Belpre City Council Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio was called to order by Council President Student Mr. Packard at 7:30 p.m. with Mr. Packard welcoming everyone to this evening’s meeting. The roll was called with the following members present: Miss Hatfield, Ms. Abdella; Miss Forshey, Mr. Baker; Miss Wright, Mrs. Boso; Miss Cain, Mrs. Marshall; Miss Gibson, Mr. Martin; Mr. O’Dell, Mr. Robinson; Mr. Forshey and Mr. Sinnett present. Also present were Student Mayor Mr. Crislip, Mayor Lorentz, Safety Service Director Mr. Whittington, City Auditor Mr. Lynn, City Law Director Mr. Morris, Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. Jordan, Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Mr. Hatfield, Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the December 12, 2011 meeting were Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson and City Auditor Miss Pittenger.
At this time, Mr. Packard asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. McAfee gave the invocation.
Miss Gibson/Mr. Martin made a motion to accept the minutes of November 28, 2011 as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Student Mayor Mr. Crislip presented his report that was prepared by Mayor Lorentz:
On November 29th we met in the conference room to negotiate the Police Department Contract with our employees and representatives. I am pleased to report to council that by 3PM we had a tentative contract for two years. Our city is blessed with good officers.
On November 30th AmeriCorps had use of council chambers to host a fund raising training session. Everyone involved commented on our facility and wanted to thank the administration for hosting.
My wife and I attended the Easter Seals Christmas Tree Auction. The winning tree sold for $10,500. Even with the downturn in the economy we still have some very generous people in our midst.
The PM Company invited me to the Spirit of Giving Evening at Grand Point. Belpre Area Ministries was the recipient of their generosity for 2011.
December 8th Mr. Ferguson, Chief Clevenger, Officer Kirby and I traveled to Columbus so to personally inspect and discuss new patrol cars for our department.
Bill McElfresh from O.D.O.T. has asked that we expedite the legislation before you. The slips are within our city limits but require no energy or funding from the city. O.D.O.T. is trying to fast track this project while weather is bad. I am asking that this be placed on tonight’s agenda and passed to allow time for bids.
The Middleton Doll Building will be auctioned off December 15th at 10 am. The Motel will be sold on the courthouse steps January 13th at 1PM if anyone is interested.
On December 6th I asked for information from ODOT so to apply for another Gateway Grant. Please know that I will need council authorization for upcoming grants in 2012. Mr. McCauley had drafted legislation but we held it until January so to not duplicate the effort.
Hopefully everyone received my email about your post election report. If you did not have a committee, treasurer or spend any money it is not necessary to file at this point.
I want to personally thank Mrs. Boso for her service to our city and welcome Mr. Bob Wallace to city council.
I also want to let everyone know that the swearing in ceremony for Belpre City Council is January 1, 2012 at 8:00 AM in Belpre City Council Chambers. Please mark your calendars as this will be the last meeting before the New Year.
Student Safety-Service Director Mr. Whittington had no report.
Student City Auditor Mr. Lynn announced that the Adjustment Summary Report has been distributed to each council person and a signed copy has been given to the clerk. At this time I would ask approval from council. Mr. Forshey/Mr. Sinnett made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
The Auditor’s office is working to clear the books on back taxes. We have another Mayor’s Court scheduled for this Tuesday dedicated just to city tax collections. We will not be complete by year end but close.
The Mayor and Auditor are going to work on another gateway grant sponsored by O.D.O.T. to assist Belpre in Bloom efforts throughout our city.
If you have not purchased your luminaries for Belpre in Bloom you can still do so at the city building and at Bob’s Market this week.
The Income Tax Court is ongoing: On the 13th of December we have 6 on the docket, November 22nd we processed 15 cases and November 8th we processed 22 cases. We still have 50-55 warrants to be served.
Student City Law Director Mr. Morris had no report.
Student City Treasurer Mr. Jordan had no report.
Communications and Petitions: none
Report of Standing Committee:
Miss Hatfield reported for Ms. Abdella that the Finance Audit Committee met at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. At this time, Miss Hatfield made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for 1st reading PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Ms. Abdella asked the Mayor if the Labor Agreement needed to be added to the agenda. Mayor Lorentz stated that he wasn’t aware of this until today. We have 30 days in which to act upon. It can be brought up the first meeting in January. Mayor Lorentz will provide the attachment.
Miss Forshey/Mr. Baker had no report for Police and Fire Committee.
Miss Cain/Mrs. Marshall had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers Committee.
Mr. O’Dell/Mr. Robinson reported that Fred Holmes was here prior to this evenings meeting to discuss Gas and Electric Aggregation. There was no further discussion for the Utilities Committee.
Miss Gibson/Mr. Martin had no report for the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Miss Wright/Mrs. Boso had no report for the Planning and Zoning Committee.
Miss Wright/Mrs. Boso had no report for the Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Forshey/Mr. Sinnett had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Miss Hatfield brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR & FISCAL YEAR 2012. This Ordinance establishes the City’s 2012 manpower authorization at 37 positions.
Mr. Forhey/Mr. Sinnett made a motion to change the number of manpower from 36 to 37. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
A vote was taken on the third reading of AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR & FISCAL YEAR 2012 as amended. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hatfield moved this be Ordinance 36, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. President of Council Mr. Packard declared this be Ordinance 36, 2010-2011 and duly passed. President of Council Mr. Neff declared this be Ordinance 36, 2010-2011 and duly passed
Miss Hatfield moved to place before council for second reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. This Ordinance specifies funds that City council is authorizing the City Administration to spend during the first three months of calendar and fiscal year 2012, at the rate of 25% of the estimated 2012 budget amounts, as are shown in attached Exhibit A. Without this authorization, the City Auditor cannot write checks for City payroll, supplies, materials, services, or any other expenditure of funds until the annual appropriation ordinance for 2012 is passed, which must occur by April 1, 2012. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hatfield moved to suspend the rule of council requiring readings of this resolution on three different days to allow the third reading of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hatfield moved to place before council for third reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hatfield moved this be Resolution 49, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. President of Council Mr. Packard declared this be Resolution 49, 2010-2011 and duly passed. President of Council Mr. Neff declared this be Resolution 49, 2010-2011 and duly passed.
New Business:
Miss Hatfield brought before council for first reading PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting.
Miss Hatfield moved to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this resolution on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hatfield placed before council for second and third readings PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hatfield moved this be Resolution 50, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. President of Council Mr. Packard declared this be Resolution 50, 2010-2011. President of Council Mr. Neff declared this be Resolution 50, 2010-2011 and duly passed.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Karen Locke, 726 Tuttle Street, Belpre reported that OVRCC held a benefit race and received $466.00 that was donated to Belpre Area Ministries.
Mr. Palmer, Government Teacher, Belpre High School spoke before council regarding the talented students that he had this year. He stated that his class had been working with both local and state government. Mr. Palmer felt that his students had done a great job this evening. He also recognized students in the audience that was at the meeting in support of their classmates.
Mr. Neff said good bye to Mrs. Boso and recognized her for the four years that she spent working with us on council. Mr. Neff appreciated all her efforts.
Mr. Neff welcomed Mr. Robert Wallace, former Belpre High School Administrator who will be working with us for the next couple of years. Mr. Wallace will be replacing Mrs. Boso.
Mr. Robinson recognized the students with us this evening and stated that he had enjoyed working with each of them.
Mayor Lorentz also recognized the students for their outstanding performance.
Mr. Packard thanked all members of council and the administration for working with them on this project.
Adjourn:
Mr. O’Dell/Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m… A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.