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, and Mr. Sinnett present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the November 14, 2011 meeting were Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson and Council person Mrs. Boso.
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.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of October 24, 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 his report:
At our last meeting a resident of Dana Drive voiced a complaint about traffic cutting through where no roads exist. Mr. Ferguson and I did travel to the area which is terribly rutted and very muddy. Council will need to make a decision about the future of this area very shortly. Another resident has called threatening legal action if we do close the alley.
The OPWC Grant and the JAG Grant were sent on October 31st as scheduled. Hopefully the applications will be accepted as both are important to the city. The Jag grant did change however due to last minute information we put the emphasis on overtime and wages instead of equipment due to the weight of importance. Wages according to the powers that be score higher.
The intersections at Braun Road and Farson Streets were rejected. The work has been re-bid and the same numbers were presented. The paperwork is in and awaiting signatures. Our match at this point will remain the same.
On October 27th I did attend the Mayor’s Forum hosted by the Greater Parkersburg Area Chamber. Mayor Ford, Newell, Nohe, was also invited guests.
Trick or Treat went well in Belpre. It was to our advantage having the same time as our surrounding cities. As I hear it Williamstown got slammed on Saturday night to the point of traffic jams. The Mayor’s Association is considering one date for all. This date will be Halloween.
Our Elementary School held their annual Pumpkin Drop on the 1st of November. This was my first one but definitely not my last.
Mr. Clevenger, Mr. Frank, Ms. Ferguson and I attended the Annual Chamber Dinner on the 3rd. Our Chamber of Commerce did a very good job and the Speaker did also.
Mayor’s Court Training is complete for another year. There were very few changes but, I believe we all learned something valuable.
The Auditor’s Office is keeping Mr. Webster and I busy with Mayor’s Court. We are holding court every Tuesday to catch up on Income Tax violations as well as traffic on the regular scheduled days.
November 8th I attended class with the 3rd graders at our elementary school. The kids wanted to know how I liked my job and specifically what I do every day.
The students at the high school put on a very nice tribute for Veteran’s Day. I attended as well as many of our area veterans. Breakfast was also served to the people being honored. The Sr. Citizens also held a very nice program for the veterans on Thursday.
On Friday the 11th I met with our Engineers from Strand to discuss the expansion and possible new facilities for a local business. If you have questions, Mr. Jon Neff is with us tonight and could share his thoughts.
Middleton Doll will go to auction in December as I understand now. The business interested could not come to an agreement on the price.
Congratulations to all of council that was re-elected on the 8th. We have a lot of work to do and some pretty important projects are facing us this year. Let us stay focused so to benefit all in our great city.
Council, please do not forget Student Government Day on December 12th. This pretty much is an all day event for those who can attend.
If you have not noticed please take a look at the ditch line between Wendy’s and the Middleton building. This clean-up is being done through Community Action and a grant.
Fred Holmes from Volunteer Energy will be with us on Dec. 12th to introduce legislation for the upcoming Aggregation and to address council. We will be under a time crunch to pass this before electrical caps are placed on us.
With us tonight is Emily Montgomery. Emily is the young lady I have been telling you about that was chosen for People to People for 2012. Mr. President I would like Emily to have a couple minutes to explain her upcoming adventure.
Emily spoke briefly before council. Emily is invited to travel and study in Ireland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands in the summer of 2012. She will join high school students from the Parkersburg area as part of People to People, and education exploration program founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Emily was offered this life-changing opportunity to travel on a 2012 program. There is an account set up for Emily at People Bank for anyone wishing to donate toward this life changing experience.
Jon Neff spoke briefly regarding Strands and Associates and sketches that were available.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson was absent.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that each member of council should have a copy of the September/October Utility Adjustment Report before them this evening. It is now awaiting approval by council. We have also had another meeting for Belpre in Bloom. Belpre is going to be in bloom this summer. We will be in the lights parade and if there is anyone that would like to be in the parade and pass out fliers we would certainly appreciate it. At this time, Mr. Neff asked for a motion to approve the September/October Utility Adjustment Report. Mr. Sinnett made a motion to accept the Utilities Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye
City Law Director Mr. Webster stated as the Mayor reported we are holding court on the first and third Tuesday’s at 9:00 p.m. for traffic violations and on the second and fourth Tuesday’s we are holding a Special Income Tax Court to catch up on Income Tax violations. If anyone wants to see justice in action please feel free to attend.
City Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the Treasurer’s Report for October is before you tonight and is awaiting council action. The Council Clerk has been presented a signed copy. Mr. Robinson made a motion to accept the report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff presented the following to council:
1. Letter from Rick Poling, regarding Dana Road.
2. Notice to Legislative Authority regarding permits to sell alcoholic beverages.
Personal comment: If you are a veteran of military service and reside in Washington County you have until December 15th to get registered and ID with the Washington County Veterans Service.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella reported that the Finance Audit Committee met prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss Supplemental Appropriations for 2011, Temporary Appropriation Ordinance for 2012 and Manpower for 2012. At this time I would like to make a motion to add to tonight’s agenda:
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2012 and A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker had no report for the Police and Fire Committee.
Mrs. Marshall had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Boso was absent. No report was given for Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mrs. Boso was absent. No report was given for Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Sinnett, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2012. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR & FISCAL YEAR 2012. Ms. Abdella asked that all members of council check to be sure they had a correct copy of the attachment. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this Ordinance on three different days to allow the second and third reading of AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR & FISCAL YEAR 2012. Discussion followed regarding the number of police officers. Ms. Abdella withdrew her motion until further discussion takes place.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. 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 the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 48, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Rick Poling 907 Dana Drive, Belpre appeared before council opposing the closure of Dana Drive. Mr. Poling stated that he accesses his property from there and so does the residents that live on the Campus Drive end of Dana Road.
Kyle Ellis, 805 Campus Drive, Belpre appeared before council also opposing the closure of Dana Drive. Mr. Ellis stated that this is the only way to access his garage. He thinks that the city should keep it up.
Tara Gossit, 807 Campus Drive, Belpre stated that she agrees with her neighbors that the city needs to keep up the road.
Linda Coplin, 507 Stone Road, Belpre appeared before council also opposing the closure of Dana Road.
Rick Poling stated that obviously the road is used because of the condition the road is in.
Mrs. Marshall asked about parking issues behind 807 ½ Campus Road. According to the property owner the only access is from Campus Drive.
Ms. Abdella asked that the law director research the documents where Dana Drive was accepted in the city as a city street. City Law Director was also asked to see if the “Specs” were up to code.
Mrs. Marshall stated that during her last term she tried to get a curfew in place. She has been researching the issue and found that Ordinance 239, 1943 there was a curfew in the City of Belpre. The City Law Director is to research.
Mr. Sinnett spoke briefly about Dana Drive and the safety issues that exist.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:18 p.m… A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.