REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 17, 2006:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, at 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda Little, City Attorney Steve Fanok, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mikorski, and Council Members Ron Bane, Jim Manilla, Teresa Miller, Don Spencer. Frank Scafella and Bill Byrne Absent.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on October 3, 2006, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice mentioned Councilor Bane will present the proclamation to the BPW; proclaimed Municipal Government Week; noted the COW will be on Wednesday, November 1, with an earlier neighborhood tour; and listed future meetings. Councilor Spencer read John Duarte’s letter addressing commercial dumpster services.
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE W V ARMY NATIONAL GUARD REGARDING REALTY TRANSFER AS PART OF CONSTRUCTING A READINESS CENTER AT THE AIRPORT:
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 public hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE W V ARMY NATIONAL GUARD REGARDING REALTY TRANSFER AS PART OF CONSTRUCTING A READINESS CENTER AT THE AIRPORT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AND THE WEST VIRGINIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD REGARDING THE TRANSFER OF REALTY BY EACH TO THE OTHER, AS PART OF THE NATIONAL GUARD’S PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A READINESS CENTER ON THE GROUNDS OF THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.
Motion by Bane, second by Manilla, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 5-0. (Scafella & Byrne Absent.)
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
No Business.
PUBLIC PORTION:
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
No Reports.
NEW BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR DETERMINING MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS 201, 301.06, 302.06, 303.06, 304.06, 305.05, 310.05, 311.05, 312.05, 313.05, 320.05, AND APPENDIX A “DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TABLE” OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS THE SAME APPLY DETERMINING MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT.
Motion by Miller, second by Spencer, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. After discussion, amendment to Article 311.05 reducing height to 40 feet by Spencer, second by Bane. Motion carried 5-0. (Scafella & Byrne Absent.) Main motion carried 5-0. (Scafella & Byrne Absent.)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO CORRECT MINOR ERRORS IN THE JANUARY 2, 2006 AMENDMENT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS 300.05 (TABLE 300.05.01), 333, 402.07, AND 403 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS THE SAME APPLIES TO CORRECTING MINOR ERRORS IN THE JANUARY 2, 2006 AMENDMENT.
Motion by Miller, second by Bane, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 5-0. (Scafella & Byrne Absent.)
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN EASEMENT TO VERIZON AT THE AIRPORT FOR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN GRANTING AN EASEMENT TO VERIZON WEST VIRGINIA, INC; SAID EASEMENT BEING BETWEEN TWO STRUCTURES LOCATED UPON THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT FOR THE PURPOSE OF VERIZON INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TO BE UTILIZED AT THE AIRPORT.
After the City Manager’s explanation, motion by Manilla, second by Bane, to approve the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 5-0. (Scafella & Byrne Absent.)
AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE CITY CODE: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE CITY CODE.
Motion by Miller, second by Bane, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 5-0. (Scafella & Byrne Absent.)
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION THAT MORGANTOWN CITY COUNCIL APPLY FOR THE DESIGNATION AS A PRESERVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council’s approval.
Motion by Miller, second by Bane, to approve the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 5-0. (Scafella & Byrne Absent.)
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1
The City has advertised the sale of the coal twice with no bids received. Contaminants found in the coal have made it hard to sell. The coal is beginning to interfere with the ongoing construction project at the airport and needs to be removed immediately. City staff has been working on the sale of the coal and will make arrangements to have coal removed and sold.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (Reverse Order):
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer discussed the MPO Citizens’ Advisory meeting, the MPO meeting, and commitment to Beechurst widening; requested COW agenda items: the new fire station and personnel and equipment, draft zoning amendment for widening the Beechurst corridor, a resolution for Bike Board policy recommendations, solid waste, asked to reconsider property maintenance for weeds and litter with the Landlord Association, requested the status of the B-4 development revision, and he appreciates the new sidewalks.
City Manager Boroff responded why the new fire station won’t be on that agenda; research has started on widening Beechurst; Allied Waste at November 1 meeting for experiment report; he hasn’t seen the Bike Board policies yet; and the Planner is reviewing the B-4 revision.
Councilor Byrne: Absent.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller observed that pedestrians need educated for crossing Patteson Drive and she has school levy support signs; spoke of the Museum Commission “Music at the Met” event; announced an RDVIC candlelight event and discussed domestic violence.
Councilor Scafella: Absent.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla commended Chief Scott for monthly report and remarked on missed trash pickups.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane addressed towing company problems and urged publicizing the PSC phone number; spoke of the twelve lights from Star City to 857 and of a third bridge as one alternative to $53 million for widening.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice noted the school board levy; announced future meetings; he addressed the Newcomer’s Club and noted the Willowdale sidewalk groundbreaking; requested the status of the condemnation on Richwood Avenue and clarified the annexation request with the opening of the new Wal-Mart.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:26 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.