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: Miss. Hendershot, Ms. Abdella; Miss Athey, Mr. Baker; Mr. Runnion, Mrs. Boso; Miss Morgan, Mrs. Marshall; Mr. Martin, Mr. Crites, Mr. Robinson; and Mr. Sinnett present. Also present were Mayor Sprouse, Mayor Lorentz; Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Auditor Mr. Stevens, Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Ullom, Mr. Webster, Treasurer Miss Gibbs, Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Miss Martin, Mrs. Meredith
At this time Miss Cleland asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Miss Morgan and Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of November 22, 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 Sprouse presented the report that was prepared by Mayor Lorentz. The report is as follows: Since we last met, Mr. Ferguson and I met with the planning and zoning commission to discuss a variance on Florence Street. This has since gone away and not needed.
The grant that I applied for through the Governor’s Office is finally complete. This small amount of money was to complete the traffic study on Farson Street.
Mr. Ferguson and my wife and I took part in the Christmas Parade December 27th. Thanks to the Holiday Lights Committee for their year long efforts to provide these wonderful decorations, and the Lion’s Club for organizing the parade for us.
On December 30th I was asked to help judge the Christmas Trees for Easter Seals at the Blennerhassett. All the trees were wonderfully decorated and made it hard to find winners for each category. The Mayor’s Choice selection brought over $21,000 at auction.
The holiday season means a lot of dinners and snacks. My wife and I attended the holiday Lights Christmas Dinner on the 6th, the Civitan Dinner on the 7th, and the Belpre City Christmas Party and Dinner was on the 11th. We still have the Mayor’s Dinner on the 15th.
The Holiday Lights Committee is still looking for volunteers to work the Gingerbread House. I have the sign-up sheet if anyone would like to assist the committee.
Council has legislation before them tonight to allow ODOT to perform repairs on the over pass bridge that goes to Marietta. This is a housekeeping task for us as there is no cost to the city. O.D.O.T. has also set the date for a preliminary walkthrough of our Safe Routes effected areas on the 16th of December.
On the table at the back of the room I have placed documents from Suddenlink explaining the upcoming rate increases for our city.
I am working once again with BP to sell another abandoned service station in our city. The BP station on Main and Washington Blvd is now for sale and, we have an offer from a local business to purchase this facility. Hopefully there is no contamination and this area can be developed quickly. As we look forward to next year I would like council to be thinking of legislation and ways to fund a code enforcement officer. Belpre has over 500 rentals which are more than the SSD and Sanitarian can handle. Fees for the inspections etc. would off-set most of the cost if we describe and manage the position correctly. I have information for you to study and will present in January.
As of last Thursday I was re-elected as President of the Mayor’s Partnership which covers Mayors from as far away as Chillicothe, Nelsonville, Jackson and our immediate area. We learned this past week that AEP will be forced to repay 156 million dollars due to excessive profits. No suggestion as to how this will happen. Federal appropriations are due the 3rd week of April. Representatives from state also let us know that school funding changes will not be pleasant and without a doubt the local school boards will shoulder the blame for budget shortfalls as well as the stagnation that will result. This makes the problem we gave the problem solving team at Belpre High School even more important.
Thank you Mr. President that is all I have for now.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguosn reported that the City has received 2 agreements from STRAND Associates and 1 from Burgess & Nipple for consulting work involving the upcoming Farson Street projects. Mr. Webster/Mr. McCauley’s Office has received and is reviewing the agreements on behalf of the city.
Negotiations with the AFSCME (ask me) Union will begin later this week. We will keep you advised of any developments.
The Civil Service Commission has provided the Administration with several qualified applications for the vacant position at the Waste Water Treatment Plan. A small committee will be conducting interviews to fill this position in the very near future.
This past week the City took delivery of a 2010 GMC pickup truck from a local vendor for the Water Dept. The purchase price of the truck was actually lower from the local vendor vs. what the Ohio State Purchasing program quoted.
Winter has arrived in the Mid-Ohio Valley!!! The City’s Street Department has already been called out 5 times in the last few weeks. Let’s hope this is not the trend that continues!!!
The Safety-Service Director wished everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a safe Holiday Season.
