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, Mrs. Boso, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Sinnett present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, and Treasurer Mr. McAfee. Absent from the meeting were Councilmen Baker and Councilmen Martin.
At this time Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of March 14, 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 reminded all members of council and the administration that your Financial Disclosure forms are due before we meet again.
Our Recreation Committee met on March 16th to discuss the upcoming summer events. Baseball sign-ups were held March 19th as well as spring clean-up for the ball teams. It was announced that the tree commission will work on the parks April 15th starting at 9:00 a.m. everyone is welcome to assist if they wish. The pool contract was discussed with the YMCA and all agreed this was in our best interest. The annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held April 23rd, and do not Forget Relay for Life will be May 13th and 14th at Civitan.
On March 18th I attended the business breakfast at the Chamber sponsored by Camden Clark Hospital. This has become a good roundtable discussion time for small businesses to showcase their services or to ask questions.
Sidewalk repairs should start in the next couple of weeks in numerous spots around town. We have designed two spots on Washington Blvd, 1 spot on Putnam Howe Drive, Maple Street and Middle Street for this round.
On March 26th I was invited to speak for the Blue and Gold Banquet honoring the cub scouts that will move on to the rank of Boy Scout’s. This was a very nice ceremony and well done by the leaders.
March 30th I will meet with the CFO of Middleton Doll to assist in whatever way I can to find new owners for this huge empty building.
April 15th the Tree Commission is having a clean-up day for parks and ground. Mr. Ferguson is arranging for a couple large dumpsters to be placed at the C-8 building to accept clippings, yard waste and junk for the citizens to take advantage of. No appliances or hazardous materials will be collected at this time.
I have received the new jail contract from the Washington County Sheriff for the upcoming year. Mr. President I ask for this to be sent to committee tonight to expedite the process.
Tonight my friends the Women’s Club is here to present the Belpre Police Department with a new AED. I will introduce the ladies and let them explain how this came to pass. Mrs. Lorentz gave a presentation before council regarding the need for the de-fibulator. The de-fibulator was presented in Memory of Emily Spencer.
Thanks were extended to the fire department and Kristi Hadfield for certifying everyone in the department on the use of the AED de-fibulaor.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson announced that my wife and I attended the 25th Anniversary of the O’Neil Center. On your desk tonight I placed a copy of the certification that Susie Casto, our Senior Director was recently certified by the Ohio Association of Senior Centers as a Senior Center Manager. The OASC is an association of senior center professionals, designed to support and enhance the ability of Ohio’s senior center network to effectively serve older adults. Last Tuesday, I attended the Municipal League at the State House with Miss Pittenger. Mr. Ferguson also mentioned the lighting strike of a tree near the Mayor’s Office.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that she attended the Municipal League lunch at the State House. On Wednesday I will be attending the Ohio Bureau of Work Seminar. Lisa and I will be attending the State Auditor Conference and Sandy will be taking some computer training. Our Independent Auditors will be here on the 11th of April. Bureau of Workman’s Comp will be here on the 14th of April. We are still working on cleaning up the inactive accounts of the 90’s.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that before you tonight is the Proposed Prisoner Contract for Washington County. I would ask that council approve this piece of legislation.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report. Mr. McAfee stated that Mr. Baker came home from the hospital today and is doing pretty well.
Communications and Petitions
Mr. Neff announced that on your desk tonight is a memo from Lisa regarding the Ohio Deferred Compensation Program. You should have a copy of the summary of adjustments by Service on your desk. I would like to assign the Care of Prisoners to Ms. Abdella’s Committee. Also distributed to all members of council was the 25th Anniversary of the O’Neill Center.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella stated that for the Finance/Audit Committee she would like to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR THE CARE AND SUSTENANCE OF PRISONERS. Ms. Abdella stated that she was missing Page 2 if someone could please get her a copy. Ms. Abdella stated that there are no changes to the contract. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker, Police and Fire Committee were absent. No report was given.
Mrs. Marshall had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers. Mrs. Marshall thanked the Woman’s Club for taking on such a project.
Mr. Robinson reported that prior to this evenings meeting the Utilities Committee met for the purpose of discussing Gas and Electric Aggregation. Mr. Robinson called a Committee Meeting for April 6, 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing Gas & Electric Aggregation. I would like to request that full council be present. Mr. Robinson made a motion to accept the adjustment report. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee were absent. No report was given in his absence.
Mrs. Boso had no report for Planning and Zoning Committee.
Mrs. Boso had no report for Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Sinnett, Rules Committee had no report. Mr. Sinnett thanked the Women’s Club for the AED de-fibulator.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 22, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Robinson brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THE DEPOSIT OF RECEIPTS OF SANITATION REVENUE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE REGARDING NOXIOUS WEEDS, GRASS OR OTHER VEGETATION ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN CITY LIMITS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE REGARDING REMOVAL OF LITTER FROM PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN CITY LIMITS. 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. Sinnett brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING OPEN BURNING REGULATIONS WITHIN THE CITY 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.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR THE CARE AND SUSTENANCE OF PRISONERS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Neff went over the Council Committee Assignments.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Baker and Mr. Martin from this evening’s meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Adjourn:
A motion was made by Mr. Robinson to adjourn at 8:03 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.