REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 3, 2000:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 3, 2000, at 7:30 P. M.
PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Staff Attorney Steve Fanok and Councilmembers Frank Salucci, Tom Bloom, Teresa Miller, Ronald Justice, William Byrne, Betty McClain, and Jeff Mikorski, Assistant to the City Manager.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the regular meeting on, September 19, 2000 and the special meeting on September 26, 2000, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Scafella read a proclamation declaring the month of October 2000 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and urges all citizens to take up the fight and bring awareness to the community about Breast Cancer.
Mayor Scafella read a proclamation declaring the week of October 16 through October 20, 2000 as National Business Women's Week and urges all citizens to join in and salute all working women by encouraging and promoting the celebration of the achievements of all business and professional women as they contribute daily to our economic, civic, and cultural purposes.
Mayor Scafella read a proclamation honoring Debra Cupelli founder of the feral cat program, known as the Fayette Street Program, and hereby publicly honor her for saving the lives of more than 75 cats.
Mayor Scafella mentioned receiving letters from Whitetail Cycle, Allegheny Power and a few personal letters congratulating the City of Morgantown for being designated as the #1 Dream town.
Mayor Scafella also received a letter from the Bartlett House for a request for funding, and forwarded the letter to the City Manager for the Budget Sessions.
Mayor Scafella also received two letters from citizens on various traffic problems and gave them to the City Manager to handle.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Fire Civil Service Commission:
Council approved by acclamation the appointment of Daniel Bonner as the Fire Union Representative.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Eli Heady, 1195 Mineral Avenue, presented a Resolution to City Council concerning Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day proclaiming that Columbus Day is an insult and outrage to Native Americans and requested that Council consider rescinding the holiday and observe in its stead an Indigenous Peoples' Day.
John W. Campbell, 490 Pocahontas Avenue, spoke on the buyout of the current FBO lease at the Morgantown airport. Mr. Campbell is requesting that the ordinance be tabled and that a new agreement between the Air Corps Services and the City be negotiated for the services presently provided and that the new Committee on Airport and Aviation Economic Development has a chance to hear proposals on this matter and report its recommendations to Council. Mr. Campbell commented that this window of opportunity to change the FBO lease agreement will remain open because the city controls the buyout or change in management of the lease.
John Lofts, WVU Professor Aerospace Engineering, submitted that we have had a repair service on the field for the last 3 years. Jake Wilburn opened a repair facility which adds to the safe operation of the airport so planes do not have to fly out for repairs.
Robert "Jake" Wilburn explained his position operating under subleases and performing duties for other people. Mr. Brandt and Aero Services tried to solve problems that existed at the airport: adequate maintenance facility, the flight school was lacking standardization, and satisfactory base charter operation. Mr. Brandt passed away and we arranged financing to operate the FBO. Mr. Wilburn would like to have an open dialogue with the City about negotiations.
Chuck Keener, Airport Director, commented that Mr. Wilburn has done an outstanding job and is really the heartbeat of the airport right now. We have to look at the money needed to operate the airport in the future. All the major corporations in the community need the airport to do their business. The money the airport makes comes from: concessions (which are leases), parking fees, and fuel sales. We do not have parking fees or fuel sales which are where the majority of the funds come from to operate an airport. The Aero Services financial statement for the past month shows gross sales of $111,334.83. Our portion of that was $10, 556.72 for the FBO lease. Nine cities in the state own and operate fuel sales at their airports; Benedum owns the fuel firm and we don't own or operate it. Mr. Keener strongly encouraged the City to take control of the fuel because that is where the money is and that will enable control and continued operation of the airport.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor Scafella informed Council that there is now a chronicle of activity that has been developed of the Airport from 1988 to present, and a copy will be available in the City Clerks' office and in the Library for citizens to review. Mayor Scafella commented that a 9-member committee will start meeting the first of November to look at what needs to be done to help improve the economic future of Hart Field.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL RULES: The following entitled ordinance was pulled from the agenda so that the Personnel Board could review before first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL RULES OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CANCELLATION OF LEASE WITH MOUNTAIN STATE FLIGHT SERVICES, INC. & PIEDMONT AVIATION SERVICES : The following entitled ordinance was presented for first 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 Bloom to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING 1139.15 HEALTH & SANITATION CODE: The following entitled ordinance was presented for first 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
After discussion, motion by Bloom, second by Salucci to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 5-2. (Councilors Byrne & McClain voted NO).
