REGULAR MEETING MARCH 21, 2006:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 21, 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. (Ron Bane late 8:20 p.m.)
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on March 7, 2006, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice noted that WV Media will do a story on Decision Makings and Local Government to air this Sunday; mentioned a letter from Delegate Beach updating Council on the Budget Digest process; presented Adam Cook’s Appreciation Certificate for Caperton Trail Cleanup.
PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FY 2006-2007:
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 ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FY 2006-2007: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007.
Motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to adopt the above Ordinance. City Manager, Dan Boroff explained that there will be a minor amendment to the Capital Escrow/Contingency account which will be available for approval at the next Regular Meeting. Motion carried 6-0. (Bane Absent).
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, Peter DeMasters was appointed to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Justice mentioned that upon Council’s approval when there is only one candidate for Boards & Commissions vacancy City Clerk will check with Council before scheduling interview. After discussion, Council approved above stated policy by unanimous consent.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Bill Reger-Nash, EdD, Director WV Walks Campaign, requested of Council to continue to look at Truck Issue. Dr. Reger commented that we need to have a walkable community, which means that downtown through traffic is unacceptable because of the noise, air pollution and danger of the narrow streets.
City Manager Dan Boroff advised that an opinion has been given from Steptoe and Johnson and the Truck Issue will be on the COW for discussion.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Spencer requested that the Airport Advisory Committee meetings be announced in Newspaper; Channel 15. And that the Agenda have a public portion added. City Manager Dan Boroff responded as the Chair of this committee will follow through with this and report back to Council.
NEW BUSINESS:
A BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ITS COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2006 A: The above entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.
A BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ITS COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2006 A (WEST VIRGINIA SRF PROGRAM) (THE “BONDS”) TO: (j) PAY A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONS, IMPROVEMENTS AND BETTERMENTS OF THE SEWERAGE PORTION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE FACILITIES OF THE CITY (THE “PROJECT”); AND (ii) PAY CERTAIN COSTS OF ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS.
Motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to pass the above Ordinance to third reading. Motion carried 6-0. (Bane Absent).
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No. 1:
Attached you will find a memo from the Fire Department reporting bid results for emergency generators for the City’s three Fire Stations. J agree with the findings of the memo and recommend that the contract be awarded to the only bidder Garret Electrical Contracting for a total cost of $65,405.92 (to be funded with a Federal grant and a ten percent local match).
Motion by Miller, second by Manilla, to award the contract to Garret Electrical Contracting for $65,405.92. Motion carried 6-0. (Bane Absent).
Item No. 2:
The second attachment is a request for $1,000 from the Friends of Deckers Creek to help support the organization’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day that will be held May 20, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Miller Environmental in Sabraton. Based upon the success of previous events, J recommend that the request be granted.
Motion by Byrne, second by Spencer, to approve the request of $1,000 to help support the Hazardous Waste Collection Day on May 20, 2006. Motion carried 6-0. (Bane Absent).
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
City Clerk Linda Little gave a reminder to sign up for Walk 100 Miles and announced the good turn out for the Wellness Open House.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (reverse order):
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer asked if any action had been taken on the Safe Routes To School.
City Manager Dan Boroff commented that the DOT is still doing research on that and he will check on this and report back to Council.
Councilor Spencer mentioned the next Sun crest Neighborhood
Association Meeting will be on the 30th at the Suncrest Middle School. Councilor Spencer presented information to Council from the N.C. about Home Rule; observed that major Snowshoe signs were only 30' from the highway and that there seems to be no consensus in the Rawly Avenue neighborhood.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne emphasized that at the COW the Truck Issue will be on the COW for discussion. National Housing & Redevelopment Conference in Washington, D.C. recently and the CDBG money is an issue with the 25% reduction in funding. Suggested that the City Manager write a letter to our delegation for full funding of the CDBG.
City Manager Dan Boroff commented that a letter was sent two weeks ago.
Councilor Byrne requested that the City Manager check into
the City becoming an Inclusive Community through the National League of Cities.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller noted that she was pleased to do the Welcome for the Midwives Conference; mentioned that since Allegheny Power is not going to remove the debris from the lines until they do work there am suggesting everyone send notes in their electric bill asking power company to remove the trash from the lines.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella commented on the intersection of Vangilder, Protzman, Stewart & Hoffman, a study was done and would cost around $50,000 or more and would request the Traffic Commission before school starts this year to look at the Traffic flow for that intersection.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla complimented the Police Department and Fire Department on their professionalism.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane apologized for being late; saw the MHS Show Choir perform at Carnegie Hall and remarked on attending the Homeland Security Conference with Sen. Rockefeller.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice discussed the duplex fire, now eight students homeless and that property has been an ongoing problem, the law needs to be changed, and he asked the City Manager for an immediate investigation. Mayor Justice announced the Don Knotts memorial service; thanked Westover for hosting the meeting and the next topics are Public Works and Parks; gave an update on Dorsey’s Knob; mentioned right-of-way snags for Dorsey’s Knob and Hazel Ruby-McQuain Park signs; noted Cong. Mollohan reiterated to City Council and the MPO that communication lines are open; requested the Traffic Commission use the new point system for Rawly Avenue and give options; defended quality of life projects for the City; and asserted the Homeland Security Conference was well attended.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:30 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.