(IN THE MATTER OF OFFICIALS)
Ms. Zwack, Village Administrator, reported: Streets: Much needed line painting should be started and paving should be
moving along. Ms.Zwack had a meeting concerning Commerce Park. Ms. Zwack thanked Attorney Sustersic for
preparing the needed Ordinance and for council passing the same to keep up the 149 project. Representatives from
the Port Authority are here tonight to speak to council in the Executive Session.
Last meeting, council passed a motion to have the old E. Squad building apprised and Mr. Mike Doyle, local real estate
agent and appraiser, contacted her and asked to appoint him as the appraiser.
All is going well with water collections. We had a lot of positive feed back concerning the Riverfront Project. Mr. Dan
Popp is here tonight and will give a presentation to council under new business.
Attorney Sustersic, Solicitor reported:
Received on June 5th “Second Demand Letter” from Norfolk Southern Corporation forwarded to our office from Attorney
Shaheen. Letter indicates that the Village is in default under the Agreement with Norfolk Southern. Forwarded it with
letter to Marla Krupnik, Asst. Clerk.
In response to Staff Auditor Mr. Maxian’s written request, I forwarded a letter to Mr. Maxian reporting status of pending
litigation involving the Village since December 2006. The report, however, will be amended because it did not include
Bellaire V. Patel, the same of which I was not familiar with
Discussed matter with Chief Kovalyk. Obtained file from Mike Shaheen’s office. Attended Common Pleas Court pretrial
hearing on 7/16/07. Contacted John Driscoll who also attended the pretrial. Conferred with State Fire Marshall’s office.
I have dismissed the case against Mr. Patel, since he did not comply with the orders. He does not have a license and
since he hasn’t complied with the orders, there is no reason to have the law suit.
Attorney Sustersic has spoken with Mr. Thomas Battistelli. He would like to acquire vacant lot next to his home that he
has maintained. Advised it would have to be up for competitive bidding, and someone else could bid on it. Advised him
that I would do further research and be back in contact with him.
Per Mayor’s request, researched issue for filling vacancy of Code enforcer and provided opinion letter to Mayor.
Attorney Sustersic suggested setting the position as self funding.
When Bellaire was a City, an Ordinance was passed creating the position as Code Administrator. Sometime in 2006 the
Village passed an Ordinance hiring a Code Enforcer, thus creating the position, and not repealing the Code
Administrator position.. The Code Enforcer Ordinance did not specifically set forth the duties of the Code Enforcer. We
need some legislation stating what we have, a Code Administrator or Code Enforcer.
Marla Krupnik forwarded to me $20.00 draft from Lamar for leased space at Pelkey’s Curve location. Lease
arrangements are $500.00 annually. I wrote letter to Kelly at Lamar in St. Clairsville and returned the $20.00 draft
requesting a response.
I conferred telephonically with Rose Pugh who would wish an alley to be vacated because she has maintained it for
years. There is at least one objection to the vacation, and she is scheduled to meet with me in early August.
I am concerned as to the manner in which executive session may be conducted, and therefore, I have researched the
matter and also spoke with General Council for the Ohio Municipal League.
Mr. Sustersic explained that the Mayor should be in the Executive Session, the only reason for him to not attend the
Executive Session is if it pertains to him.
Rebecca had appropriately requested my assistance concerning delinquent water accounts. I conferred with Roger
Conroy of the Auditor’s Office. In addition I conferred with Mary Catherine Nixon in order to obtain her certification on
portions of our ordinances to be filed with the Auditor’s Office. I then advised Rebecca as to how we should proceed in
terms of placing a lien upon properties for delinquent water account.
The Village received a letter from Southeastern Ohio Legal Services taking issue with the Village policy of not
connecting water for a tenant when the landlord is delinquent. I am conferring with Attorney Robert Johns to resolve the
issue. Mr. Johns had a deadline of July 20th to have the water service connected, however, the deposit check was
written on a closed account. I will advise the Administrator tomorrow on the next step.
.
Motion Mr. Gentile, 2nd Mr. Olack to hire Mr. Doyle as appraiser for the old Emergency Squad building for a cost of not
more that $500.00 Roll call vote. All members voting yea. Motion carried.
