REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 4, 2005:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at 7:40 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda 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 of the regular meeting on December 21, 2004, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice commented on Boards and Commissions attendance records, WVU President Hardesty's annual letter, the next WVML Conference and M. L. King Day celebration activities.
PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2004-2005 ANNUAL BUDGET AS APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Justice called for a public hearing on the above referenced Ordinance.
John Duarte, 460 Grove Street, asked how many public housing units were added in the last two years.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2004-2005 ANNUAL BUDGET AS APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2004-2005 ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN IN THE REVISED BUDGET ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND.
Motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to adopt the above Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, Bernie Bossio was appointed and Nick Iannone was reappointed to the BZA.
PUBLIC PORTION:
John Duarte, 460 Grove Street, commented on deteriorating conditions in his neighborhood.
Mark Furfari, Mario's Fishbowl, requested a proclamation in recognition of celebrating the 55th year of continuous operation next Sunday, January 9, and described the collection of Wings of Hope for tsunami donations.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Spencer mentioned the Legislative list, conditional uses, and a City gateways meeting.
City Attorney Fanok responded that conditional uses are under state law.
Councilor Bane requested that delegates report back in May after the session is over.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING OF $200,000 FOR STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CENTRAL HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Manilla, to pass the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
RESOLUTION APPLYING FOR TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING OF $400,000 FOR STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE MID HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Bane, to pass the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1:
This week the City received a letter from Congressman Mollohan concerning Intermodal Project Funds. In the letter, the Congressman states that he was pleased to have obtained $7,700,000 in such funds for a proposed Intermodal Facility at the Courthouse. He further states that he respects the decision of the County Commission not to pursue this project and that he will to the extent possible be responsive to a new intermodal initiative in Morgantown. He also wrote that it may be possible that part or all of the $7,700,000 originally proposed for the Courthouse project could be transferred to another, eligible project. He points out though that such a transfer process cannot begin until the community brings forward a single project on which there is full and final agreement. As recently reported, it appears that there may be such a qualifying project in the form of a new Intermodal Facility proposed for the WVU Medical Campus. Clearly Congressman Mollohan has contributed much to the Morgantown community and his continuing interest and effective support is very much appreciated.
Item No. 2:
This week the City also received a letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD) reporting that its FY 2005 budget has been signed into law by President Bush. The letter goes on to state that part of that budget is a $629,568 Community Development Block Grant for the City of Morgantown (will fund next year's program). The City is very appreciative of its partnership with DHUD and looks forward to continuing to work with the Block Grant Program.
Item No. 3:
A third letter received by the City from Adelphia reports that the company is adding 4 channels to its digital and high definition TV service. They are:
Channel Channel Position Level of Service
WQED HDTV Channel 713 HDTV
Discovery HDTV Channel 776 HDTV Plus
NFL HDTV Channel 777 HDTV Plus
NFL Network Channel 177 Digital Basic
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No.1:
Attached you will find a Police Department memo reporting bid results for 55 gas masks to be acquired with Homeland Security funds. I agree with the findings presented and recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder, PA Police Supply, for $14,734.50.
Motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to award the contract for the 55 Police Department gas masks from PA Police Supply for $14,734.50. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 2:
The second attachment is a memo from the Finance Department reporting a proposal received to purchase an equipped, Police Department Evidence Collection Vehicle to be also acquired with Homeland Security funds. Given the specialized character of this vehicle and equipment, I recommend that the proposal be accepted and the vehicle be acquired from Sirchie Finger Print Labs, Inc. for a cost of $68,950.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Miler, to accept the proposal for the Police Evidence Collection Vehicle. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (Reverse order):
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer spoke of the tsunami; read a letter draft re: Fort Martin emissions; asked for a Sidewalk Master Plan and a Solid Waste Plan on the COW agenda; requested the report status of MUB rates and the Fire Services review; and offered congratulations for the New Year's Eve Festival.
By acclamation and after discussion, Council passed the letter to the County Commission.
City Manager Boroff noted that a status report on MUB rates was given in November.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne advised Mr. Duarte that the City has no public housing.
Councilor Miller: No Report.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella spoke about the Wiles Hill Senior Center.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla mentioned the New Year's Eve Festival and a Collins Ferry Road garbage complaint.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane discussed civic and community pride and accomplishments versus negative comments.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice thanked Council; noted the Administrative Report and COW goal review; and listed future meetings.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at
8:40 p.m.
_____________________________ __________________________________
City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.