CORRESPONDENCE: Reported a letter from Alan Mollohan pledging support to Morgantown. He also recognized David McKinley our new local Representative. He also mentioned a letter from the Mayor of Star City regarding the intersection of Mon Blvd. and Boyers Ave. Lastly, he reported on a letter from Jerry Cochran about a pedestrian bridge crossing Deckers Creek.

Mayor Byrne then introduced the Post Master, Tommy White. Mr. White commented on his work with the City Clerk, and Margaret Smith regarding the upcoming election. City Manager Terrence Moore thanked the USPS and Postmaster White for their support in our VBM endeavors.

PUBLIC HEARING – No Public Hearings.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: No Unfinished Business.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: Motion by Spencer, second by Selin to appoint Nancy Ganz to serve on BOPARC. Motion carried by unanimous consent. Mayor Byrne thanked the community for all their service and volunteerism. He announced students in the audience and then welcomed Mrs. Ganz to her Commission.

NEW BUSINESS: No New Business.

PUBLIC PORTION:

Jim Manilla 202 Gordon Street, spoke in opposition to Council’s recent decision to place another traffic light at the intersection of Beechurst Ave. and 3^rd St. He stated that the area is already too congested and suggested that pedestrians use sidewalks for safety. He gave additional suggestions for the area and asked Council to re-think the issue.

Nelson France 222 High Street, WVU Student Government, thanked Mr. Moore and Council for attending Student Government Meetings in the past and encouraged them to continue to do so this semester and in the future. He stated he is looking forward to working with Council on behalf of the SGA in the future.

There being no more appearances Mayor Byrne then declared the Public Portion closed.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilor Spencer reported on the Homelessness Task Force and announced their monthly meetings.

CITY MANAGERS REPORT:

New Business:

1. Analysis of Impediments Contract

In 1995 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that entitlement communities- those communities that receive direct federal funding from Community Development Block Grant conduct an study of existing barriers to housing choice. The required study is referred to as the "Analysis of Impediments (AI) and is part of entitlement communities' consolidated planning process. The purpose of the AI was to examine how state and local laws and private public and non-profit sector regulations, administrative policies, procedures, and practices impacted the location, availability and accessibility of housing in a given area. The City of Morgantown needs to revise and update our Analysis of Impediments, and have requested proposals for consultants for that service. Attached you will find a contract for BBC Research and Consulting, the selected consultant to perform the Analysis of Impediments for the City. I recommend that we approve the contract and allocate $23,850 of the Community Development Block Grant funding (planning category) for this service.

Motion by Shamberger, second by Selin to approve the Analysis of Impediments Contract. Motion to suspend the rules to allow explanation carried with unanimous consent. Mr. David Bott, Community Development Director explained the requirements of the Fair Housing Act. After discussion, and continuation, the main motion carried 7-0.

CITY CLERK: City Clerk Little thanked Postmaster White for explaining the process mailing to Council, and Margaret Smith for facilitating the discussion with the USPS. She also reported that the Ballot Commissioners Vaughn Kiger and Jacques Williams will be working the election and official appointments of commissioners and poll workers will take place in February.

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT: No Report.

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane stated that citizens have been asking him questions about the Vote By Mail such as who may or may not receive a ballot and what happens if family members ballots’ share an envelope. He asked that the City Clerk’s Office check into these questions and be aware of these situations that may occur.

Councilor Gaddis: Councilor Gaddis thanked those who attended MLK Day events and reported on the Greenmont Neighborhood Association. He mentioned that some Landscapers from WVU visited his area and discussed projects they are looking forward to in the area. He also thanked Mr. Moore and Mr. Mikorski for information they provided on grants. He commented to Mr. Manilla that the DOH could not control traffic in a game day fashion on a daily basis.

Councilor Byrer: Councilor Byrer stated that the light on Beechurst and 3^rd is not fully resolved and has to be forwarded to other state entities before it is fully approved. He announced that Mr. Moore will be attending the Wiles Hill and Highland Park Neighborhood Association. He suggested that during the Vote by Mail process a citizens’ review board be established to closely monitor cost, efficiency and any problems.

Councilor Selin: Councilor Selin concurred with Councilor Byrer about the citizen review board and suggested they could help prevent problems by starting early. She then suggested that to ease traffic on Beechurst during rush hours the lights be converted to caution signals. She also mentioned her attendance at MLK Day events.

Councilor Shamberger: Councilor Shamberger also complimented the great MLK Day events Downtown. She congratulated Mrs. Ganz for her appointment to BOPARC, and thanked Ms. Little for her hard work on the Vote by Mail. She commented that if the Secretary of State’s office had concerns about this program then it would not have been implemented. She mentioned the recurrence of deer and asked that Council stay on top of the issue.

Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer also commented on the Beechurst Light, and said that the recommendation came from the Rental Housing Advisory Board. He reported that he has spoken to County Clerk Carye Blaney about the Vote by Mail, and she is very supportive of our project. He also mentioned that the poll books are being cleaned up as best they can. He addressed the issues of voter fraud. He talked about a pedestrian bridge that is needed in Greenmont that he feels would improve walkability of the area. Mr. Moore commented that budget time is the right time to address this issue. Councilor Spencer reported on a school with solar panels, to reduce energy costs. He hopes that ideas like this and other energy conserving programs can be looked into for use in Morgantown. He addressed the Home Rule Pilot Program and he recommended that the City of Morgantown pursue joining the program. He also thanked all those involved with the MLK Day celebrations.

Mayor Byrne: Mayor Byrne addressed Councilor Spencer’s comments on Home Rule and agreed that Morgantown should petition to take part in the pilot program. Discussion continued among Council about the legal issues and details of the program. Mayor Byrne discussed the MLK Day events, and then spoke about a basketball event. He announced the WV Municipal League Conference and a meeting with Mr. Moore to speak with Mr. Boroff, former Manager. He reported that Councilor Gaddis will attend the ribbon cutting of the new Biscuit World restaurant. He discussed the Beechurst traffic light and gave additional suggestions for traffic congestion during game days.

Councilor Gaddis added that the Neighborhood Coordinating Council wishes to request that 2011 be designated as “The Year of the Neighborhood, My Morgantown” to include the suggestions of neighborhoods and volunteerism; and this should be discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:45 p.m.