REGULAR MEETING MARCH 16, 2004:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. 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 from the regular meeting on March 2, 2004, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice delivered the BPW proclamation at the Pines and passed e-mails to the City Manager.
PUBLIC HEARING-ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Justice called for a public hearing on the above referenced Ordinance.
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, objected to two items in the budget.
Louis Birurakis, 435 Cobun Avenue, requested a budget appropriation for a sewer problem.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this hearing closed.
PUBLIC HEARING -ORDINANCE CREATING ARTICLE 760 WITHIN THE BUSINESS AND TAXATION CODE, ADDRESSING WEST VIRGINIA WINE RETAILER'S LICENSING 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 hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Miller, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE CREATING ARTICLE 760 WITHIN THE BUSINESS AND TAXATION CODE ADDRESSING WEST VIRGINIA WINE RETAILER'S LICENSING AND FEES: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE CREATING AN ARTICLE 760 WITHIN THE BUSINESS AND TAXATION CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN ADDRESSING WEST VIRGINIA WINE RETAILER'S LICENSING AND FEES.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Scafella, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, Ron Eck was reappointed to the BOCA Board.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Louis Birurakis, 435 Cobun Avenue, presented maps and spoke of sewer line problems.
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, spoke against six grant resolutions.
James Guiliani, 256 Prairie Avenue, addressed the demolition of the Morgantown Market building.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared the Public Portion closed.
By request of the Mayor, City Manager Boroff responded to all three issues and Council discussed problems with historical buildings. The rules were suspended to allow Mr. Guiliani to answer questions.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Spencer asked when Sunnyside Up meetings will be, Councilor Byrne reported on Sunnyside Up progress and Mayor Justice noted the Solid Waste law did pass in the legislature.
NEW BUSINESS:
There being no New Business, Mayor Justice moved to the City Manager's Report.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM NO. 1:
Attached you will find the proposed sidewalk project list for this construction season. I agree with the Public Works Director's comments and recommend that the list be authorized.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to approve the sidewalk project list. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 2:
As per State law the City is required to appoint a three to five member review committee to recommend a design engineer firm for the work funded with the $13,900,000 State Economic Development Grant. To review proposals to design the West Virginia Public Theater, the Marina, and area infrastructure I recommend that Council appoint Ron Iannone, Rich Lane, Jeff Mikorski, Terry Hough, and Nancy LaRoque to the Committee (the latter is the coach for the WVU Women's Crew Team-storage facilities will be part of the Marina).
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to approve the recommended committee. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 3:
The second attachment reports the bid result for a Personnel Ramp to serve commercial flights at the Airport (safer than aircraft steps and facilitates ADA-FAA funded). Given the nature of this specialized piece of equipment, I recommend that the contract be awarded to the sole bidder Keith Consolidated Equipment for a price of $19,250.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Bane, to award the Personnel Ramp contract to Keith Consolidated Equipment. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (Role Reversal):
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer commented on neighborhood speeding and the TIF process; requested a report on trash policing and a list of March COW topics; and wondered if the State Land Use Bill impacts our proposed zoning ordinance.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne mentioned Senate Bill 454 (Land Use), WVML, and "Jambie's" citation powers; asked about the sewer pipe problem and invited Spencer to Solid Waste Umbrella Group meetings.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller noted that "Jambie" can write tickets, the planning bill took years, stop signs are being run, read a Charleston Sunday Gazette article about a 1903 concert, and covered the next public meeting for the proposed zoning ordinance.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella thanked Mr. Guiliani noted that every Council meeting is a public meeting and commented on a 1950's Sabraton traffic jam picture.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla spoke of vandalism in lower South Park.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane commented on the sewer problem, noted parking concerns with McQuain Park development and the Morgantown Market is from the pre-Civil War era.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice clarified WVML representation on issues, noted Misty Phillips has left the Dominion Post and the next MPO meeting, and remarked the BOPARC Annual Report is a great piece of information.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at
9:30 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.