REGULAR MEETING December 19, 2000:



The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 19, 2000, at 7:30 p.m.



PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Staff Attorney Steve Fanok, Assistant to the City Manager Jeff Mikorski, 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 December 5, 2000, were approved as printed.

CORRESPONDENCE:



Mayor Scafella presented plaques to Gene Tritchler and Bill Brown recognizing them for the heroism during the Halbritter explosion.



Mayor Scafella presented a proclamation to Sue Kidd-Shipe, President of The International Institute for Human Empowerment, announcing January 1 as International Unity Day. To be celebrated the first day of every year, and do hereby adopt the Unity pledge and do hereby initiate activities that support commitment to quality education, including access to Internet technology for all.



Mayor Scafella read a letter from C. Gregory Van Camp, Project Manager, Vision 2020, sharing the goals and visions for improved recreational opportunities.



PUBLIC PORTION:



Mr. Spencer, commented on the 20/20 comprehensive transportation plan. He stated that Council needs to look at this plan, as well as the economics of this plan, before moving forward.



Les Billotti, 667 Madison Avenue, commented that he walks 5 miles a day and a portion of the sidewalk on Don Knotts Boulevard, near the Jeep Dealer, is gone. Mr. Billotti also informed Council that numerous lights are out along Don Knotts Boulevard and at South Junior High School.



John W. Horne, 1554 Saxman Avenue, representing Veterans of Foreign Wars and the 201st Division, thanked the City for the dedication of the WWII Memorial in Sabraton.



Bill Wonderlin, 1353 Headley Avenue, thanked City Council for their consideration of a Resolution supporting a Native American Heritage Park at the Straight Property along Rt. 705.



John Duarte, 1048 Chestnut Ridge Road, reminded the City of the safety and importance of sidewalks. He also stated that more money and manpower needs to be invested in our Public Works Department. Mr. Duarte offered the City suggestions, from an article published in the U.S. News Smart Cities, that could help develop the City into a metropolitan area.



Ed Sneckenberger, President Suncrest Neighborhood Association, thanked the Mayor and Councilors McClain and Miller for attending meetings when they can. Mr. Sneckenberger mentioned that one of the topics that comes up regularly at the meetings is the utility poles on Collins Ferry Road. They still need to be removed, and appreciates any help the city can give in getting those utility poles moved out. Mr. Sneckenberger asked Council and/or Dan Boroff to do research on how many retention systems have been built in the Burroughs Run area.



Fred Wyant thanked the Mayor for attending the First Things First Meeting. He questioned the expansion of the Beechurst area and the building permits being granted that are close to the road. He suggested that Council should freeze giving permits until a decision is made.



Frank Ferrell, 26 Outlook Road, wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and asked if there will be a COW Meeting this month.



Mayor Scafella responded, "No."



Frank Ferrell mentioned that he would rather see residential or commercial construction instead of a Walmart or Park at the Straight Property on 705. He feels this would increase the tax base and a park would minimize taxes. Mr. Ferrell commented that if this property had been annexed into the City, Council would have legal rights for expressing their views. He questioned why Council is adopting this Resolution if this area is outside the City limits.



Don Trevorrow, 512 Milford Street, commented that he endorses the First Things First Committee and believes their idea is better than the West Run Bypass. He also feels that the Native American Heritage Park would be a good thing to put on the Straight Property along 705.



SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:



Councilor Salucci reported that Harold Jenkins, from Jenkins & Quinn, is continuing his study of the Transit and will report back on his completed work.



Councilor Justice reported that the Solid Waste Committee will present their final report at the COW in January.

Mayor Scafella reported that he has requested that the Secretary of the Airport Committee e-mail Council with the minutes and agendas, and he will periodically update Council also.





NEW BUSINESS:



CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS, ADDITIONS, BETTERMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS PORTION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM: The following entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIONS, ADDITIONS, BETTERMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATERWORKS PORTION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AND THE FINANCING OF THE COST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED, THEREOF THROUGH THE ISSUANCE BY THE CITY OF NOT MORE THAN $4,000,000 IN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2201 A (WEST VIRGINIA INFRASTRUCTURE FUND); PROVIDING FOR THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF AND SECURITY FOR THE REGISTERED OWNERS OF SUCH BONDS; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS; APPROVING, RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING LOAN AGREEMENT RELATING TO SUCH BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE SALE AND PROVIDING FOR THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF SUCH BONDS AND ADOPTING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING THERETO.



