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, and Mrs. Sinnett present. Also present were Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Law Director Mr. Webster, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the October 10, 2016 meeting was Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid and Council person Mr. Turrill.
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 September 26, 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 was absent. Mr. Neff presented his report. His report is as follows: Council, a couple meetings ago I provided United Way materials for you. Hopefully you have filled them out or returned them. If you like I can take care of it with the ones from our employees and staff.
On your desk is an article out of the local paper telling of conversations and or problems like ours with blighted properties. Maybe a conversation with other communities will assist us.
Last week I received confirmation of the EDA Grant success for Belpre and the sewer project north. Belpre received $1.5 million and change. We are still at this time acquiring right of ways and working on other funding opportunities.
The Apple Butter Stir-off was a success and enjoyed good weather. Thank you to the Lion’s Club, Boy Scout Troop 91, Bob’s Market, Pioneer Presbyterian Church and of course our very own Tom Webster for their efforts.
The American Legion post is almost complete with the memorial in Howe’s Grove Park. Please stop and take a look at their hard work and addition to our park.
Mayor Matthews and I have a commercial spot for the Senior Levy. Hope you all had a chance to hear the message and will support this important issue.
Mrs. Miller and I joined the Chamber of Commerce for the official Ribbon Cutting at the Olde Town Emporium’s new location. We had a nice crowd and the owners seemed to appreciate our attendance.
On the 15th Fruth Pharmacy Employees and I will have a balloon launch from their parking lot to bring attention to cancer awareness month. Please join us if possible. Lift off is at 2PM.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross reported that they are in the process of completing the bridge alignment. The project should be completed around the middle of November. Also they are treating the asphalt surface at the end of the Memorial Bridge. This will help with the life of the asphalt and the skidding during wet and icy conditions. There will be 1-lane traffic for the next few days or until completed.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent. No report was given in her absence.
City Law Director Mr. Webster addressed the blighted area’s that have been brought to everyone’s attention. This issue has also been addressed in Marietta. I will keep you informed on any proposals for changes that might be effective to us.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff reported that the only communications that he had received was and invitation from the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner that will be held on October 27th, 2016. The cost to attend is $50.00; Social Hour Offerings will be light hors D’oeuvres at 5:30 PM and dinner at 6:30 PM. Cash bar will be available. The dinner will be held at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna, WV.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee had no report.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss RFP for the City of Belpre. Now that the committee knows what we want it is the decision of the committee to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading. Mrs. Miller made a motion to add to the agenda for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
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 Committee had no report.
Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A 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 third reading of RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMINED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 17, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff reminded everyone that they would need to sign the legislation before leaving this evening.
New Business:
Mrs. Miller brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE AMBULANCE AND 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 and third readings of A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller brought before council for second and third readings A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ADVERTISE FOR REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE AMBULANCE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Miller moved this be Resolution 18, 2016-2017 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Don, Kerr, 425 BF Goodrich Road, Marietta, Ohio appeared before council introducing himself as he is running for Washington County Commissioner. Mr. Kerr told council a little bit about himself and stated that he would appreciate their vote on November 8, 2016.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to excuse Mr. Turrill from this evenings meeting. Mr. Neff stated that Mr. Turrill contacted him and stated that he was having a reaction from medication. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye except for Ms. Abdella whom voted nay.
Mr. Webster announced that his office would be selling Apple Butter at his office. They have both pints and quarts available. Please let him know if you’re interested.
Mr. Neff reminded everyone of the Sr. Levy renewal that would also appear on the ballot in November and that they would appreciate everyone’s support.
Mr. Webster stated that the money from the levy is divided up to local senior centers
Adjourn
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 7:55 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.