City Auditor Mr. Stevens announced for the City Auditor Miss Pittenger that there are 220 delinquent taxpayers in the City of Belpre. If these folks do not come forward and pay their taxes their names will be sent on to the law director for further action.
City Law Director Mr. Ullman had no report to present for City Law Director Mr. Webster.
City Treasurer Miss Gibbs announced that the Treasurer’s Report for November that was prepared by Mr. McAfee is before you tonight and is now awaiting council approval.
Mr. Crites made a motion to accept the November’s Treasurers’ Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions
Mr. Neff announced that he received a letter from the Law Director’s Office regarding open burning in the City of Belpre. According to the letter there is to be no open burning.
Mr. Neff also announced that he received a letter from the Department of Commerce, regarding a renewal of a liquor permit at the location of 604 Main Street, Belpre, Ohio.
Report of Standing Committee:
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella had no report for the Finance/Audit Committee.
Miss Athey/Mr. Baker, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Miss Athey on behalf of Mr. Baker wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Miss Morgan/Mrs. Marshall, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers had no report. Miss Morgan moved to by pass committee and add to the agenda Preliminary Legislation (For ODOT Project) Resolution. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Crites/Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report. Mr. Runnion made a motion to by-pass committee and adds to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDIANCE TO VACATE THE ENTIRE UNNAMED 10 FOOT ALLEY BETWEEN LOT 418 AND LOT 505 OF WILLIAM COE’S ADDITION. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso made a motion to by-pass committee and adds 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.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso had no report for Economic Development.
Mr. Sinnett, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this ordinance on three different days to allow the third reading of the TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 17, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE CLARIFYING ENTITLEMENT TO LONGEVITY PAY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this ordinance on three different days to allow the third reading of AN ORDINANCE CLARIFYING ENTITLEMENT TO LONGEVITY PAY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE CLARIFYING ENTITLEMENT TO LONGEVITY PAY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 18, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR 2010. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Ferguson pointed out that the year should read 2011 instead of 2010. (The legislation was read again using the correct year. See below)
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this ordinance on three different days to allow the third reading of an AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2011. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 19, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
New Business
Miss Morgan/Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first reading Preliminary Legislation (For ODOT Project) Resolution. Miss Hendershot asked for an explanation of the legislation. Miss Morgan informed Miss Hendershot that it was for standard maintenance. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Morgan/Mrs. Marshall moved to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this resolution on three different days to allow the second and third readings of Preliminary Legislation (For ODOT Project) Resolution. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Morgan/Mrs. Marshall brought before council for second and third readings Preliminary Legislation (For ODOT Project) Resolution. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Morgan/Mrs. Marshall moved this be Resolution 27, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE ENTIRE UNNAMED 10 FOOT ALLEY BETWEEN LOT 418 AND LOT 505 OF WILLIAM COE’S ADDITION. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso moved to suspend the rule of council requiring reading of this resolution on three different days to allow the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE ENTIRE UNNAMED 10 FOOT ALLEY BETWEEN LOT 418 AND LOT 505 OF WILLIAM COE’S ADDITION. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso brought before council for second and third reading of AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE ENTIRE UNNAMED 10 FOOT ALLEY BETWEEN LOT 418 AND LOT 505 OF WILLIAM COE’S ADDITION. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso moved this be Ordinance 20, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE OWNED BY BRIAN C. AND CYNTHIA R EATON. Discussion followed by Miss Hendershot/Miss Abdella regarding why it had to be rezoned. Mr. Runnion informed them that there had been a request to rezone to R-1. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Miss Hendershot/Ms. Abdella, Mr. Crites and Mr. Robinson. It was the decision of the committee to withdraw the legislation for further discussion.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Mr. Palmer, Student Government Teacher at Belpre High School stood and thanked the administration and council for allowing the students to engage in City Government Day.
Mayor Lorentz thanked the students for their participation and for making the day enjoyable. Merry Christmas to all!
Mr. Runnion/Mrs. Boso called a committee meeting for January 10, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing AN ORDINANCE CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE OWNED BY BRIAN C. AND CYNTHIA R EATON.
Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Neff, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Ferguson all committed on the fine job that the student did.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.