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BELPRE -- Belpre City Council cleared the way for a new business to open in Belpre at its regular meeting Monday night.
Council held a public hearing and approved all three readings of an ordinance making a proposed zoning change from R1 to C2 for property on Farson Street to allow for the construction of a new pharmacy.
Although previously zoned residential, that location had been used commercially for years. The new owners plan to begin work in the near future to construct a small pharmacy at that location.
Mayor Mike Lorentz said the water line project on Farson Street is nearing completion. The last connection to the hospital property is expected to be made by Saturday. That should finish Farson Street with the exception of paving and the south side of Braun Avenue is well under way with paving, he said.
Council unanimously approved the second reading of a resolution authorizing the city auditor to establish a special revenue fund to receive funds under the American Rescue Plan Act pursuant to Ohio House Bill 168. One final reading will be held at a future council meeting.
Council also approved all three readings of a pair of resolutions approving the creation of a OneOhio Opioid Settlement Fund and approving the fund's governance structure under the OneOhio memorandum of understanding.
As part of his Mayor's Report, Lorentz said he and Safety-Service Director Connie Hoblitzell met with Belpre City Schools maintenance representative Scott Trew to discuss the possibility of street crew clearing snow on school property during winter months. The city's street foreman and service director will work out the costs and bring them to council for discussion, he said, adding the school system has neither the manpower nor equipment to accomplish this task.
Lorentz said he recently met with representatives from The Interstate Planning Commission, the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority and the Ohio Department of Transportation to discuss the ability of running a bus line through Belpre. Lorentz said funds are available to do a study on the issue, with no match needed from Belpre. He urged council to be ready to act one way or another.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com