REGULAR MEETING December 5, 2000:

The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 5, 2000, at 7:30 p.m.

PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Staff Attorney Steve Fanok, Jeff Mikorski, Assistant to the City Manager 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 November 21, 2000, were approved as printed.

CORRESPONDENCE:

City Clerk Linda L. Little gave the oaths of office to the new Firefighters First Class, Lieutenants, and Captains. Captain Bean presented their pins. Mayor Scafella read a letter from the Fire Chief, David Fetty.

Mayor Scafella read a proclamation and presented plaques to Allen Fortney, Tom Konchesky, Camille Mikalik recognizing these heroes during the Halbritter home explosion.

Councilor Byrne received a letter from Senator Byrd trying to keep a Post Office facility downtown. It may stay in the Federal Building.

Transit Director David Bruffy asserted that Mountain Line cares about our riders, we provide a quality transportation service, and Mountain Line is responsive to our riders' needs. Mr. Bruffy has investigated the story in the newspaper and talked to the six people. We work continuously to improve our service and monthly driver evaluations. Only 25 out of 106 complaints have been found to be valid. Jenkins and Quinn will be evaluating our service and will provide recommendations.

PUBLIC HEARING- AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRANT MOTORSPORTS, INC. AND THE AIRPORT:

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.

PUBLIC HEARING-AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN AIR CORPS SERVICES, INC. AND THE AIRPORT:

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.

PUBLIC HEARING-AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN A C EXPRESS INC. AND THE AIPORT:

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 OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND BRANT MOTORSPORTS: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second 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.

Motion by Salucci, second by Justice to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND AIR CORPS SERVICES INC.: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second 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 Byrne, second by Bloom to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND A C EXPRESS INC. : The following entitled ordinance was presented for second 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.

Motion by Bloom, second by Byrne to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.

PUBLIC PORTION:

Mayor Scafella welcomed the Political Science class to the meeting.

Mike Kimble, representative of First Things First, commented that the term "parkway" is really a misnomer; we don't have parkways in West Virginia. Mr. Kimble recently spoke with Norman Roush, Deputy Commissioner for the West Virginia Department of Transportation and Mr. Roush commented that the Division of Highways has no parkways in the state. Mr. Kimble requested that the Mayor be careful in the usage of his wording, and not use "parkway".

Jim Gaston, representative of First Things First, agreed with Mr. Kimble and asked Council to address concerns relative to traffic problems: traffic lights, Spruce & Pleasant intersections, Beechurst problem, 2020 five year update due.

Fred Wyant, contradicted the Mayor and asserted the West Run Expressway is not under progress. Mr. Wyant passed out maps. There will be a meeting Thursday night at Cass Elementary for the I-68 extension to Moundsville. They have announced the starting point will be the West Run Expressway. Grafton Foodland is no longer there because of Wal-Mart. The same thing would happen here. Mr. Wyant expressed concern over increased truck traffic if the I-68 extension is built.

Frank Ferrell, 26 Outlook St., acknowledged to the City Manager that the street signs went up. Is the City planning street parking downtown for the week before the holidays? Assistant Planner Kenny Kidd is leaving. He did an excellent job. Transit System Director David Bruffy does a wonderful job, problems may be at the lower levels. At the COW Meeting, Mayor Scafella did an excellent job in going through the Transit Report documents. Mr. Ferrell questioned if the Wiles Hill School was already purchased by BOPARC. The Mayor replied yes. Policemen in the schools for 5 years is an excellent idea. He requested public input regarding future funding. The mattress was picked up but there is still other garbage.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

NEW BUSINESS:

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL 15 POLICIES:

After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Justice to approve the Government Access Channel 15 policies. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A HOLIDAY BONUS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES:

Motion by Miller, second by Justice to approve giving a $50.00 holiday bonus to all City Employees. Motion carried 7-0.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:

INFORMATION:

The City has received its health insurance costs renewal for calendar year 2001. The current and new costs [per month except as noted] are compared as follows:

Given that the City funds the medical and dental costs at 125 percent for aggregate claims loss protection, the costs of health insurance for each City employee is increasing by over $1,000 per year. As in years past with similar medical cost increases, I recommend that the City fund this one too without passing on any of the increases to City employees.

The City Manager, Dan Boroff, requested authorization for staff to research a Preferred Provider's Organization.

After discussion, motion by McClain, second by Salucci to authorize researching a PPO. Motion carried 7-0.

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

No report.

STAFF ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

No report.

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Councilor Salucci: Councilor Salucci requested the MHS State Football Champions highlight film on video to play on the Government channel.

Councilor Bloom: Councilor Bloom appreciates the First Things First input. We have too many cars for the north and south streets and West Run would alleviate traffic. WVU could ban cars for freshmen and sophomores. The lower Sunnyside area needs work because of buildings being trashed.

Councilor Miller: No report.

Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice announced a reception for Wes Williams, tomorrow at 2pm in E. Moore Hall. The Solid Waste Task Force will have report ready by the end of the month. Councilor Justice turned into the City Manager some issues of Stewart St. garbage. Mr. Gaston had brought up an issue of courier service. The City Manager responded the commercial parking is designated for trucks. Contact the Police Dept. directly to make adjustments.

Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne announced that last Wednesday there was an open house at the Garlow House the library now owns and has great plans for it. Councilor Byrne requested a report on the Airport group progress. Councilor Byrne thanked people that continue to come and speak on important issues. Money flows to where there is public support. Maybe it should be a Parkway instead of an interstate.

Councilor McClain: Councilor McClain noted that at the Suncrest Neighborhood meeting, the West Run Bypass was the main topic and Fred Wyant, Mike Kimble, and Jim Gaston were there. First Things First should present to the City and let the City find grants. The West Run Bypass is also needed.

Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella remarked that the second meeting of the Airport group will be on Thursday and he will report back. First Things First and Council agree on more than we think; roads need to be wider. Council acknowledges the 2020 plan points out that if we widen roads without some form of an expressway, we create more problems than we solve. If we agree and go to the State as one voice, we stand a better chance of getting both things done.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:45 p.m.

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City Clerk Mayor