REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 15, 2002:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, October15, 2002, 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 Councilmembers Ron Bane, Frank Scafella, Teresa Miller, Bill Byrne. (Jim Manilla, Florence Merow Absent).
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on October 1, 2002, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice noted the November 5th regular meeting is changed to November 6th due to Election Day and that hopefully Councilor Merow will recover and return soon.
Mayor Justice read 3 proclamations: National Business Women's Week, Nurse-Midwifery Week was presented to Jan Foley, and Municipal Government Week.
Mayor Justice commented on the WV Planning Association Participation/Outreach Award to the City Planning Department, stated that item 10A on the agenda will be moved to the November 6th meeting, and welcomed a Political Science class.
PUBLIC HEARING-CONVEYANCE OF PARCEL IN THE FOURTH WARD TO TONY T. GHIARDI:
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 hearing closed.
PUBLIC HEARING-ANNULLING 10' RIGHT OF WAY IN THE THIRD WARD FROM HIGH STREET TO A DEAD END-:
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 hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE CONVEYING PARCEL IN THE FOURTH WARD TO TONY T. GHIARDI: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF A PARCEL OF REAL ESTATE IN THE FOURTH WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FROM THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO TONY T. GHIARDI FOR A PRICE OF TWO THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($2,900).
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
AN ORDINANCE ANNULLING 10' RIGHT OF WAY IN THE THIRD WARD: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE VACATING, ABANDONING AND ANNULLING A 10' WIDE RIGHT-OF-WAY RUNNING A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO FEET, FROM HIGH STREET TO A DEAD END, IN THE THIRD WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, NOT USED NOR USEFUL FOR STREET PURPOSES.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to appoint Councilors Byrne, Scafella, Justice, and Bane as an alternate to the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
By acclamation, Councilor Bane was appointed to the Parking Authority and Councilor Merow was appointed to the Historic Landmarks Commission.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, commented on the Wharf District parking garage proposal, the Downtown Business Improvement District, and viewing meetings on television.
NEW BUSINESS:
WHARF DISTRICT PARKING GARAGE PROPOSALS:
The above proposal was postponed.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2002-2003 BUDGET: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2002-2003 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.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No 1:
As per the budget amendment presented on the agenda, the Capital Escrow Account will have an unobligated balance of $947,808. Unfunded projects previously discussed by Council include: $350,000 match for Airport water system improvements; $150,000 match for Walnut Street Park Entrance; $150,000 for BOPARC Equipment; and $200,000 for Dorsey's Knob interest payments/related costs. Other unfunded City priorities are: a new Flusher Truck $125,000, a new Back Hoe $70,000, Hazel Ruby McQuain Park Improvements (steps, fishing pier, and demolition old sub station/landscaping) $80,000, and Jerry West Blvd sidewalk $100,000. These items can be discussed in more detail at the next Committee of the Whole Meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No 1:
As per the attached memo from BOPARC, I recommend that the City invest $3,000 from the Capital Escrow account to partner with MRTC to acquire a flail mower head attachment for rail trail maintenance. With this special piece of equipment, the efficiency of the existing boom mower will be significantly enhanced.
Motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to allocate $3,000 for the flail mower. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
Item No 2:
The second attachment is a memo from the Airport Director reporting bid results for the taxiway extension project. As per his comments, I recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder Laurita Excavating, Incorporated for $1,577,252.
Motion by Miller, second by Byrne, to award the taxiway extension contract to Laurita Excavating, Inc. for $1,577,252. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
Item No 3:
The third attachment is the proposed Transportation Enhancement Program Intent-To-Apply Form to support the new Downtown Business Improvement District. This form is the first step in the grant process seeking $400,000 in grant funds to be added to $100,000 local funds for Downtown improvements. Based upon the extraordinary merits of the initiative, I recommend that City Council authorize the filing of the form.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to authorize filing of the Transportation Enhancement Program Intent-To-Apply Form for the new Downtown Business Improvement District. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
Item No 4:
The last attachment reports bid results for the sale of two surplus runway closer marker trailers at the City Airport. Based upon the response received, I recommend the sale be approved to Mountaineer Grading for $15,000. After this sale, the City will still have three of these large lighted X signs for the taxiway project.
Motion by Bane, second by Byrne, to sell two surplus runway closer markers for $15,000. Motion carried 5-0. (Manilla and Merow Absent).
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
Linda Little spoke about arrangements being made for observing Municipal Government Week.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
Steve Fanok clarified that the parking garage financing proposal is a letter from the bank asking if the City is interested in the financing available.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS :
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane said BOPARC and Pace-Tech will work together on the Trail and the alleyway repair is done.
Councilor Manilla: Absent.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella noted some landlords' trash enclosures are disappearing and reminded tenants to place trash at the curb.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller spoke about the WV Planning Conference and acknowledged local efforts.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne noted trash on Willey Street, asked questions about unfunded projects, and reported on the CNR Sunnyside Up progress and an odor at the Deckers Creek Bridge.
Councilor Merow: Absent.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice thanked BOPARC and sponsors for the Balloon Festival, Mike Corrigan and MUB for MON-Day, Wally Venable for boat safety training for the Fire Department and mentioned future meetings.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:20 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.