REGULAR MEETING MARCH 1, 2005:

The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda Little, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City Attorney Steve Fanok, 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 of the regular meeting on February 15, 2005, were approved as printed.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Mayor Justice read a proclamation for Women's History Month, thanked Councilor Byrne for the post card from his trip to the Sonoran Desert and mentioned correspondence from Delegate Frich. Councilor Scafella read a letter from Connie Polovina urging Council to address the dangerous intersection where Beechurst intersects Fayette Street at the curve.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

BOPARC:

Council has requested applications for two non-voting members. Nine applications have been received by the City Clerk for review and consideration by Council. After discussion, Council by unanimous consent will interview candidates at two separate Special Meetings in April.

BOARD OF ZONING:

Robert Hawkins resigned and the City Clerk has received five new applications for review and consideration by Council. After discussion, Council by unanimous consent will interview the new candidates at a Special Meeting on March 15, 2005.

PUBLIC PORTION:

John Lambertson, 310 Wilson Avenue, requested an Ordinance be put in place banning cars parking in yards.

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

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Councilor Byrne discussed the Vision 20/20 Affordable Housing Committee and the South Hill Neighborhood Association meeting, March 28, 2005, 7pm, Marilla Center. Councilor Spencer mentioned the Evansdale Neighborhood Meetings and requested all Neighborhood Association Meetings be placed on Channel 15 and the Cities Web-Site. Councilor Scafella announced that the Wiles Hill Neighborhood Association and BOPARC Senior meeting will be on March 9^th, 2005.

NEW BUSINESS:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 168 ESTABLISHING A CITY MUSEUM COMMISSION: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN BY ADDING AN ARTICLE 168 THERETO; ESTABLISHING A CITY OF MORGANTOWN MUSEUM COMMISSION.

After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR 2005-2006: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading.

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006.

After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Byrne, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.

High Street Streetscape Design Presentation By E.G.& G: The above entitled design was presented to City Council for their approval and consideration:

After discussion and questions to Dale Garrison E.G.& G.; the Council by unanimous consent agreed to have Mr. Garrison move forward with the bidding process and report back to Council as needed.

CITY MANAGERS REPORT:

INFORMATION:

Item No. 1:

This week the City received a check for $50,000 from the Monongalia County Commission to help fund a match requirement for a $200,000 grant for the Metropolitan Theatre. The City is very appreciative of the County's support of this project and even more so of the County's partnership with the City to advance the overall quality of life in the area.

Mayor Justice requested that an update of the Metropolitan Theatre Project and Scope of work be on the next Committee of the Whole.

NEW BUSINESS:

Item No. 1:

The first attachment is a memo from the Public Works Director suggesting sidewalk projects for 2005. Based upon her comments, I recommend that the projects be approved.

SPECIAL NOTE: The engineering for the Collins Ferry Project is estimated not to exceed $12,000.

After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to approve the above sidewalk project for 2005. Motion carried 7-0.

Item No. 2:

The second attachment is also a memo from the Public Works Director reporting bid results for the Willowdale Road Traffic Calming Project. Given the priority placed on this project, I recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder Laurita Excavating, Inc., for a price of $24,207.50 (the $9,757.50 deficit can be funded from the Capitol Escrow Account).

Motion by Scafella, second by Miller to award the Willowdale Road Traffic Calming Project to Laurita Excavating for $24,207.50. Motion carried 7-0.

Item No. 3:

The third attachment is a memo from the Police Civil Service Commission approving the renaming of two ranks in the Police Department so as to be in compliance with State guidelines. I entirely agree with the merits of the issue, but the more appropriate way to effect it is to amend the City's pay and classification ordinance. As per State law, I recommend that the requested action be disapproved so it may be reconsidered in a new format in the near future.

After discussion motion by Councilor Byrne to deny above request by the Police Civil Service Commission and to amend the City's pay and classification ordinance which complies with State Law. Second by Scafella. Motion carried 7-0.

Item No. 4:

The last attachment is another memo from the Public Works Director reporting bid results for asphalt to support the City's Paving Program. I agree with her comments and recommend that the contract be awarded to Greer Asphalt Company for a price of $69,997.75.

Motion by Miller, second by Bane to award the contract for asphalt for the City's Paving Program to Greer Asphalt Company for $69,997.75. Motion carried 7-0.

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

City Clerk Linda Little commented that the Drawing of Ballot Position was done this morning at 9am in City Hall Council Chambers.

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

City Attorney Steve Fanok remarked that due to the snow this evening he had no report.

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane commented on becoming a "waiver county" for front yard parking purposes.

Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla discussed the traffic light at Prairie and University, the City Charter and the election process, and front yard parking.

Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella proposed amending the zoning ordinance against front yard parking; requested revisiting the intersection of Stewart, Protzman, Hoffman, and VanGilder; and noted the BOPARC Wiles Hill meeting has been rescheduled.

Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller announced the next Evansdale Neighborhood meeting and asked if the Charleston bus survey is ongoing.

Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne announced future meetings; commented on front yard parking regulations and grandfathering; and urged increasing the budget without increasing taxes.

Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer requested collaboration with Suncrest Neighborhood Association for Collins Ferry sidewalk planning; noted concerns with traffic signal planning for Hurley and Collins Ferry along University Avenue and the proposed speed limit for Collins Ferry; mentioned the MPO survey; asked about reviewing trash problems; urged a tour of other cities before the High Street BID planning is completed; and considered using the sidewalk ordinance to address front yard parking.

City Manager Boroff noted that trash is on the March COW agenda.

Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice advised meeting with surviving Charter Board members about the election process; replied to Councilor Spencer that the speed limit proposal was turned down and the traffic signals will come before Council; noted that the Downtown Task Force identified prospective grants and the new ABCC Commissioner will meet with the Police Chief; and mentioned the MPO survey and the updated Youth Commission Ordinance.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:28

p.m.

_____________________________ __________________________________

City Clerk Mayor

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