REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 19, 2006:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at 7:40 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 December 5, 2006, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice noted a letter about various locations for new Post Office, thanked those who sent holiday cards, and mentioned school holiday concerts.
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE TO TRANSFER 1ST WARD WHARF DISTRICT REALTY TO THE MORGANTOWN BUILDING COMMISSION:
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.
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE FOR AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF WESTOVER FOR 2007 PAVING:
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.
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TIME PERIOD FOR PAYMENT OF B&O TAXES:
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 TO TRANSFER 1ST WARD WHARF DISTRICT REALTY TO THE MORGANTOWN BUILDING COMMISSION: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF REALTY LOCATED IN THE FIRST WARD, WHARF DISTRICT, OF MORGANTOWN FROM THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO THE MORGANTOWN BUILDING COMMISSION.
Motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE FOR AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF WESTOVER FOR 2007 PAVING: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE, BY THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN IT AND THE CITY OF WESTOVER, AS THE SAME APPLIES TO ACQUISITION OF RESURFACING MATERIALS AND CONTRACTORS WHO WILL PREPARE AND PLACE THE SAME IN BOTH MUNICIPALITIES DURING 2007.
Motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TIME PERIOD FOR PAYMENT OF B&O TAXES: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 735.29 OF THE MORGANTOWN BUSINESS AND TAXATION CODE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO TIME PERIOD FOR PAYMENT OF BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TAXES.
Motion by Byrne, second by Manilla, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, Jeanne Hagan was appointed to the Parking Authority. Councilor Bane spoke of the WV Public Theatre monies.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Cornelius Snow, 215 Mountaineer Village, accused the police of racial profiling.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
City Manager Boroff will follow through with the Police Chief and others on the racial profiling issue.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Spencer summarized the National League of Cities Congress.
NEW BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2006-2007 ANNUAL BUDGET: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2006-2007 ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN IN THE REVISED BUDGET ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND.
After the City Manager’s explanation and discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Manilla, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR A $400,000 TEA GRANT FOR HIGH STREET STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS : The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council’s approval:
After discussion, motion by Spencer, second by Bane, to approve the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1
To help assure permanent financing for the Augusta (Square at Falling Run Project), the City was asked to execute a Consent Agreement with the participating bank (copy attached). The agreement authorizes two actions. The first is to keep the bank advised of significant issues and the second is to allow the bank to complete the project if needed. Given the time requirements of the request and the benefits to the City, the agreement was executed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No 1:
The second attachment is a letter from Habitat for Humanity requesting $6,000 to help complete a $600,000 housing project that is constructing eight new homes for low and moderate income families. Given the extraordinary return on investment of this request, I recommend that it be approved.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to approve $6,000 to help Habitat for Humanity complete a $600,000 housing project. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No 2:
The third attachment is a memo from BOPARC reporting that the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park fountain project has significantly advanced. A group of dedicated volunteers have worked hard to raise the $25,000 they pledged for the project. To complete it, BOPARC needs $13,505. To assure that the fountain is put in place this spring as scheduled, I recommend that the request be granted.
Motion by Spencer, second by Miller, to approve the request. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No 3:
The last attachment is a request from Arts Monongahela for $5,000 to support three, important initiatives. The initiatives are publishing an area Arts Directory; seeking designation as one of the Best Arts Cities in the nation; and establishing a joint ticketing and promotions program for local arts organizations. Given deadlines and logistical requirements for these programs and the larger benefits generated by Morgantown area arts organizations, I recommend that this request be granted as well.
Motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to approve $5,000 for those directives. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Bane: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Councilor Manilla: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Councilor Scafella: No Report.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller requested the WVU Master Plan go to the Planning Commission and BZA and announced a Museum Commission exhibit. Happy Holidays.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne asked if action was needed on the consent agreement for the Augusta. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year.
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer commented on the MPO meeting and raised concerns about apartments to be built on West Run.
Happy Holiday and hoping for a little snow.
Mayor Justice: See you next year and have a nice Holiday.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:44 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.