REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 4, 2001:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday, January 4, 2001 at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT:
Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda Little, Assistant to the City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City Attorney Steve Fanok. and Council Members Frank Salucci, Tom Bloom, Teresa Miller, Bill Byrne, Ronald Justice, Betty McClain,
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the regular meeting on December 19, 2000 were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Councilor Bloom requested that the decision of the Traffic Commission meeting this week on the request of no turn on red at the intersection of Spruce and Pleasant be placed on the next Committee of the Whole agenda for Council to consider.
John Horne, representing VFW Post 548, presented Dan Boroff, Ron Justice, David Fetty and David Bean with Patriotic Citizen Awards in appreciation for their dedicated work on the Sabraton WWII Memorial Relocation at the Norwood Fire Station.
PUBLIC HEARING-LEASE AGREEMENT ASSOCIATED PRESS & AIRPORT:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Scafella called for a public hearing on above referenced Ordinance.
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Scafella declared this hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE WITH ASSOCIATED PRESS AT THE AIRPORT: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, LESSEE, REGARDING OFFICE SPACE WITHIN THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING.
Motion by Bloom, second by McClain, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS, ADDITIONS, BETTERMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS PORTION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS, ADDITIONS, BETTERMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS PORTION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AND THE FINANCING OF THE COST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED, THEREOF THROUGH THE ISSUANCE BY THE CITY OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 IN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2201 A (WEST VIRGINIA INFRASTRUCTURE FUND); PROVIDING FOR THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF AND SECURITY FOR THE REGISTERED OWNERS OF SUCH BONDS; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS; APPROVING, RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING LOAN AGREEMENT RELATING TO SUCH BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE SALE AND PROVIDING FOR THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF SUCH BONDS AND ADOPTING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING THERETO.
Motion by Salucci, second by McClain, to pass the above entitled ordinance to third reading. Motion carried 7-0.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Fred Wyant thanked Councilor Byrne for attending the
meeting. At the end of the last meeting Mayor Scafella had stated some of the facts First Things First was using are not correct. The committee would like the Mayor's input on correcting those items. Mr. Wyant passed out a handout from an article in the Morgantown paper regarding ". . . retirees as a new tax base."
Cindy Frich, Vice-chair West Run Expressway, asked how much the City contributed to the 2020 Transportation Plan cost of $416,480 and mentioned that the DOH web-site shows that the letter that the Mayor sent is not on the web-site.
City Manager Dan Boroff replied that the City did not spend the money; it was a State project.
Ed Sneckenberger, Suncrest Neighborhood Assoc. Pres., remarked that the Association honored two of our citizens for Aspen Street Park mowing. The fence is not in good repair and is dangerous to children walking along.
City Manager Dan Boroff explained the Public Works Department has drawn up plans to replace the fence.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor Scafella noted the Airport Committee meeting will be January 18 at the airport.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A LOCAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE METROPOLITAN THEATRE FOUNDATION FOR INTERIOR RENOVATION: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval:
Motion by Salucci, second by McClain to authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF A LOCAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE GRANT AGREEMENT FOR THE ROSENBAUM FAMILY HOUSE NEEDED ADDITIONS: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval:
Motion by Miller, second by McClain to authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement. Motion carried 7-0.
City Manager's Report:
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM NO. 1:
In the near future the City will receive an ISO Rating for its building code enforcement program. One element of the evaluation deals with the continuing education of its officials. To support this requirement, the Public Works Director recommends that the City establish an incentive program equal to $.15 per hour per certification of its code enforcement officials. The total cost for the program would be $936 for the year.
Motion by Bloom, second by Justice to approve an incentive program $.15 per hour per certification of its code enforcement officials. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 2:
There are conflicts for the Budget Meeting on January 11. It was changed to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2001.
ITEM NO. 3:
As per Council's request, Council has received PPO memos and information for their review and consideration. After discussion, by acclamation, it will be placed on the January 16th agenda for decisions.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No report.
STAFF ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Salucci: No report.
Councilor Bloom: Councilor Bloom stated that after 13½ years on Council, he will resign as of January 23, 2001. He is announcing this now to allow others enough time to collect signatures.
Councilor Miller: No report.
Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice remarked that 13½ years is a long time and Councilor Bloom has fulfilled his service very well. It has been a pleasure working with him and he has done an outstanding job for the city.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne echoed some of Councilor Justice's comments. Councilor Byrne will miss the passion Councilor Bloom has had on issues. The fire we had took the life of one young person and seriously injured another. The smoke alarm had no battery; other municipalities require hardwired instead of battery driven alarms as part of the building code. Councilor Byrne has received several complaints about how dirty the cinders we mix with salt is. Councilor Byrne requested absorbing the cost of using other mediums next year to improve the appearance of the city. Councilor Byrne attended the First Things First meeting. The $500,000 study conclusion has a 42% increase in traffic by 2020 and this will require another outlet road.
Councilor McClain: Councilor McClain reflected on the tragedy of the fire. Councilor McClain requested a study of Fire Dept. services by a qualified consultant because we have grown as a city and need additional people.
After discussion, it was requested that the City Manager continue to look into requiring hard-wired smoke alarms. The City Manager replied the Fire Dept. is recognized as one of the best in the state but we do not have the financial base to increase this or any other City department.
Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella responded to Mr. Wyant and Ms. Frich. It is not the money but the expertise of this study which recommended it to the DOH. Mayor Scafella suggested that Paul DeVore, Don Spencer, County Commissioner Bob Bell, and he meet with the DOH in Charleston about the Expressway. The County and City adopted the 2020 Plan. First Things First needs to talk with the DOH to change things. Traffic flow is a complex issue even for the experts; people slow down for strange reasons. The DOH is bringing a recommendation for the proposed highway for the north side of the city in the spring.
Adjournment:
There being no further business the meeting immediately adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor