City of Belpre Council Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City ofBelpre,Ohiowas called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at7:30 p.m.with Mr. Neff welcoming everyone to this evening’s meeting. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Newberry, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sinnett and Mr. Wallace present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, City Auditor Miss Pittenger, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from theNovember 11, 2013meeting was Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson and Councilmen Martin.
At this time, Mr. Neff asked that everyone please stand for the prayer and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Council President Mr. Neff. . With this being Veterans Days there was a moment of silence for all those who lost there lives for our country.
A motion was made by Mrs. Marshall to accept the minutes ofOctober 28, 2013as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Lorentz’s Report:
Hopefully some of you noticed the new trees planted atCivitanPark. Jon Neff and the Street Department just planted 10 new trees to replace some we have lost this past year. Hopefully this week we can start the planting of 75 saplings at Memorial Park onMain Street.
The Sub-Committee for Ohio Public Works met on October 29th inMarietta. At this point, I do not hold a lot of hope in us being funded. Mr. Ferguson, the Auditor and I must now sit down and decide our next plan of attack for funding street repair.
On November 1st, Ray Blackburn and his wife were honored for their support of college scholarships and help with foster children. Ray is the owner of our Local Wendy’s Restaurant. On November 6th, Ray was again honored for his support of the, I believe Foundation. TheBlackburn’s are very supportive of our city and the youth of this area.
November 6th, employees of ODOT, Shelley & Sands, and the City ofBelpre completed a final walk down onFarson Street. We did find a few little items to address but essentially the work is complete and working very well.
My wife and I were honored to be invited to the 30 year anniversary for Pioneer Presbyterian Church on Sunday as well as the breakfast this morning to honor our Veterans at theSeniorCenter.
Mr. Ferguson and I will be tied up most of this week with the AFSCME Negotiations starting on Wednesday. On Friday, I have all day training for Mayor’s Court.
Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson was absent. No report was given in his absence.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger announced that on Wednesday she attended the Annual Ohio Municipal League meeting. Ms. Pittenger stated that she made several contacts and picked up a few pointers from some of the other Auditor’s in attendance.
City Law Director Mr. Webster had no report.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee had no report.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced that the only correspondence that he received was a letter toCSXfrom the Associate Law Director’s Office regarding the obligation that they have with the City ofBelprefor major repair on Pomeroy Pike.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella, Finance Audit Committee reported that her committee met to discuss the police dispatcher and the attachments to the 2014 Temporary Appropriations.
Mr. Wallace, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mr. Sinnett had no report for Streets, Sidewalks & Storm Sewer Committee.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee was absent. No report was given in his absence.
Mrs. Marshall, Planning and Zoning Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall, Economic Development Committee had no report.
Mr. Newberry had no report for the Rules Committee. Mr. Newberry congratulated the newly elected officials.
Mr. Neff congratulated everyone that was re-elected to council and also to Mr. Wallace for being elected to the Board of Education.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only. None
Unfinished Business:
Ms. Abdella brought before council for second reading TEMPORARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR CALENDAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2014. Ms. Abdella stated that the most current attachment is on your desk this evening. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Ms. Abdella brought before council for third reading A RESOLUTION SUPPLEMENTING YEAR 2013 APPROPRIATIONS. Ms. Abdella stated that she would like to add the most current Exhibit A dated November 2013 with 4 different funds marked with an asterisk. They are Fund 10-3115 (Phone), 9-1107(Wages for Police), 9-2127 (Benefits Pension), and 9-3118 (Law Enforcement Expenditures). A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella moved this be Resolution 36, 2012-2013 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff took a quick recess to contact Mr. Martin regarding his reason for not being at council. .
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Dave Dye,807 Westview Drive, Belpre appeared before council with questions regarding the Gas and Electric Aggregation and whether or not there would be a monthly budget. Ms. Abdella asked Mayor Lorentz if he would contract Fred Holmes regarding this issue. Mr. Dye also asked if council had decided whether or not City Income Tax could be paid all at once. According to Mr. Newberry it was the decision of his committee to continue to collect quarterly as it was not a strong enough request to change the Ordinance.
Mr. McAfee asked if there would be a retirement party in honor of Officer Jobes whose last day isNovember 15, 2013. According to the Mayor he would let everyone know.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evening’s meeting. According to Mr. Neff, Mr. Martin had an excusable absence. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson made a motion to adjourn at7:50PM. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.