Belpre City Council Minutes
Council President Mr. Neff called the Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio, to order at 7:30 p.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, City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Neff asked for a moment of silence for the victims of 911. Mr. Neff gave the invocation.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the minutes of August 28, 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 informed council that it is that time of year again where we start the United Way Drive. On your desk tonight is a form and packet for this year’s contributions. Let’s all be generous and cheerful givers to those who have far less, and to valuable services that do benefit our city.
Becky Hennon and I were invited to the Putnam Howe Village for a celebration of their new building and all the services they enjoy. Many wanted to hear of the new developments around town and surprisingly enough they were thrilled over the Taco Bell in our future.
Join me this Thursday at 11 am to celebrate a ribbon cutting at Zenergy Massage in the Washington Square Plaza.
Hopefully you all got the email I sent about HB 49. If you did not get an email copies are on the back table. This is a poor example of representation when we have the state take over the collection of our city income taxes, charge us for doing so then, penalize us if by chance we make a mistake. It is my hope that we can pass legislation quickly to send to Columbus and join the opposition of this bill.
On Friday the Spirit Ride held one of their ceremonies in our Civitan Park This is to cause attention to the move over laws in our country. Jerry Radcliff of Jerry’s Auto sponsored this and the caravan moved on to another city. This exercise will cross our country and even Hawaii next year.
Karen Waller and I travelled to Marietta on Friday to light the torch of cooperation between our cities to open the Stern wheel festival.
On September 26th I have rented the Fire Department Training Center for a classroom exercise for bomb recognition and or improvised devices. Thanks to one of our Belpre residents this class will be free to all and provided by the Columbus Bomb Squad and FBI Task Force. Outside agencies other than our officers will also be invited. This is a 4 hour exercise if you are interested please see me to be added to the roster. So far we have about 20 in attendance.
At this time a member of the RC Club presented a check in the amount of $600 to Police Chief Terry Williams for the drug dog.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross reported that on September 26, 2017 they would be doing a drill behind Fruth Pharmacy. You will hear a bomb drill BOOM. It is a drill
City Auditor Miss Pittenger stated that there are still questions about the water bill. Everybody’s bill will be due the third Monday of next month. We also have the Adjustment Report that needs approved. The report is on line and copies are on the back desk. The Adjustment Report is back to normal and is awaiting approval by council. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff stated that he signed off on the bank reconciliation for last month.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that he has
Prepared a couple pieces of legislation regarding the levy that will need to be passed this evening. The local Board of Elections approved the language of the levy and was ready to go to the printers and on to the Ohio Secretary of State for their approval. The Ohio Secretary of State came back and said that police, fire and EMS can’t all three appear in the levy language therefore I have prepared new legislation removing police from the legislation. It doesn’t mean that we are forgetting about the police department. I want to thank the Board of Elections, as they were very prompt in getting in contact with me. The Board of Elections agreed to have a special meeting this Friday to approve the language on the ballot. The certificate will also be amended. I did look at the information regarding HB49, Powers of Local Government to control these issues. The State can collect City Income Tax faster. We may want to join the Municipal League with allegations. We will see where this is going. Surrounding contractors doing work in multiple jurisdictions in the State had different forms that were returned to governmental agencies. The contractors stated that the State should take control and have the same forms and local municipalities would have to amend their tax forms.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid reported that her July and August Cash Report is ready for approval. The reports appear on line and copies are at the back table. Signed copies have been given to the Clerk. Mrs. Kincaid asked for council approval. Mrs. Drake made a motion to accept the Cash Report for July and August as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned to the Finance/Audit Committee the (2) pieces of legislation regarding the Tax Levy. Already assigned to committee were yard sale signs and Business Occupation Permits. Mr. Neff also assigned to Finance/Audit Committee A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE LPA TO ALLOW ODOT TO PERFORM BRIDGE PAINTING.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee met this evening prior to council to discuss the Sewer Project and the status and funding. This was a very informational meeting that requires no action at this time. At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s meeting three pieces of legislation. They are as follows:
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR PROVISION OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE; A RESOLUTION FINDING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX OUTSIDE THE 10-MILL LIMITATION AND REQUESTTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CERTIFY TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY THE TOTAL CURRENT TAX VALUATION OF THE CITY OF BELPRE AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD BE GENERATED BY A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL LEVY; and A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE LPA TO ALLOW ODOT TO PERFORM BRIDGE PAINTING. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller stated that she is working on her assignments.
