REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 20, 2004:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 20, 2004, at 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City Attorney Steve Fanok 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 special meeting and regular meeting on January 6, 2004, and the special meeting on January 13, 2004, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice noted the City Manager's response to Mike Breiding's e-mail.
Councilor Spencer introduced Tyler Slavey, an intern for City Council.
PUBLIC HEARING - CREATING THE CENTRAL HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Justice called for a public hearing on the above referenced Ordinance.
George Papandreas, 329-335 High Street, addressed misconceptions and business's concerns.
Charles McEwuen, Tanner's Alley, spoke in favor of the BID and noted concerns.
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, opposed the BID.
David Cavender, property owner, spoke in favor of the BID and voiced construction timing concerns.
Mark Garrett, Dreamers Candles, requested work be done after 5:00 p.m.
Linda Snyder, Elegant Alley Cat, expressed the same concerns as the other speakers.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE CENTRAL HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE CENTRAL HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN; BETWEEN FAYETTE STREET AND WALNUT STREET ALONG HIGH STREET, CREATING THE CENTRAL HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD, AND ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CONTRACTING AND CONTROL OF FUNDS.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, David Cavender was appointed to Beautification Commission.
PUBLIC PORTION:
George Papandreas, 329-335 High Street, thanked Council for comments on the BID, and noted problems with downtown garbage and tweaking the downtown bar ordinance.
David Hines, 452 Dorsey Avenue, complained about a rental property at 456 Dorsey Avenue.
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, spoke against the BID.
There being no more appearances, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor Justice reported on the first Airport Committee meeting and Councilor Bane requested a copy of Councilor Spencer's presentation to the Parking Authority about a Beechurst parking garage.
NEW BUSINESS:
No New Business.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1:
The City has been informed by the State Economic Development Office that Development Grants awarded to the City of Morgantown may be released early in February and the City may start incurring expenses. The projects are as follows:
Square at Falling Run $ 5,000,000
National Biometric Security Project 2,300,000
WV Public Theater and Marina 13,000,000
In the near future City staff will be meeting with the private sector partners on these projects to finalize project execution plans.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No. 1:
Last month the Fire Department received bids for portable radios. The results were as follows:
O'Neal Communications (3 bids) $624
499
574
Lauttamus Communications (2 bids) $663
529
Miller Communications (2 bids) $680
545
Staley Communications (1 bid) $549
Based upon review of the materials presented and meeting with vendors, the Fire Department
recommends that the contract be awarded to the lowest and best bid Staley Communications for $549 per radio ($20,000 will be spent on this acquisition).
Motion by Bane, second by Scafella, to award the Fire Department portable radios bid to Staley Communications. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS :
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane asked about plans for the Ice Skating Park and noted drainage problems on Hite Street.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla covered recycling problems and started discussion on responses to Council e-mails.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella referred Mr. Hines to Code Enforcement, noted city-wide recycling problem and the new crowd mix downtown since the Met Theatre is open and booked.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller discussed recycling problem, rental housing property conditions, and Ice Skating Park phone calls.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne spoke about the MLK Breakfast, planning legislation moving in Charleston, Madeline's garbage situation, burying power lines, downtown entertainment business structure, future Sunnyside Up parking, and reported his selection as an Ombudsman for the National Guard.
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer addressed reviewing mission statements, the issue summary for the State delegation, and the Governor's task force to review the state of support for local government. Councilor Spencer asked that options for operating revenue, alternatives for resource options for personnel needs, the relationship with non-profit agencies, and Council Chambers design be on the February COW.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice announced the John Henry Museum event at the Met, commented on the MLK week long celebration, noted the City will receive an Outstanding Walkable Community Award, summarized the legislative update, and covered Municipal Task Force meetings.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at
9:08 p.m.
_____________________________ __________________________________
City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.