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. Boso, Mrs. Marshall, 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 Councilman 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 January 10, 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 last fall I wrote the grant for safety improvements at our launch facilities at Civitan Park. On January 18th I received word that we were successful for the entire amount of the grant. This will improve electrical needs at the ramp plus add much needed and improved lighting. We planned for everything we needed to the sum of $24,000 and received $20,000. With some assistance from the Holiday Lights group we should totally complete our list.
Interviews for the opening at our sewer plant are complete. We ended up with three applicants and two showed up. Mr. Ferguson, Mike Betz, and Denzil Ray will make the offer to the successful candidate.
On your agenda tonight is a resolution for us to apply for a grant through The Ohio Department of Natural Resources for improvements to Civitan Park and our Pond Area. This grant will be awarded this fall and funded 1st quarter of 2012. At this point I have most of the figures together but, await the cost and amount of clay material to finish. This grant is a 75/25 match grant with materials, labor, and equipment being applied as in-kind match. Phase one of the project will be the Fishing Pond rehab, handicapped accessibility, drainage improvements, and walks totaling approximately $160,000. I am at $27,840 toward the match without costs for the clay liner.
Members of the AFSCME Union voted last week to accept the proposals agreed to at the beginning of the month. Council will have copies of the contract changes tonight after discussion.
I want to thank the street department and our police department for the wonderful job of clearing the last snow fall and addressing all the calls for service over the last couple weeks.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson thanked the Street Department for the outstanding job they performed removing the recent snow on the city streets. Mr. Ferguson also thanked Mr. McCauley for the Developers Agreement. This is for the PM Company Storm Water Design and Engineering. I will asked that an Executive Session be called this evening after the regular meeting to discuss changes to ASFME Contract.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that he has completed a Summary of the 2010 Criminal Cases within our city. Mr. Webster stated that we have broken down the criminal and traffic files – totaling (153) by charge. Also listed was the number of 2010 cases still pending in the Marietta Municipal Court as of January 24, 2011. The cases were also broken down by the different law enforcement agencies. If anyone has any questions or concerns please feel free to call Mr. Webster to discuss. Mr. Webster has been asked by the City Auditor to take a look at all Real Estate bills for the putting greens, Radio Car Outfit and the Fire Department on Farson Street. Mr. Webster stated they should not have real estate tax due.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the December’s Treasurer Report for 2010 has been distributed prior to this evenings meeting and is now 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. A signed copy was given to the clerk.
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Communications and Petitions
Mr. Neff announced that before him tonight were three pieces of legislation that he assigned to committee. They are as follows:
- A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR A GRANT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES – Mr. Martin – Parks and Recreation.
- A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. – Mrs. Marshall – Streets, Sidewalks & Storm Sewer.
- A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. – Ms. Abdella – Finance Audit Committee.
Everyone should have received an invitation and notes from the Senior Center. On Saturday, January 29, 2010 at noon, Rockland United Methodist Church the Belpre Lions Club will sponsor the annual William Weinrich Awards Dinner. The Belpre Senior Center will honor Lee Middleton (posthumously) as the Outstanding Senior Citizen of 2010. There is no charge, but attendees are asked to bring canned goods or cash in support of the Belpre Area Ministries. On February 3, 2011 at 11 a.m. the Belpre Senior Center Chili Cook-Off with celebrity (or is that infamous??) judges, Police Chief Ernest Clevenger and Fire Chief Bob Frank, lunch is $2.50.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger has asked that I assign the Permanent Appropriations for 2011 to the Finance/Audit Committee.
As a reminder February 2, 2010 is Ground Hog Day and the day that your petitions are due at the Washington County Board of Elections. This is for anyone seeking election for the upcoming 2012-2013 terms.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella reported that the Finance/Audit Committee met prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss a new agreement with the O’Neil Senior Center for management of the Belpre Senior Center for January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011. It was the consensus of her committee to add to tonight’s agenda. At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first 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 asked that the Mayor discuss the Strand.
Mayor Lorentz stated that before you tonight was a letter from Strand Associates, Inc which is a business hired to develop a schematic master plan for improvements to Civitan Park. The goals of this project were to identity a number of improvements that could be made to Civitan park to enhance its usefulness to all of those utilizing the park, including the handicapped, and to provide a plan to assist the City in applying for funding of the design and construction of this project.
Mr. Baker, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers reported that her committee met to discuss A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. Discussed was the increase in salary for Kathy Davis with the Washington Soil and Water Conservation. It was the consensus of her committee to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first 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. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee, was 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.
Mr. Sinnett, Rules Committee had no report. Mr. Sinnett made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR A GRANT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Mrs. Boso brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE OWNED BY BRIAN C. AND CYNTHIA R EATON. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mrs. Boso whom voted nay.
Mrs. Boso moved this be Ordinance 21, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first 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 except Mr. Baker whom voted nay. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first 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.
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR A GRANT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett moved to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this resolution on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR A GRANT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPLY FOR A GRANT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Sinnett moved this be Resolution 28, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Scott Mead, 6 7th Street, Belpre, appeared before council with concern regarding safety issues and the corner of Washington Blvd and Main Street and the tunnel at Depot Street. He would like the administration to take a look at his concerns and come up with a plan to eliminate this safety concern.
Ms. Abdella stated that she would be calling a committee meeting sometime before the next meeting of council to discuss the 2011 Permanent Appropriations and adding money to Police Department for equipment.
Alex Lowe, 315 Maple Street appeared before council regarding the Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Civitan Park on April 23rd.
Mr. Robinson announced that we may not be present at the next meeting of council.
It is his anniversary.
Mr. Sinnett made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evenings meeting. Mr. Martin was working out of town. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that we would be going into Executive Session. There will not be any further business that will come before this council this evening.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Adjourn:
A motion was made to adjourn after the Executive Session. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.