Motion Mr. Gentile, 2nd Mr. Zalesny authorizing the Clerk to pay the Norfolk Southern Corporation the amount due
them. Roll call vote. All members voting yea. Motion carried.
Motion Mr. Zalesny 2nd Mr. Hepburn authorizing the Clerk to pay the Street Sweeping
Bill. Roll call vote. All members voting yea. Motion carried.
Motion Mr. Hepburn, 2nd Mr. Johnson authorizing the Clerk to compensate Ms. Rebecca Zwack the 5% entitled to her as
agreed upon for her for Grants. Roll call vote. Mr. Zalesny-Yea, Mr. Hepburn-Yea, Mr. Gentile-No, Mr. Johnson-Yea,
Mr. Olack-No. Motion carried.
Police Chief Kovalyk explained that the unpaid Citations were sent to the Motor Vehicle Dept in Columbus now has to be
done electronically. This is done is order to block registrations and to suspend licenses. Chief Kovalyk said that he had
contacted 3 organizations in Jefferson County concerning the Youth Football League, and they did not speak favorably
about them. He feels that this is not in the best interest of Youth. He feels that this organization will take away from our
own Flag Football and beside that the field is maintained by the Bellaire School System. Chief Kovalyk asked Mr.
Marinacci to speak about this problem.
Mr. Marinacci said that Coach Bonar and the Principal had concerns about this Football League. To teach tackle at this
age would burn the child out in no time. He also explained that it is very expensive to get good equipment and it is also
hard to find good coaches.
The people involved with the Youth Football League spoke. The gentleman said that he had a clean background. He
has never been charged with anything. He has coached for 5 years. He said that it is up to the parents.
Motion Mr. Gentile, 2nd Mr. Olack to deny the use of the field for practice for the Youth Football League. Roll call vote.
Mr. Zalesny-No, Mr. Hepburn-No, Mr. Gentile-Yea, Mr. Johnson-Yea, Mr. Olack-Yea. Motion carried.
Discussion followed.
Mr. Olack thanked Chief Kovalyk for taking care of the junk cars situated at 17th & 18th Streets.
(IN THE MATTER OF NEW BUSINESS)
Mr. Hepburn asked if everyone is available for the next meeting of council on August 2nd.
He also suggested setting a dead line for applications for the vacant seat on council, he suggested Monday at 4’oclock.
Motion Mr. Gentile, 2nd Mr. Olack to go to an Executive Session in order to discuss property. Roll call vote. Mr.
Zalesny-Yea, Mr. Hepburn-No, Mr. Gentile-Yea, Mr. Johnson-Yea, Mr. Olack-Yea. Motion carried. (7:10 p.m.)
Motion Mr. Olack, 2nd Mr. Johnson to return to regular session of council after an executive session in order to discuss
property. Roll call vote. All members voting yea. Motion carried. (7:25)
Motion Mr. Gentile 2nd Mr. Hepburn to enter into an Agreement between the Village of Bellaire and the Port Authority for
conveyance of 2 to 3 acres of property located in Commerce Park, contingent upon the employment of 20 jobs. Roll
call vote. All members voting yea. Motion carried.
Ms. Zwack introduced Mr. Danny Popp, principal Architect, and representative of the Ohio Valley Riverfront
Development Committee. Mr. Popp gave a presentation dealing with the economic development in the Valley and what
the Riverfront Development Committee plans to accomplish. They would like to reclaim the riverfront from Pittsburgh to
Cincinnati. Mr. Popp asked council to draft a letter of support and to focus on the positive plan. He would like to get the
Park District involved also.
Ms. Rebecca Zwack announced there will be a meeting on the 30th at 6:00 P.M. for the Recreational Center.
(IN THE MATTER OF VISITORS)
Mrs. Victoria Munze, 4895 Jefferson Street, Bellaire said she thinks the project is a fabulous idea. She said we must
look to the future. She said she is eager to see more come to Bellaire and would be willing to volunteer her time. She
said she would like to see soccer in School. She also thanked Chief Kovalyk for taking care of the raccoon in her area.
Motion Mr. Gentile, 2nd Mr. Johnson, being no further business, to adjourn. V.V.M.C.