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: Mr. Baker, Mrs. Boso, Mr. Martin, 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, Treasurer Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the meeting was Ms. Abdella and Mrs. Marshall.
At this time Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Sinnett made a motion to accept the minutes of February 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 reported that the District Executive for the Allohak Council of Boy Scouts has asked for permission to use the east side of the pool for parking vehicles and equipment during the May Council Camporee. Be aware that we could have over 400 Boy Scouts in Howe’s Grove Park should high water prevent access to the island.
On February 22nd, I attended the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority Annual business meeting in Marietta. It was nice to hear all the good things some of the board members had to say about one of our own firemen. It seems that Roger Hendershot was instrumental in assisting the port during the time they acquired the ODNR land north of Marietta.
The Chamber of Commerce held a Business Breakfast on Friday February 25th to allow area businesses a chance to discuss their services as well as network together. The topic for the day was the cuts being voted on in Congress and Senate this week. As your Mayor I have written letters opposing most of the cuts as they will only cause more of a hardship on our roundtable discussion with our State Rep. Hopefully you have tried to keep up in the newspapers what programs are actually on the chopping block. For us it will be Head Start, WIC, HEAP, Jobs and Family Services, The OSU Extension Office and the Development District Offices.
On March 4th I have been invited to meet with the President of AEP to discuss the upcoming rate increases and the impact on our area. After our meeting I will communicate back to council.
Council, Please do not forget that the Commissioners meet here Thursday night at 6PM. It would be nice to have representation from council for their first meeting.
Mr. Ferguson, Officer Stump, Matt Bremar, Officer Hunter and I are registered to participate in the first annual Righditarod in Marietta. As time allows I will be contacting you to sponsor us in this race. This is a five mile race with grocery carts instead of dogsleds. All proceeds go to our Belpre Area Food Pantry at BAM and to the Right Path of Washington County.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson first wished Mayor Lorentz a Happy Birthday. Mr. Ferguson thanked everyone who attended the Buckeye Brokers for Gas and Electric Aggregation meeting. I would like for the Council President refer this to committee. There is also two other pieces of legislation that I would like to have referred to committee. They are noxious weeds and removal of litter. Due to all the rain that we have had I am told that the river is to crest on Wednesday at 34.7. I would also like to announce that water is being pumped from Lake Tom at Civitan Park.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that the Mayor has 60 hairs on his head not 39. The adjustment to the Treasurer’s Report is on your desk for approval. This adjustment had to due with cleaning up of inactive accounts. Mr. Webster is getting Judgments on Income Tax delinquencies. Miss Pittenger stated that Mr. Wiggins is setting up payment plans for those needing to do so. There will be 6, 12 or 24 month plans. Citizens should receive these letters by the end of the week.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that the cost of Mayors Court has gone up. We had the first set of hearing’s today regarding income tax delinquencies. We received one full payment, two monthly payments and one default. We are reviewing the collection on noxious weeds and litter. Mr. Webster gave the history of Lake Tom and the problem with mosquitoes it causes when the water is not drained.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee asked council for an approval on the adjusted Treasurer’s Report. Mr. Robinson made a motion to accept the adjustment to the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Sinnett made a motion to accept the Corrected Treasurer’s Report. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. McAfee reminded everyone that the Sr. Levy will be on the ballot in November. He would like everyone to remind friends and family to vote on this issue. A break down as to where the money goes is as follows: $50,000 is divided up for SR. Projects, RSVP, Community Action, etc.
Communications and Petitions
Mr. Neff assigned the following to committee:
- AN ORDINANCE REGARDING NOXIOUS WEEDS, GRASS OR OTHER VEGETATION ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN CITY LIMITS to the Rules Committee.
- AN ORDINANCE REGARDING REMOVAL OF LITTER FROM PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN CITY LIMITS to the Rules Committee.
- AN ORDINANCE REGARDING THE DEPOSIT OF RECEIPTS OF SANITATION FUNDS to the Utilities Committee
Also received was a Calendar of Events from the Senior Center.
April 15th, 2011 the Financial Disclosures are due.
We did receive a letter that our names will appear on the ballot in November.
There is 190 days left until the Belpre City Golf Outing that will be held September 7th, 2011.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella was absent. No report was given for the Finance/Audit Committee. Mrs. Boso made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall was absent. There was no report given for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers.
Mr. Robinson reported that the Utilities Committee met prior to this evening’s meeting for a presentation about the Natural Gas and Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Belpre. Mr. Robinson has called a committee meeting for March 14, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing Sanitation Funds and Gas and Electric Aggregation.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mr. Martin stated that since Mr. Webster has taken office the collections have doubled on fines. The cost of jail time is added into their fines and agencies have paid above the cost in fines.
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 called a committee meeting for March 14, 2011 at 6:45 p.m. for the purpose of discussing noxious weeds and litter. There have been no updates on burning within the city.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Martin brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 29, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett moved this be Resolution 30, 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 AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR A COMMUNITY BOATING FACILITY GRANT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Boso brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT TO CONDUCT A COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business:
Mrs. Boso brought before council for first reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Neff reviewed the Committee Assignment.
Mr. Martin made a motion to excuse Ms. Abdella and Mrs. Marshall from this evenings meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council: none
Mr. Neff announced that Jim Wilcoxin, an employee for the City Public Works Department passed away since our last meeting.
Adjourn:
A motion was made my Mr. Robinson to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.