REGULAR MEETING November 21, 2000:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 21, 2000, at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Jeff Mikorski, Assistant to the City Manager and Councilmembers Frank Salucci, Tom Bloom, Teresa Miller, Ronald Justice, Bill Byrne and Betty McClain. (Staff Attorney Steve Fanok Absent).
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the special meeting and the regular meeting on November 8, 2000 were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Scafella read Paul Sunyak's e-mail thank you to Council for acknowledging the presence of his journalism class at the November 8 meeting.
Mayor Scafella read a Transit Authority press release honoring Roy Hunt as the October Driver of the Month for MountainLine Transit.
Mayor Scafella read a representative proclamation for retired firefighters; no firefighters were present.
Mayor Scafella read a certificate from the Center for Independent Living for supporting their relocation.
Councilor Byrne received a letter from Don Spencer about the First Things First committee.
PUBLIC HEARING-AMENDING THE PERSONNEL RULES:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Scafella called for a public hearing on above referenced Ordinance.
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Scafella declared this hearing closed.
.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SECOND READING (ADOPTION) OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL RULES: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PERSONNEL RULES OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by McClain to amend the above ordinance by deleting the wording for at-will employment and adding employees will be evaluated.
After discussion, motion by Justice, second by Miller to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 6-1 (Councilor Bloom voted No).
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Steven Tanner was reappointed to the Historic Landmarks Commission by acclamation. Larry Calemine was nominated and appointed to the Transit Authority by acclamation. The MUB appointment needs to be interviewed by Council.
Councilor McClain would like to have the Personnel Board be interviewed and appointed by City Council because of the way the personnel rules are written.
After discussion, motion by McClain, second by Miller to interview future prospective Personnel Board appointees. Motion carried 7-0.
David Straface was nominated and reappointed to the Building Commission by acclamation.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Don Spencer, 565 Harvard Ave., requested the First Things First Committee traffic management plan be presented to Council at the COW. This plan was endorsed by the County Commission today.
Bill Wonderlin, 1353 Headley Ave., on behalf of 3 organizations, commented on a proposal to Council members about ending the Wal-Mart access controversy. We are now waiting for the DOH decision on access. An alternative use for the property could be a Native American Heritage Park, a badly needed park on the northeast side of town and a solution to the controversy. Mr. Wonderlin asked Council to discuss this at the COW.
James Gaston, Custom Pack & Ship, in Morgantown for 16 years, is faced with parking and traffic problems. There is confusion because of changing traffic lanes. Courier services can't park in red zones because we don't have a commercial license. Mr. Gaston requested Council to review and change the ordinance.
Frank Ferrell, 26 Outlook St., asked was the pay raise for Linda in the Personnel Rules? Have individual Council members ridden the bus since the merger? Street signs are missing; one put up Wednesday was missing Friday. Mr. Ferrell asked Council to look at the garbage and litter on streets. Item D on agenda - no turn on red on Spruce - what is the reason for that? The last three weekends in the University parking lot, from 4 - 5am, there have been 80-90 cars playing loud music.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND BRANT MOTORSPORTS, INC.: The following entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND BRANT MOTORSPORTS, INC.,
LESSEE, REGARDING OFFICE SPACE AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Salucci to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND AIR CORP. SERVICES, INC.: .The following entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND AIR CORPS SERVICES, INC., LESSEE, REGARDING THE LEASE OF BUSINESS SPACE AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.
Motion by McClain, 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 AUTHORIZING A LEASE BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND A C EXPRESS, INC.:
The following entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND A C EXPRESS, INC., LESSEE,
REGARDING OFFICE SPACE AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL
AIRPORT.
After discussion, motion by McClain, second by Miller to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING "NO TURN ON RED" SIGNS BEING INSTALLED PROHIBITING LEFT HAND TURNS ON RED FROM PLEASANT STREET AND ONTO SPRUCE STREET PROHIBITING RIGHT HAND TURNS FROM PLEASANT STREET ONTO SPRUCE STREET, AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO HAVE SIGNS STATING THE SAME INSTALLED BY CITY PERSONNEL AT SAID INTERSECTION: The above entitled resolution was presented for Council's approval:
Motion by Miller, second by Byrne to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion by Bloom, second by Justice to withdraw the motion and move the resolution to the COW. Motion carried by acclamation.
.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO INCREASE THE PETTY CASH FUND FOR THE AIRPORT TO $300.00: The above entitled resolution was presented for Council's approval:
After discussion, motion by McClain, second by Miller to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION OF GRANT FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY LIVING INITIATIVES CORPORATION (CLIC): The above entitled resolution was presented for Council's approval:
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Byrne to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 6-1 (Councilor Bloom voted No)..
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
INFORMATION:
ITEM NO. 1:
Use of the Government Channel continues to grow. Most recently the BZA and Planning Commission have started live and taped broadcasts of their meetings. To accommodate the meeting schedules as they fall in irregular months [alignment of days of the week, dates, and lengths], the attached memo describes the proposed formula for broadcast dates of the different meetings. With Council's concurrence, the changes will be put in place December 1, 2000.
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM NO. 1:
For the past several years the Fire Department has struggled to maintain a 1988 Chevrolet Blazer for use by the Department's Training Officer. Recently though, the Blazer has had to be parked as it is no longer serviceable as an emergency response vehicle. To correct this problem I recommend that the City acquire a 2001 Jeep Cherokee from Stephens Auto Center in Danville, West Virginia, through a state purchasing contract, for a cost of $26,071 [includes lighting and emergency services options]. Funds are available in the Capital Escrow Account.
After discussion, motion by Salucci, second by Justice to purchase a 2001 Jeep Cherokee for $26, 071 from Stephens Auto Center. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO.2:
The last attachment is made of 4 agreements that allow the City to purchase aviation fuel for resale at the Airport with the same price and conditions as the previous FBO. The more important considerations are that the agreements are for a one (1) year period and the purchase price is set by a national bench mark used for such purposes.
After discussion, motion by McClain, second by Justice to purchase aviation fuel for resale at the Airport. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No report.
STAFF ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
Absent.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Salucci: Councilor Salucci has requested Dave Bruffy of Transit Authority to come to the COW. Signs are missing or knocked over in First Ward by White Park. Councilor Salucci proposed asking WVU to make the University Parking lot gated.
Councilor Bloom: Councilor Bloom has questions about the traffic issue and has a problem putting this presentation on the COW without a report by City Administration and other interpretations. Councilor Bloom will not contest a presentation by Bill Wonderlin's groups to the COW. Councilor Bloom requested the policeman in the schools to be on the COW as he believes it would be beneficial to the high schools.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller and Councilor Byrne attended the open house for CLIC and hopes Council will continue to support them.
Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice asked how many items will be on the COW agenda. He requested the City Manager to clarify the requirements for CDLs parking in red zones.
Councilor Byrne: No report.
Councilor McClain: Councilor McClain thanked the Street Department for cutting bushes on Sylvan Place within 4 days. Councilor McClain had mentioned the possibility of a fire station covering northern Morgantown and has had positive reactions.
Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella wished everybody a very happy Thanksgiving on behalf of Council and City Administration.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:30 p.m.
_____________________________ ___________________________
City Clerk Mayor