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 Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, and City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter. Absent from the meeting was Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.
Mr. Martin asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Martin asked that we take a moment of silence for Rod Hineman who passed away over the weekend and Sandy Burton’s parents who lost their lives to a fire. Mr. Gant gave the invocation.
Mr. Martin suggested that the minutes be read periodically. Mr. Martin asked for a motion to accept the minutes of August 12, 2019 as presented and dispense with the reading. Ms. Riffle made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials:
Mayor Lorentz reported that since our last meeting I attended the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon and the Opening Ceremony for the Parkersburg Homecoming.
Chief Cronin attended training for fire inspection and passed. Tony is now a state certified Fire Inspector. Hopefully we never need his services for fire investigations but it may very well come in handy. Congratulation to Chief Cronin and thank you for your efforts. Council may want to add this to our ordinances where his time can be charged to insurance like some of the other responder calls.
August 21st I met with DOT to discuss the connector at the Belpre Bridge for the bike path. August 22nd we met with West Virginia D.O.H. to discuss crossing their part of this property. Who knew that West Virginia owned property near the Rite Aid?
Mr. Tim Byrd the Plant Manager at Chemours was in on Wednesday to introduce himself and let me know that Chemours is and wants to remain a good neighbor to Belpre. Mr. Byrd also wants to be involved as much as possible with what is happening here as he knows the importance of cooperation between cities and large corporations.
As you know the Redwood Restaurant closed due to Jeannie’s retirement. This leaves us with very little choice for a dinner menu style restaurant. I have contacted a few people that are specialists in locating business in the correct area. Hopefully something or someone will be interested in our fair city.
One of our cruisers was damaged over the weekend by a collision with a deer. The officer and Canine are fine but, the car and deer was not so lucky. Estimates are in the process and repairs will be as soon as possible.
On your desk I have provided information on Golf Cart rules that apply to Ohio and a report from our health board.
Friday August 23rd was Mr. Cross’ last day with the city. Ron has found employment that better fits his education and training. We wish him well in all future endeavors.
We got word this morning that Sandy Burton lost both parents last night in a fire. A long time school board member, teacher and Belpre Foundation Board Member also passed this morning Rod Hineman. Please keep these families in your prayers.
Andy Kuhn is with us tonight from the Port Authority. Andy will answer any questions you may have about our economic development plan. Council also has a copy on their desk.
Mr. Kuhn thanked the City of Belpre for their continued support of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority. He stated that they are continuing joint efforts to make plans for economic planning and development for our city. Their main objective is to look at ways on how to serve the community and to figure out answers where there are no answers. The authority and the city want to collect information on programs and services that Belpre can use in economic development and its future. Infrastructure is a main concern for our city. We are trying to give you the tools needed to expand. The cost of the project is $26,000. “At the August 12th, 2019 meeting Belpre received a grant for $5,000 from the Belpre Area Community Development Foundation toward the cost of having a consultant develop a comprehensive economic development strategy”. The port authority will be voting soon on the amount of additional funding they will provide for the study.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross resigned from his position. Mayor Lorentz and Leonard Wiggins will be filling in, in his capacity.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that a copy of the Utility Adjustment Report is on line and on the back table. I would ask for council approval. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Utility Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter reported that a copy of the Treasurer’s Report for July is before you tonight. The report appears on-line and on the back table with a signed copy given to the clerk pro-tem. I would ask that council approve as presented. Ms. Abdella 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:
Mr. Martin assigned the following to committee:
Mr. Drake/Economic Development Committee was assigned 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.
Ms. Abdella/Finance Audit Committee was assigned the city owned impound lot. Mr. Martin was informed that this had already been assigned.
Ms. Abdella/Finance Audit Committee was assigned A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING 2019 APPROPRIATIONS.
Ms. Abdella/Finance Audit Committee was assigned the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and certifying them to the county auditor.
Ms. Abdella/Fiance Audit Committee was assigned the Fiscal Officer Certificate regarding Ste. Rte. 618 and Lee Street, Rte. 7 and Farson Street and Rte. 7 and Braun Road
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee had no report. Ms. Abdella called the following Finance/Audit Committee meetings.
September 9, 2019 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing the tax rates, the supplemental and Ste. Rt. 618 and Rte. 7.
September 23, 2019 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing city impound yard ordinance.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee reported that her committee met August 19, 2019 to discuss golf carts in the City of Belpre. The meeting was well attended. Mrs. Miller called a meeting for September 12, 2019 at 6:00 PM to further the discussion on golf carts.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee had no report.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee met Thursday night, August 15th, 2019 at 6PM to discuss a grant for the field at Civitan Park. Also discussed was the maintenance of the field. Larry Arnold and Zach Cart was in attendance for the meeting.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report.
Ms. Riffle, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: – None
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Riffle brought before council for first 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.
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL:
Dale Irvine Main Street, Belpre addressed council regarding various proposals. Mr. Irvine was told that it was received late today but would be found on-line tomorrow for all to review under the cities website.
Bill Locke 726 Tuttle Street asked what the address was for the property being transferred. He was informed that it was the boat ramp. Mr. Locke also asked about the sidewalk on Walnut Street. Mayor Lorentz informed Mr. Locke that it was to begin the end of the month. Mr. Locke asked what happens if he does not start. According to the Mayor we wait for direction.
Andy Kuhn, Marietta Port Authority announced that they would hold a meeting tomorrow evening at 7:30PM.
Jesse Wonycott 805 Main Street Belpre addressed city council regarding water usage at 125 Maple Street rental apartments. She also addressed the Housing and Property Maintenance.
Assigned to committee was Housing & Property Maintenance to Mr. Gant’s Utility Committee.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Campbell made a motion to adjourn. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.