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 Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. Smith and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the August 13, 2018 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, and City Auditor Miss Pittenger,.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Neff gave the invocation.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the minutes of July 23, 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 on Saturday the 28th I attended the Court of Honor for three troop 91 scouts. Over 100 members of the family or friends attended the ceremony.
Homecoming went well even after the last minute set-backs the week of. Many of our civic organizations stepped up to assist with the Balloon Houses. Many thanks to the Belpre Rotary and our recreation commission.
On August 6th we held a ribbon cutting for Stone Rise Health Care. This is the group that now is housed in the bank building on Washington and Gandy.
August 8th we held a ribbon cutting at the First Settlement complex where WVU Medical opened the new Dr. Offices.
Hopefully you noticed that Burger King has started the raising of their property on Washington Boulevard to escape the flood plain issues.
Mr. Cross, Mike Betz, Denzil Ray and I conducted interviews for the operator 1 position at the waste water facility. We were very fortunate to have three good candidates for this position. One candidate is awaiting physical results so we can offer employment. We feel very fortunate in that this person has a class 1 waste water license and water license.
This week we will concentrate on the water department openings as we have 5 applicants for this.
Chief Williams is awaiting paperwork on two applicants for the police department. At this time we have two very good applicants for these two openings. Chief Williams and I will interview for a part-time dispatcher in the morning.
Our Health Board met last Friday to continue the process of accreditation. The grant was accepted and awaiting the next step.
Main Street repaving is coming soon. The repaving should start either this week or next. The signs for lane changes etc. are already being installed. Our crews are installing new drain tops and lids in the roadway in preparation.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Mr. Neff stated that he had received a copy of the Adjustment Report that needs approved. Copies of the Adjustment report appears on line for your review. Mr. Neff asked for a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. Ms. Riffle made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Mr. Neff asked Mr. Webster what the status was on the sidewalk on Walnut Street. Mr. Webster stated that we are still under the 30 day notice however we are getting close to the end of it. Mayor Lorentz stated that we are in the process of getting estimates. Mr. Neff asked if it was the property owner’s responsibility. According to Mayor Lorentz and Mr. Webster it is the property owner’s responsibility.
City Treasurer Mr. Smith reported that a copy of the July Treasurer’s Report appears on line and copies are on the table in the back. A signed copy has been given to our clerk. Mr. Smith stated that he would like Council’s approval this evening on the July’s Treasurer’s Report. Mrs. Drake made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions: None
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee had no report.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee announced that the Ordinance that appears on the agenda this evening is legislation to compensate the fire department on fire runs from insurance that you hold on your vehicles and your home. You are not being billed for these runs through your insurance companies. When you get your insurance you pay the bill on it. They give you a total as to what you’re paying for. Mrs. Miller stated that from what she understands is that it is mandated by the State. They have to go before a commission before they can raise your rates. This is already in your policy whether you use it or not.
Ms. Abdella stated that the legislation that is up for first reading tonight references Appendix A. The document I handed out was an incorrect document. The appendix was not scanned in with the legislation. The appendix is an itemized list of charges and what they are going to be billing for. At this point there is no attachment and should be scanned with the legislation before we move forward.
Mr. Webster stated that this is what the folks currently collect for us. There is a schedule of cost that is used by other cities. Our chief may have some input on the reimbursement cost. It is not an extra expense to the home owner. It is not an actual cost to the insurance company.
Mr. Neff apologized to council for having it placed on the agenda without having the correct appendix. Mr. Neff stated that since he had it put on the agenda he will be the one removing it from the agenda until the legislation is complete before taking action on it.
Ms. Abdella stated that she would like to have a costing list from the law director’s office. She would like to get with the fire chief and if he would like for some of us to participate he could bring us a starting point of cost and charges to see how it stacks up to what they are rolling on a piece of equipment.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Gant Utilities Committee had no report.
Mr. Shutts, Parks and Recreation Committee reported that he had met with the Recreation Commission about somethings. The gist of the meeting was who does what. At that particular time we were talking about the trash. Who is responsible for empting the trash?
Mrs. Drake stated that at the first of the year we approved students from Marietta College to come here and gather data on rental properties in our city and work with Mr. Cross on it. I was wondering what ever happened with that? Mayor Lorentz didn’t know the status of this.
Mrs. Drake asked what happened to the ordinance on weeds. According to Tom, Carol still had it.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that the committee met on July 26, 2018 at 6PM. Present were Judy Drake, Penne Riffle, Josh Campbell and Mayor Mike Lorentz.
Josh Campbell gave a presentation on the Charter city Proposal and received a good response from members present.
We had a good conversation on business and business development.
Jesse Roush from Washington State Community College explained his involvement in the MOV and the great potential of how things can come together to improve relationship of the communities and expand the MOV.
This committee continues to strive for a better way to improve and expand our community and business for the City of Belpre.
Ms. Riffle Rules Committee reported that she has completed the review of the codified ordinances and has asked the clerk to add to the agenda for our next meeting.
Ms. Riffle stated that she did attend the ribbon cutting for Stone Rise Health Care and WVU Medical and I found it to be very interesting. I met a lot of people and I’m glad that they are joining our community.
I also want to give a shout out to our Waste Water Treatment guys for the kindness they showed to one of the truck drivers that delivered gravel to the facility.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: – None
NEW BUSINESS: – None
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL:
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street announced that the Belpre Homecoming went great. The Bounce Houses were a big hit. I think the chamber should consider it in the future.
I also want to mention the Park and Recreation Commission meeting that I attended regarding trash. I can remember that at one time we had an extra park employee because of everything that was going on in our parks. I feel that those folks holding tournaments in our parks need to be responsible for cleaning up their own trash. This is inside the dug outs. Our city employees are working very hard cutting the weeds and helping with our parks.
Also school begins Wednesday. Please pray for our children’s safety and protection.
Ms. Abdella asked if the crosswalks have been painted for school. Mayor Lorentz stated that they have not been painted. Mayor Lorentz also stated that the paint that we have to use does not stay on the streets. Ms. Abdella stated that United Way has money for training purposes. She thought perhaps this could be used for street painting.
Ms. Riffle announced that on Saturday evening at 5PM at the Football Stadium they are going to announced all the teams for our fall sports at Belpre High School. The band will be performing and there will also be a meet and greet. I hope it continues for winter and spring sports. I hope to see everyone there. Please wear your orange and black.
Mr. Shutts asked the status of the trailer on Poplar Street that burnt. Mayor Lorentz said that he knew that both the Safety-Service Director and Leonard has been up there. We may have to involve the Health Department.
Mr. Campbell announced that he plans to call a Town Hall meeting at our next regular council meeting. I would like to have your input between now and then.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:00PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.