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, Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the meeting was City Auditor Miss Pittenger, and Councilperson Mrs. Boso.
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 January 24, 2010 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 grant you approved for Civitan Park Improvements has been sent. Hopefully we will hear something by August timeframe. In preparing the grant I applied for the entire $70,000 using our manpower and equipment as an in-kind match.
On the 27th I attended the town hall meeting with the OSBA representative that is assisting Belpre during the Superintendent Search for our schools. It was informative but, disappointing in that only one school age parent was in attendance.
Also on the 27th I attended the Township Trustee’s meeting in Marietta. This group had asked me to join their association and attend when possible.
On the 28th Belpre Chamber held a Business Breakfast sponsored by National College. This organization has occupied the old Public Building in Parkersburg. The presentation was very informative and will be a much needed benefit for displaced workers or adults seeking a different vocation or furthering their career. Information is on the back table if you need more information.
February 4th marked 100 weddings I have performed since taking office.
March 10th the Mayor’s Partnership for Progress met in Athens for their monthly meeting. We were asked to bring elected officials with us if possible to discuss the changes and cuts we continue to hear about. I was fortunate to have Belpre Township Trustee Gary Merrow, Commissioner Tim Irvine was not in attendance and Terry Tamburini from the Port Authority travel with me. Congressman Johnson also sent a representative from his office.
On the agenda tonight is the 2nd reading for the O’Neill Center contract. I want to encourage council to pass this tonight as our partnership with the O’Neill Center is the best plan ever for our Sr. Group and the city.
Mr. McCauley has prepared legislation at my request so that I could re-apply for the grant to refurbish our boat ramp. If you remember correctly we applied for this last year and heard nothing. The Cooperative Boating Grant though the ODNR is still in play and could be awarded next year. Total amount of the grant was $132,900 to blacktop the entire ramp area. Our match or portion is $13,290.
On Saturday February 5th I attended and took part in the 39th Annual Pinewood Derby race with area Boy Scouts. The first place winner was a young man from Troop 19, and Mayor Nohe from Vienna won the Mayor’s race.
Mr. Ferguson and I met with Buckeye Energy Brokers for Gas and Electric Aggregation for our city on Monday February 7th. We have scheduled them for February 28th at 6:30 to make a presentation to council.
On February 11th, I joined the Chamber of Commerce in welcoming a new business to Belpre. Anytime Fitness held a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new facility that opened in the Kroger complex.
The Belpre Tree Commission set a couple dates for spring cleanup. If you would like to assist us with this effort please mark your calendar for April 15th. We will start with the gateway project and move to Civitan Park. Lunch is on the Mayor.
I hope that everyone had a nice Valentines’ Day and I would like to wish the Robinsons and the Bakers a Happy Anniversary.
Also I have a card that I would like everyone to sign for Miss Marshall our Commissioner. She is in the hospital in Columbus.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson made a comment regarding the number of marriages that have been performed and how many of them are still together. On your desk this evening is a copy of the Marietta Memorial Hospital Expansion that displays Memorial Belpre. There have been some remarkable changes on Grant Avenue as the cleaning up of some residence. I have asked the law director to review our grass cutting ordinance and reimbursement to the city. The PM Company, Strand and Burgess & Niples our companies doing business through the city. The Wastewater Treatment Plant and Ameresco are working together to make our Wastewater Treatment System work better. The AFSME Contract must be passed within 30 days. We have hired a new employee for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The city has been contacted about someone being interested in purchasing the cell tower. Pool Management will meet with the Y on Wednesday to discuss this year’s program. The burning ordinance in the city is still being worked on. The Natural Gas and Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Belpre will meet at 6:30 p.m. on February 28, 2011 before Belpre City Council with a very informative presentation.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the January’s Treasurer Report for 2011 has been distributed prior to this evenings meeting and is now awaiting council approval. 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. A signed copy was given to the clerk.
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Communications and Petitions
Mr. Neff announced the following:
- Everyone should have received a Calendar from the Belpre Senior Center with a list of activities for February 2011.
- A copy of the Natural Gas and Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Belpre is before you tonight. Council may want to review before our presentation on February 28, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
- I have checked with the Board of Elections and all petitions have been approved.
- McClinton Chevrolet discussed things that need corrected in Parkersburg. Discussion was very open and frank without argument.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella had no report for the Finance/Audit Committee. Ms Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first 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.
Ms Abdella made a motion also to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR A COMMUNITY BOATING FACILITY GRANT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers had no report.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee. Mr. Robinson stated he was glad to see Mr. McCauley working on the Natural Gas and Electric Aggregation Program for the City of Belpre.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee left the meeting due to illness. No report was given.
Mrs. Boso was absent. No report for Planning and Zoning Committee was given.
Mrs. Boso was absent. No report for Economic Development Committee was given.
Mr. Sinnett, Rules Committee had no report. Mr. Sinnett briefly spoke regarding the burning ordinance.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. Mr. Baker stated that improvements had been made. A five minute recess was called. Council resumed. 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 second 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first 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.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first 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.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mrs. Boso and Mr. Martin from this evening’s meeting due to illness. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Baker were both wished a Happy Anniversary to the two oldest guys present.
Adjourn:
A motion was made my Mr. Robinson to adjourn at 8:03 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.