City Council Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Belpre, Ohio was called to order by Council President Mr. Neff at 7:30 p.m. with Mr. Neff welcoming everyone to this evening’s meeting. The roll was called with the following members present: Ms. Abdella, Mr. Baker, Mrs. Boso, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Sinnett present. Also present were Mayor Lorentz, Safety-Service Director Mr. Ferguson, City Law Director Mr. Webster, Treasurer Mr. McAfee, and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. . Absent from the August 08, 2011 meeting was City Auditor Miss Pittenger and Councilman Mr. 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 Mr. McAfee.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to accept the minutes of July 25, 2011 as presented and by-pass the reading. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Ms. Abdella made a motion to accept the amended minutes of June 27, 2011. The amendment was to Page 4; lines 6 & 7 should read, “Before moving on, Mr. McCauley asked about the emergency clause on the Resolution which had just been passed.” A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Reports of City Officials
Mayor Lorentz reported that since our last meeting the Safety-Service Director has been very busy with all the flood plain issues as well as Homecoming preparations. The weekend went very well thanks to a lot of cooperation and hard work from the Police Officers, Street Department, and Fire Department volunteers. By noon on Sunday everything was down and all rental equipment returned.
On Wednesday of this week I will be in Athens to participate in the Positioning Appalachia Conference to discuss Economic Growth Strategies for Success. Our key speaker will be Sherrod Brown United States Senator, and Jeff Finkle President/CEO International Economic Development Council.
As you know we have had numerous complaints on some blighted properties in a couple sections of our city. Today I made contact with one owner and explained to him that my intent was to condemn their rental if repairs and cleanup was not started immediately. Council should be aware that I am following city ordinance and we have two properties at this point that are not fit for occupancy. I have provided you with the ordinance and sections that fit the violations.
Today I did receive the word that due to the loss of grants and State funding we will not have a health nurse at the city building after the end of this month.
Everyone on council should have copies of legislation for the Farson Street and Braun Road projects to proceed. Braun will go to sale September 22nd and Farson next year to coincide with the widening project.
Mr. Ferguson stated that it has been a short two weeks for him. On July 27th and 28th, I was in Columbus talking about the flood plain with FEMA and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. On Thursday and Friday of last week a member of my family was having surgery and is doing well. Thanks to all who shared well wishes?
I want to thank you all for listening to my rambling and frustration that I showed earlier this evening. I am frustrated because of all the issues that this city is going through regarding the Flood Plain issues. . FEMA will put the city on probation for one year if these issues are not addressed and corrected. 238 people will lose their flood insurance. Should we have a flood our citizens will suffer a Hugh loss if they don’t have insurance. Folks, this is a very serious matter and must be dealt with.
Ms. Abdella asked what we as council can do to assist in this project? Is there a possibility that the CHIP Program can qualify for assistance. Mr. Ferguson is to check on this and provide information. Mr. Ferguson also stated that you can’t sell your home if you don’t have flood insurance. No bank can lend you money without flood insurance. It is a Catch 22.
Mr. McAfee stated that during his term of office there were several areas of the flood plain corrected however others were not. This has been an ongoing problem within the city.
City Auditor Miss Pittenger was absent; Mr. Ferguson presented her report. The pool will be closed beginning August 17, 2011 and will be opened on the week-end only through the Labor Day Holiday. There will be a doggy swim on September 7, 2011 from 5:30-7:30. The cost is $5.00. Each dog must have proof of vaccination, and current dog license. No aggressive dogs, no humans in the pool and no children in the pool area unattended.
City Law Director Mr. Webster stated that while he was on vacation he received a call that we have located our person that we are foreclosing against related to a loan from the Washington – Morgan County Community Action. The person is back in the house and is making every effort of repayment on insurance and court cost.
Treasurer Mr. McAfee reported that a copy of the July’s 2011 Treasurer’s Report is before you this evening awaiting council approval. A signed copy has been presented to the Clerk of Council. Mr. Sinnett made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Communications and Petitions:
Mr. Neff announced that he had received the following correspondences.
- An invitation to meet the President Reception, Dr. Harold Shank, is the new Ohio Valley University President. The reception will be held September 12, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. on the OVU Campus, Alumni Gymnasium.
- I have also received the August Calendar for the Belpre Senior Center.
- There is also information from Dave Yost, State Auditor, regarding Best Practices.
- Mr. Neff assigned to Committee: Codified Ordinances – Mr. Sinnett, Highway Project to Mrs. Marshall and the City Income Tax to Ms. Abdella.
Report of Standing Committee:
Ms. Abdella had no report for the Finance/Audit Committee. Ms. Abdella made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY INCOME TAX ORDINANCE AS TO INTEREST AND PENALTIES AND TO CORRECT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker, Police and Fire Committee had no report.
Mrs. Marshall had no report for Streets, Sidewalks and Storm Sewers. Mrs. Marshall made a motion to add to tonight’s agenda for first reading FIN AL RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Robinson had no report for the Utilities Committee.
Mr. Martin, Parks and Recreation Committee was absent.
Mrs. Boso reported that her committee met prior to this evening’s meeting to discuss radio antenna and the sale of city property. Her committee was in agreement to allow the school to use the tower and the sale of city property needed more discussion. Mrs. Boso called a committee meeting for August 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. to further her discussion on the sale of city property.
Mrs. Boso had no report for Economic Development Committee.
Mr. Sinnett, 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 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY INCOME TAX ORDINANCE AS TO INTEREST AND PENALTIES AND TO CORRECT ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for first reading FINAL RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall made a motion to suspend the rule of council requiring reading on three different days to allow the second and third readings on FINAL RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall brought before council for second and third readings FINAL RESOLUTION REGARDING HIGHWAY PROJECT. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mrs. Marshall moved this be Resolution 41, 2010-2011 and duly passed. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Richard G. Briggs, 2520 Underwood Drive, Belpre, Ohio appeared before council opposing Aggregation. A copy of his presentation is on file.
Mr. Sinnett made a motion to excuse Mr. Martin from this evening’s meeting. Mr. Martin is having some health issues. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Neff announced that there were 30 days left until the Belpre City Golf Outing. This year all proceeds will go the Belpre Area Ministries (BAM).
Adjourn:
Mr. Robinson moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.