REGULAR MEETING October 17, 2000:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 17, 2000, at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Staff Attorney Steve Fanok, Jeff Mikorski, Assistant to the City Manager and Councilmembers Frank Salucci, Tom Bloom, Teresa Miller, Ronald Justice, Bill Byrne and Betty McClain.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on October 3, 2000, were approved as corrected.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Scafella welcomed the Journalism class to the Council Meeting this evening.
Mayor Scafella also mentioned that Delegate Marshall, the former Mayor of Morgantown, is in the audience this evening.
Mayor Scafella read a proclamation observing October 22 through October 28, 2000 as Municipal Government Week and urged all citizens to join City Council on October 24th, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., as Council will be conducting a question and answer session with the City's Partner in Education, Woodburn Elementary students, in an effort to promote understanding of government in their communities.
PUBLIC HEARING-AUTHORIZING CANCELLATION OF LEASE AT AIRPORT WITH MOUNTAIN STATE FLIGHT SERVICES AND PIEDMONT AVIATION:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Scafella called for a public hearing on above referenced Ordinance.
Nancy Jensen, a concerned citizen and pilot, asked what is going to happen to the fuel situation at the airport, if the lease agreement is terminated? Ms. Jensen also had concerns about the upkeep and maintenance of the airport which is in bad shape; the condition of the hanger we use has not improved since we came here to live and, in order to continue to attract pilots to fly into Morgantown, the City needs to upgrade the airport. Ms. Jensen suggested that Council table this ordinance, to have more dialog, and to address the future ramifications of terminating this lease.
Paul Jensen, a concerned citizen, and pilot, moved to Morgantown about one year ago due to the active airport, and would like to stay in Morgantown and urged Council to improve the services at the airport.
Chuck Keener, Airport Director, commented that the City will continue the sublease with Mr. Wilburn, Air Corp. Services Inc. & AC Express, for 12 months and feels this is the best road to take at this time. After 12 months the City will take over the fuel farm. Mr. Keener commented that the Airport is not in the business to make money; funds generated are used for airport reinvestment and to match federal grants that now exceed $1 million a year.
City Manager Dan Boroff commented that this issue was also discussed in a previous meeting and at a work session of Council regarding the fuel; also we have been looking at other airports on how they handle their operations. We are optimistic that we will be able to improve operations at the airport by money generated by the sales which can be directly reinvested into the airport by the City, which is not attempting to turn a profit with the airport.
Frank Ferrell, 26 Outlook Street, asked if the money from the timbering done at the airport, goes to the Airport and should the City be in the business of running an Airport?
Chuck Keener, responded that the buyout of the present FBO Lease is approximately $150,000, which, incidentally, the City does not pay. We will take that $150,000 from the present money in the bank, from construction work and from timber sales that we make. Mr. Keener commented that we are not in the business to make money, but, we are in the business to make enough profit to keep the lights burning at the airport and to pay our fair share of grant money to continue to improve the facilities at the airport.
Robert "Jake" Wilburn, Air Corp. Services, commented that he is pleased with the opportunity to continue services at the airport, and understands that the airport has certain expenses and those revenues have to come from somewhere. Mr. Wilburn stated though that for free enterprise to flourish they must have a profit.
There being no further appearances or objections, Mayor Scafella declared this hearing closed.
PUBLIC HEARING-AMENDING SECTION 1139.15 HEALTH & SANITATION CODE RAISING RATES:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Scafella called for a public hearing on above referenced Ordinance.
Frank Ferrell, 26 Outlook Street, commented that he supports the raise in the garbage rates and thinks that BFI does a good job. Mr. Ferrell also asked if the commercial rates were addressed at the last meeting?
There being no further appearances or objections, Mayor Scafella declared this hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE CANCELING THE LEASE WITH MOUNTAIN STATE FLIGHT & PIEDMONT AVIATION: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CANCELLATION OF LEASE AGREEMENTS BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND MOUNTAIN STATE FLIGHT SERVICES, INC. d/b/a PIEDMONT AVIATION SERVICES, INC., LESSEE.
After discussion, motion by Salucci, second by McClain to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RATES SECTION 1139.15 OF THE HEALTH & SANITATION CODE: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1139.15 OF THE HEALTH AND SANITATION CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, AS THE SAME APPLIES TO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WASTE COLLECTION RATES.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Bloom to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 4-3. (Councilors Miller, Byrne & McClain vote NO).
