Belpre City Council Minutes

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, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Prosecutor Mr. Webster, Treasurer Ms. Carpenter, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the June 10, 2019 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross and City Law Director Mr. Webster.

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 10, 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 announced that our Health Board Appointment of Dr. Joel Whittaker is due to be re-appointed in June of this year. At this time I am asking council for a voice vote so to be added to the minutes for our records.

We received notice from Kroger that they have been approved for the liquor store in their plaza. They have also planned to add to their parking lot on the east side of the store.

Memorial Day Services were held at Leavitt’s again this year with our veterans organization organizing. This was the best program to date and enjoyed by all.

Monday also marked the 25 year anniversary of the Shell Explosion. The facility held a very informal ceremony of remembrance and unveiled a new granite bench with the names of the employees lost inscribed.

We have a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday the 15th at 08:30 at the new Dollar Tree. Anyone wanting to attend is welcome.

Our new Police Cruiser was delivered on June 6th. It is now at Millers being striped and radios being installed.

During our staff meeting this morning a couple properties were the topic of conversation. We are continually mowing and cleaning up the old Dr. Office on Main Street and the old double wide on Walnut. A letter was drafted and sent to the Law Director today to start proceeding for the city to take over or take ownership. Neither owner has responded to numerous attempts of contact from the city.

Mr. Shutts, it may be a good idea if you were to call a recreation meeting soon to discuss the ball fields. Some of the commission officials want to lock certain fields and charge for their use.

May 30th was Becky’s last day at the Center. The Sr’s gave her a very special sendoff party and lunch. Bonnie McGowen is now the person to contact for anything Sr. Center. Bonnie will be with us at the next meeting should you have questions.

Tonight we have Anne Goon with us. Ann is the Health Commissioner for the Marietta Belpre Health Board. Ann needs a few minutes to explain our annual report.

Anne Goon serving as Board of Health Commissioner addressed council with her 2018 Annual Report titled One Team, One Goal:  Healthy Communities. Barbara Bradley, Director of Environmental Health was also present with Anne to answer any questions you may have.  Anne stated that this is the first report as a Consolidated Board of Health.  A copy of her report is on file in council chambers.

Ms. Abdella asked for a motion for a voice vote to re-appoint Dr. Joel Whitaker to our Health Board.  Mr. Gant made a motion to approve Dr. Joel Whitaker to our Health Board.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent.  No report was given in his absence.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that both the April and May Adjustment Reports are on line and copies are on the back table.  I would ask approval by council on these two Adjustment reports.  Mr. Campbell made a motion to accept the Adjustment Reports as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

City Prosecutor Mr. Webster had no report.

Treasurer Ms. Carpenter reported that copies of the April and May Treasurer’s Report are on line, copies on the back table and signed copies have been given to the clerk.  I would ask for council’s approval on these two reports.  Ms. Riffle made a motion to accept the two Treasurer’s Reports as presented.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Communications and Petitions:

Ms. Abdella announced that she had received notification regarding the 2019 AMAA/OML WEBNAR:  Public Records/Sunshine Law. This webinar will provide an overview of the Ohio Public Records Act and the Ohio Sunshine Law.  We will review recent cases and updates on these topics and explore the challenges that public entities face in complying with Ohio Law.  This webinar will be held Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  The cost is $100 per registrant with registration limited to 50 registrants per session.  Ms. Abdella asked if there was money in council’s account to pay for these classes.  According to Ms. Pittenger she didn’t think the classes was necessary.

Ms. Abdella asked the Mayor since there was a new officer hired to the Police Department would he please have the Manpower updated.  He agreed.

Ms. Abdella stated that we have received a piece of legislation this evening, the legislation reads:  A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BEST LOW BID FOR THE FARSON STREET LANDSLIDE REPAIR PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER.  Before assigning to committee Ms. Abdella asked the Mayor to explain.  According to Mayor Lorentz the City of Belpre, with the assistance of the Washington County Engineer’s Office, has solicited public bids on the Farson Street Landslide Repair Project; and R.C. Construction was the successful best low bidder for said project at a contract cost of $119,966.00, and was hereby accepted.

Ms. Abdella assigned to Streets. Sidewalks and Storm Sewers the two slips on Farson Street.

Report of Standing Committee:

Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee had no report.

Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report.  Ms. Miller addressed the $10,000 clerical error.  Ms. Miller stated that she will follow-up on the credit.

Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.  Mr. Campbell made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BEST LOW BID FOR THE FARSON STREET LANDSLIDE REPAIR PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Gant Utilities Committee had no report.

Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mr. Shutts stated that with all the rain the pool has not been successful so far this year.

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:

Mr. Campbell brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BEST LOW BID FOR THE FARSON STREET LANDSLIDE REPAIR PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Campbell moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BEST LOW BID FOR THE FARSON STREET LANDSLIDE REPAIR PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Campbell brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BEST LOW BID FOR THE FARSON STREET LANDSLIDE REPAIR PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mr. Campbell moved this be Resolution 25, 2018-2019 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL: 

Steve McDougal 125 ½ Walnut Street wanted to know when the bid was going to be awarded for the sidewalk on Walnut Street.  City Law Director Mr. Webster was not present at the meeting so Mr. McDougal was unable to get an answer.  Mr. McDougal also addressed the speed bumps, large trucks on city streets and why Kibble Recycling was only picking up recycling every other week.

Derrick Hadfield 1580 Lois Street addressed weeds and grass mowing.

Belpre Area Veteran Group Flag retirement ceremony will be held on June 15, 2019.  The group will honor and respectfully retire flags.

Joshua Campbell expressed his concerns on issues that were brought before council this evening.  Mr. Campbell would like to see folks educate themselves on topics before coming to council and not really knowing the facts.

Mrs. Drake and Mrs. Miller both expressed how much they appreciate folds attending meetings.

Ms. Abdella stated that recently there was a posting on social media regarding sun bathing and no shirts in the City of Belpre.  Ms. Abdella stated that this was false information and was not true.

ADJOURN:

Ms. Riffle made a motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.