REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 7, 2006:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 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 special meeting & regular meeting on January 17, 2006, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice read and presented: Literacy Awareness Month proclamation, certificates to Barbara Rasmussen and Mary Templeton, and a plaque honoring Judge John Crynock. Mayor Justice commented on the Sugar Bowl victory jacket he was wearing.
PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE MIDDLE HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT:
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 CREATING THE MIDDLE HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.
AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE MIDDLE HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT, WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN; BETWEEN WALNUT STREET AND PLEASANT STREET ALONG HIGH STREET, CREATING THE MIDDLE HIGH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD, AND ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR CONTRACTING AND CONTROL OF FUNDS.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Scafella, to adopt the above Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
No Business.
PUBLIC PORTION:
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor Justice announced the Solid Waste Task Force meeting. Councilor Byrne announced Sunnyside Up and Homeowner Preservation in Greenmont meetings.
NEW BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE CONSOLIDATING LEASE AGREEMENTS WITH THE FAA AT THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT : The above entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) WHICH CONSOLIDATES SEVEN SEPARATE FAA LEASE AGREEMENTS AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT INTO ONE MASTER AGREEMENT.
After the City Manager's explanation, motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDNANCE ANNULLING A 25' RIGHT-OF-WAY KNOWN AS RAINY STREET IN THE THIRD WARD: The above entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading.
AN ORDINANCE VACATING, ABANDONING AND ANNULLING A 25' WIDE RIGHT-OF-WAY KNOWN AS RAINY STREET, EXTENDING AND RUNNING A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-EIGHT FEET BETWEEN FALLING RUN ROAD AND AN UNNAMED ALLEY, IN THE THIRD WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, NOT USED NOR USEFUL FOR STREET PURPOSES.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO EXECUTE A DEED GRANTING THE DOH A RIGHT-OF-WAY ACROSS A BRIDGE LOCATED ON DUG HILL ROAD: The above entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, AS GRANTOR, TO EXECUTE A DEED GRANTING THE WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS, GRANTEE, A RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR PUBLIC ROAD PURPOSES OVER, THROUGH, ACROSS AND UPON A BRIDGE WHICH IS LOCATED ON DUG HILL ROAD WITHIN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN.
After the City Manager's explanation, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1:
As per Council's request, the West Virginia Department of Transportation has issued a Permit to the City of Morgantown "for the purpose of mowing and maintaining the median on U.S. Rt. 119 (South University Avenue). . Note: if additional landscaping is requested, the City will submit a separate landscaping plan for approval prior to installing the plantings". This maintenance will be routinely done by the Public Works Department and in the near term the Beautification Commission should have a landscaping plan available for Council and State review.
Item No. 2:
Public Works Director Terry Hough and Assistant Public Works Director Bill Rumble will be featured speakers at the 2006 APWA North American Snow Conference that will be held in Peoria, Illinois in May of this year. Their presentations will cover Administering Public Works Budgets; Storm Management; and Implementing Change in Public Works Services. To be invited to address the attendees of this national conference is a high compliment to these staff members and to the City of Morgantown
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No. 1:
Attached you will find a memo from the Public Works Director reporting bid results for laboratory services for the landfill. I agree with her comments and recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder Reliance Laboratories for $9,822.
Motion by Scafella, second by Manilla, to award the contract to Reliance Laboratories for $9,822.
Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 2:
The second attachment is a memo reporting the results of the Building Permit System Review. I recommend that the proposals made be approved and the staff authorized to execute them as soon as practically possible (some will involve ordinance amendments that will be brought to Council).
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, that it be implemented. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 3:
The third attachment is a memo from the City Clerk reporting proposed changes in the Rules and Regulations of the Fire Civil Service Commission of the City of Morgantown. I agree with the changes and recommend that the Rules and Regulations be approved.
Motion by Bane, second by Manilla, to approve the changes to the Fire Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 4:
The last attachment is a memo from the Public Works Director and a suggested Traffic Calming and Management Program. I recommend that the program be adopted as a City Policy and forwarded to the Traffic Commission for execution.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Manilla, to adopt the program. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (Reverse order):
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer commented on Metropolitan Theatre productions and parking problems; requested a community survey to help Council set financial & other priorities; discussed expanding economic services of the City; public needs and truck traffic issues; and asked if the Walnut Street design could be started.
City Manager Boroff will research the matter.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne addressed Trinity school traffic and parking, the Home-ownership Preservation Project, Sunnyside Up as a budget goal, and the truck traffic issue.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller mentioned the Home-ownership Project, calls about speeding, and Coretta Scott King's funeral on TV.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella suggested advertising event parking; advised that the Wiles Hill gym is complete; and asked for alternate truck route cost and time.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla requested an update on the Walnut Street entrance.
City Manager Boroff responded that the private sector element may delay the TIF.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane urged having an annual meeting with the County Commission and other City Councils.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice observed the event parking sign for the garages was not publicized; announced future meetings and requested updates at COW from WVU, Marina, Public Theater, Square at Falling Run, private developers like Mike Castle, High Street project engineer, and the Burroughs Street development.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to go into an executive session pursuant to Section
6-9A-4-6 of the West Virginia Code in order to discuss personnel matters with the following persons present: Mayor Ron Justice and Council Members. Time 8:35 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION:
Motion by Byrne, second by Bane to go into regular session. Time 8:54 p.m. By acclamation, James Giuliani and Julie Cryser were appointed to the Planning Commission; James Shaffer was appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:56 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.