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 Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. Smith and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the June 11, 2018 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Jim Condrey gave the invocation.
Mr. Gant made a motion to accept the minutes of May 28, 2018 and June 4, 2018 as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials:
Mayor Lorentz reported on May 29, 2018 Mr. Cross and I met with ODOT to discuss our urban paving projects upcoming. As you know Main Street is on schedule for this year. Washington Boulevard is scheduled for 2020. Much work needs completed before we can pave. Approximately 70 curb cuts needs completed as well as numerous joint repairs.
On May 30th I met with our Civil Service Board to discuss the retirement coming this month. We also have a water department employee that intends to quit on August 1st. We are in the process of going through our list of possible candidates. Advertisements are out.
On June 8th we held our first combined Health Board meeting between our two cities. The board is set and now working on the grant application to hopefully achieve accreditation.
The Ohio Valley Work Camp starts painting houses in our city starting next Monday. If you happen to drive by one being worked on please stop and thank the kids for their help. One house is on Florence and one on Rockland Avenue.
Council, I have received another resolution for the O.D.O.T project on Main Street. The initial legislation and appropriations have been completed. This needs to be completed before end of month. Ms. Pittenger has her portion completed for this I believe.
Tonight we have Pastor Jim Condrey with us. Pastor Jim is one of our Chaplains assigned to the Fire Department and a real asset to the city as well as the department.
Mayor Lorentz asked Pastor Jim to come forward as he presented him with a key to our city. Pastor Jim is truly a great asset to both the fire and police departments. Thank you for your leadership and friendship to this community. He will truly be missed.
Mayor Lorentz also mentioned that Pastor Seth Fallon will be replacing Pastor Jim.
Pastor Jim Condrey stated that he has 8 years invested in this great city. He stated that we have a great group of men and women that volunteer in this great city. It is a community of everyone working together. Cindy and I hate to leave but this is part of what we do as a Pastor.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Miss Pittenger reported that tonight the May Adjustment Report is before you and needs approved. Miss Pittenger also stated that it is time to approve the 2019 Tax Budget. This legislation must be approved by July 15, 2018. Ms. Riffle made a motion to accept the May Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that the first joint health board meeting went well. The health board plan is to alternate meetings between Belpre and Marietta. The Mayor of Marietta will run the meeting in Marietta and Mayor Lorentz will run the meeting in Belpre. Folks from the Health Department was present as well. There was a great presentation as to the type of services that will be offered. They also mentioned a couple of programs that will be implemented. The emergency calls will operate 24 hours a day and they will be the responders. Rules and regulations will be worked on before their next meeting. They will work on passing them. In the meantime we will continue to operate under our old contract. We won’t see much of an increase in the budget year.
Mr. Webster stated that the Auditor had mentioned the Tax Budget for 2019. Mr. Webster stated that the O.D.O.T. legislation came in prior to the Tax Budget and was not completed until Friday afternoon. There was not enough hours left to get it done.
Mr. Webster stated that we have also been working on C8 claims and whether or not Belpre Water was used.
City Treasurer Mr. Smith reported that a copy of the May 2018 Treasurer’s Report is before you this evening. The report appears on-line with copies placed on the table in the back. Also a signed copy has been given to the clerk. I would like to have council’s approval this evening. 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 reported that she had received information from the City of Cambridge Fire Department regarding soft billing. She passed a copy on to the law director however the law director stated that this is for folks outside the city limits. Mr. Webster stated that this is not soft billing and Mrs. Miller said it was. Mr. Webster will follow up seeking additional information.
Chief Cronin asked Tom what was wrong with the information that Mrs. Miller received. According to Tom the information talked about billing outside the city limits. This would be like billing where Belpre would go outside the city limits and there wouldn’t be any Mutual Aid to help cover the cost.
Mr. Campbell, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mr. Gant Utilities 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 had no report.
Ms. Riffle Rules Committee had no report.
Mr. Campbell reported that his Special Committee met prior to council meeting to discuss looking into Belpre becoming a Charter City. After much discussion it was decided that further information was needed.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. none
Unfinished Business: –
Mrs. Drake brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 741 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BELPRE REGARDING YARD OR GARAGE SALES. Discussion followed. Mrs. Drake stated that the last time the ordinance was written was in 2006. The change to the ordinance will allow the Safety-Service Director to change the amount for the fine for not having a permit. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except for Mrs. Miller whom voted nay.
Mrs. Drake moved this be Ordinance 6, 2018-2019 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mrs. Miller whom voted nay.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Campbell brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION TO FINALIZE AN AGREEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO STATE ROUTE 32 (MAIN STREET) WITH THE STATE OF OHIO, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE COMPLETION OF SAID REPAIRS. Discussion followed. 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 second and third reading of A RESOLUTION TO FINALIZE AN AGREEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO STATE ROUTE 32 (MAIN STREET) WITH THE STATE OF OHIO, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE COMPLETION OF SAID REPAIRS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell brought before council for the second and third reading of A RESOLUTION TO FINALIZE AN AGREEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO STATE ROUTE 32 (MAIN STREET) WITH THE STATE OF OHIO, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE COMPLETION OF SAID REPAIRS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Campbell moved this be Resolution 11, 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 Blennerhassett Avenue, Belpre appeared before council regarding sidewalk ripped out on Walnut Street. Angela was informed that a letter had been sent to the property owner by both the City of Belpre and the Law Directors Office. One way or another the issue will be resolved/fixed.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:10 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.