January 9, 2017
Student Council President Miss Harman 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: Miss Collins, Ms. Abdella;
Mr. Sprague, Miss Curfman, Mrs. Drake; Miss Sydenstricker, Mrs.
Marshall; Mr. Reams, Mrs. Miller; Mr. White, Mrs. Sinnett; Miss Secrest
and Mr. Turrill present. Also present were Student Mayor Miss Cantrell,
Mayor Lorentz; Student Safety-Service Director Mr. Sydenstricker/Mr.
Cross; Student City Auditor Miss Erb, Miss Pittenger; Student City Law
Director Mr. Baker, Mr. Webster; Student City Treasurer Miss Arthurs,
Mrs. Kincaid and Clerk of Council Mrs. Meredith. Absent from the
January 23, 2017 meeting was Councilman Colvin.
Miss Harman asked that everyone please rise for the Prayer and remain
standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Sprague gave the invocation.
Mr. Reams made a motion to accept the minutes of January 9, 2017
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 Miss Cantrell presented the Mayor’s Report that was prepared by
Mayor Lorentz. The report is as follows: Since our last meeting Mr. Cross
and I have met with Buckeye Hills and the Engineering Group at Burgess
and Niple. The intent of this series of meetings is to gather enough
information such as flow rates etc. and be able to present to our stakeholders
an idea of what their monthly sewer bill will be. At this point we are waiting
on CSX and ODOT to allow our crossing points.
On January 12th we met with the UFWC and our employees to finalize a few
issues with the contract.
Saturday the 14th, I was able to swear in a new Auxiliary Police. For the
first time in a long time we have a female patrolman to call on should the
need arise.
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On January 15th I attended the celebration and retirement party for Don
Burch who retired from Boy Scouts after 43 years. Don has always been a
community minded person and a blessing to many young men in our area.
January 21 I was invited to a dinner at the Lion’s Club to honor our area
servicemen and women. Only one of the invitees was able to make the
event. Travis Hayton a resident of Belpre and stationed in Greenland, his
parents, and lady friend from Greenland did attend. Travis and family were
very appreciative for the invitation. Young people like Travis gives me a
sigh of relief knowing this country is in good hands.
Chief Williams, one of our Sergeants and I will start the process of
interviews for a new Police officer. Also note that we are starting the testing
process and interviews for the water department. And this week starts the
interviews for an EMS Provider.
If you plan on running for office time is running out. Petitions need returned
by February 1st.
Mr. Sydenstricker presented the report prepared by Safety-Service Director
Mr. Cross. His report is as follows:
AEP Ohio announced a new online power outage map for customers. The
website will include outage information such as: A. Date and time outage
was reported. B. Estimated time service will be restored. C. Number of
customers without service. D. Cause of the outage when information is
available. You can find the map at AEPOhio.com/outage map.
Currently, the city is in the process of dealing with the property on 307
Maple Street. Notifications are being sent to the property owner and
lienholders as specified in the city and state code. Once the proper legal
process has been completed, the city will make a decision on demolition.
We have received a response from AEP in regard to the street lighting on
Florence Street. I have scheduled to meet with AEP personnel and will keep
you updated as information becomes available.
The street lighting at the Belpre Bridge will be completed in the next few
weeks as a part of the ODOT project closeout process.
Miss Erb reported for City Auditor Miss Pittenger. Before you this evening
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is the Utility Adjustment Report for December. Copies of the report appear
on-line and at the back table for your review. We would like to have
Council’s approval on the December Utilities Adjustment Report. Mr.
White made a motion to accept the December Utilities Adjustment Report as
presented. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
Mr. Baker presented the Law Director’s Report as presented by Mr.
Webster. His report is as follows:
This is in reference to the 2016 City of Belpre Criminal Cases. Enclosed
please find City of Belpre Summary of 2016 Criminal Case files opened by
my office.
We have broken the criminal files down by charge – totaling (225) case
files. In addition, we have listed the files by the different law enforcement
agencies.
Please note that within the (225) case files opened, there are numerous
separate charges that require prosecution.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to discuss with me.
The breakdown is as follows:
Child Endangering/Abuse – 7 cases, Theft – 8 cases, DUS/Speed – 32 cases,
Possession of Marijuana/Drugs Para/Controlled Substance – 39 cases,
OVI/DUI/Public Intoxication – 40 cases, Disorderly Conduct/Assault – 16
cases, Trespassing/Obstructing Justice/Breaking/Entering – 22 cases,
Domestic Violence – 19 cases, Contempt/Breach/Violate TPO Probation –
15 cases, Dog Roaming – 1 case, Concealed Weapons – 2 cases, Receiving
Stolen Property 6 cases, Expungement – 1 case, Misc. – 17 cases. Each case
was also broken down as to the City of Belpre, 207 cases, City of Marietta, 6
cases, Ohio State Patrol 8 cases, Washington County Sheriff’s Office 4
cases.
