Belpre City Council Minutes

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, Mr. Baker, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett, and Mr. Wallace present.  Also present were Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, and Treasurer Mr. McAfee.  Absent from the February 13, 2012 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson 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.

Mr. Robinson made a motion to accept the minutes of January 23, 2012 as 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 the below report before council:

After our last meeting Mr. Martin brought a roof leak to my attention. Since that time a roofer has evaluated our roof system and deemed it in need of replacement. The spray on coating you see on the exterior of the building extends over the roof line on council chambers. It is almost worn off and will also need attention. These repairs have been turned in to our insurance company. I will keep council aware of this issue after the appraiser makes his evaluation.

Washington State Community College President Bradley Ebersole attended our Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on the 25^th and spent some time in my office discussing Belpre and our needs as far as the college is concerned.

On January 26^th I attended my first Board of Directors meeting with Marietta Memorial Hospital.

The 28^th of January I attended the Lion’s Club awards luncheon where the Bill Weinrich awards were presented to our seniors.

Our Mayor’s Court seems to be growing in length both with criminal offenses as well as tax issues. Our last court was almost to the 100 mark.

On your desk tonight is the contract with Athens Health Department for the Sanitarian. Mr. President I would like to get this passed tonight if possible.

Also provided to council tonight is information pertaining to the extreme electrical rate increases in our area. The handout will provide links to most of your questions. As I learn more I will again draft a letter to AEP along with the PUCO in opposition and copy council. The Mayor’s Partnership for Progress is in the process of formulating a letter to the PUCO in opposition of the last round of electrical rate increases. My office has been inundated with calls and complaints as well as all over this region. If you would like to have someone speak on this issue please let me know and I will make it happen.

Terry Zdrale, Susie Casto and I applied for a grant to assist us with finishing the addition of the Sr. Building. This grant was through the Marietta Foundation.

The Auditor and I started the process to apply for another Gateway Grant through O.D.O.T. This will be to assist with the Belpre in Bloom effort.

To go along with the job description for our code enforcement position I have listed numerous citations and fees that council should consider raising or changing. The note also has a fee schedule for park shelter rental, utility deposits, and water rates. You will find that some of my suggestions will require new ordinances if you agree. Mr. President I ask that you assign these items to the utilities committee and or the recreation committee.

Civil Service has moved the test for the patrolman to March 3^rd instead of the February date I had previously reported. The Sergeants test will now be held the week of March 19^th.

Today, I spoke to the new owner of Middleton Doll about his plans for the building. At this point nothing is totally decided but, I have put him in contact with the Port Authority and Ohio State Extension office for guidance and assistance should he need it.

Mr. Wiggins and I also attended the National Honor Society Tapping Ceremony at Belpre High School.

Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson was absent.  No report was given in his absence.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that a copy of the January Utilities Report is before you tonight and is awaiting council approval.  Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the January Utilities Report as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that his office has been very busy drafting legislation.  This legislation has been distributed and is before you this evening.

Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report.

Communications and Petitions:

The following correspondences were received:

A Letter from Dominion East Ohio and AEP in regards to the rate increase.

Also was a job Summary and list of duties, specifications and qualifications for our new Code Inspector.

Report of Standing Committee:

Ms. Abdella had no report for the Finance Audit Committee.  Ms. Abdella made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading the following:

1.  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A PART-TIME SANITARIAN.

2.  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER.

3.  A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO’S TAKING OVER COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX.

A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  Ms. Abdella called a Finance Committee meeting for February 22, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room to discuss the 2012 Permanent Appropriations.

Mr. Sinnett had no report for the Police and Fire Committee.

Mr. Wallace reported that the Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers Committee has decided to move on with the process of closing Dana Drive.  At this time Mr. Wallace made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading the following:

1.  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

2.  AN ORDINANCE CONTROLLING CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTES AND STORM WATER RUNOFF.

3.  PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING FARSON STREET TURN LANE.

4.  PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING BELPRE SIDEWALK SRTS.

A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.  Mr. Robinson moved to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda the following legislation:

1.  AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM.

2.  AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM.

A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  Mr. Robinson also called a Public Hearing for March 12 at _________ for the purpose of discussing Gas and Electric Aggregation Program.

Mr. Martin had no report for Parks and Recreation Committee however he called a committee meeting for February 27, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the Swimming Pool Rates.

Mrs. Marshall had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee. Mrs. Marshall called a committee meeting for February 27, 2012 at 7:15 p.m. for the purpose of discussing Transportation Courier Service.

Mrs. Marshall reported that the Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on February 13, 2012 prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss the purpose of the CHIP and if we want to participate.  Dawn Rochua gave us information about the program, and how it will affect the city.  Legislation will not be drawn up until the 2^nd Public Hearing at City Council on March 12, 2012 at which time council will then decide how to proceed.

Mr. Baker had no report for the Rules Committee.

Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.   None

Unfinished Business:

Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION GRANTING BLANKET AUTHORITY TO THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR GRANTS.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this resolution on three different days to allow for the third reading of A RESOLUTION GRANTING BLANKET AUTHORITY TO THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR GRANTS.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION GRANTING BLANKET AUTHORITY TO THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR GRANTS.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution #2, 2012-2013 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all member of council present voting aye.

New Business:

Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A PART-TIME SANITARIAN.  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 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER.  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 A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO’S TAKING OVER COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council requiring readings on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO’S TAKING OVER COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX.   A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE STATE OF OHIO’S TAKING OVER COLLECTION OF MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye

Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution #3, 2012-2013 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Wallace brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  This will lie over until the next meeting of council.

Mr. Wallace brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE CONTROLLING CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTES AND STORM WATER RUNOFF.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  This will lie over until the next meeting of council.

Mr. Wallace brought before council for first reading PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING FARSON STREET TURN LANE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  This will lie over until the next meeting of council.

Mr. Wallace brought before council for first reading PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING BELPRE SIDEWALK SRTS.  Discussion followed to amend the legislation.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Wallace made a motion to amend the legislation in Section 1 by removing Maple Street and also Washington Boulevard and Campus Drive and inserting the word “and” after Farson Street.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Robinson brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  This will lie over until the next meeting of council.

Mr. Robinson brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM.  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:

Alex Lowe appeared before council in regards to the 3^rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 7^th, 2012 at 1PM at Civitan Park.  Anyone wishing to help Alex with this project please feel free to drop off your donations either to the City Building or Rockland United Methodist Church.

Alice White of Belpre appeared before council regarding recycling.

Darlene Lushkin was recognized as being a visitor with us this evening from the OSU extension.

Sonya Ramsey, Belpre resident appeared before council expressing the need for the new Senior Center.

Adjourn:

Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.