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, and City Law Director Mr. Webster. Absent from the November 26, 2018 meeting was Treasurer Mr. Smith 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 November 12, 2018 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 interviews have been completed. We have hired a new dispatcher and a new employee at the waste water treatment plant. He has the license to keep us running down there after we lose Mr. Betz after the first of the year. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at Stahl’s Nursery on Thursday at 2PM for the new Veterans Gallery. All are invited to attend. Thank you to the Lions Club, Woman’s Club and the Holiday Lights for the beautiful light displays.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross had no report.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that the Adjustment Report for the month of October is on the back table and on-line. I would like to have council’s approval this evening. Miss Pittenger also stated that in the absence of the city treasurer this evening I would also like council’s approval on the October’s Treasurer’s Report. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the October Adjustment Report and October Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that he has signed off on all the updated reconciliations up to this point.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
City Treasurer Mr. Smith was absent.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff stated that he had received a letter regarding liquor licenses. Mr. Neff stated that there was no action required. Mayor Lorentz took the letter.
Mr. Neff stated that there are 45 days left until members of council need to decide whether or not they are going to run for re-election. Deadline for filing is 45 days prior to the primary.
We will need legislation right after the first of the year regarding Manpower for 2019, and we will begin the process on the Permanent Appropriations for 2019.
Mr. Neff told the Mayor he was not aware of any replacements for the boards and commissions. If we have any please let me know.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit reported that her committee met last Monday night for the purpose of discussing the Temporary Appropriations. Ms. Abdella stated that there was a lot of discussion on the short fall in the General Fund as well as opportunities to increase revenue and enterprise funds. We also discussed the need to find better ways to balance the budget so we don’t continue to use as much carry over. Ms. Abdella called a committee meeting for Monday December 3rd, 2018 at 6PM for the purpose of furthering the discussion on the Temporary Appropriations. Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading the Temporary Appropriations Ordinance. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee reported that legislation regarding soft billing appears on the agenda tonight for third reading. Mrs. Miller asked about the maximum age to be a qualified person for an original appointment to the Police Department. She was informed it was the ages of eighteen years and forty years. Mrs. Miller made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINACNE AMENDING SECTION 145.01 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee reported that he had conversation with the Mayor regarding Pickering Energy Solutions, LLC for solar panels to produce energy for the Belpre Fire Station #1. Tonight Mr. Pickering is with us to give us a brief description about Pickering Energy Solution, LLC. The nearest solar system is on the roof, He discussed the output and the energy savings. He proposed that the Belpre Fire Department Station 1 is a good place to start. He put them on schools and community centers so people can see them and become aware of them. We will install the solar panels with our purchase agreement which means you provide the roof and we will provide the power system and share the cost. He mentioned various locations where the panels have been installed. No cost to the City of Belpre. There is a 25 year life agreement. It is up to me to make sure it works and operates properly. Our savings would be about $300 per year and 32 tons of CO2. Mr. Neff asked where the panels would be located. Mr. Pickering said it would be located in the front and along the side of the fire station. Miss Pittenger asked if we will be getting a bill from him and AEP. Mr. Pickering stated that the city would receive a bill from him and also AEP. Mr. Gant also reported how hard Miss Pittenger had worked on this.
Jerry Radcliffe 216 Florence Street, Belpre discussed the savings to the city and tax credits.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mr. Shutts called a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting for November 28th, 2018 at 6PM for the purpose of discussing the pool and changes to the Senior Center.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report. Mrs. Drake stated that the Economic Development Committee will meet on December 20th, 2018 at 6PM.
Ms. Riffle had no report for the Rules Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: –
Mrs. Miller brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAM TO CHARGE MITIGATION RATES FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES BY THE BELPRE CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED/RENDERED FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller moved this be Ordinance 10, 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 REGARDING SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS AT STATE RT. 7 AND FARSON STREET, STATE RT. 7 AND BRAUN ROAD, AND STATE ROUTE 618 AND LEE STREET. 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 third reading of A RESOLUTION REGARDING SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS AT STATE RT. 7 AND FARSON STREET, STATE RT. 7 AND BRAUN ROAD, and STATE ROUTE 618 AND LEE STREET. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION REGARDING SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS AT STATE RT. 7 AND FARSON STREET, STATE RT. 7 AND BRAUN ROAD, and STATE ROUTE 618 AND LEE STREET. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell moved this be Resolution 17, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
New Business:
Mr. Gant brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR AND MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH PICKERING ENERGY SOLUTIONS, LLC. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading TEMPORARY 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.
Mrs. Miller brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 145.01 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE. 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:
Leslie Radcliff 215 O’Neil Street, Belpre representing the Soccer Club with concerns of building a new concession stand. The county has approved however we do not have approval by the city. We have given the SSD all the required paperwork to proceed however all we are getting is excuses. We would like the support of council and if there is additional requirements needed all they need to do is ask. We would like to know what is it that is not allowing us to proceed with the structure. According to Leslie the County needs an okay from the city to proceed.
Jerry Radcliff 216 Florence Street, Belpre explained that the structure would be set on skids and can be moved if there is flooding. Can you give them a written approval that the structure can be moved? Mr. Cross stated that he can do that as long as they don’t come back and request a flood plain permit.
Mayor addressed the flood elevation.
Mr. Campbell asked about the time frame to get this completed. He was told that it should be simple to do and should be done timely.
Dave Posey 408 Main Street stated that once they get the okay from the city that Randy Williams could build the structure in a day. That is straight from him.
Mr. Cross and Mr. Williams are on the same page now.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:15PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.