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 Law Director Mr. Webster, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the March 11, 2019 meeting was City Auditor Miss Pittenger and City Treasurer.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Gant gave the invocation.
Mrs. MIller made a motion to accept the minutes of February 25, 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 on February 26th I visited the elementary school and spoke with the Pioneer Pilot Students. Also with me was a couple of our firemen who explained what they contributed to the city and gave tours of the truck and equipment.
March 2nd I attended the Ribbon Cutting for Boxers Meds and Fixit the new service offered by Boxers and the Beck family. This couple does an amazing job and are great assets to our community.
March 5th Mr. Cross and I again met with Ron Eddy’s engineers and representatives about the housing addition on Park Drive. Although we are getting closer they still have work to do.
March 7th Karen Waller and I attended the Ribbon Cutting for Camden Clark’s new Cardiac Building. We received a guided tour of this very nice addition to the hospital and community.
With the assistance of Ohio University Voinovich School I am preparing a grant for a wetland project at Civitan Park. The tree Commission has taken on the task of beautifying and or correcting the boggy area just north of the Civitan Roadway.
On March 20th I have been invited to Rockland Methodist Church to join Pastor Emory Clark and Davis Dean from the Ohio Christian University to see if we can somehow partner with them to bring Christian higher education opportunities to Belpre and or Washington County.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross had no report.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
There has been no City Treasurer appointed at this time.
Communications and Petitions: none
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit reported that her committee has met several times to finalize the 2019 Appropriations with attachments they received. Tonight the legislation is on the agenda for first reading.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller stated that she is working closely with the Finance/Audit Committee on Police and Fire.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer reported that prior to this evenings meeting he met with a gentleman regarding the need for sidewalks on Lee Street. Mr. Campbell asked if there was a possibility that we could get a grant for sidewalks. Mayor Lorentz stated that it was possible however in the past we used CDBG monies. Those monies didn’t cover a lot. Mayor Lorentz to check about a possible grant.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee had no report.
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 we met on February 28th with 17 members present. In attendance from Council myself, Mr. Gant and Mr. Campbell. It was a very positive constructive meeting with excellent input from members regarding the community. The new Chairman, Mr. Jessie Rouch brought everyone together for great discussion. It was most informative for all.
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 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2019. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Gant brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Gant moved to suspend the rule of council to allow for the third reading of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Gant brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Gant moved this be Resolution 19, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2019. 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:
Julie Monroy with the Kimble Company addressed council with issues regarding recycling and the problems we are having with contamination. Ms. Monroy addressed the need to increase the contract rate from January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, due to unforeseen market conditions that are negatively effecting the value of recyclable commodities world-wide. The amount of the increase requested if $.60 per unit per month. She also suggested that people recycling should wash out their containers before placing them in the recycling containers.
Mary _____________________ from Elm Street addressed council regarding the sidewalk on Walnut Street in front of Circa. She was informed that the landowner had been notified several times regarding this issue. Mayor Lorentz asked Ms. Abdella if $10,000 had been added to the appropriations for this project. Ms. Abdella stated that it had not been added.
Alan Milhoan addressed a speed bump on Hamilton Court along with a Road Closed sign.
Bobby Walker a resident of Rockland Avenue and Mary Street addressed problems with flooding, sink hole and gas leak in this area. She stated that there is no drainage around her home and that the value of her home is decreasing.
Gary Lynch a resident of Mary Street addressed the water problem also and stated that since the sidewalks were put in this problem started. He stated that since the water has nowhere to go that the water stands across his driveway.
Julie Boso 2212 Rockland Avenue appeared before council regarding the same issues of water and the odor of gas. She said that she had pictures and a video of the drainage problem. She was asked to email to the city.
Mayor Lorentz stated that he and Mr. Cross would be at the scene of the problem tomorrow morning.
Steve Rody 1635 Farson Street addressed the problem of owning property and when tenants leave he is responsible for payment of the water bill. He would like to see something done about this. Mr. Neff assigned the problem to the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Rody also addressed delivery trucks coming into Hamilton Court and tearing up the alley.
Steve McDougle 125 ½ Walnut Street addressed the issue of these delivery trucks backing in to a Private Drive. Mr. Cross to check into the problem.
Susan Abdella asked council if they have looked into the tiny houses that the City of Parkersburg is pursuing to see if there is any opportunities for the City of Belpre.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Riffle made a motion to adjourn at 8:18PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.