REGULAR
MEETING JULY 15, 2008:
The regular meeting of the Common
Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, July
15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor
Assistant City Manager
The meeting was called to order by Mayor
Justice.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on
July 1, 2008 were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE: Mayor Justice: CASA for kids wrote thank you
letter for budgeting the amendment; Kids Day Saturday 19th.
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ARTICLE 927.01 WATER RATES:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing
in the
There being no appearances or
objections, Mayor
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ARTICLE 925.01 SEWER RATES:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing
in the
Louis Scotchel, Classic’s, Sabraton:
asserted that stormwater drainage systems need updating, and rates should not
increase before these and other issues are addressed.
Don Corwin, President, Mon. Co. Property
Owner’s Association: voiced concern with monetary amount of rate increase and
level of service provided. He noted that late fees are significantly higher
than other utility companies.
There being no more appearances or
objections, Mayor
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
the building and housing code:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing
in the
Don Corwin commented in support for
the Ordinance on behalf of the Monongalia County Property Owner’s Association.
There being no more appearances or
objections, Mayor
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE granting a franchise to ntelos of west Virginia, inc. for telecommunication services:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing
in the
There being no appearances or
objections, Mayor
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ARTICLE 927.01 WATER RATES: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 927.01 OF THE MORGANTOWN CITY CODE AS THE SAME RELATES
TO SCHEDULE OF WATER RATES.
After
discussion and Councilor Spencer withdrew his amendment, motion by Selin, second by Byrer, to amend the TAP fee from
$900 to $700. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Bane, second by Byrer to amend
effective date from 8/1 to 8/29/08. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by Spencer,
second by Byrne to amend article 927.01, schedule No. 5 “delayed payment
penalty” from 10% to 3%. Motion carried 5-2, Bane and Gaddis voted NO. Motion
by Selin, second by Byrer to amend typo under schedule No. 5 under “rate” from
31/2 to 312. Motion carried 7-0. Motion carried to adopt the above
entitled Ordinance with amendments. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
ARTICLE 925.01 SEWER RATES: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 925.01 OF THE MORGANTOWN CITY CODE AS THE SAME
RELATES TO SCHEDULE OF SEWER RATES.
After discussion, motion by Bane,
second by Selin to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion by Selin, second
by Byrer, to amend the TAP fee from $900 to $700. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by
Spencer, second by Byrer to amend the delayed payment penalty from 10% to 3%.
Motion carried 5-2, Gaddis and Bane voted NO. Motion by Bane second, by Byrer
to amend the effective date from 8/1 to 8/29/08. Motion carried 7-0. Motion by
carried to adopt the above entitled Ordinance with amendments. Motion carried
7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING the building and housing code: The below entitled Ordinance was
presented for second reading:
AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING section 1751.04 of
the building and housing code of the City of Morgantown by adding a new
subsection 1751.04 (h) thereto, addressing occupancy and use of exterior,
roofed areas of structures.
Motion by Bane, second by Byrne to
adopt the above entitled Ordinance.
Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE granting a franchise to ntelos of west
Virginia, inc. for telecommunication
services: The below entitled Ordinance was
presented for second reading:
AN
ORDINANCE granting a non-exclusive
telephone franchise to ntelos of west Virginia, inc. for the use of the streets
and other public rights of way of the City of Morgantown, west Virginia, for
the purpose of constructing, installing and maintaining network facilities for
telecommunication services within the city of Morgantown.
Motion
by Spencer, second by Byrne to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: The following reappointments were made by acclamation:
Pamela Ball to the Museum Commission and Kim Mosby to the Morgantown Housing
Authority.
NEW BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE amending
the FY 2008-2009 annual budget coal severance fund: The below
entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE amending the FY 2008-2009 annual budget of the city of Morgantown
as shown in the revised budget hereto attached and made a part of this
ordinance as the same applies to the coal severance fund.
Motion
by Bane, second by Byrne to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading.
