REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 15th 2008:

 

The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday, January 15th, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.

 

PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda Little, City Attorney Steve Fanok,

Assistant City Manager Jeff  Mikorski, and Council Members Ron Bane, Jim Manilla, Bill Byrne, Jenny Selin, Don Spencer and Charlie Byrer.

 

The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Minutes from the regular meeting on January 3rd, 2008 were approved as printed.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

           

            Proclamation: 2008 is the Year of the Child; remarks from Marissa Travinski of BOPARC on youth activities; recognition of and thanks to Child Care Providers in Morgantown; thanks to youth Amanda Lachowski for designing the Year of the Child Banners; letter of thanks from Bumpe High School, Sierra Leone, West Africa for donations made to the school; BOPARC Youth Activities Schedule contains activities for children and families for 2008.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:    New appointments to Boards and Commissions.

 

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

           

Barbara Ferrell was appointed to represent 3rd Ward on the Planning Commission; David Harshbarger was appointed to serve on MRTC Board; Denny Poluga appointed to serve on the Transit Authority Board; and Jim Manilla was reappointed to serve on Transit Authority Board.

 

PUBLIC PORTION:

                                                      

Colin Kemp, Youth Commission: Council is invited to the Teen Center at 5:15 on January 29th before the Committee of the Whole Meeting.

 

Mark Furfari, 1435 Roosevelt Street, Woodburn Neighborhood, Mr. Furfari brought to the attention of Council that there is a 10’x30’ plot of land that was not included in the Annexation Proposal. There has been a large billboard erected on this area which boarders his property, making the 40’ tall lighted billboard visible from every room in his house. He requests help from Council to have the sign removed.

 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

            On January 30th at 5 pm, the Sister City Committee meting will take place.

 

            Councilor Spencer urged the Inclusive City Committee to meet again as soon as possible.

 

Various speakers will be at the Spruce St. United Methodist Church at 7pm on Thursday.  Activities for MLK Day will follow all weekend and Monday.

 

NEW BUSINESS:       None.

 

CITY MANAGERS REPORT:

 

INFORMATION:

Item No. 1:       Airport Access Road Project.

 

            Senator Byrd announced a $1,960,000.00 Federal allocation for the Airport Access Road Project.

Item No. 2:       Commercial Flights from City Airport.

 

            On January 21, 2008, the City of Morgantown will be served with round trip commercial flights to Dulles International Airport.

 

Item No. 3:       Fire Department awarded Grant.

           

            The Morgantown Fire Department has been awarded an $8,500 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Grant.

           

NEW BUSINESS:

Item No 1:        BOPARC request.

 

            The Director of BOPARC is requesting City assistance to purchase a twelve passenger van.

 

            Motion by Byrne, second by Manilla to approve the above request from BOPARC.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

 

            Weight Watchers starts a new cycle on Feb 5th; American Red Cross Blood Drive on Feb 1st at 11am.

 

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:                    No Report

 

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:  Reverse Roll Call

 

Councilor Spencer:                                            Councilor Spencer spoke of the Municipal League Meeting which took place the previous weekend. He and other Councilors visited the Secretary of State to inquire about Mail-In Voting Systems and were met with encouragement. Councilor Spencer mentioned the Airport Advisory Committee and the new service to Dulles. He stated that this is a very important development. He also shared his concern for the homelessness situation growing within BOPARC areas where public restroom facilities are being inhabited by homeless persons. Councilor Spencer urged a plan be made to fix this problem by contacting the Mon. Co. Homeless Initiative. Lastly he reported the Citizens Advisory Committee calculated that when 3 planned throughways connecting streets to each other are completed, it will save drivers over 2,289 miles as well as unwanted emissions.

 

Councilor Byrne:                                               No Report.

 

Councilor Selin:                                     Councilor Selin mentioned other Child Care Providers who contributed to the Year of the Child celebrations, which she remarked were a great success.

           

            Councilor Byrer:                                           Councilor Byrer attended the Traffic Commission Meeting where Hoffman Ave concerns were assessed. The issue has been tabled for lack of pertinent information. He announced that early voting has begun for the service fee in the Magistrate’s office. He also stated that the Secretary of State was very candid in talks with the Council Members concerning voting. Councilor Byrer suggested that the City get on board with “No Excuse Absentee Voting” as a first step to incorporating the Mail-In Voting System.

 

           

            Councilor Manilla:                                         Councilor Manilla expressed his interest in expanding Morgantown’s BZA by adding alternate members who can be present at meetings when regular members cannot. He then commented on the previously discussed Impact Fee, which could be implemented by the County Commission. He explained that the bulk of the funds would go towards schools.

                                                                               

                                                                                Councilor Spencer added that the funds cannot be used for roads, only for infrastructure such as schools which serve the entire County.

 

                                                                        Councilor Manilla pointed out the mention of Councilor Spencer in a Letter to the Editor in last week’s paper. He concluded his report by informing the Council on reasons why an interested party could not purchase property on Pennsylvania Avenue.

 

Councilor Bane:                                     Councilor Bane informed Council that Legislative Delegates have bills on the floor right now. The environmental bill, which was described as “green legislation”, will move forward quickly. He then spoke of the package put together by himself and the Delegates to change how the ABCC approaches bars with underage drinking.

 

Mayor Justice:                                                   Mayor Justice reminded Council that BOPARC is still working on its Master Plan, which is on the website for review. He then gave thanks to everyone who helped with the Youth Commission projects.

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:   There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:56 p.m.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________                            ________________________________________

City Clerk                                                                               Mayor

 

*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.