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, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the April 08, 2019 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, There has been no City Treasurer appointed at this time.
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 March 25, 2019 meeting as presented and to by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Becky Hennen Senior Center Manager gave her report on the center through March 2019. She addressed the attendance, programs that are available, grant updates and staff update.
Reports of City Officials:
Mayor Lorentz reported that on March 28th I assisted Becky Hennen from the Sr. Center with our United Way Grant interview. Becky and the O’Neill prepared the grant to apply against our contract.
March 29th we held a Ground Breaking Ceremony for Dr. Hawkins new facility on Washington Blvd. Smiles on the Boulevard will be the name of the new facility.
April 1st I attended the travelling tour of the Director of O.D.A. in Marietta. This was essentially a listening tour with many FFA members and Soil & Water folks in attendance.
On April 3rd our Police Chief was honored at the Muskingum Valley Chamber recognition luncheon. Chief Williams joins a fine group of recipients as well as former recipients of 1st responders that received this honor. You have a list of recipients on your desk as many will recognize the names of many of these folks.
The administration has offered employment to a young police officer. Hopefully you will be able to meet him at our next meeting. All tests and requirements are complete and positive.
We lost a long time retired employee this week Bob Jackson. Bob worked for the city for over thirty years and was the founding member of the Holiday Lights. Please remember the family in your prayers.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced the Auditor’s Office has been very busy working with citizens on filing their Income Tax for 2018. Next Tuesday is the last day to file your city income tax or pay your remaining balance. The Auditor’s Office is also finishing up getting information for our State Auditors and GAP.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
There has been no City Treasurer appointed at this time.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff asked Mrs. Locke to please stand and inform the public about Meet the Candidates night. Mrs. Locke informed Council and all those in attendance that Meet the Candidate night would be held on April 18, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Belpre Elementary School. Each candidate will have five minutes to stand, introduce themselves and tell why they are seeking public service. We encourage the public to come out and have any questions answered that they may have.
Mr. Neff stated that he had received a request from Wanda Schaad who is the Departmental Educator for the Solid Waste District who was referred to me by Rob Reiter, Executive Director wanting to come and speak to us regarding recycling for our city. I throw this out so I can see if council would like to hear her presentation. With a majority voting yes Mr. Neff stated that he would contact her and schedule a time for her to come.
Also the Belpre City Schools System Superintendent would like to give a presentation at our next council meeting. I would like to ask that legislation on the agenda be expedited this evening so we can streamline our meeting.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting for the purpose of a brief overview of the two pieces of legislation that were added at the last meeting. The two pieces of legislation was the ODOT Salt Contract and Management to the Belpre Senior Center.
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. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mr. Shutts stated that he was disappointed in the lack of attendance for the meeting he called for Parks and Recreation on April 3rd, 2019 at 6PM. The purpose of meeting was to discuss the status of the pool.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that the committee met on Thursday at 6PM. There was great attendance. The discussion was in regards to the needs of the city. There was a tremendous response from businesses and the citizens for Belpre in Bloom this year. Mrs. Drake asked who was responsible for updating the cities website. There was no response. I have been reviewing the website and noticed that several items have not been changed.
Ms. Riffle had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: –
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR DOG WARDEN SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council allowing for the third reading of reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR DOG WARDEN SERVICES.. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY FOR DOG WARDEN SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution #20, 2018-2019 and duly passed.
Mrs. Drake brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPACT AND PRESERVATION PROGRAM PARTNER AGREEMENT WITH THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Drake moved this be Resolution #21, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved to add to tonight’s agenda A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting.
Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council allowing for the third reading of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution #22, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ODOT ROAD SALT CONTRACTS AWARDED IN 2019. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell moved to suspend the rule of council allowing for the third reading of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ODOT ROAD SALT CONTRACTS AWARDED IN 2019. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff addressed the audience and informed them why we were suspending the rule and having final readings on these pieces of legislation. Mr. Neff stated that the legislation is housekeeping and that we do this every year.
Mr. Campbell brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE ODOT ROAD SALT CONTRACTS AWARDED IN 2019. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell moved this be Resolution #23, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
NEW BUSINESS: None
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL:
Lynn Ferguson 902 Morgan Avenue addressed council regarding a worrisome property that a citizen is not in compliance with the city ordinance. Andrew Webster is working on this case and is doing an outstanding job. I as a citizen feel very embarrassed when you have visitors and they notice this type of thing especially when we have those working so hard on the beautification of our city.
Steve McDougle 125 ½ Walnut Street asked for an update from council on the sidewalk on Walnut Street. At the last council meeting we were told that the individual had until April 1st to respond. Mr. Webster stated that we received correspondence from his council about a Freedom of Information request. We have compiled information to respond. We are confirming the contractual amount to do the sidewalk and I informed his council that we would move forward on April the 15. This doesn’t mean it will happen that day. Mr. McDougle wanted an approximate date. Mr. Webster informed him it would be when the contractor could do it. Mr. McDougle also would like to know when the signs would be installed on Hamilton Court regarding large trucks. Mayor Lorentz informed him that they have been ordered but are not in yet.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:01 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.