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 and City Law Director Mr. Webster. Absent from the June 26, 2017 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, 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. Mrs. Marshall gave the invocation.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of June 12, 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 we continue to have construction meetings with the businesses locating in Belpre. This week Miller Orthotics should get the okay to start their clearing for a building on Rich Miller.
On June 22nd I was present for the discussion on the Mississippi Queen rebuild and plans to travel to the Parkersburg area. A lot of history and excitement will be coming in the future.
On the 22nd we rolled out our strategic plan for the city. Only about 50 were in attendance but all seemed to be on board with what was discussed. Now as a city we must implement as best we can.
We met with Ron Eddy the developer that is going to build next door to city hall. For what he has planned it is very tight. Today I got a glimpse of the changes so we are getting closer.
Since our last meeting I have talked with a couple lending institutions about a loan for a fire truck. Tonight all council has that info on their desk.
It is not detailed as the others but all I had time for. Community Bank and I just talked today on phone so their quote is noted below.
$3.95/60 months
$4.75/72 months
$5.25/10 years
No added fees
Yearly payment for 10 years $51,200.00
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. Miss Pittenger prepared a report and Mr. Neff presented it. Her report is as follows:
The Ohio State Auditor’s have completed their report and have emailed the draft to each of you. It will now be reviewed and finalized. Once again, the City of Belpre had no findings! Thank you to all of you for doing your part in making our city run efficiently and per GAAP account standards.
Belpre is gearing up for the arrival of the American in Bloom judges, Karin Rindal and Teresa Woodard. Each of you has received an email invitation to a luncheon on Monday July 10th. Please RSVP to that email by June 30th so arrangements can be completed.
I have placed on your desk the notice that will be sent with each water bill for the next two months. Once a month billing will begin in October 2017.
The tax budget processes has begun with the Washington County Auditor. I have placed on your desks a draft of the attachment for the 2018 tax budget. This legislation needs to be finalized, approved, and submitted to the county auditor by July 15th. Thank you for your speedy action on the legislation.
I have placed on the information table and on the council reports page of the website the adjustment report for the month of May. This item needs council approval.
Mr. Neff asked for a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff assigned to the Finance Audit Committee the Tax Budget.
Mr. Neff explained how the administration and council operate in reference to their duties. There has been some confusion with Citizens of Belpre as to how the city and council operates.
City Law Director Mr. Webster reported that we had a lawsuit filed against the city over an accident that happened on school property. The final entry for dismissing the lawsuit has been filed. There has been some legislation on the tax budget and possible levy program for emergency services. There is a pending suit in Colorado regarding recreational marijuana. One of these companies that are cultivating marijuana is setting in District Court to have the property declared a nuisance because it is against the law to cultivate marijuana. Even if the State of Ohio approves the cultivation by individual landowners doesn’t mean the Federal Government will approve it.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid was absent. No report was given for the Treasurer’s Office.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2018 to the Finance/Audit Committee and also 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.
The 85th Annual Belpre Homecoming will be August 3rd at 6PM for the opening ceremonies at the Gazebo.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met last week for the purpose of discussing 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. Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first 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 and A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2018. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. Ms. Abdella stated that since additional information is being received she would like to call a Committee Meeting for next Thursday at 6PM to discuss the tax budget and the EMS Levy. Ms. Abdella stated that she would let the Auditor know.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss false alarms. No action will be taken at this time. We are moving ahead on getting the drug dog. Pledges are now in the process of being collected. I have on tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 351.03 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES TO ADD ADDITIONAL PARKING VIOLATIONS.
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 met this evening. Our guest speaker this evening was the Mayor from Parkersburg Tom Joyce. He was very informative and very congenial. Great things are going to be happening. There is a lot in the works.
Mr. Shutts, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: – None
New Business –
Mrs. Miller brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 733, BUSINESS OCCUPATION PERMITS, AND FINE FOR VIOLATION. Ms. Abdella asked the law director what was amended. According to Mr. Webster the dollar amount of the fine was changed and the penalty. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Miller brought before council for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 351.03 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCE TO ADD ADDITIONAL PARKING VIOLATIONS. Ms. Abdella asked what was amended on this legislation. According to the law director four additional parking violations were added. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller moved to suspend the rule of council for the second and third readings. A vote was taken with Ms. Abdella, Mr. Colvin, Mr. Law and Mr. Shutts voting nay. Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Miller voting aye. Motion failed.
Ms. Abdella made a motion for first reading A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TAX BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2018. 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 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street asked how you go about finding out about the additional parking ordinance. She was informed that it was on line under the Belpre Code. It will appear now with 16 and once it is printed for next year the additional four will show up. Does the media publish the new additions? According to the media he was going to ask that question after the meeting.
Dave Ferguson 902 Morgan Avenue appeared before council with concerns of junk cars setting in a person’s driveway for 20 years with no license, no registration, etc. Parking violations are on public streets and not on landowner’s property. Council should insist that we enforce the junk car ordinance changing from 20 years to a shorter time. This is lowering property value. Mr. Webster stated that you could add it to another ordinance but you can’t add it to this ordinance because this is on public streets. Mr. Neff stated please don’t put a tarp over the vehicles because it becomes a health hazard.
Mr. Neff assigned inoperable vehicles to the Police and Fire Committee.
Adjourn:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting ay