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 7:30p.m. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Drake, Mr. Gant, Mrs. Miller, Ms. Riffle and Mr. Shutts present. Also present was City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the meeting was Mayor Lorentz.
Mr. Martin asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Gant gave the invocation.
Ms. Riffle made a motion to accept the minutes of August 26, 2019 as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials:
Mr. Martin announced that Mayor Lorentz was not with us this evening however he asked that you keep him in your prayers.
There was no report given for the Safety-Service Director’s office
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was not present at the time of her report.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that the Mayor had requested that he do some back ground work regarding property at 1114 Blennerhassett Avenue as he had received several complaints. I have determined the ownership of the property as well as the current tenant and there is an eviction scheduled for the 19th of September. The landlord is trying to take care of that. That is what I know at this time.
Also the continuing saga regarding the sidewalk of Walnut Street. I was on vacation the last council meeting but when I returned I contacted the Mayor, Mr. Cross, and Mr. Hines Attorney, Mr. Bays and asked for the date that the new sidewalk would be installed. Mr. Hines is at the mercy of the contractor. Mr. Webster informed his attorney that if the job wasn’t started by his contractor the date in which he was given then we would contact the cities contractor to have the sidewalk put in.
City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter reported that a copy of the Treasurer’s Report for August is before you tonight. The report appears on-line and on the back table with a signed copy given to the clerk. I would ask that council approve as presented. Mr. Shutts made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. 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 her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss the tax budget, supplemental appropriations and the State Rt. 7 and 618 lights project and the Belpre match for the Economic Development study. Ms. Abdella informed council that she would be adding to tonight’s agenda RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR and A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS. Ms. Abdella stated that the auditor would need to provide her with an updated list for the appropriations.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella requested that the clerk remove Mr. Cross from our agenda.
Ms. Abdella stated that she had called a committee meeting for September 23, 2019 at 6:30 PM to discuss the impound yard ordinance. Ms. Abdella changed the time of the meeting to 7:00. She also informed council that she would also be discussing the modification to the supplemental appropriations so everyone is on the same page.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee announced that she has a meeting set up for September 12, 2019 at 6:00 PM to further the discussion on golf carts. Mr. Martin stated that he had a request to assign to Mrs. Miller’s committee and that is the nuisance ordinance.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee reported that at the last meeting there was discussion regarding water bills and water leaks. I have all the information about the leaks. We have one of the water guys that goes around and takes the reading. There are 3500 meters read throughout the city. Once these meters are read they are given to Lisa where she goes over the 3500 readings. If she sees that there is a significant change she will fill out a form and it will be assigned to one of the water guys. He will then go and take a reading and then the next day he will again take another reading. If there is a significant change he will let Lisa and Denzel know. The bills are sent to Newark Ohio to be sent to the customers. Tomorrow I will be going with Denzel and the computer person that will be checking the meters. It will be soon time to change the batteries on the water meters. The batteries cost $150 each and have a life expectancy of 15 years.
So here is a recap of questions from the prior meeting with answers to the questions.
How many bills are sent out? 3500
How many workers? 3 workers
How can the city determine if it’s a water line break, a toilet leaking, someone filling their pool, or watering their lawn?
Is there a flow meter that the home owner can put on the line that would notify them of a large usage? Lowes has a flow meter that you can purchase that will give you an alert on your phone but it is for inside use only.
Also they are cleaning Number 1 Well. At this time there is new casings being installed and as soon as that is done it will be flushed and the pump motor installed.
There will be a ribbon cutting at the new Burger King this Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 1PM.
Mr. Gant also went over the amount of water per quarter at 60 psi water pressure. A dripping faucet or fixture can waste up to 3 gallons of water per day which is a total of 1095 gallons per year.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda AN ORDINANE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A DEED OF CERTAIN CITY REAL ESTATE TO THE SOUTHEASTER OHIO PORT AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER TO RAUCH AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, LLC. Discussion followed regarding whether or not the property has been purchased. Ms. Abdella was informed that it was in the paper followed up by Mr. Webster informing her that it had been purchased. Mr. Martin asked Mrs. Drake if she still wanted to add to the agenda. Mrs. Drake stated that she did want to add however it was requested that a committee meeting be held with the developer to discuss. Mrs. Drake called a committee meeting for Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 at 6:30 PM to discuss. A vote was taken with Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Miller and Mr. Shutts voting aye, Ms. Abdella, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Gant and Ms. Riffle voting nay. Motion failed to add to agenda.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report.
Ms. Riffle, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Mr. Martin went over the pieces of legislation that appears on this evening’s agenda. They are as follows:
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION & INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO.
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR.
A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS.
Steven McDougle 125 ½ Walnut Street asked about the vote on AN ORDINANE 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. Mr. McDougle was informed that the motion to add to the agenda failed 3 to 4.
Unfinished Business: –
Ms. Riffle brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION & INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. 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 first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS. Discussion followed. Ms. Abdella informed council that the attachment has to be modified for State Rt. 7 and 618. 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:
Jesse Wyncott 805 Main Street Belpre asked for clarification on the time of the meeting regarding real estate. Mr. Webster stated that once he contacts the developer he will inform Judy of his availability at which time it will either be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 or rescheduled. The clerk will notify the media.
Steve McDougle 125 ½ Walnut Street asked if there was an exact date for the contractor regarding the side walk. Mr. Webster stated that we do not.
Secondly several months ago the Mayor reported that the Ohio Christian Group was interested in coming to our area. I would encourage council to look into this. I think this would be very good for the City of Belpre.
Linda Shutts 830 Walnut Street Belpre addressed the property behind the Riverview Eye Care. The back of the homes facing the parking lot is nothing but trash. I would like someone to take a look at this.
Penne Riffle gave a shout out to the Belpre Band. The band was recognized as Band of the Week by WTAP. It is good to see them marching again.
Secondly I would like to say that our State Representative Jay Edwards has started a situation with Jobs Ohio. He is working on getting State Funding for Southeastern Ohio.
Mr. Webster spoke briefly on the contribution that Mr. Rod Hineman made to our community.
Mrs. Miller conveyed thanks for all the help that was received for the Gathering that was held on Saturday.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Gant made a motion to adjourn at 8:14PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.