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, City Law Director Mr. Webster and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith.   Absent from the July 10, 2017 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, and City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid.

Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Neff gave the invocation remembering the family of Leonard Wiggins.

Mr. Neff stated that we have no minutes to approve this evening however we will need to approve the June 26, 2017 and July 10, 2017 at the next meeting of council.

Reports of City Officials:

Mayor Lorentz reported that the city continues to work with the folks from the First Settlement building.  Miller Orthotics is planning to build just at the east end of Rich Miller.  Last week we gave them the setbacks, ordinances, and the ground water plan.  You should see lots of activities very soon.

We met with Verizon representatives about placing a 150 ft. tower on the southeast corner of the Bingo Hall Property.  Although it is income for the Fire Association and better service for Belpre we have some concerns and questions to address.

Karen Waller and I made a visit to Oakview Dermatology last week.  They are opening a new facility on the Corner of Stone Road and Washington Blvd.  We are blessed to have growth in just about every ward of our city.

On Saturday hopefully you noticed the crowd at Howe’s Grove Park.  The Alumni held the Annual Ice Cream Social with much success.  Thanks to our street department for quick action removing trees from streets and 1 large one on the shelter.  This one could have cost us the day of fundraising for the scholarship committee.

The America in Bloom judges is in town today and tomorrow.  It seems that every year we get a large storm to mess up a lot of hard work and efforts of many.  Again thanks to our guys some of which worked Friday night and Saturday so that streets were safe and cleared.

Council, as you vote tonight to place the Safety Services Levy on the ballot, I need to let you know that not only do we have equipment needs at the Fire Department we also had the emergency generator at the Police Station fail on Friday.  This is just about to the point of being beyond repair and will appear on a list of needs very soon.

Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent.  No report was given in his absence.

City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent.  No report was given in her absence.

City Law Director Mr. Webster wanted to note to everyone that additional research has been done on levies.  First getting the authorization from the auditor and the second reading on the issue that will forward on to the ballot.  On a couple of issues next door there are some setbacks with the streets and the proposed sub-division.  You will see more about this as we get to the issue on the sub-division.  We still have no word on the Prisoner Contract.  I spoke twice with the County Prosecutor and Washington County Commissioners however we still have no word.  I will continue working on this.  I suggest that you all take a look at the email from the Chief on the current billing for prisoners.  I’m going to talk to the clerk and Chief about this and send letters to the commissioners regarding our State and Local code and the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department.

City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid was absent.  No report was given for the Treasurer’s Office.

Communications and Petitions:

Mr. Neff stated that the only communication he had received was a letter from Mr. Campbell, 101 George Street regarding parking issues when things are going on at Civitan Park.  The only other correspondence was a letter from our State Auditor Dave Yost.  We also received an FYI from RITA.

Mr. Neff assigned the 10 mill Limitations to the Finance Audit Committee.

Report of Standing Committee:

Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met Wednesday evening for the purpose of discussing the current piece of legislation that is before us this evening on the EMS Levy as well as the Tax Budget.  At this time Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION FINDING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX OUTSIDE THE 10-MILL LIMITATION AND REQUESTING 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 TAX LEVY.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report however she called a meeting for June 24, 2017 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing Nuisance calls and alarm codes.

Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer reported that he had received a lot of calls about water from the storms that we had the other night.  Mr. Colvin stated that he tried to convince the callers that it was due to the amount of rain received all at once and that if they were patient the water would go down.

Mr. Neff stated that he had been complimented on the departments working together.

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.

Mr. Shutts, Rules Committee had no report.  Mr. Shutts stated that he had found some items in his drawer that wasn’t there before.  Mr. Neff explained that they were replacement pages for the Codified Ordinance.

Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.  None

Unfinished Business: –

Mrs. Miller brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 351.03 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCE TO ADD ADDITIONAL PARKING VIOLATIONS.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.  This will lie over until the next meeting of council.

Ms. Abdella made a motion for second reading A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2018.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella made a motion to suspend the rule of council to allow for the third reading of A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2018. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2018.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 28, 2016-2017 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A 1.75 MIL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR PROVISION OF POLICE, 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 to allow for the third reading of A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A 1.75 MIL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR PROVISION OF POLICE, 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 the third reading of A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A 1.75 MIL ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY FOR PROVISION OF POLICE, 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 29, 2016-2017 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Mrs. Drake brought before council for second reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 733, BUSINESS OCCUPATION PERMITS, AND FINE FOR VIOLATION.  Mr. Law asked how we are going to police this.  Mr. Neff stated we aren’t but the Mayor is.  Additional discussion followed.  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 FINDING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX OUTSIDE THE 10-MILL LIMITATION AND REQUESTING 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 TAX 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 REQUESTING 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 TAX LEVY.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION FINDING IT NECESSARY TO LEVY A TAX OUTSIDE THE 10-MILL LIMITATION AND REQUESTING 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 TAX LEVY.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 30, 2016-2017 and duly passed.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.

Persons Appearing Before Council: 

Fire Chief Tony Cronin introduced Joe Cortez and Mike Pitchure who spoke about the proposal received by Verizon regarding a cell tower on Stone Road.

Adjourn:

Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:33 PM.  A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.