Belpre City Council Minutes
Council President Mr. Neff called the Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio, to order at 7:50p.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, Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the October 23, 2017 meeting was Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Lorentz gave the invocation.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of October 09, 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 reported that the Apple Butter Stir-Off has come and gone for another year. Kudos to Debbie Marshall for a job well done! We made it back on Sunday to visit the park and everyone seemed pleased.
The Bass Clubs held a huge tournament at our boat ramp since we last met. This is becoming a good thing for our city as well as our parks. With over a hundred boats participating surely some of our businesses made out as well as our being able to showcase our Belpre.
On October 19th the Changing Plate opened at the Memorial Campus. The residents as well as our business owners attended the ribbon cutting and celebration. Truly the food was wonderful and the services offered in this building needed.
Today the new Citizens Bank on Farson and Washington Boulevard officially opened. Numerous business owners and chamber members took part in the ribbon cutting. Next week Miller Orthotics will hold their official opening. Hopefully some of you can attend.
Thursday evening is the Annual Chamber Dinner. If you plan to attend and haven’t RSVP’d let Karen know by tomorrow morning.
We are making some progress on removal of the old home on Walnut St. As we progress I will keep all informed.
Our Volunteer Firemen have been involved with the fire on south side. As of now other than the odor Belpre has not been affected.
Mayor Lorentz stated that he had received a call from the Ohio Department of Health and all readings in our city from the fire in south side are good.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross reported that prior to this evening’s meeting our Superintendent of Belpre City Schools has cancelled school in Belpre for tomorrow. All members of council should have a Wastewater Treatment Plant Generator Replacement Estimated Project Cost on your desk. I would ask for a voice approval so that we can move on with the bidding design for the project. Mr. Neff asked if they were going to let it out for bid. According to Mr. Cross the project would be let out for bid. Mr. Neff stated that we would need to have legislation in place allowing the Safety-Service Director to advertise for bid and to award. Mr. Cross stated that he has informed the law director and it should be ready by the next meeting of council.
Mr. Law asked what kind of resources has the fire department exhausted from assisting with the fire at the former Ames Plant owned by IEI Plastics. Mr. Cross stated that we have had a small crew going over to help pump water from tanker trucks. They have not been actually part of the fire scene. Mr. Neff asked the Safety-Service Director to see how many hours of Manpower was used. Mr. Neff stated that he heard there might be some assistance from both the Federal and Property Owner’s Insurance.
Mrs. Miller asked if our fire department could be using some of this for training? Mr. Cross stated that I really don’t think they are on the scene but helping pump water from the trucks.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that the Adjustment Report for September has been posted on the cities website and copies are on the table in the back for your review. $2,082.08 was adjusted from the County Sewer Line for not paying their bill. They stated that the bill was not received so they received their one Get Out of Jail free card and was informed as to how to sign up for PSN. They were informed that now they need to pay by the 15th of the Month or they would get a penalty.
Next it is time to transfer funds from the General Account to the Street Department Fund and the Pool Fund. These two funds were approved in the early spring but I need verbal approval in the Council minutes. $100,000 will be transferred to the Street Department and $30,000 will be transferred to the Pool Fund with your approval. In the last two Cash Reports the pool right now is negative $14,000.
Between now and our next meeting of Council will be voting day. Now is your chance to vote.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to transfer $100,000 to the Street Fund and $30,000 to the Pool Fund. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff announced that he has signed off on the bank reconciliation for the last two months.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Communications and Petitions: None
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee reported that she has received the 2018 Temporary Appropriations from the Auditor. I have looked at them and will be sending them out to all members of council. I would like to call a meeting for the next meeting of council to discuss the 2018 Temporary Appropriations at 7:00 PM on November 13, 2017.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
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 had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report. Mrs. Drake did remind all members of council of her committee meeting on Wednesday at 3PM for the purpose of discussing Rental Property. (Ordinance 1313)
Mr. Shutts, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street addressed flooding on Gene Street. Nothing is in the works at this time.
David Dye 807 Westview Drive, Belpre addressed Ordinance 555.02 where parties are failing to comply with City Ordinance. This deals with weeds on his property. The parties have been involved in a boundary line dispute regarding the boundary between their parcels at 807 Westview Drive and 809 Westview Drive in Belpre.
Unfinished Business: – None
New Business – None
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Ms. Abdella added to her committee meeting at 6:45 PM the Generator Replacement.
Mrs. Marshall encourages all members of our community to get out and vote for the Volunteer Fire Department by voting YES for the Levy.
Mr. Neff encouraged everyone to get out and vote.
Adjourn:
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to adjourn. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.