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. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett, and Mr. Wallace present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director was filled by Mr. Andrew Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the meeting were Mr. Tom Webster, Mr. Baker, Mrs. Marshall and Mr. Martin.
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. Neff appointed Kimberly Meredith as Council Clerk for the City of Belpre for the 2012-2013 terms.
Mr. Neff also made the appointment of each committee assignments. Mr. Neff stated that the first name under each committee assignment was appointed chairman of that committee.
By voice vote all that are in favor of the appointments voting aye, those oppose voting nay. Motion carried.
At this time, Ms. Abdella made a motion to appoint Larry Martin as Council President Protem. By voice vote all that are in favor voting aye, those oppose voting nay. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Mr. Sinnett to appoint Ms. Abdella as Council Clerk Protem. By voice vote all that are in favor of appointing Ms. Abdella as Council Clerk Protem voting aye. Those oppose voting aye. Motion carried.
At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:40 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the Labor Agreement. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Robinson made a motion to accept the minutes of December 12, 2011 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:
Council, you have legislation before you tonight to allow us to proceed with another Safe Routes to Schools Grant. If at all possible I would like to get this approved and passed this evening so we can proceed immediately. The other ODOT legislation is for the Farson and Braun intersections. One reading tonight then complete at our next meeting will suffice.
You also have a piece of legislation asking to accept the new contract with the Police Department and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400. If we do not approve tonight it will go into effect 30 days from their vote which was December 14th, 2011.
After our last meeting with Fred Holmes I received a copy of the PUCO ruling for AEP’s Electric Security Plan. As explained to me by one of the lawyers for the Industrial Electrical Users we do need to act quicker than suggested so to save as much money as possible. A copy of this ruling has been sent to Mr. Holmes for his review.
On December 17th I joined the Belpre Rotary Club in their Wreaths across America effort in Belpre. Wreaths were placed at the Cedarville Cemetery as well as the Veterans Park down town.
On December 19th we met with ODOT and Strand to discuss the design work for our Safe Routes Grant as well as Farson St. When traveling through this area you will see surveyors working on both projects.
The Interstate Planning Commission has added Washington Blvd. and Main St. to the T.I.P. for 2015. This will be a large undertaking but much needed. The Water, Sewer and Street Department are aware and working to provide us a list of needs that should be completed before we re-surface the two main thoroughfares.
Mr. Ferguson and I have been working with Leonard Wiggins to develop the plan and job description for a Code Enforcement officer for the city. Although this will not be Leonard’s sole responsibility it will take most of his time. In the very near future if you agree we will be asking for legislation and a slot on the manpower roster to accommodate this position.
On your desk tonight is the quotes from Statewide for new Police Cruisers. One quote is for an SUV style and the other for the sedan. We would like to get this purchase approved as soon as possible to allow for midyear delivery. My recommendation is to purchase two vehicles, preferably one of each. There is a $3400.00 difference in cost but, the availability of 4 wheel drive would be worth it during winter months.
We now have approximately $50,000.00 toward the Senior Center addition. Council, we need to decide before I spend a lot of time what our plans are for this project. We have the money, we have the need, and this opportunity will only knock once.
On your desk tonight you will find the activity reports for the O’Neill Center and the Police and Fire Departments for 2011.
The Civil Service Commission is scheduling the test for our police department. Ms. Meredith has been provided copies of the notice for our bulletin boards.
This year will be very busy for all of us as it seems all of our projects are coming to a start near the same time. Hopefully we can all work toward a common goal as well as be patient with one another as we work though this busy period.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported on Belpre in Bloom and thanked all those who purchased luminaries and helped with lighting up our city and those who have taken part in the other events. The lights parade was a success. Our next project is Paint the Town. Each member of council has received a paper on their desk this evening in order to select colors for our city. These colors will be used in our landscaping.
The Auditor’s Office has been very busy. I have moved my office to the first door on the left and Leonard’s is now next to the Mayor’s Office.
R.I.T.A. transition is going very well. We have 50 summonses for unpaid taxes. R.I.T.A. will go forward with the collections.
I do not have the Utilities Adjustment Report with me tonight but will have it next time so that council can approve.
City Law Director Mr. Andrew Webster stated that legislation has been prepared and is before you tonight. I have no other report at this time.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned the following legislation to committees:
Finance/Audit: A RESOLUTION GRANTING BLANKET AUTHORITY TO THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR GRANTS.
Recreation: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 965.01 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE REGARDING MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL RATES.
Street, Sidewalks & Storm Sewers: AN ORDINANCE CONTROLLING CONSTRUCTION SITE AND POST CONSTRUCTION SOIL EROSION, SEDIMENT, AND OTHER WASTES AND STORM WATER RUNOFF.
Utilities: AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE ELECTRIC AGGREGATION PROGRAM.
Utilities: AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF OPERATION AND GOVERNANCE FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE NATURAL GAS AGGREGATION PROGRAM.
Street, Sidewalks & Storm Sewers: PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING FARSON STREET TURN LANE.
Street, Sidewalks & Storm Sewers: PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING BELPRE SIDEWALK SRTS.
Police and Fire: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR AND LAW DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A LABOR AGREEMENT WITH UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS, LOCAL 400, AFL-CIO.
Police and Fire: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO PURCHASE TWO POLICE CRUISERS THROUGH THE STATE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM.
Finance Audit: PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2012.
Mr. Lorentz announced that Mr. Holmes was to be present at the next meeting regarding aggregation.
Other correspondence is as follows:
Walter Drane Company – Invoice for $360.00 for hosting the Codified Ordinances.
Liquor Control – Letter for Go Mart located at 206 Washington Blvd.
Pamphlet regarding Small Town, Big Future.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella had no report for the Finance Audit Committee. Ms. Abdella stated that she would be calling a committee meeting on the Permanent Appropriations. The meeting is to be announced.
Mr. Sinnett had no report for Police and Fire Committee. Mr. Sinnett called a Committee Meeting for January 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the purchase of two police cruisers. Mr. Sinnett also verified that the United Food Service would become in effect January 14,
Mr. Wallace had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers Committee. Mr. Wallace was told that information would be provided at the next meeting on legislation assigned.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin was absent. No report was given for the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Mrs. Marshall was absent. No report was given for the Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mrs. Marshall was absent. No report was given for Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Baker had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
New Business: None
Ms. Abdella asked Chief Frank why the numbers of squad runs were down. Were they due to missed calls or not having enough volunteers available. Chief Frank stated that it was due to not having enough volunteers available.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Denise Parsons, 996 Dana Drive appeared before council regarding the closure of Dana Road. She stated that there were concerns from her neighbors about the condition of the road.
Mr. Neff assigned Dana Road to Streets, Sidewalks, and Storm Sewers.
Carol Stimpert, 6th Street, Belpre appeared before council with concerns of the condition of Dana Road.
Ms. Abdella asked for a proposal from the Mayor and Mr. Webster/Mr. McCauley to close this road. Mayor Lorentz stated that he would see that Mr. Wallace gets down there this week to check out the condition of the road.
Mr. Neff stated that this has been an ongoing problem.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse all members of council that is not present at this evening’s meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff also welcomed Mr. Wallace to this council.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 p.m… A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.