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. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mrs. Drake, Mr. Gant, Mrs. Miller, Ms. Riffle and Mr. Shutts present. Also present was Mayor Lorentz, City Law Director Mr. Webster, City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the meeting was City Auditor Miss Pittenger.
Mr. Martin asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Lorentz gave the invocation.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the minutes of September 23, 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 October 1st I joined the Breast Cancer function Bras across the Bridge to wish them well and thank all for participating.
October 3rd I met with a group from Civitan to discuss the future of the Jr. Baseball organization and their intent for the fields. Mr. Green and I will continue to try and get them in a better state. Participant numbers are way down and this makes it hard to get volunteers to step up and maintain the fields.
On your desk tonight is a letter of agreement between our city and the County Commissioners. We are working to assure the numbers we have match the flow from the county line. Plans are to install a new meter, calibrate, agree and bill accordingly.
The 911 advisory committee met and worked on the issues with radios, connectivity and windows upgrade for all three PSAPS. Ms. Riffle asked the Mayor what PSAPS is. Mayor Lorentz didn’t have the exact name but stated that it was for dispatch. Once complete and of the three PSAP’s could move to the main center on Davis Avenue and operate during a crisis.
My wife and I were invited to the American Legion Auxiliary Annual conference. I was asked to speak and welcome everyone to our city. We are blessed to have such an active group of ladies working to make Belpre better for all.
October 9th I attended the I Believe Dinner and fund raiser. Good time, Good Cause, Good food.
The 8th and 9th of this month Chief Williams and I along with our attorney met with our officers and the UFWC on contract negotiations. As soon as Ben gets everything changed and compiled we can present to council for approval. We should have it by the 28th of this month for our next meeting. Our members will vote next week. AFSCME negotiations will start later in the month covering our maintenance employees.
Thanks to Mr. Webster, Belpre Lion’s Club and Pioneer Presbyterian Church for a wonderful Apple Butter Stir-Off weekend.
Since our last meeting I met with a group of engineers for a pre-construction meeting for a new business. Later in the week I met with the folks that will be owning and running this business. Tonight we have with us Ms. Kristin Idone from Foundations Health Solutions to explain her project and what it brings to our city. We have also started the process of engineering and gathering info for future infrastructure needs we know will be needed as progress continues in this area. Buckeye Hills is on board and ready to assist.
At this time Kristin Idone, Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnership spoke before council regarding the Rockland Ridge and the impact it would have on Belpre. Rockland Ridge will employ 60 FTE that will have great Health Insurance including vision, dental, disability, life and paid time off.
The construction impact to Local Economy is that it is a $6.7M construction cost ($100 K per bed). It is a 67 bed long term healthcare center. Eighty percent of the material and jobs are to be sourced locally.
We will be meeting with the local hospitals within the next two weeks to find out their needs. Ms. Abdella asked if there would be a vent facility and an on-site rehab. According to Ms. Idone this would all be available however some of it may be in the Marietta location.
Their annual payroll is $2.5M adding local income tax dollars directly to the City of Belpre.
The $6,000,000 property value will be added to the county tax base supporting local schools and community services.
Ms. Idone had a construction floor plan that she shared with all members of council.
Ms. Riffle asked if there would be any problems with the gas issue. According to Mayor Lorentz he didn’t think it would be an issue.
Ms. Riffle also asked a questions about the letter received from our County Commissioners. She asked if $20,000 would cover the cost. The bill had not been paid for two months and the fact that the meter that measurers sewage flow seems to be malfunctioning to us.
During the conversation and fact finding we agreed that the commissioners and/or Washington County would replace the meter, and also assume any engineering fees from ADR Engineering firm incurred in replacing the meter. This work is to be completed as soon as possible so as to collect accurate flow data from Belpre waste water.
We also agreed to accept the June bill of $45,390.50 as payment for July and August. A check will be written from the county to Belpre for $20,000 to cover September. The City of Belpre will accept $20,000 for October and November should we not have this corrected to everyone’s satisfaction. Hopefully this makes sense, and all parties are in agreement the bill needs paid; but it also needs to be on a correct reading.
Mayor Lorentz presented a brief report for the Safety-Service Director’s Office. Mayor Lorentz announced that negotiations are complete for the Police Department. I feel that they went very well. We continue to work with the Street Department on the storm water issues. Our brand new dump truck is going back to the shop. The dump won’t dump.
Mrs. Miller asked how much salt is going to be this year. Mayor Lorentz wasn’t sure of the cost however he would find out and send out email. Ms. Riffle asked if we had salt left over from last year. According to the Mayor we did have salt available.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter reported that the September Treasurer’s Report is before you this evening. The report appears on-line with copies on the back table and a signed copy to the clerk. I would ask that council approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Ms. Riffle made a motion to accept the report as presented. Ms. Abdella stated that she has not yet seen it because she is struggling to get on-line. Mayor Lorentz gave her a copy. She reviewed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions: – None
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee reported that she had conversation with the Fire Chief regarding the need of $25,000 for the fire department. He has asked that it be added to the Supplemental Appropriations that is on the agenda for the third reading this evening. This money will be used for hose and pack testing. I wanted you all to know that I will be requesting an amendment to the attachment this evening.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
There was no report given for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee had no report.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee reported that her committee met on October 14, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A DEED OF CERTAIN CITY REAL ESTATE TO THE SOUTHEASTERN OHIO PORT AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER TO RAUCH AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC. The discussion consisted of river front property at the south end of Main Street. The issue will remain in committee pending the architectural drawing.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report other than the committee will meet this Thursday evening at 6PM.
Ms. Riffle, Rules Committee had no report. Ms. Riffle called a committee meeting for October 28th, 2019 at 7PM for the purpose of discussing abandoned cars/vehicles in the City of Belpre.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Mr. Martin read the following legislation that appears on this evening’s agenda. They are as follows:
For third reading RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS.
For first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH BURTON PLANNING SERVICES, LLC.
There was no one in the audience wishing to speak in regards to the legislation.
Unfinished Business: –
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS. Discussion followed. Ms. Abdella informed council that the attachment has been modified to add an additional $25,000 to the fire department for testing. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 28, 2018-2019 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 MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH BURTON PLANNING SERVICES, LLC. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH BURTON PLANNING SERVICES, LLC. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for the second and third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT AGREEMENT WITH BURTON PLANNING SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 29, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL:
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street Belpre invited everyone to meet the Candidate this Thursday night at 7PM at Belpre Elementary.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.