PUBLIC PORTION:
Paul Jensen, a concerned citizen and pilot, requested that Council also update us on the progress that the airport is making.
Mike Kimble, representing the thousands of drivers who are frustrated every day as they commute in and around Morgantown, commented that, at the last meeting, Dan Boroff stated that we need the West Run Expressway to relieve traffic congestion and also Mayor Scafella has been pressing to get this road built. Mr. Kimble and other groups and organizations support upgrading local roads to solve the traffic problems instead of building an Interstate Expressway through the West Run Valley and Northern Morgantown Neighborhoods.
Helen Quarrick, 1288 Colonial Drive, opposes the West Run By-Pass and knows that the whole Suncrest Neighborhood Association is against this expressway.
Cindy Frich, Vice-Chair-West Run Expressway, commented that there have been ten letters to the Editor in the Dominion Post and each one of them has been against this expressway except for one. Ms. Frich stated that she attended the October 3 Council Meeting where City Manager Dan Boroff commented that the only way to alleviate traffic in downtown is to build the West Run Expressway; she has heard Mayor Scafella say this too. Ms. Frich commented she would wish that the City would not misinform the public that by building the West Run Expressway it would alleviate the traffic downtown.
Charlene Marshall, 417 White Avenue, congratulated Council on the latest award on being named the #1 Dreamtown in America, and was happy to hear that Fire Department just received $100,000 in grant money. Ms. Marshall also commented that people ask if she misses Council Meetings, and she tells them yes.
Fred Wyant, a resident of Morgantown since 1952, commented that the Truckers Association of the United States said that 72% of all the truck traffic would come down I-68 across the West Run Expressway and that route to Moundsville. Is this something that this Council should want?
Frank Ferrell, 26 Outlook Street, requested if the City could run the Council Meetings more than two days a week, for those that don't want to go to the Library to check the video out. Mr. Ferrell asked why the traffic lights that were functioning now are not? Mr. Ferrell mentioned that we need an ordinance to control the constant music that can be heard at 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 a.m. when the bars close.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Justice reported that the Solid Waste Task Force will meet again on October 20th at 8:00 a.m. at the Public Safety Building.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL RULES: The following entitled ordinance was pulled from the agenda until the personnel board could review it before first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL RULES OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF TIMBER ON REALTY AT THE MORGANTOWN AIRPORT: The following entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AND TRUS JOIST, A WEYERHAEUSER BUSINESS, REGARDING THE SEVERANCE AND SALE OF TIMBER SITUATE ON REALTY KNOWN AS THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.
After discussion, motion by Salucci, second by Justice to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ANNULLING A 15' RIGHT OF WAY IN THE FIFTH WARD: The following entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE VACATING, ABANDONING AND ANNULLING A 15' RIGHT-OF-WAY EXTENDING ALONG A PORTION OF ALLEY B AND RUNNING A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FEET ABUTTING LOTS 26, 27, AND 28 OF BLOCK 9 OF THE SABRATON ADDITION, IN THE FIFTH WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, NOT USED NOR USEFUL FOR STREET PURPOSES.
Motion by Justice, second by Salucci to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE WEST VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, BY AND ON BEHALF OF THE WEST VIRGINIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: The above entitled resolution was presented for Council's approval:
Motion by Miller, second by McClain to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION TO THE WEST VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, BY AND ON BEHALF OF THE MORGANTOWN THEATER COMPANY: The above entitled resolution was presented for Council's approval:
After discussion, motion by Bloom, second by Salucci to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
Mr. Boroff presented the following new business:
ITEM NO. 1:
Below find the salt bid results per ton organized by the Public Works Director:
Morton Salt, $34.25; International Salt Corp., $36.42; IMC Salt, $35.14; Cargill Salt, $34.75; and Central Salt; $43.30. Based upon her comments, I recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder Morton Salt for $34.25 per ton.
