BELPRE — Belpre City Council heard reports from the mayor and council members at its regular meeting Monday, the last under the old format.

Beginning Sept. 8, council will begin its meetings at 6:30 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m.

Prior to the regular meeting, an hour-long town hall meeting was held to discuss storm water issues in the community. Mayor Susan Abdella said the city will be working to find solutions for the identified issues.

In her report to council during the regular meeting, Abdella said she will be submitting a grant to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to its Division of Forestry for a protective maintenance project for the historical trees located along the access road to the boat ramp. The grant will be for vertical mulching. Abdella said there is no match required for this submission.

Abdella said the interim safety-service director and the Street Foreman looked at a used van to replace the one at the Belpre Senior Center, which is having extreme mechanical issues. The one looked at was $10,000 and the mayor said she would update council as officials proceed.

In collaboration with Wood Washington Wirt Interstate Planning Commission and Marietta Memorial Hospital, Abdella said a grant has been secured to do a traffic, pedestrian and safety study around the Farson Street, Washington Boulevard and Ohio 7 area.

“We know there will be an increase in traffic and we are trying to determine next steps in how to deal with the increased volume,” she said.

Abdella said the No. 2 Shelter in Civitan Park will be coming down this week in an effort to be prepared for the all inclusive playground that is being built in mid-September in partnership with the Belpre Area Community Foundation and the Haddie Fund.

“This is a $569,000 investment into our community,” she said.

Abdella said she recently joined the Health Department and the Water foreman verifying the septic systems that remain in Belpre. Several issues were identified and those property owners will be notified via mail of next steps, she said.

Abdella also told council that the city had to replace one of the stormwater pumps at the Lois Street stormwater station at a cost of $8,000. The city is also replacing the motor on Well 5 from a lighting strike at a cost of $14,000.

Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com