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, 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. Mrs. Marshall gave the invocation.
Condolence was extended to the family of Mayor Lorentz for the loss of his Mother and to the Mayle family in the loss of Darwin Mayle who was very well known in our community.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of October 10, 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 to Council. It is as follows: Council, I want you to know that my family and I appreciated your thoughts and prayers the past couple weeks while we prepared for Mothers passing. Again Thank You.
On Saturday October 15th I attended the Heritage Days festivities at our museum. Hopefully you all appreciate the fact that our little city has such a wonderful place to visit and such a good group of volunteers working to preserve our heritage.
Later in the day we took part in the balloon launch for cancer awareness at Fruth Pharmacy. This group set off a mess of colored balloons at 2 PM to help remind us of this terrible disease and hopefully a cure soon.
Mr. Cross and I have met with a couple developers last week that intend to purchase land and build business opportunities here. As plans finalize we will share more with council.
The EMS bid proposals are stirring interest as I have had three calls so far from companies interested in our business.
We met with the Port Authority last week to go over the right-of-way issues for the sewer line north. If all goes well we will break ground after the first of 2017.
Mr. Cross, Chief Williams and I will start negotiations this week with our police union. We foresee no issues at this point and will keep you posted with any issues.
Mr. Neff asked when the Police Contract expired. Mayor Lorentz informed him that it expires on October 31, 2016.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross reported that nighttime grinding and paving would be taking place at the bridge approach of the Belpre Bridge. Changes have been made to help with safety issues. Copies of the new traffic pattern are available at the city building.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that you probably saw on social media that our Belpre in Bloom received National Awards again this year. Awards were given for Circle of champions and over all impression. When you receive the Circle of champion is means that you won either your population category or a combination of criteria awards. Three of us went to California to accept the awards. The new plaques and awards are being displayed in the city building.
Also the Adjustment Report is on the back table and on-line and is awaiting approval by council. Ms. Abdella 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 before you this evening is two pieces of legislation. One is A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MICHAEL L. LORENTZ, MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE, TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED. This legislation has to do with our Sewer Line Project on Route 7. Also prepared is the legislation regarding the Temporary Appropriations Ordinance. Advertising is being done for the RFP for the City of Belpre to provide ambulance and EMS services. We are receiving a lot of responses.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid announced that the September Cash Report is ready for approval. It has been posted on-line, copies at the back table and a signed copy has been given to the clerk. Mrs. Kincaid asked for council approval. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the September Cash Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff reported that he has received two emails from Putnam Howe Village regarding the Grand reopening on October 29, 2016. I don’t know if this requires an RSVP however I informed the Mayor that I planned to attend. Mr. Neff assigned to Finance/Audit Committee Temporary Appropriations and A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MICHAEL L. LORENTZ, MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE, TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee had no report. Ms. Abdella called a Finance/Audit Committee meeting for November 14, 2016 at 7PM for the purpose of discussing the Temporary Appropriations. Ms. Abdella made a motion to by-pass committee and add to the agenda A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MICHAEL L. LORENTZ, MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE, TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller reported that they are working on awards for the patrolman. Mrs. Miller also announced that she had attended Heritage Day at the museum at the same time the fire department was having open house. It would be nice if we could coordinate things happening in our community so there would be a better attendance.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer addressed street sweeping in the city. He asked if the city owned the sweeper. According to the administration the city does own the street sweeper.
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 Committee had no report. Mrs. Drake announced that there would be an Economic Development Meeting held on October 31th at 6PM.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
None
Unfinished Business: None
New Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MICHAEL L. LORENTZ, MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE, TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIREDA 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 readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MICHAEL L. LORENTZ, MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE, TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MICHAEL L. LORENTZ, MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF BELPRE, TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF APPALACHIA PROGRAMS AND TO EXECUTE CONTRACTS AS REQUIRED. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 19, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Bob Hadfield, Commander of Post 495 addressed the Veterans Memorial that has been placed in Howe’s Grove Park. Anyone that is interested in purchasing a brick can do so by completing the form that is in the marque in the lobby of the city building. We would like to thank the Mayor and Auditor for helping with the publicity. The dedications of the new Veterans Memorial will on November 11, 2016 at 11:00AM. Cookies, coffee and soft drinks will be served by the Belpre Senior Center.
Karen Waller, President of the Belpre Chamber of Commerce, spoke briefly about the Bike Trail through our city. She introduced the committee to council. One member would like to address a concern we have.
Carol Greening, 105 Stone Road, Belpre is an avid cyclist and she spoke briefly about bike safety in Belpre. She stated that 20 years ago she had concerns about bike safety in Belpre and 20 years later she still has that same concern. Our objectives are to improve bicycle and pedestrian signage; Promote the installation and use of bike racks and fix-it stations; Plan, promote and/or implement bicycle and pedestrian events in the local area; Establish bike lane and bike trail connections between the existing trails in Parkersburg, WV; Athens, Ohio; and Marietta, Ohio; Work with other civic and governmental organizations to coordinate and implement policies, plans and procedures to upgrade the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; work with property owners regarding trail access and promote the economic benefits of bike and pedestrian trails; and work with initiatives that focus on pedestrian related issues. Our mission of the Belpre Area Multi-use Trail Project is to work towards the establishment of a multi-use public recreational trail system that serves Washington County, the City of Belpre and residents of the adjacent area. The committee seeks to promote the connection of current trails and dedicated street routes to existing trails and encourage residents and visitors to utilize all phases of the trail system for recreation. Our vision of the Belpre Area Multi-Use Trail system will be a unique public asset offering a safe place for members of the community to freely enjoy nature, bike, exercise, walk, jog, or simply enjoy the environment, along an appropriate non-motorized corridor (with exception made for vehicles operated by handicapped individuals) from Athens, Ohio, and using dedicated Belpre Streets, with potential integration into similar trails including those outside and beyond the City of Belpre. The committee is asking support of council. Information is being given to the law director to draft legislation.
Adjourn
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 8:15 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.