Belpre City Council Minutes
Mr. Neff 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, Treasurer Ms. Carpenter, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Neff gave the invocation.
Ms. Riffle made a motion to accept the minutes of April 22, 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 the parks are open and quickly filling up with reservations for parties, picnics etc. Depot Park has been vandalized twice so far and last week Civitan Park had young men on one of the equipment building roof tops. We are asking that if you see something please say something. We cannot afford to be spending money on stupid stuff.
May 2nd Belpre held their 1st National Day of Prayer observance at Rockland Church. Our crowd wasn’t what was hoped but, our area Chaplains had a very good program. I look for this to grow every year. During this week Chaplain Training is ongoing here in town with 22 in attendance from around the area.
Friday May 3rd we hosted the Tree City U.S.A Awards presentation at the Sr. Center. Just over 40 attended and the Arbor Day tree was planted in Howe’s grove Park. It seems as if all enjoyed the program and Bob’s Market finished our day with a tour of their facility and cake & ice cream. Belpre received the Growth Award again this year and has been a Tree City U.S.A for 23 years.
April 26th I did attend the ARC Addiction Recovery Center presentation at Freedom Gate Church in Marietta. Our only prayer for the drug epidemic seems to be in the faith based programs like this.
Saturday May 4th the Chamber held a new Business Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Fitness with Phyllis. This new addition to our city is very nice and the owner and employees seems very knowledgeable.
We continue to work on our grant for the wetland project at Civitan Park. Last week I met a group of engineers from O.U. to continue progress.
The new city fire truck is here as hopefully you noticed on the way in. This addition to our safety equipment and our great crew of volunteers should make all feel a little safer and hopefully blessed to live here.
This morning Chief Williams and I travelled to Marietta for the Police Officers Memorial Service held on Putnam Street. Many police officers as well as elected officials were in attendance. This ceremony is to remember and honor our fallen officers. Mayor Matthews prepared a Proclamation and all county agencies were represented.
One of our scout troops is in attendance this evening Troop 91 is working on Citizenship which requires a visit to a government meeting. Jon Neff is their Scout Master and hopefully would introduce his troop.
Brandon Mercer stood before council and introduced himself. He stated that the Scout Troop was at the meeting this evening and are working on citizenship. Mr. Mercer stated that they would have further discussion with the members after the meeting.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross announced that the storm water project will be completed this week. Well building on Well 2 will be removed with re-drilling and maintenance on that well after homecoming. There are four running wells at the park.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that the Auditor’s Report and Treasurer’s Report are on line on the cities website. We are not going to be asking for a voice vote today so you will have time to review. Every year we put in the appropriation that we have to put money in a specific fund. In the appropriations that was just passed in the end of March was $85,000 that will need to be transferred to the street department. I’m asking that council will do a voice vote today to transfer that $85,000 as their account is in the negative. I sent everyone an email about the RITA Subpoena Program, This is something that we have never done before. If we continue to send out letters there is no oomph to collecting the income tax. I’m going to go ahead and sign off on the Subpoena Program. I think this will help with the money that we were unable to collect. I received positive comments back from everyone that received the email. The Subpoena will begin this summer. Mrs. Drake made a motion to transfer the $85,000 to the street department. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Treasurer Ms. Carpenter had no report.
Communications and Petitions: None
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee informed council that the Finance/Audit Committee met prior to this evenings meeting at 7 to discuss Supplementing Year 2019 Appropriations. There will be a change from $124,000 to $130,000
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer reported that his committee met on May 1st at 6PM to discuss street access of large trucks, cars, etc. There will be further discussion with the Mayor as to how to erect the street signs.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee had no report. Mr. Gant thanked Mr. Neff for his service to our city.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report. Mrs. Drake also thanked Mr. Neff for his service to our city.
Ms. Riffle, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: – None
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS. Mrs. Miller asked why the check on the new fire truck was not received on time causing us to lose our discount and who is going to pay it back as we are using tax payer’s money. The problem was that it wasn’t paid on time but once the quote was received they had 30 days to pay it. It took 90 days for the legislation to go through. Why did it take 90 days? Could we not have had an emergency meeting? Miss Pittenger told Mrs. Miller that this was not her fault. She can’t write the check until the legislation is passed. Chief Cronin told council that to his knowledge the fire truck was paid for within three days after passage. Ms. Abdella asked that a timeline be put in place and be brought back at the next meeting. 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 SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2019 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 24, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL:
Alan Milhoan of Elm Street in Belpre addressed speed bump on Hamilton Court and large truck signs. Mr. Campbell stated that there would be further discussion on this topic. Mr. Milhoan also addressed the no truck sign on Walnut Street near the railroad bridge.
Steve McDougle 125 ½ Walnut Street wanted to know when the bid was going to be awarded for the sidewalk on Walnut Street. Mr. Webster stated that he was notified by Mr. Hines council and Mr. Hines that they have contacted a contractor. Mr. Webster responded that he needed a date that the contractor was going to commence work. According to Mr. Hines attorney, Mr. Hines will repair the sidewalk. They have until the end of the week to get us the name of the contractor and when it will be completed. Mr. Webster informed his council that the large truck street signs had nothing to do with the sidewalk. These are two completely different issues.
Ms. Abdella addressed the mowing letters that went out to citizens regarding 6” grass cutting from June-September. I understand the intent for sending out the letters but as a city we haven’t been able to comply with our schedule. I feel that we have insulted our community because we haven’t complied. The Mayor stated that we only have five guys to mow 100 acres. Ms. Abdella stated that we need to add a clause to the legislation.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to cancel the May 27th, 2019 meeting as it is Memorial Day. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Meeting canceled.
Mr. Neff gave his farewell to the city. He feels so blessed to have served the City of Belpre.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.