Belpre City Council Minutes
February 25, 2019
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: 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 Mr. Smith and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the February 25, 2019 meeting was Ms. Abdella.
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 February 11, 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 since our last meeting I have attended all the finance committee meetings with council, the start- up meeting with the Auditors now starting for 2019, and the Strategic Planning meeting for our Chamber of Commerce.
February 19th the Chief and I interviewed a young man to fill the opening in the police department.
February 21st I spoke to a business class at Washington State about the relationship between small business and government.
February 23rd my wife and I attended the Black History Month celebration at Porterfield Baptist. Our Belpre folks had a very good program and luncheon and we had a great time.
Tonight we have the Belpre Rotary Club in attendance as March is Rotary month in Belpre and as Mayor I have prepared a Proclamation.
Also in attendance is our State Representative Jay Edwards. Mr. Edwards has an announcement for council and our constituents.
Since March is Rotary Month Mayor Lorentz presented a proclamation to President Larry Arnold. Mayor Lorentz read the proclamation before council. All Rotarians stood and was recognized.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross reported that the fire department received a grant in the amount of $2,473 for the purchase of four billing tablets. Also AEP will be in town marking trees, trimming trees and removing trees. This project will begin in March and run through May. Property owners will be notified.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that our State Auditors are in town and have started their audit for 2018.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report. Mr. Webster announced that he has requested an Executive Session this evening for the purpose of Real Estate Transfers and possible litigation.
Mr. Neff stated that once we go into Executive Session at the end of the meeting there will be no further business come before this council.
City Treasurer Mr. Smith had no report. Mr. Neff extended well wishes to Drew and Lou on their new endeavors.
Communications and Petitions: none
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee thanked Ron and all the water crew for repairing major water leaks in our city. They do a fantastic job.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mr. Shutts asked Mayor Lorentz what the status was regarding the grants for the parks. Mayor Lorentz stated that scrimmages will begin on March 7th. Two separate grants will be done. We will probably complete Field 2 first. Mr. Shutts asked for the amount of the grant. Mayor Lorentz stated that it was either $24,800 or $28,400.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee reported that the meeting was canceled this evening at Mr. Eddy’s request as he received a call from Mrs. DuVall that he would be having a meeting with her and the Mayor this week. Council Planning & Zoning has not received any information about this meeting nor the ones that have taken place in the past with Mrs. DuVall, the Mayor and or Safety-Service Director. Mr. President I find it very interesting that as a City Government we do not comply with our own form of Government set forth. Perhaps the time has come that as Council members explore more closely our responsibilities and duties that are not being utilized.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report but stated that the committee would meet this Thursday at 6PM. The chairman has requested the members to bring information to the table for discussion. Hope to provide more on that next time.
Ms. Riffle had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Mayor Lorentz introduced State Representative Jay Edwards before council. Mayor Lorentz stated that Mr. Edwards had some exciting news for the City of Belpre. State Representative Jay Edwards announced that in February there was a request submitted for additional gas in our town. On March 14, 2019 Dominion Gas is to approve. This project will be anywhere between 8-10 million dollars.
Unfinished Business: –
Mr. Campbell announced that we would hold the legislation regarding AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2019 until the next meeting. He stated that we had not yet received an updated attachment.
New Business:
Mr. Gant brought before council for first 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Gant announced that AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT INCREASING THE RATE FOR COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE AND HOUSEHOLD RECYCLABLE MATERIALS WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE BALANCE OF THE EXISTING CONTRACT FROM January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 has been tabled.
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL: None
Mr. Campbell made a motion to excuse Ms. Abdella from this evenings meeting. Mr. Neff stated that he was notified by Ms. Abdella that she was working this evening. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Gant made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:53PM for the purpose of discussing litigation and real estate. There will be no further business conducted at this evenings meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
ADJOURN:
There was a motion to adjourn at 8:28PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
__________________________________
President of Council Will Neff
_______________________________
Clerk of Belpre City Council