Mr. Baker also stated that Mr. Webster has given each member of council a
copy of the Ohio General Assembly Substitute Senate Bill 321: Public
Records Reform.
A copy of the law director’s report is on file in Council Chambers.
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Miss Arthurs presented the Treasurer’s Report for Treasurer Mrs. Kincaid.
The Treasurer’s Report is as follows: Miss Arthurs stated that a copy of the
December’s Cash Report and Year to Date Report has been placed on-line
and copies have been placed on the table as you come in to Council
Chambers. Miss Arthurs stated that they would like to have approval by
council. Miss Curfman made a motion to accept the December Cash Report
and Year to Date Report as presented. A vote was taken with all members
of council present voting aye.
Miss Osburn was shadowing Chief Williams today and had a couple of
things to discuss this evening. I would like to share a few stats with you
from our Police Department. During 2016 our department received over
1,000 more calls for service than in 2015. In 2015 we had 7,256 calls and in
2016 we had 8,307. During 2016 our officers had over 300 more arrests
than 2015. In 2015 we had 523 traffic tickets, 608 other arrests for a total of
1,131. In 2016 we had 1,016 traffic citations and 447 other arrests for a total
of 1,463.
This year alone from January 1 to the 18th, our department has dealt with 22
drug related calls for service, including 9 drug arrests, 6 possible OD’s 1drug overdose death, which occurred this passed weekend. We have used 5
doses of NARCAN so far this year.
Our department would like to recognize a citizen for his heroic acts on
January 3rd, 2017. Sgt. Tyler Heddleston was attempting to apprehend a
subject passing forged checks at the Belpre Kroger on January 3, 2017. The
suspect Aaron Banks started resisting arrest and Sgt. Heddleston and Banks
were wrestling around. Kroger employee Cody Webb assisted Sgt.
Heddleston in making the apprehension on the suspect. This arrest helped
solve an ongoing case of several hundreds of thousands of dollars where the
suspect and his accomplices had been cashing forged payroll checks at
Kroger’s and similar stores all over the Country.
At this time, The Belpre Police Department would like to recognize Cody J.
Webb with an award for being a Good Samaritan back on January 3, 2017.
Communications and Petitions: None
Report of Standing Committee:
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Miss Collins presented the Finance Audit Committee report that was
prepared by Ms. Abdella. The report is as follows: Miss Collins stated
that her committee met prior to this evenings meeting to discuss
Manpower and the O’Neil Center Contract. A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER
does appear on the agenda this evening.
Miss Collins stated that Ms. Abdella would like to call a Finance/Audit
Committee meeting for February 1, 2017 at 6:00 PM for the purpose of
discussing Appropriations for 2017, Athens City/County Health
Department, and the Health Nurse Contract.
Mr. Reams presented Mrs. Miller, Police and Fire Committee report. It is
as follows: On January 16, 2017 at 6PM the Police and Fire Committee
met to discuss EMS services to the city. All council members were
present along with the Mayor, SSD and City Law Director. We had a
lengthy discussion. The committee went into Executive Session to
discuss all proposals with three of them being selected for further
review. The Mayor and SSD will schedule appointments for the three
that were selected for further review. Council returned to the regular
committee meeting with adjournment at 7:35PM.
Mr. Colvin, Streets, Sidewalk and Storm Sewer was absent. Mr. Sprague
stated that there was no report.
Miss Sydenstricker/Mrs. Marshall, Utilities Committee had no report.
Mr. White/Mrs. Sinnett, Parks and Recreation Committee had no report.
Miss Curfman/Mrs. Drake, Planning and Zoning Committee had no
report.
Miss Curfman/Mrs. Drake, Economic Development had no report.
Miss Secrest/Mr. Turrill, Rules Committee had no report.
Persons Appearing Before Council – Agenda items only.
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None
Unfinished Business: - none
New Business:
Miss Collins brought before council for first reading A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE BELPRE SENIOR CENTER.
A vote was taken with all members of council present voting aye. This
will lie over until the next meeting of council.
Persons Appearing Before Council:
Mayor Lorentz thanked the students for their efforts put forth today for
Student Government Day.
Miss Collins/Ms. Abdella made a motion to excuse Mr. Colvin from this
evenings meeting. Mr. Neff stated that Mr. Colvin contacted him and
was ill. A vote was taken with all members of council present voting
aye.
Mr. Neff congratulated the students on a successful day. Mr. Neff also
reminded everyone that if you plan to run for re-election the deadline is
February 1, 2017. You must have 50 signatures before you can submit
your petitions. Also Financial Disclosure Forms must be filed by May
15, 2017 or you will be fined for not doing so.
Katie Pintz, Teacher at Belpre High School, thanked everyone for his or
her involvement in Student Government Day.
Adjourn:
Miss Secrest/Mr. Turrill made a motion to adjourn at 7:55 PM. A vote
was taken with all members of council present voting aye.
____________________________
________________________
Will Neff
Kimberly S. Meredith
President of Council
Clerk of Belpre City Council
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