Belpre City Council Minutes
Council President 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. Colvin, Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Law and Mr. Shutts present. Also present was Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the November 13, 2017 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. Mrs. Marshall gave the invocation.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of October 23, 2017 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 announced that on your desk tonight is an updated roster for the Fire Department and EMT’s now active. Also included is the Chaplain.
The Chamber Dinner on the 26th was a success. We had a huge crowd and recognized the businesses and citizens that make this a wonderful place to live. Karen Waller does a remarkable job for our city as Chamber Director.
The Belpre Rotary Club has planted 5 new trees in Howe’s Grove Park. The organization has made it a goal for next year to plant thousands of trees over our state. Our group planted 1 for each of the members that have past.
On November 2nd we held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Miller Orthotics. Millers own the smaller building on Rich Miller for those who do not already know.
On November 3rd I travelled to Columbus to complete my yearly training for Mayor’s Court. The hot topic of course was the drug epidemic we all struggle with. Nothing new to report as far as DUI laws or traffic laws. The Municipal League provided us with a list of legislation now being developed or considered. That list is on your desk. Next class is offered in February and hopefully Mr. Neff can attend as my substitute for court.
Congratulations to the new council people on your success Nov. 7th. A sincere thank you to Ms. Marshall for her service. Your commitment to Belpre has not gone unnoticed. A thank you and good luck to Ms. Kincaid as she leaves office. Mr. Law, I hope that someday you will consider running again as your short term in service was much appreciated.
We continue to work with AEP on the Dragstrip Road issue. Surveyors have been out and hopefully quick response from the road crew will follow. AEP set a goal of having this completed before the asphalt plants close.
Our new drug dog is in week 5 of training and doing well. Chief Williams has expressed no concerns to date. If we stay on schedule you will meet Brausky at our next meeting when he is formally called to duty. Some of the Ministerial Alliance will also be in attendance.
We have two gentlemen this evening that is being promoted within the fire department. Jerry Hampton will be a Lieutenant, and Bryan Harpold will be a Captain for the city.
Mayor Lorentz informed council that he had been asked when the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was going to be held for First Settlement on Richmiller Lane. At this time he is unsure of the date however he will inform council once he knows. Mayor Lorentz also stated that we have had 14 Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for 2017.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger had no report for the Auditor’s Office.
Mr. Neff announced that he had signed off on last month’s reconciliation.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid reported that before you this evening is the September and October Cash Report that needs approved by council. The reports have been posted on the cities website, copies also appear on the table in the back. The Clerk has received her signed copies. At this time Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the September and October Cash Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff stated that the only thing he had to report was he received a letter from the Department of Commerce notifying us that all permits to sell alcoholic beverages in our political subdivision would expire on February 1, 2018.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss purchasing a standby generator for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, A Resolution Supplementing Year 2017 Appropriations and Temporary Appropriation Ordinance for Calendar & Fiscal Year 2018. At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading the following:
- AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A STANDBY GENERATOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
- A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2017 APPROPRIATIONS.
- TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR & FISCAL YEAR 2018.
A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller thanked all the citizens who voted for the levy.
Mrs. Miller also stated that she feels that we need to check with other cities regarding legislation on drones.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee had no report.
Mr. Law, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake Planning and Zoning Committee stated that she had not been contacted on any activity.
Ordinance 1313 on Rentals – I have been communicating with Marietta College and they are willing to work with us on collecting data. It will be a matter of holding a committee meeting and deciding precisely what information we want collected.
Once we make a decision they will move forward with what they need to do.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported the committee met November 2nd due to the Chamber of Commerce dinner being held on October 26.
It was a very informative meeting learning more on activity and development forth coming to Parkersburg and Belpre and throughout the MOV.
Andy Kuhn from SEO Port Authority shared the above information and explained planned development for the Federal Building in Parkersburg and how it would be converted to high-end rental apartments. This can impact Belpre and what Belpre could possibly do in the near future to provide and accommodate this clientele. These people will be doing ‘downtown living’, wanting quick access to places to work out, obtain necessary items, eateries, etc.
Fiscal Services/Public Debt will be bringing additional 250 employees to the area.
Andy also went over the status of the sewer line for Route 7 and that at the present doesn’t look very good moving forward.
Bob McCloy also spoke to the group regarding what we think and how we felt about the report compiled by Ohio University. The City still needs a plan and hopefully as we progress forward this will become a reality.
I was the only member of Council in attendance at this meeting.
From the Committee Referrals pending the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected Officials that was provided to State Representatives is being reviewed at their level.
Mr. Shutts, Rules Committee had no report.
Addressed by Mr. Neff was the Written Control Policy from the Police Chief. According to the comments they are just waiting to get passed.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: – None
New Business –
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A STANDBY GENERATOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. 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 A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2017 APPROPRIATIONS. 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 A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2017 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for the second and third readings of A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2017 APPROPRIATIONS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 36, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR & FISCAL YEAR 2018. Mr. Neff announced that this would need to be passed by January 1st, 2018 to allow the city to operate for the first three months. 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:
Mr. Neff recognized Mr. and Mrs. Harpold who was in attendance this evening.
Mr. Neff congratulated all those who were successful in the election. He stated that he is looking forward to working with the new council. Mr. Neff announced that the swearing in of the new council would be January 1st, 2018 at 10AM.
Mr. Neff also stated at the first meeting in January we will need to appoint a Council President Protem and Clerk of Council Protem.
Any legislation that has not been passed by the last regular scheduled meeting in December will not carry over.
Adjourn:
Mr. Shutts made a motion to adjourn at 8PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.