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 reported that her committee met at 6:45 PM prior to this evenings meeting to discuss monetary changes to Ordinance 1313 regarding rentals & inspections. This topic was previously discussed at last committee meeting and Ms. Abdella provided all members of Council a copy of the Ordinance at that time. This Ordinance has not been in force. Previous discussion led to administrative issues. In this meeting, I reminded we only Legislate and Appropriate and this is a matter of housekeeping. This Ordinance does raise money. In this meeting, apparently no one read the Ordinance so all proposed suggestions on monetary changes brought forth negative defensive comments.
I stated that where there is a will there is a way and the current staff and police can manage this Ordinance. It pays to think positive and not negative. Either we want to improve the City or we can sit on our hands and do nothing. Then we will all live with the consequences.
These changes in due time will help the Police Department and especially with what they deal with on the night shift.
You each have to admit some rentals in the community are not only a problem for the Police Department but for the surrounding neighborhoods. We have to consider property values and how people on the outside view what we have to offer as a community. Leaders have the ability to build their community up or help take it down. Mrs. Drake called a committee meeting for Planning and Zoning on September 19th, 2017 at 3PM to continue the discussion.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee had no report.
Mr. Shutts, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Bill Locke 726 Tuttle Street asked about the amended legislation on the tax levy. Mr. Locke was informed that the police department is funded at this time. Our problems are funding the fire department.
Unfinished Business: –
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business –
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR PROVISION OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE. 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 PROVIDING FOR A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR PROVISION OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for the second and third readings A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR PROVISION OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 32, 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 A RESOLUTION FINDING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX OUTSIDE THE 10-MILL LIMITATION AND REQUESTTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CERTIFY TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY THE TOTAL CURRENT TAX VALUATION OF THE CITY OF BELPRE AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD BE GENERATED BY A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL LEVY. 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 reading of A RESOLUTION FINDING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX OUTSIDE THE 10-MILL LIMITATION AND REQUESTTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CERTIFY TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY THE TOTAL CURRENT TAX VALUATION OF THE CITY OF BELPRE AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD BE GENERATED BY A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL LEVY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for the second and third readings A RESOLUTION FINDING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX OUTSIDE THE 10-MILL LIMITATION AND REQUESTTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CERTIFY TO THE TAXING AUTHORITY THE TOTAL CURRENT TAX VALUATION OF THE CITY OF BELPRE AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WOULD BE GENERATED BY A 1.75 MILL ADDITIONAL LEVY. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 33, 3016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE LPA TO ALLOW ODOT TO PERFORM BRIDGE PAINTING. 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 ALLOWING THE LPA TO ALLOW ODOT TO PERFORM BRIDGE PAINTING. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE LPA TO ALLOW ODOT TO PERFORM BRIDGE PAINTING. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 34, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Kandy Haibab appeared before council in regards to Save the Kitty Ferrell cats at Civitan Park.
Donna Crites appeared before council in regards to Save the Kitty.
Mr. Law called a Parks and Recreation Committee meeting on September 25, 2017 at 7PM to discuss the issue of Ferrell cats and to listen to the committee on Save the Kitty in the City of Belpre.
Mrs. Miller stated that this is a very good program.
Bill Locke 726 Tuttle Street addressed the 1.75 Mill Levy with Ms. Abdella and asked what it would cost someone with a $100,000 home. According to Ms. Abdella it is approximately $61 per $100,000. It will generate approximately $213,000 annually.
Ms. Abdella asked when Drag Strip Road would be open. According to the Safety-Service Director it will be a while. We are awaiting an agreement from AEP.
Mr. Neff asked Mr. Cross if he has been meeting with his department heads regarding the needs of the departments. Mr. Cross stated that he has been working on that.
Mr. Webster stated that we have had 32 fire fighters die this last year working on the lot of 911.
Adjourn:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.