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, Mrs. Sinnett and Mr. Turrill present. Also present was Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, 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 gave the invocation.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the minutes of March 13, 2017 meeting 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 since our last meeting I have met with the AFSCME Union members and their representative to discuss a method of advancement for employees. Nothing to date has been started or agreed to. More to come.
On the 15th I along with Bob Raugh and Bob McCloy of the economic development committee met with representatives of the Governor’s Office. This discussion was around infrastructure and future development needs for the city. Both reps seemed interested in assisting us so, time will tell.
Mr. Cross and I met with Pro-Care and the Fire Department officers to finalize the contract as well as medical protocol. Dr. Breese was in attendance and is very helpful and willing to help. Everyone is anxious to get started and provide a good level of service to our community.
A few of us worked with Student volunteers on Wednesday to spruce up around the city building and park. We thought we would have maybe 6 to 8 and got 20. Lots of work done and had fun doing it.
On the 23rd we hosted a town hall meeting with the Voinovich Center and our Economic Development committee. Approximately 80 people from the area attended with representatives from hospitals, Kraton, and Orion (the old Degussa). Many questions were asked and most everyone participated. Hopefully late April will be a good time to unveil the results of their study.
The Belpre Woman’s Club called to ask permission to place the Pinwheels for Domestic Violence Awareness at the bridges and at the fountain. If someone asks what they are for, now you know.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross had no report.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that 73 letters to delinquent taxpayers have been sent out with a dozen more to go out. Also the Adjustment Report is ready and needs council approval. Copies of the report are on-line and hard copies are on the table in council chambers. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that the EMS Contract has been tweaked and is ready to be finalized. Also AN ORDINANE AMENDING BELPRE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 939.01 (d) that is how water and sewer billings are done. This will need to be assigned to committee.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid reported that a copy of the February Cash Report is on-line and copies are on the back table in council chambers with a signed copy to the clerk. I would like to have council’s approval on the report. Ms.
Abdella made a motion to accept the February Cash Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned the following to committee:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BELPRE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 939.01 (d), was assigned to the Utilities Committee.
Also received was an invitation from the Belpre Historical Society to attend their “Founder’s Day Dinner”, Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 5:30 PM for Hospitality and Dinner at 6. The cost is $20 per person and you must RSVP no later than April 5th. Speaker will be Dr. Ray Swick.
Peoples Bank Theater will be hosting a Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service on April 4, 2017 at 10 AM – 12 PM. Please RSVP by March 31, 2017 by email at ssteed@wcgov.org or phone 740-373-3107.
I also received a letter from Charlene Sinnett this evening with a request to resign from her position as 3rd Ward Council person effective the last day of April. Mr. Neff accepted her request and told council that he is trying to find out the appropriate way to fill her position.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella had no report for the Finance Audit Committee however she asked Mr. Cross at the last meeting to revisit the appropriations and to let her know if there were any changes to be made. Mr. Cross informed Ms. Abdella that there are no changes to submit.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee spoke briefly about the conversation that she has had with Chief Williams regarding parking issues. Once everything is in place she will call a meeting to discuss. Mrs. Miller also asked if anyone had heard about how much money had been pledged for the drug dog. According to Chief Williams they have received $9,500 in pledges.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer informed council that Mrs. Marshall had received a complaint regarding potholes in allies throughout our city. The complaint was in reference to an alley behind homes on Clement Avenue. At this time, Mr. Colvin made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. Discussion followed. Ms. Abdella asked the Mayor and Safety-Service Director if the goals that were set forth last year in the contract had been met. Mr. Cross to check about this and report back at the next meeting. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee had no report. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to by-pass committee and add to tonight’s agenda for first reading AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BELPRE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 939.01 (d). Discussion followed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mrs. Miller who voted nay.
Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that the Committee met prior to this evening’s meeting. Guest speaker was Dr. Nutter from Washington State Community College. Also present was an AEP Representative. There was a lot of good information regarding LED. Mr. Bob McCloy also reported on the Town Hall meeting.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business: –
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BELPRE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE OF OHIO COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 23, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND HEALTH COMMISSIONER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF MARIETTA CITY BOARD OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL NURSING SERVICES. 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 third reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH PICKAWAY PLAINS AMBULANCE SERVICE, INC DBA PROCARE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller moved this be Resolution 24, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Sinnett brought before council for second reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY OF BELPRE SWIMMING POOL. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business:
Mr. Colvin brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE WASHINGTON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshal announced that she would like to table AN ORDINANCE AMENDING BELPRE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 939.01 (d) until after the committee meeting on April 10, 2017 at 7 PM.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Chief Terry V. Williams presented the following report to council.
During the last two weeks, I was told by Ron Cross to contact Marietta Police Department and Vienna Police Department to find out what the costs are for them to have a K-9 Unit; Once I get numbers, he and I could have a real conversation on the K-9.
Thursday, March 16th, I attended the monthly Chief meeting in Marietta where I spoke to the Acting Chief from Marietta (Captain Aaron Nediff) and also Chief Pieffer from Vienna Police Department and inquired about their actual cost of having a Police K-9.
Marietta has 1 K-9 as of right now with no plans on getting another one. Vienna Police Department has 2 Police K-9 Units. Wood County Sheriff (Stephens) advised they just ordered 2 Police K-9’s from Steve Heater in Meigs County. This is the same place we were looking into ordering.
Sheriff Stephens offered a free cage for a Crown Vic, but didn’t know what it may need or what it had.
Captain Nediff advised that the Marietta Police Department had an SUV with around 9,000 miles on it already equipped with cage and A/C and that they might be willing to sell.
Chief Pieffer advised me that the McDonough Foundation purchased one of the K-9’s for them. I did fill out an application for a Grant through them when I got back to town.
During our discussions we discussed that some departments give their K-9 officer an extra day off a pay or month. Some pay the officer an extra 8 hours a pay and some just give their K-9 officer an hour off early a shift to save overtime money. All the departments gave their K-9 officer a training day each month.
On March 20, 2017 I contacted Chris Smith with the Ohio DNR in reference to Goose permits. I filled out an application and later the same day was granted a permit to shoot 25 geese between now and August. We have gathered hundreds of signatures to pursue this over the last year. The geese have become a major health concern for our youth playing sports at the soccer and ball fields. If council approves this, we can start as soon as possible. This will be done safely.
On March 23rd I called Marietta Police Department and spoke to Chief Rodney Hupp. He advised that he was interested in selling or trading their fully equipped K-9 SUV. He was not sure of a price, but said he would look at some figures and get back with me.
On March 26th while bored at home, I looked up the fair labor standards act as it pertains to K-9’s from what I could find. K-9 officers are to be compensated for the care of their K-9’s at least ½ hour a day. This does not have to be paid at the overtime rate. It can be negotiated between the city, the employee, and Bargaining Unit and does not even have to be in writing, which I would suggest it is. The city could give the K-9 officer off early each shift as to not cost the city extra money. I feel this is something that the City Attorney would best be able to advise and work out.
On March 27th I contacted the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Department referencing the K-9 mandates. They told me they would research statutes and get back with me this week.
Chief Williams also gave a quick list of drug calls, arrests, OD’s, and Narcan so far this year. In January there were 8 drug calls, 10 overdoses, 1 death, 8 Narcan used and 12 drug arrests. This did not include felony arrests. In February there were 14 drug calls, 2 overdoses, no deaths, 2 Narcan and 14-drug arrest. In March there were 7 drug calls, 3 overdoses, 1 death, 2 Narcan used and 27 drug arrests.
Adjourn:
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:08 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.