Belpre City Council minutes 3/11/2013
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City o fBelpre, Ohio was called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at7:30 p.m.with Mr. Neff welcoming everyone to this evening’s meeting. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Newberry, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett, and Mr. Wallace 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.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Mr. Neff.
A motion was made by Mrs. Marshall to accept the minutes ofFebruary 25, 2013as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Lorentz’s presented his report:
On February 26th I attended the Annual Board Meeting for the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority. It is interesting to hear about the different projects around our region. Our own Tom Webster is the new chairman for 2013.
On the same date we hosted the county 911 commission to discuss our role as well as officers for the group. Later that evening Mr. Ferguson and I met inMariettato discuss the good and bad of the June storm last year. The newEOCand communication improvements in the county may be a help to Belpre should we have another such emergency.
The hardware building on Main Street is now the Old Town Emporium. This is a consignment type shop and auction house.
The 3rd Annual Easter Parade is scheduled for March 23rd a t2PM in Parkersburg. Hopefully some of our organizations as well as the city will take part.
Our court continues to be quite large and has numerous drug related violators in it. After the large drug bust inarkersburg wrote letters to our state representatives asking them to reinstate harsher penalties for drug related offenses. It is ridiculous to have penalties for drugs mirror traffic offenses. In my opinion, if you bring drugs into Belpre you go to jail.
Mayor Newell, Mayor Jean Ford, Mayor Rapp and I signed a proclamation on March 8th for the Red Cross to celebrate Red Cross week.
Our State Representative Debbie Phillips was in town today and met with people from O.S.U. extension the 4H and myself. We are blessed to have the programs that the extension office offers. Of course the state funding process or lack of jeopardizes this also.
Today I joined the Belpre Garden Club for lunch to celebrate 75 continuous years in service to our community. I prepared and read a proclamation for the event.
Mr. President you have folks here tonight from the DNR to discuss the Bow Range that I previously reported to council. At some point tonight, I would like them to be recognized so to explain what is being proposed.
With us tonight is Kerry Nichols our newest Patrolman for the Police Department. Kerry comes to us from Parkersburg and should be an asset to our department. Introduced also was Kerry’s family. Mr. Neff welcomed Kerry to the force.
At this time, Eric Barrett and Dean Sinclair from DNRpresented to Council information regarding an ArcheryRangeat CivitanPark. Currently these ranges are located at VetoLakeand BuckeyePark. This is a PublicArcheryRange. Bow Hunting is very big in the county. Funding is provided. Also this will bring people into our community and should help some of the area businesses. There is a list of rules to follow also with restriction on bow heads, restricted to field point only, etc. When the parks close, the range also closes. If this is approved it will be located east of Speedy Bill’s Operations. Also discussed was the lighting of this facility, natural barriers, outdoor youth day and liability insurance. This is a $10,000 grant in which $6,000 will be used to put the range in and build targets. The additional $4,000 is used to build additional targets. Cross bows will be allowed. Discussion followed. Mr. Neff assigned this to Parks & Recreation Committee. If at all possible they would like to have this completed by June 5th, 2013.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson announced thatMarch 18, 2013 at6:00 PM, Belpre Fire Department Training Center, the Civil Service Test will be given.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that everyone should have received the February Utility Adjustment Report that is awaiting approval. At this time a motion was made by Ms. Abdella to accept the Utility Adjust Report. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Miss Pittenger also discussed the new fund raiser for Belpre in Bloom. This year they have added freshly painted fire hydrants with flower designs that will be used for the beautification in our town for 2013. The other fund raisers include sponsoring a banner and hanging baskets. We will also be sponsoring our annual trip to Bob’s Market.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report for the Law Director’s Office.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report for the Treasurer’s Office. Mr. McAfee reminded everyone about the 60th Anniversary of the Lion’s Club atRocklandChurch on Saturday evening.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced that he received an invitation to attend the 80th Birthday Celebration of Mr. Keith Stotts onMay 11, 2013. The celebration will be hosed by: Garry Isom and Gordon Rampy. The location will be OVC Main Campus.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee had no report.
Mr. Sinnett, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mr. Wallace, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee, had no report. Mr. Martin called a Committee Meeting forMarch 25, 2013at7:00 p.m.for the purpose of discussing the bow range atCivitanPark.
Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee reported that prior to this evenings meeting Planning and Zoning Committee met for the purpose of discussing Ordinance 1313.13 concerning inoperable vehicles. After much discussion and suggestions it was ended until she could speak to the law director to see what can legally be done about this. After that it will come up again and be presented to council.
Mrs. Marshall, Economic Development Committee had no report.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
At this time, Mrs. Marshall made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda under New Business, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LANDSCAPING OF CERTAIN AREAS, INCLUDING SETBACK, OFF-STREET PARKING, AND OTHER VEHICULAR USE AREAS, IN CONNECTION WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION, CHANGE IN USE, OR RECONSTRUCTION, RENOVATIONS OR REMODELING: REQUIRING A LANDSCAPE PLAN TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
No one appeared before council on the agenda items.
Mr. McAfee pointed out a correction to the minutes of February 25, 2013. Under his report it stated that Mr. and Mrs. McAfee would be celebrating their 60th Anniversary however it is the Lion’s Club celebrating their 60th Anniversary.
Unfinished Business:
Mr. Martin brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE BLENNERHASSETT ISLAND HISTRORICAL STATE PARK. 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 second reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2013. 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 second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE ATHENS-CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR SERVICES OF A PART TIME SANITARIAN. 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 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. Marshall brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR LANDSCAPING OF CERTAIN AREAS, INCLUDING SETBACK, OFF-STREET PARKING, AND OTHER VEHICULAR USE AREAS, IN CONNECTION WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION, CHANGE IN USE, OR RECONSTRUCTION, RENOVATIONS OR REMODELING: REQUIRING A LANDSCAPE PLAN TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 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:
Samuel Jackson,#7 Elm Streetappeared before council regarding dog waste. He would like the citizens to be notified that if their dog dirties, be thoughtful and clean it up.
Lori Post, 3rd Street Belpre appeared before council regarding a business at405 John Street. Mr. Carpenter of this address is conducting business at the said location. The land owner has applied for and been denied a zoning reclassification, yet the occupant still continues to have a dumpster in front of the building, alterations have been made to the interior of the building without a building permit, and materials that he used in his occupation are being stored in the rear and the right side of the property. Even though Mr. Carpenter does not have customers coming to his business he does produce tangible goods for sale. Miss Post argues that this is not permissible under the current C3 zoning. (i.e. marine launching & docking, marinas, marine storage and repair, marine fueling and service, yacht & boat club facilities, etc). Per Miss Post several residents have expressed that they would like this area to remain a C3. According to Miss Post, Mr. Carpenter is in violation of the code.
Mr. Sinnett informed Miss Pittenger that the newly painted fire hydrants look very nice however he has concern about how the firemen will be able to find the hydrants during the night if there is a fire. According to Miss Pittenger they will put some type of a reflector on the hydrants.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at8:35 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.