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: Mrs. Boso, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Sinnett present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the October 10, 2011 meeting were Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, Council persons, Ms. Abdella and Mr. Baker.
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 September 26, 2011 as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Below is the report that was presented by Mayor Lorentz:
On September 27th Mr. Ferguson and I met with the developers and I believe worked out the issues with right a ways for the new Farson Street improvements. On the 28th I received word that the Braun and Farson Street intersections sold. The low bid came in at $200,000 over budget. Thanks to the area powers that be, Belpre is off the hook for the difference.
September 30th I attended the Chamber breakfast and viewed the video supporting the Sr. Levy. This was very well done and the levy is needed for Washington County.
Belpre Chamber held a ribbon cutting at the Pennzoil Lube Center at the Kroger complex on October 1st.
On October 3rd I met with a group interested in opening a nursing home in our area. We had the opportunity to view a few property options. As always I will keep council informed. We are also working with a couple opening a bed and breakfast in our city.
Thanks to the Lion’s Club, Pioneer Presbyterian Church and Troop 91 for their efforts in making the Apple Butter Stir-Off a success.
The River Front Project is on hold due to the numerous emergencies nationwide. Some of the already appropriated funds will remain in play just to get us started at some point in the future. It is my guess that we as an administration will not see this come to fruition.
On Wednesday of last week I talked with a young lady that is willing to write grants for the City of Belpre. She and I are working to implement the second round for Safe Routes which will include a safety or resource officer for our schools. At the same time we are going to write a JAG grant that will off-set equipment and overtime for the Police Department. This grant is $20,000 with a 10% match if successful. The grant writer stipend is written into the grant. At this time I am asking council approval to go after these grants. Mr. McCauley or Mr. Webster will be provided the particulars for legislation at our next meeting if approved.
Ohio Valley University invited me to the inauguration for their ninth President in the college’s history. Dr. Harold Swank is officially the new President of the university. The proceedings were quite impressive and well attended by the area officials.
Council, do not forget to send in your paperwork to the election board. Even unopposed you have papers to fill-out.
Please remember to fill out your United Way forms for the upcoming year. Belpre does receive quite a bit of support from this agency.
Trick or Treat October 31st from 6PM until 7:30.
Council, at our last meeting I asked for a voice vote to start the purchase process for two new cruisers. Again tonight I am asking for this to take place. We decided two years ago to begin the process of two then one, then two to keep the fleet in a safe state. We are at this time two short and doubling up to accommodate the force.
Chief Clevenger, Mr. Ferguson and I are also asking council to consider another officer for the Police Department in 2012. Historical data is provided to council so to show manpower levels now as well as previous years.
Mr. McCauley has provided the new contract for the health nurse. I am asking council to approve this tonight so I can deliver to Marietta.
Matheny’s has asked me to try out a new Chevy Volt. It is an electric car that I will be driving for a few days.
Safety-Service Director was absent. No report was given.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that with the help of Troop 92, the Apple-Butter Festival was a success even with the rain drops. Mr. Webster also welcomed the boy-scout troop from Parkersburg to tonight’s meeting.
City Treasurer Mr. McAfee announced that a copy of the September 2011 Treasurer’s Report is before you tonight and is awaiting council approval. Mr. Sinnett made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. The clerk has a signed copy.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced the following:
Reminder that anyone running for a position on Council must file their paperwork whether they are running opposed or un-opposed.
- A copy of a newspaper article regarding lowering cremation payments.
- October 27th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. is Meet the Candidate Night at the Board of Education office.
- The City Auditor has distributed a worksheet regarding the appropriations for your review.
- Mr. Neff assigned the Nursing Services to the Finance/Audit Committee.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella was absent. Mr. Martin congratulated the Mayor and Safety-Service Director for their outstanding efforts of keeping spending under control. Mayor Lorentz stated that we are all a team and with the help of everyone we are able to accomplish this. We have a top notch staff. Mr. Martin called a Finance/Audit Committee meeting for October 24, 2011 at 6:45 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the 2012 Temporary Appropriations, Manpower Ordinance for 2012 and the police cruisers. At this time, Mr. Martin made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND HEALTH COMMISSIONER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE MARIETTA CITY BOARD OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE NURSING SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker was absent. No report was given 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 had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mrs. Boso had no report for the Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Sinnett, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Mr. Neff acknowledged Boy Scout Troop 117 from Parkersburg, WV who is with us this evening. He also recognized the Student’s from Belpre High School. Some of these student’s may be participating in Student Government Day that will be held on December 12, 2011.
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING ANDREW S. WEBSTER AS CITY PROSECUTOR AND ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION THEREFORE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett moved this be Ordinance 33, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT GRASS, WEEDS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES BEING BLOWN OR DEPOSITED INTO CITY STREETS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall moved this be Ordinance 34, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Martin brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2011 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business:
Mr. Martin brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND HEALTH COMMISSIONER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE MARIETTA CITY BOARD OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE NURSING SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Everyone should have received updated inserts for their Codified Ordinance Books. Mr. Neff encouraged that all members of council keep their books updated.
Mayor Lorentz had asked for a couple of things in his report. One was a voice vote to start the purchase of two new police cruisers. Everyone present on council this evening agreed to start the purchase. Mayor Lorentz also asked that staffing in the police department be considered in the appropriations. A meeting will be held prior to the next council meeting in which this will be considered.
Persons Appearing Before Council: None
Mr. Webster stated that it is very important that the city has enough police officers staffed so that they are able to catch those running red lights and driving with excessive speed. It is important to try and stop the next accident before it happens. You don’t want to be the one receiving a call that a loved one has been seriously hurt in a car accident or a fatal accident.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to excuse Mr. Baker from this evening’s meeting. Mr. Neff stated that he was contacted by Mr. Baker that he was having some health issues. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to excuse Ms. Abdella from this evening’s meeting. Ms. Abdella is out of town. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 p.m… A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.