Motion by Salucci, second by Bloom, to award the salt bid to Morton Salt at $34.25 per ton. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 2:
City Manager commented that the West Run Expressway is a very sensitive topic. The points I will make as the City Manager of Morgantown are: 1). Morgantown is an urban community of 60,000 people and is growing, particularly the number of commuters coming into and leaving the City, by-in-large working for employers in the north end of the City; 2). Traffic is bad and is getting worse; as a matter of fact, we have been told, if nothing is done about this within the next 15 years, traffic time will double within the city limits of Morgantown; 3). In fact, the answer does not lie in piece meal solutions, but looking at the system at large. The State of West Virginia spent $500,000 employing a firm with a National reputation, spending more than two years in our community collecting the hard data and projections. It came up with a series of recommendations, not one of which would solve the problem, but, collectively, total more than 300 million dollars. The one thing that would help would be a West Run Expressway; the concept was that all of those people working in the North side of the City would be better directed to go out of the City to the North and then get access to east/or west by accessing the interstate routes. City Manager Dan Boroff directed anyone who wishes to read up on this to read the Transportation Study commissioned by the State of West Virginia; copies are still available at the City Library.
City Manager also commented on the new traffic system in place; there is still some fine tuning to be done; and the Public Works Department will continue to work on that.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
City Clerk Linda Little reported to Council that at the Ohio-West Virginia Municipal Clerks Academy there were classes on WV Municipal Law, Records Management, Teamwork & Leadership Skills and Brainstorming on How to Improve Relations With the Public & Council. Ms. Little commented that in the Brainstorming session, the teacher was from India; she said, when India people meet and greet each other, they bow their heads and say NAMASTE, which means I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells; I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light, and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, WE ARE ONE.
STAFF ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Salucci: Councilor Salucci complimented the City Clerk on what a nice job she does dealing with people. Councilor Salucci asked to move the COW to Wednesday since Tuesday is Halloween. Mayor Scafella mentioned also that the November 7th meeting is Election Day and so we will need to move that meeting to November 8th. Council by acclamation decided to have the COW on October 31st at 7:30 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. and the November 7th meeting be held on November 8th at 7:30 p.m.
Councilor Bloom: Councilor Bloom mentioned a concern on the new traffic light system. At 2:20 p.m. he was at North High and Prospect Street, at 2:32 p.m. he is not
down to Willey Street. Councilor Bloom also
mentioned that the accident that happened at the
intersection of Greenbag Road and University
Avenue was just horrible. "I have received calls and
complaints about the area above this intersection, and even though it is not in the city limits, it affects all residents and the whole area needs to be looked at
before there is another fatal accident."
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller commented that she had a few calls to amend her statement about the traffic issues of
last week-that people are running stop signs, "I have a stop sign on my street at the corner of my house and people do not stop; someone is going to get hurt, so please stop."
Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice reported on the coalition on the Airport and will share that information with everyone at the next COW meeting.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne thanked Mr. Kimble for coming and presenting his issues on the West Run Expressway
and commented we are choking on our traffic and are looking at a parkway as a solution. Councilor Byrne stated that change is difficult and encouraged citizens to come and speak about this issue for it takes all of us to come up with a solution.
Councilor McClain: Councilor McClain commented that the Aiport, that Suncrest and the Annexed area on Stewartstown Road need a Fire Station.
Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella mentioned that on October 24th, 2000, we will have a special session with our Partners In
Education, Woodburn Elementary, and hope that we can expand this relationship. Larry Jones, Superintendent of Ohio County, informed me last week that the lights that are up at the festival of lights at Ogelbay are done by the schools in Ohio County. The idea saves money, and educates the students in community service.
Mayor Scafella also mentioned that he had a brief tour of the Police Department this week and found that
we do have a records-storage need. City Clerk
Linda Little informed the Mayor that Denise White and the Department Heads will be looking at a company called CornerStone, and will report back on
our findings to Council and the City Manager before
the budget sessions. Mayor Scafella commented on
the West Run Expressway that we have spent a lot of weeks discussing this issue and the West Run Expressway Committee gave everyone the opportunity to speak. Documentation was given in the final report; we found areas of disagreement that we could not bridge and probably will not bridge, but one thing that we did recognize, was that the West Run Expressway is not the only way to solve the traffic problem. I did not say that nor did the City Manager say that. The West Run Expressway as proposed by the study done for Monongalia County is one piece of a whole fabric; he commented that a parkway would be a more acceptable highway if one is going to be built; it would be a strictly limited access, it would be essentially 3/4 points of entry and egress from that highway and would be 50mph. It would not disturb any established community and leave the West Run Road in place, and the Stewartstown Road in place. That parkway would serve to bring the traffic in and out of the North part of the City. If the proposal, now that it has been sent to the DOH, comes back with an interstate proposal, then the whole community will be up in arms. The committee set the proposal of a parkway.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:20 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor