REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 1, 2005:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 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, Frank Scafella, Teresa Miller, Bill Byrne, Don Spencer.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on October 18, 2005, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice read the Random Acts of Kindness proclamation; summarized county recycling letters; received City photos from 1948 to 1950 and announced future meetings and events. Councilor Spencer mentioned the Council work session for the new zoning ordinance.
PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBSECTION 2.13(b) OF ITS CHARTER, ORDINANCE ADOPTION PROCEDURES:
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:
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
No Business.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Mayor Justice welcomed the journalism class.
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF A SUMMARY OF THE SUNCREST STORMWATER:
The rules were suspended to allow Jim Green, MUB, and Dr. Joe Fisher, WVU, to answer questions.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No. 1:
Attached you will find a proposed agreement with the Monongalia County Development Authority to assist the City in constructing and administering an Industrial Development Park at the City Airport. Based upon the expertise of the Authority and the returns the Park will generate, I recommend that the Agreement be approved.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Miller, to approve the agreement with the Monongalia County Development Authority. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 2:
The Morgantown Fire Department has been awarded a $124,541 FEMA grant to acquire fire fighting safety equipment (personal protective gear; speaking diaphragms; and whole station emergency generators and switching equipment for the 3 Fire Stations) . The grant requires a $13,838 local match that I recommend be funded from the Capital Escrow Account.
Motion by Miller, second by Byrne, to fund $13,838 from the Capital Escrow Account to match the FEMA grant to acquire fire fighting safety equipment. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 3.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau has requested that $15,000 budgeted in the Capital Escrow Account for Special Projects be released to support Phase II of the Way Finding System approved by Council earlier this year. Given the importance of the new sign system, I recommend that the request be granted.
Motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to allocate $15,000 to support Phase II of the Way Finding System. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 4:
The Landmarks Commission has requested $3,000 to match a $1,000 Greater Morgantown Community Trust grant and a $6,000 State Historic Preservation grant to fund an historic review/inventory of the Willey/Raese House and study opportunities for its preservation. Based upon the merits of this project, I recommend that it be funded from the Capital Escrow Account.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to allocate $3,000 for a study of the Willey/Raese House. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 5:
The second attachment is a memo from the City Finance Director suggesting a letter of preference be forwarded to the State Auditor's Office for Tetrick & Bartlett, PLLC to conduct audit services for the City for fiscal years ending June 30,2005, and June 30, 2006. Based upon this firm's history with the City and familiarity with its operations, I recommend that the letter be sent.
Motion by Miller, second by Manilla, that Tetrick & Bartlett, PLLC again be awarded a letter of preference to be forwarded to the State Auditor's Office. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 6:
The third attachment is a memo from the Assistant City Manager reporting the results of a request for qualifications to select a design engineering firm for the second phase of the High Street BID Project. I agree with his comments and recommend that the City negotiate a contract amount with E. G. & G. for the work.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Byrne, that E.G.& G. be given the contract for the second phase of the High Street BID Project. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 7:
As discussed at the recent Committee of the Whole, I recommend that a 4.91% temporary fuel surcharge be authorized for BFI. This temporary fee will be regulated by the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, that the temporary fuel surcharge be granted. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane covered construction permit delays; requested legislative grants for pumping stations backup generators and harsher penalties for street fires.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla discussed street fires, expelled students (9 of 11 reinstated) and harsher penalties; clarified that he is not a WVU employee.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella advised that BOPARC meetings will be televised as of January and noted students can e-mail questions to Council.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller requested Channel 15 air public information phone numbers.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne announced meetings and said the city crews have done a good job with all the trees down.
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer advised of storm concerns and thanked city employees; agreed with After Action Report request; requested evaluation of Decker Avenue for Trail access; and announced Suncrest NHA meeting.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice said Senator Hunter and others have requested After Action Reports; spoke of possible legislation for street fires; echoed the storm issue and commended Police, Fire and Public Works; advised that BOPARC needs more office space (possibly the Train Depot?); relayed compliments on the Trail and how good the city looks; noted the length of COW agendas; advised of a grant for Met Theatre air conditioning and another Dorsey Knob Land and Water grant.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:03 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.