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 Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the July 23, 2018 meeting was Mayor Lorentz and City Treasurer Mr. Smith.
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 June 25th and July 9, 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:
Mr. Neff read the Mayor’s Report before Council.
July 11 we hosted the Mayor’s Association, thanks to Becky Hennen and Denise at Bellaire’s Bistro all enjoyed a delicious meal. Hopefully council members that attended enjoyed the evening.
Chief Williams and I continue to interview for a police officer. One candidate has passed the polygraph as well as the psychological exams. The Chief has this young man scheduled for a physical very soon. The 14th was Officer Greathouse’s last day and they are settled in near New Orleans.
Our newly formed Health Board met on Friday 13th here in our conference room. All seems to be going well but we have a lot of work to do.
July 14th was a busy day for our parks. The Alumni Organization held their Ice Cream Social at Howe’s Grove. Lots of ice cream dipped and over 500 hotdogs grilled. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food as well as the over 70 old cars at the car show.
The Bloom Judges have come and gone since we last met. The result of their visit will be interesting since we had two seasoned veterans of the program this year do the judging.
All parties involved attended the Storm Water Task force meeting this am. With all the new business growth it makes more sense than ever to pay attention to the rules when it comes to run off.
Hopefully you noticed the old home on the corner of Walnut is gone. Mr. Wiggins also has confirmation that three other home owners have been served notices that their properties are considered condemned by the city. We must continually be aware of such problems and correct if possible.
Mr. Cross and I met with FEMA this morning to discuss the spring flood and its effect on Belpre and to see if we qualified for assistance.
One week from Homecoming the Chamber and city met to go over last minute details. The street department as well as emergency services are aware of needs to assure success.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross had no report
City Auditor Miss Pittenger had no report.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that the Joint Health Board Meeting was for the purpose of setting rates that will be consisted to the City of Belpre and City of Marietta. We are also in the process of hiring a consultant to do accreditation letters. We continue to work on rules and regulations.
Mr. Webster addressed 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. Mr. Webster stated that everyone should have received a copy of the Ordinance but since they did not he would be sure that Carol sent a copy to everyone.
City Treasurer Mr. Smith was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff stated that he had heard from two different citizens as a result of a tragic death of Brody Miller’s infant that he would like Mr. Cross to be sure that there is proper fencing around pools throughout the city. If there is not proper fencing inform the citizens that they must do so or take the pool down.
We also received an invitation to the 86th Invitational Homecoming opening ceremonies on Thursday, August 2, 2018 6:30 pm at the Belpre Civitan Park Gazebo.
Mr. Neff addressed the two pieces of legislation that appear on the agenda this evening.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance/Audit Committee had no report.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller stated that she was working on a report on soft billing.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report. Mr. Campbell stated that the Street Department is working very hard at the parks for the Homecoming.
Mrs. Miller also addressed pot holes in parking lots and if the city is responsible for these holes. According to Mr. Cross the city is only responsible to the back of the curb.
Mr. Neff stated that he noticed the work being done on Catch Basins and was wondering when they should be completed. According to Mr. Cross they are scheduled to be completed in the next day or two.
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 reported that this committee will meet this Thursday evening at 6PM.
Ms. Riffle Rules Committee had no report.
Mr. Neff assigned the Codified Ordinances to Ms. Riffle’s Committee.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: – None
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2018 APPROPRIATIONS. Ms. Abdella addressed the supplementals totaling $167,050.00. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell addressed the importance of passing these two pieces of legislation this evening.
Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2018 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2018 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 13, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTE TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF A FIRE TRUCK FOR THE BELPRE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second and third readings of AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTE TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF A FIRE TRUCK FOR THE BELPRE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A NOTE TO FINANCE THE PURCHASE OF A FIRE TRUCK FOR THE BELPRE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Ordinance 7, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye
PERSONS APPEARING BEFORE COUNCIL:
Angela Parker Reed 107 Walnut Street addressed council regarding the sidewalk that was taken out on Walnut Street. According to the law director he had been issued a letter and is in the 30 day process.
Jacqueline Reed 1116 Blennerhassett Avenue addressed council in regards to a Charter City. Mrs. Reed was informed that this was in the very early stages.
Ms. Riffle addressed the Joint Health Committee meeting and how informative the meeting was. She found out that we have some children here in our city that is underserved and that this issue will be taken care.
Ms. Riffle also thanked everyone who helped paint at Belpre High School and the Elementary School.
Ms. Riffle also addressed the Community Day of Giving
Ms. Abdella addressed the Community Day of Giving through the United Way. Ms. Abdella stated that they would like to give back to our parks next year.
Mr. Neff informed council that the Mayor was absent this evening due to the passing of Pastor Seth Fallons father.
Also we miss having Mr. Smith with us this evening. Mr. Smith and his wife is down south, His wife Lou is having some medical issues so please keep her in your prayers.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Riffle made a motion to adjourn at 7:57 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.