Belpre City Council Minutes
Council President Protem Ms. Abdella 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 and Mr. Turrill present. Also present was Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Law Director Mr. Webster and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the March 13, 2017 meeting was President of Council Mr. Neff, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid, and Council person Mrs. Sinnett.
Ms. Abdella 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 February 27, 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 Mr. Cross and I met with ODOT to discuss the Urban Paving projects upcoming. We did manage to get Washington Blvd. and Main back on the schedule in the next couple years.
March 2nd I assisted the Alumni and Kraton in judging the Science Fair for Belpre 9 through 12 classes.
March 6th we met again with Pro-Care to discuss the EMS coverage for our city. We then met on the 7th with the officers of our department along with Pro-Care then with the attending members of the department to discuss the transition and take questions. All went well and we are shooting for early to mid-April.
Drugs continue to be the hot topic each day in this building. There are numerous cases waiting on test results just since we last met. The testing at this point may warrant its own line item in our budget process for tracking. Chief Williams has provided you a weekly report to view.
Just a reminder the 4-H Auction and dinner is the 18th and Right Path is having a spaghetti dinner at Spagnas the 19th 4 till 8. Get your tickets and support these great causes.
We are experiencing changes at our Fire Department and after testing a new list of officers will now be promoted. Tonight we have four to be sworn in and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Josh Duley, Mike Matheny, Tommy Price, and Felisha Valentine.
At this time Mayor Lorentz and Fire Chief Cronin swore in the new lieutenants.
Let me remind you again that your Ohio Ethics Financial Disclosure Form is due by Monday May 15th.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross had no report.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence.
City Law Director Mr. Webster gave an update on the Prisoner Contract. Ms. Abdella assigned the Prisoner Contract to the Police and Fire Committee.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Communications and Petitions:
Ms. Abdella assigned the following to committee:
Belpre Swimming Pool Contract – Mr. Turrill to add to this evening’s agenda.
Procare Medical Transportation Service for EMS – Mrs. Miller to add to this evening’s agenda.
State of Ohio Governor’s Proposed 2017-2018 Budget was assigned to Finance/Audit Committee. Ms. Abdella asked the clerk if she would ask the auditor to post on-line for Administration, Council and Citizens to send letters.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella reported that the Finance Audit Committee met last Wednesday night at 6PMfor the purpose of further reviewing the line items. Also discussed was area’s that they could possibly cut. The committee will hold quarterly meeting’s to monitor spending.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee spoke briefly about how we are going about keeping our EMS Volunteers. Mrs. Miller made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first 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 stated that she talked with the Chief about some of the parking issues we are having. As soon as we get them all worked out I will be calling a meeting to discuss. I am not happy with the way the finances are going in the city so therefore I will not be voting for the appropriations this evenings as they are talking about cuts in our police department.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer informed council that he had received calls regarding gas billing. The gentleman stated that he received a letter that he had been opted into the program and he doesn’t want to be in it. Mr. Colvin was informed that this is being done by the PUCO and was coming from the State. I also received a call from a citizen regarding the fire siren. Citizen wants to know why they have to sound alarm every time there is an emergency?
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee had no report.
Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mr. Turrill 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 AN AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY OF BELPRE SWIMMING POOL. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report. Mrs. Drake stated that she had received a call from Roscoe Norris about drain ditch; gave information to Ron Cross, which Ron will be looking into.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee reported that the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs did an article and publicized it on what they are doing in working with Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce.
They will be holding a Town Hall Meeting here in the Chamber on March 23, 2017 at 7:00 PM. They will be doing publicizing and notifications. Following the Town Hall meeting they will give their final report in April 2017.
The project is made possible by the Voinovich School’s participation in the Rural Universities Consortium University Center, a partnership between Ohio University and Bowling Green State University that is a designated US EDA University Center. The University Center program connects local governments and organizations with the resources and expertise of nearby colleges and universities to promote economic development.
Ms. Abdella stated that this would be a working session. Ms. Abdella asked that you encourage friends and neighbor’s to participate in this activity and get involved in our community.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street asked what cuts was being made to the Police Department? Mrs. Miller stated that Law Enforcement Expenditures were being cut for education and testing. Mrs. Locke suggested that they cut Belpre in Bloom back from $10,000 to $5,000 and use the $5,000 for the police department.
Jesseca Madison 722 Third Street also stated that she thought Belpre in Bloom could be cut back to $5,000 and the remaining $5,000 could be used for the police and fire department.
Ms. Abdella stated that she knew they cut $5,000 in small equipment for the fire department. The chief will bring back to council at a later time as a supplemental.
Tim Gant 1426 Blvd Drive asked if there were grants from Homeland Security or from industries? Ms. Abdella stated that she would ask that the chief meet with Mr. Gant and explain the process. Ms. Abdella stated that she did know that grants aren’t as plentiful as they use to be.
Mrs. Locke stated that since Belpre in Bloom only spent $4,200 last year then why don’t they reduce the amount to $5,000 and not $10,000. Therefore if the money weren’t available they would not likely spend it. Mrs. Locke did comment on the beautification of the city.
Ms. Abdella stated that if we do not pass the appropriations tonight then all the business of the city stops.
Unfinished Business: –
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for third reading ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2017. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except Mrs. Miller whom voted nay.
Mrs. Marshall moved this be Ordinance 12, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except for Mrs. Miller whom voted nay.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for third reading AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AUTHORIZED MANPOWER FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2017. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall moved this be Ordinance 13, 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 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 except for Mrs. Miller whom voted nay. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
New Business:
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first 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 first 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 to suspend the rule of council on three different days to allow for the second reading of 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 brought before council for second 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. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mr. Turrill brought before council for first 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.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Mark Eaton 2712 Mead Street appeared before council with an update on the drug dog. At this point they have received $6,700 in pledges with more to come. The goal is $10,000 and I feel sure that we will get that. They would like to minimize the cost of the dog for the city and taxpayers. A question was raised as to whether or not the pledge would be tax deductible Pledges would be tax deductible if they were going to Belpre Area Ministries. Ms. Abdella asked if there could be a partnership with the Foundation? Pastor Eaton stated that it would be great if that was possible so that donations could be made to the Foundation and then turned over to the city.
Karen Locke 726 Tuttle Street asked about the insurance on the dog. The Mayor stated that it wasn’t anything to worry about that it was only about $500 a year.
Mrs. Marshall stated that there would be a Spaghetti Dinner held at the Lions Club from 6-8PM this Saturday with a portion of the proceeds going to the drug dog. We are also looking about a bulletproof vest for the dog.
Mrs. Drake made a motion to excuse Mrs. Sinnett from this evenings meeting. According to the President of Council Mrs. Sinnett had an excusable absence. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella recognized the newly elected lieutenants to the fire department. She also recognized both the fire and police department for the commitment to our city.
Adjourn:
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to adjourn at 8:30 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.