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 were Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the January 9, 2017 meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross.
Mr. Neff asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Neff gave the invocation.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of December 12, 2016 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 presented his report before Council. Here we are the first meeting of 2017. I trust that everyone on council is ready for another exciting year?
One of the first orders of business is to let you know who your representatives will be for certain committees or commissions for the city.
Civil Service for the year will be:
Karen Waller- Secretary term ending 2018, John Underwood-Vice President term ending 2017, Ron Duvall- President term ending 2017. (Ron is fulfilling Darwin Mayle’s last year)
Recreation Commission will be:
Bill Locke, Karen Locke, Charlene Sinnett and Mayor Lorentz
Health Board:
Joel Whittaker, Stan Neff, Karen Matthews, Linda Boso, Dr. Barrett, Mayor Lorentz, Jack Pepper (Sanitarian), Charles Hammer (Health Commissioner).
Zoning Commission:
Ralph Holder, Marian Duvall, Mayor Lorentz, Ron Cross, Judy Drake.
Citizens Bank has resolved the issue with setbacks and building location at Farson and the Boulevard. They have purchased the land west of their site.
The Civil Service Commission and my office are preparing for a new test for the city openings. As of now we have an opening in the water department, and the need to build a list for potential police officers and dispatch. It is quite possible we could have two openings in the water or street departments. The testing date is February 27th at the training center. We are also gearing up to hire a patrolman as our chief as of Friday has accepted a resignation.
On Friday of last week we completed round two of negotiations with our AFSCME Group. The vote was scheduled for today and as of 4-PM we found out that it did pass. By our next meeting we can have the full document for approval.
Council, it is that time of year again when you will need to fill out your Financial Disclosure Statements for the State of Ohio. Make sure to go on-line and file.
Just as a reminder to all residents please remember to remove portable basketball poles from street right-of-ways. These have the potential of causing injury and or equipment damage. If cited for this obstruction it could be a fine of up to $1000 and 1 year in jail.
Council, please do not forget that our next meeting is government day for our high school students.
Mr. Neff asked about Sargent Huddleston. According to the Mayor he is coming along.
Mr. Neff asked for a motion to accept the appointments listed in the Mayor’s Report this evening. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the appointments. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger reported that the Auditor’s Office has been working very hard to get the year closed. She will be presenting the end of year report the first meeting in February.
City Law Director Mr. Webster announced that he would present the Mayor’s Court Report and the Municipal Court Report at the next meeting.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid had no report. Mrs. Kincaid stated that she would have the December year to date Cash Report at the next meeting.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff assigned the following to committee:
Finance/Audit Committee – Ms. Abdella Chairman – Permanent Appropriations for 2017, Manpower for Calendar Year 2017, Management agreement for the Belpre Senior Center with the O’Neill Senior Center, Health Nurse Contract and Athens City/County Health Department.
Street, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer Committee – Mr. Colvin Chairman – Washington Soil and Water Conservation District.
Police and Fire Committee – Mrs. Miller Chairman – Jail Contract
Parks and Recreation Committee – Mrs. Sinnett Chairman – Swimming Pool Contract
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee had no report. Ms. Abdella called a Finance/Audit Committee meeting for January 23, 2017 at 7:00 PM for the purpose of discussing Manpower and the Belpre Senior Center contract with the O’Neill Senior Center.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. . Mr. Neff reminded council of the committee meeting called by the Police and Fire Committee for January 16, 2017 at 6PM for the purpose of discussing EMS proposals.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee had no report.
Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development stated that a special meeting was held last week working with the Chamber and Voinovich School of Economics at Ohio University on Economic Development.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
None
Unfinished Business: – none
New Business: – none
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Mr. Neff went over Committee Assignments. Removed from the list was low speed vehicle on city streets and highways.
Council was also reminded that if you are running for re-election you must file by the first of February. Also The Ohio Ethic’s Financial Disclosure forms are due on May 15, 2017. They can be completed on-line.
Adjourn:
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to adjourn at 7:50 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.