Motion carried 7-0.
an
ordinance amending the FY 2008-2009 annual budget general fund: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
an ordinance amending the FY
2008-2009 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.
Motion
by Byrne, second by Byrer to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second
reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO DEED PARCELS TO THE MORGANTOWN BUILDING
COMMISSON: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for
first reading:
AN
ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO DEED PARCELS 540, 543, 544, AND
545.1, APPEARING ON MONONGALIA COUNTY TAX MAP 20 AND DESIGNATED BY MONONGALIA
COUNTY AS BEING IN THE FIFTH WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, TO THE MORGANTOWN
BUILDING COMMISSON.
After
discussion, motion by Spencer, second by Byrne to pass the above entitled
Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
A RESOLUTION
TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER PURSUANT TO WV CODE TO INCREASE IT’S CORPORATE
LIMIT BY MAKING A MINOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT TO INCLUDE A PARCEL OF
APPROXIMATELY 0.38 ACRES OF REALTY OWNED BY METRO RENTALS, LLC. The above entitled Resolution was presented for approval.
After explanation from Mr. Boroff, motion
by Byrne, second by Spencer to approve the above entitled Resolution. Motion
carried 7-0.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Don Corwin,
Grafton Road, and Halleck Area Community: thanked Council for support in fighting
high voltage power line which would impede on residents’ private property.
Ed Cabbell,
352 Demain Avenue: voiced concern for senior citizens whose homes need
improvement and do not have the means to do so.
Louis
Scotchel, owner, Classics Restaurant, Sabraton: requested attention be given to
the
There being no more appearances, Mayor
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1: Attached you will find a letter from
Michael L. Castle Jr., President of the Phoenix Group, making a very generous
offer to City Employees wishing to participate in the Employee Home Assistance
Program. As you will read, the letter offers $5,000 in assistance to program
participants that purchase a new Phoenix Group constructed home within
Morgantown. Although the City cannot endorse or support their offer, it does
appreciate the sentiment to help City Employees acquire residences in
Morgantown.
Item No. 2: The City has received a copy of a
Public Service Commission Order dated June 25, 2008, increasing the fuel
surcharge for trash collection from 7.43% to 10.77%. For City of Morgantown
residential customers, this means that the monthly collection fee will increase
from $14.08 to $14.90. The surcharge is effective July 1, 2008 through December
31, 2008.
New Business:
Item No. 1: The City of Morgantown is very pleased
to be one of the Host Cities for the West Virginia Municipal League Mid Summer
Conference to be held August 14 through August 16, 2008 at the Waterfront
Hotel. To assure the success of the conference, the League has requested the
assistance of the Host Cities in financing part of the programming. Toward this
end, I recommend the City contribute $1,000 to the League for this important
Conference.
Motion
by Selin, second by Bane to approve the contribution to the West Virginia
Municipal League Conference. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 2:
The second attachment is a letter from Ronald McDonald House Charities
requesting that a festival permit be approved in support of a fund raiser to be
held at Archie’s during the WV Mountainfest Motorcycle Rally to be held July 24
through July 27, 2008. Based upon the past success of this event, I recommend
that the request be approved.
Motion by
Bane, second by Byrer to approve the festival permit for the Ronald McDonald
House Charities Fund raiser. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT: City Clerk
Little reminded Council of the upcoming Municipal League Conference.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT: No report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (ROLL REVERSE):
Councilor Spencer Councilor
Spencer began by assuring Mr. Scotchel that the City is aware of the problems
and stormwater issues in Sabraton, and they will be addressed in due time as
they are scheduled to be. Based on an article in the Dominion Post about
Morgantown’s population growth, Councilor Spencer added his own suggestions for
the City’s infrastructure. He cited traffic issues, sidewalk improvements, and
safety. He then shared a letter with Council from a citizen regarding their
feelings about the City spending on transportation. He agreed, noting an
emphasis is needed on mass transit. He requested an update from Mr. Boroff on
the Rail Trail Project.
