Belpre City Council Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City ofBelpre,Ohiowas called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at7:30 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 theSeptember 12, 2011meeting 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.
Ms. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of August 22, 2011as presented and by-pass the reading. Miss Pittenger pointed out two corrections to the minutes. The first correction was on Page 1, 2nd paragraph under the Mayor’s Report. It should have read August 10th, Belpre again hosted the Mayor’s Association instead of hosed the Mayor’s Association, and on Page 2 under the City Law Director’s Report it should have read Mr. Webster instead of Mr. McCauley. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the amended minutes 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 August 24th the Budget Lodge was set afire during the night. Thanks to the quick response of our Patrolman Jobes and volunteer firemen no one was injured and no damage to our firehouse.
Last week I received notice that we did not get another CHIP grant for our city. Dawn is going to Columbus to review and meet with ODOD to see what we need to do so to apply next year.
During the week of August 22nd Mr. Ferguson and I cancelled the order for a new patrol car. With all the needs in the maintenance departments and the fact that Ford is discontinuing the Crown Victoria it was the best choice for us. In the near future we will be coming back to council for approval of 2012 patrol cars.
Over the past few weeks I have been sending material to ODOT for the start of design work on our Safe Paths to Schools Grant. Hopefully this will start in the early spring once all engineering etc. is complete. This is the most trying Grant process we have ever done.
The Auditor and I attended a presentation regarding the Marcellus Shale as well as the formal announcement for the new Jobs Ohio initiative in Chillicothe on the 8th of Sept. The one hopeful comment made was that some of the roadblocks or restraints in permitting may be corrected or made easier for future developers.
The area Mayors are setting Trick or Treat for Monday night October 31st.
Community Action was awarded a grant for flood plain cleanup and or repairs. On Friday I assisted them with pictures and a tour of our city. It looks like this will help us clean up our river bank to the south of the boat ramps and also the ditch line from the Middleton building to the Shrine building.
On September 5th my wife and I became the proud new Grandparents of a lovely little girl. Aubrey Grace was born just after 6pm on Labor Day. Pictures are available upon request.
This past weekend has been very busy as I had another three weddings the Sternwheeler opening ceremonies. Our own Volunteer Firemen and Police Officers along with the Junior Football league provided a very meaningful remembrance of 9 -11. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsored a spaghetti dinner in honor of our firemen and policemen. WTAP as well as the Wood County Commissioners held a wonderful ceremony at Bi-Centennial Park last evening in remembrance of 9-11.
The Senior Center sponsored aVIPbreakfast this morning. Commissioner Irvine explained the Sr. Levy and we viewed a video explaining how it was used. The levy is a continuation of what we have now costing the owner of a $100,000.00 home $0.57 per week.
The Belpre Golf Invitational has come and gone for another year. Please extend a special thank you to Mr. Neff for his dedication and commitment to our city.
I will be out of the office Thursday afternoon and Friday.
Mr. Neff reported that for nineteen years, Belpre employees and business people have participated in an annual golf outing as a way of friendship building and bridging the business community with local government. Each year we designate a worthwhile charity. In years past we have donated to various charities such as Belpre high School and various youth organizations. The selection committee designated BAM as the recipient of 100% of all hole sponsorship monies received. Our attempt this year has brought about 10 event and hole sponsors. They are: Ameresco, Burgess & Niple, Ltd., Orion Engineered Carbons, Will Neff, J & J Refuse, BVFD, Kraton Polymers, McCauley, Webster & Emerick, Peoples Bank, Riverview Credit Union, and Waste Management. We should point out that we also have the following as prize sponsors: Belpre Savings Bank, Orion Engineered Carbons, Utah Dave’s, Nationwide Insurance, Waste Management and Will Neff.
We encourage you to thank and patronize these fine sponsors!
At this time, Barry Chevront was presented a check for BAM.
Mayor Lorentz announced that the Safety-Service Director will be going to school a tWashington State for the next seven months for Pilot Training as a Canine handler for drug canines inWashingtonCounty. Mr. Ferguson will not be at the council meetings however a report will be provided.
Mayor Lorentz stated that Mr. Ferguson has addressed (38) residents that are on his list regarding the Flood Plain Issues. There has also been (9) removed from his list.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that the 1st Annual Doggy Swim took place since the last meeting. There will 12 large dogs that attended. Fun was had by all even if it did rain. Before you tonight is the Utility Adjustment Report that I would like council to consider approving this evening. Also the Auditor’s Office and the Tax Department have been very busy in trying to collect back city income tax. We have been very aggressive on the tax collection. At this time, Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Utility Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that he is retiring from the City Prosecutor’s position and his son Andrew has become part of the firm and will be the new CityProsecutor. There is no difference in the compensation or the term. Mr. Baker will present the Ordinance at this evening’s meeting.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that the August Treasurer’s Report is before you tonight and is awaiting council approval. A signed copy has been presented to the Clerk. Mr. Robinson made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced that he had received the following correspondences.
- A calendar of events from theBelpreSeniorCenterfor the Month of September.
- An invitation from Kraton Polymer’s Belpre Plant inviting us to join them on Monday, September 19th, at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate 50 Years of Innovation. Please RSVP to BelpreEvents@kraton.com by Monday, September 5th.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella reported that the Finance/Audit Committee met prior to this evening meeting to discuss Supplemental Appropriations. It was the decision of the committee to add this piece of legislation to the next meeting of council. At this time, I would like to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mr. Baker made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first 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.
Mrs. Marshall reported that Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers met prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss the need for an ordinance to prohibit grass, weeds, and other substances being blown or deposited into city streets. After discussion it was the decision of the committee to place this ordinance on the agenda this evening for first reading. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first 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.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Boso was absent. Ms. Abdella reported that Planning and Zoning Committee met prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss a strip of land located near the Belpre Pool. It was the decision of the committee to take no action at this time.
Mrs. Boso was absent. No report was given for Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Sinnett, Rules Committee had no report.
Mr. Sinnett thanked Miss Pittenger for the flowers at the cross over. The flowers look very nice.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY INCOME TAX ORDINANCE AS TO INTEREST AND PENALTIES AND TO CORRECT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 31, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. 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 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. 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 on three different days to allow the second and third readings of RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 43, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff reminded all members of council that they are required to sign this piece of legislation before leaving this evening.
Mr. Baker brought before council for first 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first reading 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Neff recognized students from the Civic Class atBelpreHigh School.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mrs. Boso from this evening’s meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that there are no committee meetings scheduled before the next meeting of council and no changes to the committee assignments.
Mr. Baker expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ferguson for committing his time for the City ofBelpreas a Canine Handler inWashingtonCounty.
Mayor Lorentz thanked Mr. Neff for his time spent in arranging the Belpre City Golf Outing each year and for supporting such a good cause.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
None
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:10 p.m… A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.