Belpre City Council Minutes
Acting President of Council Ms. Abdella 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, Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, and City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter. Absent from the July 08, 2019 meeting was Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.
Ms. Abdella 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 June 24, 2019 meeting as presented and to by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials:
Mayor Lorentz reported that our last meeting I have asked our grant writer to submit a grant for a detailed plan for our city. Hopefully this will be successful and assist us with zoning issues as well as a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 set of goals for the city to achieve for economic development. We have a grant out for a Jaws of Life and a grant for the Arts that has passed the first round of review.
On July 1st I attended a luncheon and meeting with county elected officials hosted by the Port Authority and Buckeye Hills. A good discussion and thoughts were shared as we all need to work together for future development.
The Belpre Alumni Ice Cream Social is this Saturday. Stop by and I will fix you a hotdog or 3.
On the 4th I attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Masonic Lodge. Our Veterans Group had a flag retirement ceremony as well. Very nice
On Thursday of this week I meet with every Mayor in Washington County to discuss a land bank for our county. As this discussion continues I will keep you up to date.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross announced that we have a couple issues pertaining to lights due to storms. The first issue is at Braun Road and the second one is at the Farson Street Lift Station for our water. The reset seems to be acting up on it. Both issues will get immediate attention..
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that she Utility Adjustment Report is on line and on the back table. This needs to be approved by council. Also we had adjustments to our water rates. We adjusted off sewer amounts for those filling their swimming pools. At his time Ms. Abdella asked for a motion to approve the Utility Adjustment Report as presented. Ms. Riffle 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 reported that before you this evening is A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2020. Since the deadline for this piece of legislation is due by July 15th, 2019 I ask that this be read for all three readings this evening otherwise we will have to call for special meetings to get this passed. I would also like at the end of the meeting this evening we go into an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a real estate matter. It should only take about five minutes.
City Treasurer Ms. Carpenter announced that the June Treasurers Report is before you this evening. The report appears on-line and copies are at the back table. A signed copy has been given to the clerk. I would ask for approval by council this evening. Mr. Gant 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:
Ms. Abdella assigned to the Finance/Audit Committee A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2020. I’m asking that Mr. Campbell handle this for me this evening.
Ms. Abdella also announced that HB62 passed and the gasoline tax is going to change. If anyone is interested we can make copies to show you the revenue changes. This is an estimation of local gas tax revenues for State FYs 2020-2021.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee asked that Mr. Campbell take care of adding legislation to this evenings meeting. Mr. Campbell made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2020. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee had no report. Mr. Gant asked Mr. Cross if there were two gentlemen going around town checking water meters. Mr. Cross stated that yes we do and they are working with the GIS System and will be in and out of town as they are available. Mr. Gant wanted to make citizens aware of this.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that she had attended the Economic Development meeting in Marietta last Monday that was put on by Buckeye Hills and SEO Port Authority. It was most informative on the development needs of Southeast Ohio.
Each of you have a copy of my letter where I replied to Acquest Realty Advisors of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Also if anyone has suggestions for Ordinance #9 amending Chapter 557 we need to hear and discuss them. Ms. Riffle asked if there would be a meeting called on this. Mrs. Drake stated that there would be a meeting called if anyone has any suggestions.
Ms. Riffle, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Ms. Abdella stated that the only agenda items this evening is regarding the Tax Budget. Ms. Abdella asked Miss Pittenger to explain what the tax budget is. Ms. Pittenger stated that the tax budget tells the county how much is received in property taxes. One percent comes to the City of Belpre.
No discussion came before council.
Unfinished Business: – None
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Campbell brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2020. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell made a motion to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2020. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell made a motion for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2020. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell moved this be Resolution #26, 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 addressed recycle cans and also asked council to revisit the golf cart issue on city streets. Ms. Abdella assigned this to the Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer committee. She also asked that both the Police and Fire Departments be involved.
Ms. Riffle made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:54 PM to discuss real estate. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Riffle made a motion to adjourn 8:07 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.