REGULAR MEETING MAY 16, 2006:


            The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 16, 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 regular meeting on May 2, 2006, were approved as printed.


CORRESPONDENCE: 


            Mayor Justice moved Boards and Commission under Correspondence so that appointments and Oaths could be done for the Youth Commission. City Clerk Little read the Youth Commission Recognition Certificates and then Council by acclamation approved the new members of the Youth Commission. City Clerk Little then gave the oath to new and returning members. Councilor Miller reported that on the Human Rights Commission Dr. Anna Elfenbein and T Anne Hawkins wish to continue to serve. Council approved the Human Rights Commission appointments by acclamation. Mayor Justice announced future meetings and events. Councilor Miller read the Police Week proclamation, Councilor Spencer read National Bicycle Greenway Day, Councilor Scafella read Workforce Development Professionals Month, and Mayor Justice read the Moto-Town proclamation and mentioned the roses for Councilor Miller’s and daughter’s graduation.


PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING ARTICLE 1705 OF THE BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO BUILDING PERMITS AND FEES :


            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 REPEALING AND REPLACING ARTICLE 1705 OF THE BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO BUILDING PERMITS AND FEES : The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.                   

 

            AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ARTICLE 1705 AND IN ITS PLACE ENACTING A NEW ARTICLE 1705 WITHIN THE BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, AS THE SAME APPLIES TO BUILDING PERMITS AND FEES.


            After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Scafella to adopt the above Ordinance. Minor amendments by Scafella, second by Miller, 1705.14, Item #4; omit two sentences there and change to(Painting, papering, finish flooring, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.) and change 1705.19 from $50 to $35. Motion carried 7-0. Main motion carried 7-0.


BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:


            Appointments and oaths were done during Correspondence per Mayor Justice request.

            

PUBLIC PORTION:

 

            Angela McCracken, 616 Madigan Avenue, supported re-routing trucks.

 

             Cindy O’Brien, 637 Grand Street, spoke against truck traffic on Rt. 7.

 

            Mayor Justice mentioned that the Truck Issue will be discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 27, 2006.

 

            There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.

 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

            No Reports.

 

NEW BUSINESS:


            AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF NINE PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE IN THE THIRD WARD FROM (R-3) MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO (PUD) PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT BY AMENDING ARTICLE 300 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:


            AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF NINE PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE IN THE THIRD WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FROM (R-3) MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO (PUD) PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT BY AMENDING ARTICLE 300 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN ON THE EXHIBIT HERETO ATTACHED AND DECLARED TO BE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS IF THE SAME WERE FULLY SET FORTH THEREIN.

            

            After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Manilla, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.


CITY MANAGERS REPORT:

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Item No. 1:

Attached you will find a request for $2,000 from the Mon. River Trail Conservancy to help cover the cost of equipment and advertising for the 6th annual Trail Mix Celebration to be held at Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park. This event will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2006 which is National Trails Day. Based upon the success of the event in previous years, I recommend that the request be granted.

 

            After discussion, motion by Spencer, second by Byrne, to approve the request of $2,000 to the Mon. River Trail Conservancy for the 6th annual Trail Mix Celebration on June 3, 2006. Motion carried 7-0.

 

 

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

 

            City Clerk Little gave a reminder of the pepperoni roll sale and the Career Closet fashion show.

 

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

 

            No Report.

 

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (Reverse Order):

 

Councilor Spencer:                                         Councilor Spencer mentioned recognition for Morgantown by Forbes Magazine but that Council still needs to continue this positive trend by addressing the needs of the Citizens of Morgantown. Councilor Spencer commented that Solid Waste /Garbage issue still needs improvement. Councilor Spencer noted the sidewalk on Collins Ferry and concerns of speeding.

Councilor Spencer reported that he attended a workshop on Healthcare Insurance presented by the Mon County Ministerial Association.

 

 

Councilor Byrne:                                            Councilor Byrne commented on the need for better lighting for Wall Street and Forest, requested an update on Inclusive Community and mentioned the Forbes Magazine article and Council still needs to improve on the quality of rental housing.

 

Mayor Justice commented that this has been an issue that needs addressed.

 

City Manager Boroff responded that he would check into the lighting issue and report back to Council, and also commented that the Inclusive Community information has been sent to the National League of Cities and will report back to Council on this also.

 

Councilor Miller:                                            Councilor Miller suggested better lighting all through Morgantown, commented on new building and mentioned that there may not be enough parking and that the new members on Planning Commission are still learning the process.

 

City Manager Boroff replied that the plans for the building were suggested by a consultant.

 

Councilor Miller mentioned the upcoming Evansdale Neighborhood Meeting and thanked Florence Merow for the Roses.

 

Councilor Scafella:                                         Councilor Scafella gave an update on the Wiles Hill Center and supports Council Byrne on the quality of Rental Housing and requested that this issue be discussed at the Committee of the Whole in June.

 

Councilor Manilla:                                         Councilor Manilla informed Council route changes for Mountain Line Transit beginning June 5, 2006 will make trips to the Pittsburgh Airport, and commented on the new Graffiti artist. Councilor Manilla asked about the Trees that are being taken out on High Street and why are we taking these out?

 

City Manager Boroff responded that the trees will be replaced and much more practical and economical to take them out.

 

Councilor Bane:                                             Councilor Bane received some calls on the recent Planning Commission Meeting and requested that new members on Planning Commission be educated with a training session by the City Planner.

 

Mayor Justice:                                                Mayor Justice announced future meetings and events and commented on Forbes Inc. Recognition, housing issues and requested that prior to the Committee of the Whole in June Council take a tour of Morgantown and Housing problems.

 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:04 p.m.


 

_____________________________                          __________________________________

City Clerk                                                                   Mayor



*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.