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. Miller, Mrs. Sinnett and Mr. Turrill present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Cross, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the September 26, 2016 meeting was City Auditor Miss Pittenger and Councilpersons Mrs. Drake and Mrs. Marshall.
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 August 29, 2016 Special meeting and September 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 reported on Friday September 16th I was able to assist the teachers at our elementary school with the Blessings in a Backpack. We should be surprised how many of our children do not have enough to eat. Hats off to these volunteers.
On the 23rd Mr. Wiggins and I met with the developer of the Park Drive property across from the city building. The plan as it is stated now will be for 19 homes and one new street. It looks as though a variance will be needed if council agrees. As this takes shape I will communicate to council and or Planning and Zoning committees.
The administration and supervisors are conducting interviews for our maintenance departments. Hopefully in a couple weeks we will be back to 100% staffing.
We have set a date of October 1st for a ribbon cutting at Old Town Emporium 10AM. If any of council is available please join us.
Thanks to council and Ms. Pittenger for the vote last meeting to assist us with the OPWC Grant. Even with the added match and commitment from the city we will not score high enough to qualify. There is no use in continuing the process at this point so I did pull our grant application last week. We will qualify for no or low interest loans through the same program.
Council was provided a sample copy of legislation for the Medical Marijuana and our city.
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 had no report for the law office. Mr. Webster stated that apple butter has started. We processed 20 bushels of apples prior to this evenings meeting.
City Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid had no report.
Mr. Neff asked for a motion to accept the Adjustment Report. Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the Adjustment Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff stated that the only communication that he had this evening was the legislation regarding RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE AMOUNTS AND RATES AS DETERMNED BY THE BUDGET COMMISSION AND AUTHORIZING THE NECESSARY TAX LEVIES AND CERTIFYING THEM TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR. Mr. Neff stated that this already appears on the agenda this evening and was assigned to Ms. Abdella’s Finance/Audit Committee.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss HB 523 regarding Medical Marijuana. It was the decision of the committee to take no action at this time but to continue exploring the issue. Discussion followed by Mr. Webster. Mr. Webster to get sample legislation from other cities.
Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee had no report. Mrs. Miller stated that she attended the Economic Development meeting and that they are working on a lot of things to bring recognition to the city.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report. Mrs. Sinnett showed concern for not receiving emails.
Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee was absent. No report was given in her absence.
Mrs. Drake, Economic Development Committee was absent. No report was given in her absence.
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 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.
Mr. Webster stated that this piece of legislation is always late coming from the county auditor’s office. Mr. Webster sent them a letter requesting that it be sent one month in advance.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Karen Locke, 726 Tuttle Street asked where the Old Town Emporium was located. She was told that it was located at the old bowling alley and that the church moved to their location on Main Street.
Mrs. Locke also asked what was going in across from the post office. According to Mayor Lorentz it is a temporary Coffee Shoppe.
Ms. Abdella asked what our situation was regarding the RFP for EMS Services. Ms. Abdella stated that it is time to take care of our citizens Health Care. Mayor Lorentz informed her, that it was in the hands of the law director. Ms. Abdella stated that it is time to approve the Request for Proposal for EMS Services.
Mrs. Miller called a Police and Fire Committee meeting for October 10th, 2016 at 7:00 PM to discuss the RFP for EMS Services.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse from this evenings meeting Mrs. Drake and Mrs. Marshall. Both had excusable absences. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Adjourn
Ms. Abdella made a motion to adjourn at 7:58 PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.