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: Mr. Newberry, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Martin, 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 Ms. Abdella.
Mr. Palich was present this evening representing Mr. Bill Johnson and the Ohio Riverfront Park.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes ofMarch 26, 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:
Mr. Ferguson, Mr. McCauley, the Webster Team and I met with the PM Company to discuss the Farson St. Fire Station and its future. The PM is going to provide us a footprint of our new station and where they would like to place it. It now looks like the move will be a year or so away. Progress on the hospital is going well to this point and the 2nd floor is occupied.
On March 30th council and I met with Congressman Bill Johnson to discuss the future of our Civitan Park Expansion. It seems there is some confusion as to the Congressman’s comments. Hopefully tonight will help all to understand where we stand.
Belpre in Bloom took a bus trip to Mason WV. to visit Bob’s Market. We also took time to eat lunch and shop the businesses in Pomeroy. My wife and I attended and also made the 4H Dinner and auction inMariettathat evening.
Mr. Ferguson received and at-a boy from the EPA on behalf of our sewer plant. The notice was for the past 10 years of operation. The employees at the plant should feel proud of their efforts in keeping us compliant and safe.
The meeting we hosted for an explanation to Prevailing wage went very well. Approximately 25 people attended with many questions being answered. We had elected officials, contractors, as well as engineers attend.
Tomorrow I will attend the groundbreaking for Good River Distributions LLC. These folks will be responsible for the new water service station that will service American Styrenics, Energizer, Eramet Marietta, and Solvay chemicals.
Chief Clevenger is diligently working on back ground checks for a new officer. Hopefully by this time next month we can introduce the newest addition to our fine Police Department.
At this time I would like to introduce and present our newly promoted Michael Stump to council and present him with his Sergeant Stripes.
Chief Clevenger and Mayor Lorentz introduced and presented Sergeant Stump his stripes. At the end of the presentation he introduced his family and friends that were with him this evening.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson congratulated Sergeant Stump on his promotion.
My name is Dave Ferguson and I am back.
Mr. Ferguson was please to announce that the Sewer Department has done a good job being in compliance for the past ten years.
The Mayor and I have been working with the insurance company regarding the leaks in our roofs at both the city building and theSr.Center.
On your desk tonight is a clipping from the Marietta Times regarding the emergency alerts to cell phones. Soon residents will be able to register their cell phones to receive notification of emergencies in the county. The Rapid Notify System was formerly known as the Community Alert Network (CAN). It is designed to notify residents ofWashingtonCountyin case of emergency such as chemical leaks and flooding. Messages can be sent by specific geographic areas, preset lists or addresses. It will allow Emergency Management Agency officials and incident commanders to determine who needs to be alerted. This system currently places a phone call to residents affected by an emergency on landline phones however cell phones systems are in the work. We highly suggest citizens to sign up for this when it becomes available.
There is a new developer coming to the community soon. This business should employ 20 people.
Farson and Braun intersections expansions on the turning lanes have begun. Please be mindful of those working their everyday.
The Sanitary Sewer Cleaning & CCTV Inspection has been projected. There are locations on the schedule so residents will know when they will be in their area. This schedule is subject to change depending on actual conditions of the sewers as they are inspected. Information about the progress of the Sewer Cleaning project may be obtained by calling Belpre Public Works at 740-423-6485 throughout the work week.
I have been in contact with Fred Holmes regarding the Gas and Electric aggregation. According to Fred, he does not yet have the electric certification but when he does it will be 21 days before the rates are available.
Last but not least it is GOOD to be back.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger congratulated Sergeant Stump and his family.
Miss Pittenger announced that we still have one week left to file your taxes. If anyone needs help with filing theirRITA can certainly contact the city building for help.
Belpre in Bloom Projects are still going on. Since the last meeting we toured Bob’s Market in Pomeroy, did some shopping and had a nice lunch at the Wildhorse Café.
We will be holding done in a Day Project at the City Building. The project will be this week. Council has been notified. The project will begin at11:00 a.m.until finished. This will be for clean-up around the city building. We welcome anyone you can come and help.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the March Treasurer’s Report is before you tonight and is awaiting approval by council. Mr. Robinson made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. McAfee also announced the Circus coming to town July 4th, 2012 atCivitanPark.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced that the only correspondence that he has received is the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day onSaturday, April 14, 2012from9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The following legislation has been prepared and I would like to assign to Police and Fire Committee A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR THE CARE AND SUSTENANCE OF PRISONERS. Mr. Neff stated that there have been no changes to the legislation since it was passed last year.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella had no report for the Finance Audit Committee.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Sinnett made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR THE CARE AND SUSTENANCE OF PRISONERS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Sinnett brought up about placing No Parking Signs near the fire station onFarson Street. Large trucks are parking close by tearing up the fire department grounds.
Mr. Wallace had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Chairman reported that we had a successful Easter Egg Hunt. There was a great turn out. I would like to congratulate Alex for all her efforts in making this a success. I would also like to congratulate Sgt. Stump. I am very proud of him. I am still receiving calls regarding property clean up
Mrs. Marshall had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee. Mrs. Marshall congratulated Sgt. Stump and all the other officers for their service to the City ofBelpre.
Mrs. Marshall had no report for Economic Development.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee. Mr. Newberry congratulated Sgt. Stump and all the officers and welcomed back Mr. Ferguson.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Martin brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 965.01 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE REGARDING MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL RATES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Martin moved this be Ordinance 5, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR THE CARE AND SUSTENANCE OF PRISONERS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Neff went over the Council Committee Referrals Awaiting Council Action.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Tom Webster,938 Pine Street, Belpre, thanked the city for all their help at the park. He also reported about the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority Project in conjunction with Eramet on an 11 or 12 million dollar project.
Mr. Neff asked the Police and Fire Chief if they would like to recognize E911 and 911 dispatchers in our city. Hearing no comments he went on.
Mr. McAfee,2203 Pride Avenue, recognized Mayor Mike for retaining the Riverfront Project. I think this project should continue.
The 20th Annual Belpre City Golf Outing will be held on the first Wednesday in September.
Mr. Robinson congratulated Sgt. Stump and the Police Department for their outstanding efforts in our city.
Mr. Martin made a motion to excuse Ms. Abdella from tonight’s meeting. Ms. Abdella had a meeting at work that she had to attend. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson moved to adjourn at8:10 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.