(Meeting Updates - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

BELPRE — Belpre City Council approved several ordinances and resolutions at its regular meeting Monday evening.

Council approved the second and third readings of an update to its authorized manpower ordinance.

Council approved all three readings of a pair of resolutions authorizing temporary appropriations for Calendar Year 2025 and supplemental appropriations for Calendar Year 2024.

Council approved all three readings of a resolution authorizing repair work on Route 7 signs. The work will be done by the Ohio Department of Transportation on the overhead signs at the northern end of Belpre but city approval was needed.

Council also approved all three readings of a resolution approving a moratorium be placed on all elected officials’ wages for the year 2025. Mayor Susan Abdella had previously requested the action to help offset rate increases approved by council and because the city is bound by union contracts for staff wages. Council does have the ability to freeze the wages of the elected officials to help maintain expenses, she said.

In her mayor’s report, Abdella said she attended the ODOT Ohio Local Public Agency Day in Athens that discussed roads and various projects. This included timelines, opportunities and resources available.

She also attended the County Ohio Public Works Commission meeting where the city’s paving project was awarded enough points to move to the next round of selection.

Abdella said the first shipment of trees have arrived from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant. A planting day will be scheduled and volunteers will be needed, she said.

“We are very excited that we have chosen some accessible/inclusive items for the park from a partnership with the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities,” she said, referring to another project.