Mr. Boroff responded
that research is being done through BOPARC to determine the markings that are
needed to keep trail users on the right pathways. When that is completed, the
markings will be put into place by the City Street Department.
Councilor
Spencer concluded by announcing the Suncrest Neighborhood Association’s picnic
at Krepp’s Park on the 24th at 5:30 and the Neighborhood watch event
taking place on August 5th at the Wiles Hill Community Center from
6-8.
Councilor Byrne Councilor
Byrne informed the citizens that with regard to Mr. Cabbell’s comments, the
Morgantown Housing Authority is available to help individuals in that
situation. He also responded to the Sabraton sewer complaints, stating it is in
line to be improved, and he does agree that more needs to be done to beautify
Sabraton.
Mayor
Justice interjected that Sabraton could form a Business Improvement District
similar to that of Downtown’s. Councilor Byrne continued by thanking Mr. Boroff
for addressing a flooding issue reported on Dug Hill Road.
Councilor Selin Councilor
Selin spoke about traffic calming and suggested Council devise a plan for each
neighborhood’s major thoroughfares in the event that funding for such projects
can be made available. She suggested brainstorming about minor solutions that
can be enacted quickly in the event funds cannot be provided. She reminded all
about Kid’s Day, Downtown 7/19 and the Don Knott’s festival this weekend, and
the Suncrest Neighborhood picnic on 7/24. She spoke of celebrity stars in the
sidewalk in front of the Met Theatre and suggested worthy recipients. She also
mentioned the bicycle drawing at Kid’s Day to encourage physical activity in
youths.
Councilor Byrer Councilor Byrer
announced that his neighborhood is hosting a Visioning workshop on 7/22 for
community planning, featuring pictures of the area’s aspects. He asked that
there be traffic calming or added enforcement on Willowdale due to the increase
in traffic from new housing developments. Councilor Byrer asked that MUB start
working with the neighborhoods to address chronic stormwater drainage problems.
He cited Morgan Alley and the Wiles Hill Senior Center specifically which need
attention.
Councilor
Selin interjected on behalf of MUB, stating they have representatives available
upon request who will attend Neighborhood meetings, discuss concerns with
citizens and provide a forum for communication. Councilor Byrer continued by
informing Mr. Boroff of a traffic sign that has fallen down on Highland Alley.
He suggested the use of Segway vehicles for use downtown by police as a better
way of transport than a bike. He asked if City buildings were smoke free and
was told, yes. He informed of a Silver Alert police program that tracks senior
citizens with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Councilor
Byrer asked Mr. Boroff what the status is on traffic improvements since the
defeat of the Mon Service Fee for roads, expressing concern for the imminent
return of 30,000 students next month. Mr. Boroff replied briefly that plans
were devised and forwarded to the MPO, and he is not sure what stage they are
at with the plans. Mayor Justice concurred and discussion about the MPO and the
traffic solutions continued. Councilor Byrer asked the status of the Downtown Service
Fee. Mr. Boroff replied that Council has encouraged it to the next stage of the
planning process and he will report back when further progress is made.
Councilor Byrer commented on Kid’s Day activities. He stated he was impressed
with the improvements made by Mon General Hospital and encouraged other
Councilpersons to see for themselves. Lastly, he mentioned the importance of
increasing voter turn out and the great cost of the elections with 1% voter
turnout.
Councilor Gaddis Councilor
Gaddis thanked Mr. Scotchel for his comments on Sabraton and concurred with him
on the suggestions for beautification. He volunteered himself to help in the
initiative; stating that the area is indeed ready for change.
Councilor Bane Councilor Bane
cautioned Council to be careful in their considerations for the TIF district in
Sunnyside. He asked them to make their own opinions, do research and read the
TIF agreement thoroughly so that a sound decision can be made.
Mayor
Councilor
Byrer and Councilor Selin agreed with Mayor Justice on the immense talent
possessed by the players in the basketball tournament.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by
unanimous consent at 9:00 pm.
__________________________________ ________________________________________
City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL
TRANSCRIPT OF ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN
CITY LIBRARY.