Belpre City Council Minutes
President of Council Mr. Martin called the Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio, to order at 7:30 p.m. At this time Mayor Lorentz swore in Mr. William Locke to the position of 1st Ward Councilman. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mr. Locke, Mrs. Drake, Mr. Gant, Mrs. Miller, and Ms. Riffle present. Also present was Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the meeting was Councilperson Mr. Shutts.
Mr. Martin asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Martin asked that since today is Veteran’s Day he would like to remember all the veterans that have served previously and are serving now in our prayers. Mayor Lorentz gave the invocation.
Mr. Gant made a motion to accept the minutes of October 28, 2019 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 going around your desks this evening is a Proclamation for Veteran’s Day. The area Mayors have all signed and distributed to honor this day.
Mr. Webster has the information, maps, and property plots to allow an easement for Dominion Gas should it be necessary. This is for the new 8 inch line to assist growth in Belpre.
After speaking with Miss Pintz, the one day that would fit our students and our meeting schedule is December 9th for student government day. Our Superintendent will also be here to lay out his vision for Belpre Schools.
The Service Director, Deputy Auditor and I are going to Athens to meet with our insurance carrier in hope of a better price and or coverage for our employees. On Friday I will be out for the day. This is my only opportunity for Mayor’s court Training in Columbus.
Tonight we have a few of our Fire fighters that need sworn in as Fire Inspectors. At this time, Mayor Lorentz swore in the following: Tony Cronin, Jeff Rafferty, William Hale and Wes Hale. Jeremy Crouse was working and was unable to attend. He will be sworn in at a later time.
I have been in contact with Miss Pintz at the high school and it has been decided that Student Government Day is December 9th, 2019.
Also this evening I would like to introduce our new Safety Service Director. Connie Hoblitzell will officially start tomorrow morning with our city. Please take a moment after the meeting to introduce yourself.
Congratulations to all the elected council representatives and thank you for serving.
Mayor Lorentz reported for the Safety-Service Director’s Office. He stated that we are still in the middle of negotiations with our department heads.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that each member of council should have a copy of the budget on their desk. The gray sections are the missing links that we are waiting on. from the department heads, Safety-Service Director and the Mayor. Now that we have a Safety-Service Director our goal is to have all grayed areas filled in by the end of the week.
Also at the last meeting I informed you that Lisa and I would be meeting with a new software company for our budgetary needs. It will cost a little bit upfront but will be so helpful to us. Every department head will be able to do their own purchase orders from their desk and will be able to email directly with a trail as to where the purchase order is. The department heads will be able to look at their budget and the Safety-Service Director will be able to look at budget as far as forecasting for the next year. This will help us with the next five year projections. It is quite different from what we have today.
The Adjustment Report is on the back table and has been on-line for about a week now. Shown is the $20,000 adjustment for the county. I would ask for approval by council at this time. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except for Mrs. Miller who voted against the motion.
Miss Pittenger also reported that the last two appropriations we needed to approve the transfer of $2,000 to the State Highway and $24,000 to the Street Department never happened so we need to approve this and also we need to approve an advance of $90,000 to our Permissive fund. Our Permissive Fund is in the negative by $78,000 because of Grant Funding that we were supposed to receive to cover cost however that will not happen until Year 2020. Once received monies will go back to the General Fund and the rest will go to the Permissive Fund. Miss Pittenger stated that we can’t end the year in the negative. Mr. Webster stated that the State Auditor approved the advance. Ms. Abdella made a motion for the transfer and the advance. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Miss Pittenger also announced that her nephew is now active duty in the Air Force in Texas and will go to Saudi Arabia in December.
City Law Director Mr. Webster asked Mr. Locke to give him his email address before leaving this evening.
Mr. Webster also asked Council if they had received the two pieces of legislation that was mailed out to them. One was the Temporary Appropriation for Calendar and Fiscal Year 2020 and the Bridge Inspection for ODOT. Anyone not receiving please be sure I have the correct email address.
Mr. Webster also mentioned an easement for Dominion Gas. He stated that this line is to go under the extension of Pine Street. In 1998 there was a transfer done from Bernard Moore and his wife to the City of Belpre for the extension of Pine Street. This would be the southern portion of Pine Street. The legislation was passed however it didn’t get recorded to the County and the street never got dedicated by the city, I will take care of this so it will be ready to go. Mr. Webster stated that since the line would be going on to Hill Street he wanted to be sure that the easement was approved by both parties. According to the Mayor it was however he would call to verify.
City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter reported that the October Treasurer’s Report is before you this evening. Copies are on the back table, posted on-line and a signed copy to the clerk. I would ask for approval by council this evening. Ms. Abdella made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions: –
Mr. Martin informed Council that he has signed off on both the September and October Reconciliation Report.
Mr. Martin assigned to the Finance/Audit Committee the Temporary Appropriations. Mr. Martin was informed that it had already been assigned at the last meeting.
Mr. Martin assigned the ODOT Bridge Inspection to Street’s, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer, Mr. Locke Chairman.
Mr. Martin asked all members of council to take a look at your committee assignments as we will be having a changeover of council.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee reported that the Committee meeting for November 6, 2019 at 6PM to discuss the Temporary Appropriations had been canceled due to lack of information. As soon as they are sent out we will call a committee meeting to discuss.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee reported that her committee met to discuss golf carts in our city. She stated that it was a general discussion. No action was taken at this time.
Mr. Locke had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee reported that he was still working on some things for water. I was held up due to Mr. Cross leaving. Now that we have a new Safety-Service Director I will get started on that. I will be finishing up the other two items on my committee assignments.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that the October Economic Development Committee meeting was cancelled.
Ms. Riffle, Rules Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evening’s council meeting for the purpose of discussing the Tobacco/Vaping Ordinance. There was some things brought up that we will want Mr. Webster to include in that ordinance and to enhance what the health board gave us. I will be getting with Mr. Webster and will be presenting that. Hope to finish before the end of the year. Mayor Lorentz thought this would be good to discuss with the students on December 9, 2019.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: – None
NEW BUSINESS: None
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL: None
Mr. Gant made a motion to excuse Mr. Shutts from this evenings meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella didn’t think she would be able to complete her assignments on Impound Lots. According to Mr. Webster she should be able to complete.
ADJOURN:
Mrs. Drake made a motion to adjourn at 8:03 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.