetfor traffic and emergency flow.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger welcomed the one student that was present at this evening’s council meeting.
Before you tonight is the Quarterly Budgetary Report for review. Miss Pittenger stated that as long as the Auditor’s are happy, she is happy.
You also have before you this evening the Monthly Distribution Summary Report for the Regional Income Tax Agency from January 2012 to October 2012. We are very pleased with the collection of our city tax.
Miss Pittenger asked that the President of Council assign to Committee the Greenspace Ordinance.
I would also like to announce that we still have the Star Gazer bulbs for sale.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that we have legislation this evening that amend the Codified Ordinance as to Drug Paraphernalia. This legislation will bring them into conformity with recent changes inOhio law. The changes became effective onSeptember 28, 2012.
A question came up whether this legislation weakens or strengthens this Ordinance. According to Mr. Webster it will weaken. Mayor Lorentz encouraged council to write to your legislators regarding this law.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report this evening.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned the following three pieces of legislation:
Finance/Audit – Ms. Abdella, TEMPORARY APPROPRIAITON ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2013 and AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A CREDIT CARD USE POLICY.
Police and Fire Committee – Mr. Sinnett, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CODIFIED ORDINANCE AS TO DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
Mr. Neff reminded Mr. Newberry of the legislation that needed passed regarding our Codified Ordinances.
Mr. Neff received correspondence from the Belpre Alumni Association regarding the donation received from the Belpre City Golf Outing.
Mr. Neff reminded council of the Public Hearing scheduled for November 12, 2012at 6:30 p.m.in Council Chambers for the Rezoning Request of Certain City Properties
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella reported that the Finance/Audit Committee met prior to this evening meeting to discuss TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2013 and AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A CREDIT CARD USE POLICY. It was the consensus of the committee to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading. At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2013 and AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A CREDIT CARD USE POLICY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Sinnett made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CODIFIED ORDINANCE AS TO DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Sinnett also congratulated Mr. Cook as our newest officer to the Police Department
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 had no report for the Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mrs. Marshall reported that Economic Development Committee met this evening to discuss Environmental and Landscaping Design and the Greenspace Ordinance. There was some conversation on parking lots. It was determined by the chair Deborah Marshall that there will not be any more discussion until it is properly assigned to this committee. Chair asked the President of Belpre in Bloom to put their request through communications to the President of Council.
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 APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES 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.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: None
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2013 and AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A CREDIT CARD USE POLICY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A CREDIT CARD USE POLICY. 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 first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CODIFIED ORDINANCE AS TO DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. 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 APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES 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: none
Ms. Abdella asked Mr. Sinnett how many approved members we now have on the fire department. According to Mr. Sinnett we have 37. At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add Jeremy Crouse, Ryan Williams and Ron Plummer as members of the fire department. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evening’s meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Webster wanted council to know that even though legislation was drafted regarding drug paraphernalia, don’t think we are in favor of the decision.
Mr. Neff reminded everyone that we will have new folks in office and I encourage everyone to get out and vote.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:15 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.