After discussion and comments from Vince Collins, Attorney, Steptoe & Johnson, and Tim Ball, Morgantown Utility Board, motion by Salucci, second by Bloom, 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 WITH ASSOCIATED PRESS AT THE AIRPORT: The following entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:



AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, LESSEE, REGARDING OFFICE SPACE WITHIN THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING.



Motion by Miller, second by McClain, to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.



CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF MORGANTOWN ASKS THAT THE WVU FOUNDATION AND THE MONONGALIA COUNTY COMMISSION CONSIDER A PROPOSAL FOR A NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE PARK AT THE STRAIGHT PROPERTY ALONG RT. 705 SHOULD THE PROPERTY BECOME AVAILABLE FOR SUCH USE: The above entitled Resolution was presented for council's approval:



After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Byrne, to approve the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 5-2. (Councilor Salucci and Bloom voted NO).

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:



NEW BUSINESS:



ITEM NO.1:



This time each year Council sets the schedule to adopt the City's budget documents for the new fiscal year as per State requirements. To meet these conditions, I recommend the following schedule be used:



SPECIAL NOTE: Budget Conference meetings may be scheduled after the proposed budget is presented.

Councilor Miller requested the budget schedule be placed on the web and in the newspapers.



ITEM NO. 2:



Attached you will find a memo from the Public Works Director recommending that the City extend its existing contract with Reliance Laboratories Inc. for a 1 year period for a cost of $10,116.66 [3% increase over current cost]. Given the quality of services the firm has given to the City at its landfill, I concur with the recommendation.



Motion by Justice, second by Salucci to extend the existing contract with Reliance Laboratories Inc. for a 1 year period. Motion passed 7-0.



ITEM NO. 3:



Over the past several years the City's Tree Board has been successful in advancing green space issues and managing the trees on public property and in City right-of-ways. Recently the State recognized their program as one of only 23 in West Virginia to receive a grant from the Community Forestry Program. With a $5,000 match, the Board can receive a $5,000 grant with all funds to be used to continue the tree inventory project, public plantings, and other special programs. Given the merits of this initiative, I recommend that the match be funded from the Capital Escrow Account.



Motion by Salucci, second by Byrne to fund a $5,000 match for the Tree Board. Motion passed 7-0.



ITEM NO. 4:



Attached you will find information provided by Commercial Insurance Services including a summary of the City's existing program: options available; recommendations; implementation notes; and a provider directory.



There will be a special meeting in January after all City employees receive the information.





CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

Linda Little, City Clerk, wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.



STAFF ATTORNEY'S REPORT:



No report.



REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:



Councilor Salucci: Councilor Salucci mentioned helping out the Police

Department with funding of protective vests for the

K-9 Units.



Councilor Bloom: Councilor Bloom mentioned that at the next Parking

Authority Meeting, we will be discussing the possibility

of returning to 3-hour parking meters behind Richard's.

Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller mentioned that the Community

Committee for Social Justice will do a presentation at the January COW Meeting.

Councilor Miller clarified that legally we cannot turn down permits along Beechurst Ave. The City Manager and Mayor also commented.



Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice requested that the cross-walks downtown be painted again, due to heavy wear.

Councilor Justice questioned when the Tree City Signs will be erected.

Councilor Justice echoed what Fred Wyant said

In regards to Beechurst Avenue being widened..



Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.



Councilor McClain: Councilor McClain asked when the sidewalks on Burroughs St. will be installed. The City Manager replied that construction should begin in spring.



Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella explained there will be no COW in December and after discussion, the next meeting will be Jan. 4. Mayor Scafella asked for input on the revised logo by Butch Lee. He announced the lighting of the Riverfront tree and thanked the Boys and Girls Club for placing luminarias from the bridge to La Casa. Mayor Scafella noted the response to First Things First will come at a later date. Happy Holidays.



ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8: 55 p.m.







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City Clerk Mayor