Belpre council adopts local building code, OKs labor pact and plumbing agreement; holds some budget changes

Council President Mr. Martin called the Belpre City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2025 and the council conducted routine opening business before moving into committee reports and legislation. The meeting included event and infrastructure updates, personnel recognition and several unanimous votes on ordinances and resolutions.

The council unanimously adopted an ordinance to add the Ohio Building Code as Chapter 1301 of the city code. Mr. Ambrozy brought the measure forward on third reading; it was recorded as Ordinance 36, 2024-2025 and passed with all members present voting in favor. In related action, council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to request certification from the Ohio Board of Building Standard so the city may exercise enforcement authority over state building-code matters (Resolution 41, 2024-2025).

Council also approved a labor agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400, AFL-CIO, after moving to suspend council rules to allow a third reading; Mr. Ferguson introduced the matter and the resolution passed as Resolution 42, 2024-2025. Separately, the council authorized a memorandum of agreement with the Washington County Commissioners and the Southeast Ohio Building Department to provide plumbing-inspection services for Belpre; Mr. Ambrozy brought that resolution and it passed as Resolution 43, 2024-2025. Rick Dostle of the Southeast Ohio Building Department was recognized and thanked council for the opportunity to serve the city.

On finance matters, Mr. Ferguson discussed a resolution to supplement 2025 appropriations that included an amendment to Exhibit A reflecting a Dec. 3, 2025 exhibit and a discussion of OWDA reimbursement timing tied to a water-tank project. Council voted to carry the appropriations resolution over to the next meeting rather than adopt it at this session.

City staff and officials provided updates on several community and infrastructure items. Announcements highlighted a Dec. 13 Christmas Crawl with a Breakfast with Santa, a Lights Parade and an interactive Polar Express screening; the Christmas Market and a carousel at the park were noted as drawing strong public interest. Officials encouraged residents to register at washcoalerts.com to receive county emergency notifications via the Everbridge system. Staff reported a pending ground-stabilization study for the water tank, a SCADA system preconstruction meeting with an expected completion by the end of second quarter 2026, and receipt of $50,000 toward a well-field generator project with an additional $50,000 needed to complete it.

City Auditor Mrs. Nolan reported results from a RITA non-filer outreach: 1,074 responses from 2,365 letters sent, 528 returns filed, and $281,252.68 identified in liabilities with $97,273.85 collected to date. Auditor of State approval to create a Water Reclamation Plant Fund (Fund 5604) was received and will appear on the December treasurer's report. Mrs. Nolan also publicly recognized two long-serving administrative staff members for their years of service.

Before adjourning, Mr. Locke noted OWDA loan payoff timelines — one loan expected to pay off in June 2026 and the other in June 2053 — and the establishment of a $2 fund for waterline projects. Council President Mr. Martin reminded members of a Dec. 9 training and that the Dec. 22 meeting would be the last regular session of the year. Mr. Ferguson moved to adjourn at 7:18 p.m.; the motion carried with all members present voting aye.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 36, 2024-2025: "An ordinance to adopt the Ohio Building Code for the City of Belpre as Chapter 1301" — Adopted (all present voting aye). Moved by Mr. Ambrozy. - Resolution 41, 2024-2025: Authorization for the mayor to request certification from the Ohio Board of Building Standard for enforcement of Ohio State Building Codes — Adopted (all present voting aye). Moved by Mr. Ambrozy. - Resolution 42, 2024-2025: Authorizing execution of a labor agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 400, AFL-CIO — Adopted (all present voting aye). Moved by Mr. Ferguson. - Resolution 43, 2024-2025: Memorandum of Agreement with Washington County Commissioners and Southeast Ohio Building Department for plumbing inspection services — Adopted (all present voting aye). Moved by Mr. Ambrozy. - Resolution supplementing 2025 appropriations (Exhibit A amended): Second reading; amended and carried over to next meeting (no final vote).

Next steps and context: The council will revisit the supplemental-appropriations resolution at a future meeting; staff will continue infrastructure planning (ground-stabilization study, SCADA implementation, generator funding) and outreach for emergency-notification registration. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.