REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 2006:

The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at 7:50 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, Frank Scafella, Teresa Miller, Bill Byrne, Don Spencer.

The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on January 3, 2006, were approved as amended.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Mayor Justice summarized letters: from the WVML for participating in the Revenue Enhancement Program, Senator Oliverio's letter to the MPO, from Governor Manchin about health care; MPO proposal meeting with legislators; welcomed Boy Scout Troop 74 and a journalism class; and read and presented a retirement plaque to Chuck Keener.

PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH WILLIAM A. BONFILI FOR CERTAIN AREAS AT THE METROPOLITAN THEATRE FOR A BILLIARD PARLOR:

Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Justice called for a public hearing on the above referenced Ordinance.

There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public hearing closed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH WILLIAM A. BONFILI FOR CERTAIN AREAS AT THE METROPOLITAN THEATRE FOR A BILLIARD PARLOR: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR LEASING TO WILLIAM A. BONFILI BY THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN CERTAIN AREAS AND FACILITIES AT THE METROPOLITAN THEATRE FOR BILLIARD PARLOR PURPOSES.

Motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to adopt the above Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

By acclamation, Francis McGreevy was appointed to the Beautification Commission; Fred Schaupp was appointed and Jennifer Selin was reappointed to the Planning Commission.

PUBLIC PORTION:

Louis Birurakis, 435 Cobun Avenue, requested Poponoe Run sewer leakage repairs be in the budget.

There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mayor Justice announced the Solid Waste Task Force meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE MIDDLE HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT: The above entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading.

AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE MIDDLE HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN; BETWEEN WALNUT STREET AND PLEASANT STREET ALONG HIGH STREET, CREATING THE MIDDLE HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD, AND ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CONTRACTING AND CONTROL OF FUNDS.

Motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR A $3,000 GRANT FOR THE WEST VIRGINIA BOTANIC GARDEN, INC. TO PURCHASE GRAVEL FOR AN ACCESS ROAD: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.

Motion by Spencer, second by Byrne, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR A $5,000 GRANT FOR THE MORGANTOWN COMMUNITY KITCHEN TO REPLACE FREEZERS, WIRING, AND CABINETS: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.

Motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR A $20,000 GRANT FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE TO REPLACE THE HEATING AND HVAC SYSTEM: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.

Motion by Miller, second by Spencer, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR A $10,000 GRANT FOR THE WEST VIRGINIA RAPTOR REHABILITATION CENTER FOR NEW PARKING LOT GRADING AND MATERIAL: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.

Motion by Spencer, second by Bane, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR A $10,000 GRANT FOR THE MORGANTOWN THEATER COMPANY TO PAY FOR COSTUMES, SCRIPTS, PROGRAM PRINTING AND ASSOCIATED FEES FOR THE PRODUCTIONS OF FOUR PLAYS/MUSICALS: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.

Motion by Scafella, second by Bane, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR A $5,000 GRANT FOR THE METROPOLITAN THEATER TO PURCHASE A NEW STAGE FLOOR: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.

Motion by Bane, second by Manilla, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

CITY MANAGERS REPORT:

NEW BUSINESS:

Item No. 1:

As earlier communicated, a significant option has developed with regard to proposed commercial air service from Morgantown to Cincinnati. As per the attached memo from the Airport Director, Morgantown, Parkersburg, and Bridgeport/Clarksburg now have an opportunity to establish a new service to Cleveland, Ohio. The principal benefit of this new service would be a full operating agreement with Continental Airlines regarding ticketing, connections, baggage, discounts, and all other amenities enjoyed by Continental's customers. Based upon the merits of the proposal and the endorsements granted by Morgantown's sister airports, I recommend that the proposal be approved and the City work to see that the new service is in place by March of this year.

After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to approve the proposal for new air service to Cleveland. Motion carried 7-0.

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

No Report.

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

No Report.

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Councilor Bane: No Report.

Councilor Manilla: No Report.

Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella advised of a positive response for the Wiles Hill solicitation letter.

Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller saw pedestrian lights with a countdown system; thanked Chuck Keener; welcomed journalism students; and requested the status of the CAC/Laurel Street crosswalk.

Councilor Byrne: No Report.

Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer commented on Mr. Birurakis' request; asked for Sunnyside trash and litter at COW; noted the Property Maintenance Report citations are all under investigation; discussed the Earned Income Tax Credit; and thanked the City Manager and staff for the Annual Report.

City Manager Boroff responded with a summary of his e-mail reply about the citations.

Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice observed we have two of those pedestrian systems and the DOH will be replacing the others; announced future meetings and noted that the state has denied that crosswalk request.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:32 p.m.

_____________________________ __________________________________

City Clerk Mayor

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