REGULAR
MEETING APRIL 1, 2008:
The regular meeting of the Common
Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday,
PRESENT: Mayor
Assistant City Manager
The meeting was called to order by the
Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on March
18th, 2008 were approved as printed with requests for modification
by Councilors Byrne and Spencer.
CORRESPONDENCE: Proclamation: Organ Donor Awareness.
Councilor Bane mentioned a web site with information about Morgantown for new
residents written by Citizens: www.1stwardintown.blogspot.com.
Councilor Manilla read an update on
behalf of
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: By acclamation Pat Esposito was reappointed to
Building Code Appeals Board, and Bill Mayer was appointed to the Parking
Authority.
NEW BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO
DEED A PARCEL OF REALTY TO THE BUILDING COMMISSION. The below
entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO DEED A PARCEL OF REALTY, SHOWN ON
MONONGALIA COUNTY TAX MAP 20 AS PARCEL 400, TO THE MORGANTOWN BUILDING
COMMISSION.
Motion
by Byrne, second by Manilla to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second
reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TABLE
1365.04.01 OF THE PLANNING & ZONING CODE: The below entitled
Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TABLE
1365.04.01 “MINIMUM” OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS OF THE PLANNING &
ZONING CODE AS IT RELATES TO MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR “LODGING OR ROOMING” USES.
Motion
by Manilla, second by Spencer to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second
reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
ZONING RECLASSIFICATION OF A PARCEL OF REAL ESTATE BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1331:
The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
ZONING RECLASSIFICATION OF A PARCEL OF REAL ESTATE IN THE SIXTH WARD OF THE
CITY OF MORGANTOWN FROM R-1A, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO R-3
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1331 OF THE PLANNING
& ZONING CODE 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 WAS FULLY
SET FORTH THEREIN.
After
discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Byrer to table the above entitled Ordinance.
Motion carried 7-0.
A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY OF
MORGANTOWN URGES ITS STATE AND LOCAL AFFILIATES AND PARTNERS TO JOIN IN THE
WEST VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO SECONDHAND SMOKE IN PUBLIC PLACES
IN THE WORKPLACE. The above entitled Resolution was presented for approval:
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Selin to pass the
above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 6-1. Councilor Manilla voted NO.
PUBLIC PORTION: As requested by Councilor Manilla,
City Manager
Gene Perelli,
Djordje Medan, 208 Dewey Street: Thanked
Council for moving to table the Ordinance, as he felt there were
inconsistencies in the Planning Commission Review which he hopes can be worked
out in the coming month.
Simone O’Hara,
515 Clark Street: Reminded Council why the neighborhood was zoned as R-1 in the
first place, and asked that when Council rezones R-1 areas, the effects and
consequences be carefully considered. She stated that she felt trees and
traffic would be negatively impacted with the proposed development, as she
feels Morgantown is already too densely populated.
Marcheta
Maupin, 57 Manville Street: Spoke of the good character of the Greenmont Neighborhood
and stated that its issues are being corrected. She mentioned that the
Neighborhood Association was recently created for the betterment of the area
and its timing with the Ordinance at hand was a happy coincidence.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilor Byrne gave an update on Sunnyside-Up.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
NEW BUSINESS:
Item
No. 1:
Attached you will find a memo from the Public Works
Director reporting bid results for the 2008 Street Paving Program. I agree with her comments and recommend that
the contract be awarded to the low bidder Dodd General Contractors Corp. for a
cost of $164,512.72. Special Note: This
contract taken with the asphalt contract totals $386,627 ($400,000 is budgeted
for the project).
Motion
by Bane, second by Manilla to approve the Street Paving bid. Motion carried
7-0.
Item No. 2:
The second attachment is a request from the Airport
Director asking that $22,700 be made available to construct two new offices on
the ground floor of the Terminal to house the MPO and County Planning
Office. Based upon the merits of the
project, I recommend that the Capital Escrow Account loan the funds necessary
to the Airport to effect the project.
