Belpre City Council Minutes
July 23, 2012
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio was called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at 7:30 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, 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 the July 23, 2012 meeting was 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. Mayor Lorentz gave the invocation.
Ms. Abdella noted corrections to the minutes. They are as follows: Page 2, third paragraph, change Ripple to Ruble, next line change Cutter to Hunter and next paragraph change Ripple to Ruble. On Page 4, third paragraph under Persons Appearing before Council, removed the third paragraph to its entirety. Add to the agenda that Mr. Sinnett and Ms. Abdella were both excused from the July 09, 2012 meeting. Mr. Newberry made a motion to accept the amended minutes. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Lorentz presented his report:
A lot of work has taken place since our last meeting. Mr. Ferguson will have a list of trees that have either been removed or are on his list to be removed. Our street department has worked very hard to remove debris and trees from our right-a-ways and neighborhoods. These folks are to be commended as they are working shorthanded due to employee illness.
On July 10th the SSD and I met with the PM Company to discuss the firehouse and future development on Farson. As it stands right now we will build the new station on the old Kaiser lot. This is not the best spot by far but will keep the piece with those who oppose a move.
Hopefully you noticed the Motel is gone. This is a great improvement toward revitalization of our downtown. It is hard to remember what it looked like a month ago. Your Mayor even got to take a shot at it with the heavy equipment thanks to Mr. Oldaker.
The County Commissioners did grant us another $5,000.00 for the Senior Center expansion and well as the Marietta Foundation Grant cycle awarded us $5,000.00 for the same. We have drawn up the bid specs and will place them in the newspaper this week to satisfy our bid for construction rules. Hopefully this will go well and ground can be broken next month for a worthwhile project.
Last week I sent e-mails to the Streets and sidewalk committee so to consider adopting legislation protecting green space within our city. We have nothing on the books to protect against all concrete lots, or trees with the exception of our run-off plan. I have provided the council with samples of ordinances or the web-sites to assist us with something that fits our needs.
Mr. Ferguson, Chief Clevenger and I met with the Homecoming Chairman to discuss the needs for this year. With the entertainment scheduled we do expect even Thursday night to bring a large crowd. The city council is invited to the opening ceremonies next Thursday August 2nd at 6:30. If you plan to attend please let Theresa know so that you can be recognized during the opening.
Another time to remember is the Hospital Grand Opening this Sunday from 1PM until 3PM
Anybody wanting to assist with a beautification project please meet us at the west entrance right across from the Church of Christ around 8:30 in the morning.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson announced that we need to work on supplemental appropriations for our back hoe and in loader that is broken down.
Total cost of expenditures has been submitted to the county for damages incurred during the storm.
Chief Clevenger provided us a Departmental Activity Recap today in our staff meeting for the Belpre Police Department. At this time, Mr. Clevenger presented his report before Belpre City Council. From January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 we have had 3,895 Calls for Service, 150 Criminal Reports, 250 arrests, 70 Traffic Accidents and 400 Citations. Over-all the activity is average, with most criminal and traffic activity occurring in the Eastern half of the City.
Traffic collisions and citations are approximately twice as likely in the East end of the city.
The most common citation issued in Belpre is speeding, with 112 citations. This is followed by: Seat Belt (81), DUS (46), and ACDA (21).
The most common criminal arrest is City Income Tax Warrant, with 68 arrests. This is followed by: Disorderly Conduct (47), Misdemeanor Criminal Warrants (13), and Drug Possession (12).
The most common Call for Service (CFS) is some form of misdemeanor theft resulting in 151 calls for service, 51 criminal reports. Additionally, there were 109 calls for fires of various forms; 112 calls for vehicle collisions; and 243 suspicious vehicle calls.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger: One thing that Chief Clevenger forgot to mention that was in his report was the arrest for the City Income Tax Warrants. On your desk is a letter from Julian & Grube, Inc, our Independent Accountants reporting on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters Required by Government Auditing Standards. Miss Pittenger discussed prior audit findings and Noncompliance Citations and Recommendations for credit card disbursements. Also on your desk is the Adjustment Report for the Month of June and the City of Belpre Budgetary Compliance for revenues and expenses. At this time Mr. Sinnett made a motion to accept the Utility Adjustment Report for the Month of June. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff asked Miss Pittenger if the State Auditors felt we had adequate controls on open accounts. Controls are in place. Mr. Neff also stated that he would be assigning credit card disbursements to committee.
City Law Director Mr. Webster: No report given
City Treasurer Mr. McAfee: No report given.
Mr. McAfee reminded everyone of the Homecoming Parade at 10:00 am, sponsored by the Lions Club. Due to safety issues there will be no candy thrown. The Belpre Alumni Breakfast will be held August 2nd, 2012 at 8:00 am at the Belpre Masonic Lodge.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned to committee the Tax Budget for Year 2013, and Policy for Credit Cards to Finance/Audit Committee.
Mr. Ferguson asked the law director about the legislation to vacate the alley located at 5th Street. The property is owned by the Albright’s. Mr. Neff assigned the legislation to the Planning and Zoning Committee.
A Public Hearing is required on the Tax Budget which has been call for July 30, 2012. A Special Meeting at 7:00 on July 30, 2012 has been called for the purpose of the third reading on the Tax Budget. Mr. Martin will be in charge as I will be on vacation.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella called a Finance Committee meeting for July 30, 2012 at 7:05 p.m. for the purpose of discussing supplemental appropriations.
Mr. Martin made a motion for a voice vote to have a $40,000 transferred from the General Fund to the Parks and Recreation Fund to cover Park expenses. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Martin made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2013. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee called a Committee Meeting for August 13, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing Ordinance 145.05, Residency of Police Officers.
Mr. Wallace had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee. Mr. Neff asked about the status of the Aggregation Contract. Mr. Ferguson stated that it is in progress.
Mr. Martin had no report for Parks and Recreation Committee. Mr. Martin requested from the administration a Disaster Plan Meeting for all those wishing to be involved.
Mrs. Marshall had no report for the Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mrs. Marshall had no report for Economic Development.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: None
New Business:
Mr. Martin brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2013. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Martin moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second reading of A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2013. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Martin brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2013. 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
Mr. Neff asked Mr. Ferguson for a status report from the Code Enforcement Officer on properties throughout the city.
Mr. Neff reminded everyone that the City of Belpre golf outing will be held in 44 days. We are still in need of teams and sponsors. Proceeds will go to the Scholarship Fund.
Mr. Neff, Mr. Webster and Mr. McCauley will be out of town and will not be present for the Public Hearing.
Mr. Ferguson asked for a time for the Disaster Planning Meeting. Discussion followed.
Mr. Martin thanked the Mayor’s wife and Carol for all their help feeding folks in need.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:12 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.