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: 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 Ms. Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. Smith and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the September 24, 2018 meeting was Council person 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.
Mrs. Drake made a motion to accept the minutes of September 10, 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 since our last meeting Mr. Cross and I met with Strand Associates Engineering group to discuss the street light improvement plans. The street crew and an electrician have been able to raise the Lee Street light to avoid getting hit again. Hopefully?
We met with Charton Foods to discuss the construction plans for the New Burger King. The owners seem very anxious to open and be a part of our community.
On September 15th it seems that our entire city came together to host the first Belpre Cross Country Invitational. 17 teams were here to take part and, the best part is that a Belpre student took 1st place. Everybody commented on our nice community and how well everybody worked together. A wonderful day for Belpre. Rod O’Donnell was very instrumental in this event.
The 15th was also Heritage Day in Belpre. The ladies at the museum do a wonderful job keeping it open for all of us to enjoy. As I spoke I also made a plea to all in attendance to think about getting involved so we can keep this open.
Our city dodged the bullet with the high water predicted. Street crews will again clean up the lower boat ramp at first chance. The boat ramps may not be as lucky as they did come over the tie down supports. The repair will need to be added to next year’s list. Hopefully this will be the last time for 2018.
On Tuesday I received a call from FEMA stating our paperwork was in and that we should change the program we chose for direct administrative costs and go with option two PAP as it will yield another $12,000.00 if successful.
Chief Williams and I have tasked our grant writer in submitting a Jag Grant for us. This covers the cost of overtime and equipment and technology needs for the police department. We are also working on an Assistance to Firefighters grant (AFG) for our volunteers. This grant may be used for safety gear and outfitting a firefighter.
Mr. Campbell asked the Mayor if there was any grants for streets and infrastructure within the city. Mayor Lorentz stated not at this time.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross had no report.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that the Adjustment Report is online and on the back table. The report needs approved by council. Mr. Campbell made a motion to approve the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster publically apologized to Mr. Nelson for snapping at him at a previous meeting. Mr. Webster stated that he over reacted and it bothered him and he wanted to apologize publically. Mr. Nelson stated that he didn’t take it personally.
City Treasurer Mr. Smith had no report.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff stated that everyone should have received an email from the Ohio Municipal League in regards to Issue 1 that will be on the ballot. I encourage everyone to read this Issue. The other article in the Ohio Municipal League is the States position on cell towers within municipalities. Mr. Neff stated that he would like to see council as a group or city administration send s letter stating their displeasure regarding cell towers. Mrs. Drake stated that they did have a resolution attached to that.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee reported that she met with the law director to go over the fire insurance.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer spoke briefly about maintaining sidewalks in the city. I think it would benefit the city to look closer at land banks and the proposition of that. This is pretty popular within the state. Mr. Campbell was asked by Angela. Parker Reid what a land bank is. A land bank is a large body of land held by a public or private organization for future development or disposal. Mrs. Miller asked if this is with or without landowners consent. According to Mr. Webster it usually is at the time the property owner no longer owns the property. It is a foreclosure process. Mrs. Drake asked if the County or city has to be a part of this. Mr. Webster stated that the County has chosen not to be a part of this at this time however this can change.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee reported that the backhoe and trailer is in to the dealership and they are being checked out. I also talked to a gentleman about the cellular network. I was informed that this is a footprint in because they are wanting to start up the 5G. The 5G doesn’t have a very large area to project. They have to have towers in certain places closer to what the other towers were. Mrs. Drake stated that last year we passed an Ordinance 1151 regarding cellphone towers. They are not in compliance with us. The FCC is trying to change this so that they can be over all municipalities. This is what it is all about. It appears that AT&T is trying to get their nose in the door first.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee stated that the Mayor had touched on the Cross Country Race this past weekend. There were approximately 574 kids participating. This is to be an annual event. Prior to the race an idea came up about investigating the wooded area around the park and putting in a Nature Trail.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report. Mrs. Drake brought up an issue about a four way stop at Wiley and Hill Street. There is a lot of citizens that are running the STOP signs.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee announced that the committee met on September 20th, 2018 at 6PM. There was a lot of interesting conversation. The next meeting will be October 18, 2018 at 6PM
Ms. Riffle had no report for the Rules Committee.
Ms. Riffle called a Finance/Audit Committee meeting for Ms. Abdella for October 8, 2018 at 7PM for the purpose of a Budget Review. Ms. Riffle stated that Ms. Abdella apologized for missing the meeting this evening however there was a family emergency.
Ms. Riffle announced that the Belpre Alumni Homecoming Game is this Friday night. Please come out and support the Alumni Band and “Cheerleaders.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: –
Ms. Riffle brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE EDITION AND INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ORDINANCES AS PARTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT CODES OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF BELPRE, OHIO. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Riffle moved this be Ordinance 8, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Drake brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 557 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCE 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.
Mr. Campbell brought before council for second reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell moved to suspend the rules of council on three different days to allow for the third reading of RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell brought before council for third reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell moved this be Resolution 14, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Mr. Neff informed all members of council that they must sign this legislation before leaving this evening.
Mrs. Drake asked if all the Department Heads have their reports ready for the Budget Review. Miss Pittenger stated that she would need to check with Mr. Cross. Departments are ready for their budget review.
NEW BUSINESS: None
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL:
Lynda Shutts 830 Walnut Street Belpre spoke about fast traffic at the end of Walnut Street. There needs to be a sign on the opposite side of our driveway stating No Outlet or Dead End sign.
Angela Parker-Reed 107 Walnut Street addressed the sidewalk issue on Walnut Street. We are still in the process of getting quotes from contractors. At this time no one has given us a bid. She also addressed a tree over the sidewalk.
Mr. Shutts asked if 6th Street across from Jerry’s Auto was blocked off. Per Mr. Cross this is a paper alley. The street is not opened to traffic. Also discussed was the trash in that area.
Mr. Campbell made a motion to excuse Ms. Abdella from this evenings meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that we will be going into Executive Session per request by the law director. There will be no further business to come before this council this evening.. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Drake made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
ADJOURN:
A motion was made to adjourn at 8:26PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.