After
discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Bane to approve the funds for the
Municipal Airport. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 3:
The last attachment is another memo
from the Public Works Director reporting bid results for the Lower Walnut
Street construction contract. I agree
with her conclusion and recommend that the contract be awarded to the low
bidder Tony Baiano Construction Co. for a total cost of $345,900. Special Note: Total project costs will be
approximately $440,000 with design engineering costs, relocation of utilities,
and purchase of light posts (separate contracts)–funds available in the River
Front TIF account.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Byrne to
approve the contract bid. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT: None.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT: Clarified to Council the appropriate procedure for
tabling and voting on the rezoning Ordinance previously discussed, after the 30
day period.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Bane Councilor Bane expressed
his gratitude for MUB recently fixing storm drops. He mentioned a gravel road
that residents have to replenish and grade themselves. Councilor Bane also asked
for clarification on Sunnyside Up. City Manager
Councilor Manilla Councilor
Manilla praised the efforts of Jim Hunt, and said he has faith in the direction
that Sunnyside Up is going. He suggested having talks with WVU to solve the
parking issues that the day care center may create. Councilor Manilla also
mentioned there is a possibility that the other side of Krepps Park may be
developed and suggests this area be preserved as a green space.
Councilor Byrer Councilor Byrer encouraged
Hoffman Avenue residents to attend the upcoming Traffic Commission meeting to
express their concerns over parking issues. He informed Council that he has
issued a request to MUB to fix a drainage pipe that has collapsed near Highland
and Virginia Avenue alleys, as it presents a safety hazard. Councilor Byrer
concluded by reminding everyone to join the seniors at the
Councilor Selin Councilor Selin told
Council that residents in the Suncrest Neighborhood Association are frustrated
with the traffic and parking situations developing with the day care center.
She suggested that the empty houses in the Greenmont Neighborhood be addressed.
She mentioned that the Façade Program which was successful in the Sunnyside
area could possibly be implemented there for aesthetic improvement of the area.
Councilor Selin said that she was concerned for the amount of turn over time
that landlords could get between college tenants with the current Fire Codes
and suggested that the paperwork be waived for time’s sake. She felt the forms
should apply to spray paint and carpet in common areas. She stated her hopes
for finding and implementing a short term solution, before a long term solution
can be presented to the public. Lastly, she reminded interested parties to see
the Year of the Child Website for more information on upcoming activities.
Councilor Byrne Councilor Byrne attended
the Greenmont and South Hills Neighborhood Association Meetings, both of which
have improved due to the Association. He expressed his concerns for Greenmont
having the potential to become another Sunnyside and stated that better Code
Enforcement is the key to preventing other Sunnyside like situations from
arising in the City. Councilor Byrne then suggested that some of the dilapidated
housing be demolished leaving empty lots instead of ugly houses. Any future
building or development could reimburse the City for the demolition at a later
date. He asked that the streets in Greenmont be swept and cleaned and a plan be
put into place. He informed Council of more potholes in S. Hills and Augusta;
and of the vision impairing shrubbery. He concluded by addressing the Façade program,
concurring with Councilor Selin. He added that the program is available as a
loan or a grant on a sliding scale of income and is available City-wide. He
asked that interested parties contact John Martys for more information.
Councilor Spencer Councilor
Spencer expressed his gratitude for many of the potholes being fixed and asked
that better preparation is made for next winter to avoid such severe potholes
next year. He encouraged the City to inform the DOH of remaining potholes that
they may fix for us, mainly ones Downtown. Councilor Spencer suggested that the
unoccupied properties in Greenmont become green spaces or parks, and this would
increase the value of properties and the surrounding area. He concluded by
announcing the Suncrest Neighborhood Association Meeting has been rescheduled
for the end of
Mayor Justice Mayor Justice said
the South Hills Neighborhood Association Meeting was a good and positive
experience. He announced the Woodburn Neighborhood Association Meeting will be
Monday at 7pm. He stated that the traffic and day care issues would have arisen
with or without Krepps Park being there and encouraged the Traffic Commission
to take initiative in helping to fix the problem. Lastly, he addressed the
members of the Youth Commission who were present. He re-assured them about the
changes taking place with the GMAYC concerning Council and BOPARC.
Executive Session: Motion by Manilla, second by Bane, Council
went into Executive Session Pursuant to Section 69A-4, at 8:50pm to discuss
personnel matters. Present were Mayor Justice, Council Members, City Manager
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by
unanimous consent at 9:25pm.
__________________________________ ________________________________________
City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL
TRANSCRIPT OF ALL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN
CITY LIBRARY.