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A GRANT WITH THE WV DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS, TO INSTALL SAFETY FENCING ALONG THE CAPERTON AND DECKERS CREEK TRAILS AND CONSTRUCT PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS AND SIDEWALKS IN MARILLA PARK: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Councils' approval:
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Justice to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
INFORMATION:
ITEM NO. 1:
In the near future Phase I of the public improvements for the Wharf District will be completed. City Council may want to consider a public ceremony on site to celebrate the work and particularly to recognize the new gateway to the Caperton Trail.
ITEM NO. 2:
Channel 15 has been activated as the Government Channel on the local Cable TV system. All Council meetings and a government bulletin board will be broadcast on this channel. The channel will also be available for the use of other area governments.
ITEM NO. 3:
This week the work will be completed on the new, Downtown traffic light system. Once the markings are painted on the resurfaced Spruce, Willey, High, and Pleasant Streets, all scheduled, major construction projects in the Downtown will be finished [minus the South High Street Bridge - - to be completed within twelve months].
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM NO. 1:
As previously discussed by Council, I recommend that two VHS camcorders and light sets be acquired for City High Schools at a cost of $14,282. The Board of Education has developed a program for the use of the equipment. Phase I will involve closed looped, live transmission of meetings, seminars, and work shops between the two schools.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by McClain to approve the purchase of two VHS camcorders and light sets for City High Schools at a cost of $14,282. Motion carried 7-0.
Council also by acclamation requested that a list be presented to them before purchasing the equipment of what the Highs Schools will be using equipment for.
ITEM NO. 2:
Today, MUB asked that I seek your approval to employ Vince Collins, of Steptoe & Johnson, to serve as Bond Counsel for the new Combined Waterworks and Sewerage System Revenue Bonds, the $3.8 million improvement project to the water plant. Vince would be paid a fee of approximately $18,000 for the certifications, assembling it, and assisting in the marketing. Possible out-of-pocket expenses should not exceed $1,500.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by McClain to approve the hiring of Vince Collins by MUB to serve as special bond counsel for the $3.8 million bond. Motion carried 7-0.
REPORT FROM CITY CLERK:
No Report.
REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY:
City Attorney, Steve Fanok, commented that everyone that was here earlier just got up and left, and urged citizens that if they come to a city council meeting please stay for the whole meeting, there just may be something you may learn or need to know at the end of the meeting also.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Salucci: Councilor Salucci asked if the dedication of the parking lot at the Riverfront Park could be tied in with the Balloon Festival, perhaps a balloon launch from down there. The City Manager will check into this. Could events tents be placed by the amphitheater instead of the parking lot?
Councilor Bloom: Councilor Bloom requested a check on the stop sign at Franklin & Grand since it is not in yet. The City Manager replied that was forwarded to the Traffic Commission. He asked for a copy of the policy for cars parked in handicapped spaces on the streets and police are refusing to tow.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller apologized for missing the COW. Her husband was accepted into the WV Bar Association at the Supreme Court.
The traffic situation is frustrating and bad - "check your speed, slowdown" signs should be used.
Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice thanked everyone who helped with the dedication of the Veterans' WWII Memorial in Sabraton.
He asked if the City Manager could promote the fact that downtown is opened up and the traffic is not here. The shopkeepers have had a bad time.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne asked if there was a traffic rule about checking with the City before tearing up city streets. Most of the streets torn up this fall were state owned.
Downtown merchants do not get football traffic for cars are directed out of town.
Councilor McClain: Councilor McClain reported that the stormwater group for Suncrest met again and Public Works is working on plans for Burroughs Run
Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella commented that even though Morgantown was chosen as the #1 Dream City in the country, we still have some flaws. Butch Lee is working on a design for a lapel pin and paperweight, and will keep Council informed.
Mayor Scafella is proud of Councils' deliberation of an emotionally charged issue and dealt with it professionally.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:10 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor