REGULAR MEETING MARCH 19, 2002:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 19, 2002, at 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Assistant to the City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City Attorney Steve Fanok and Councilmembers Ron Bane, Jim Manilla, Teresa Miller, Ron Justice, Bill Byrne, Florence Merow.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on March 5, 2002, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Fire Fighter Jimmy Lipscomb was sworn in as Fire Fighter First Class by City Clerk Linda Little.
Mayor Scafella and Chief David Fetty presented plaques to Fire Captain Dave Bean on his retirement.
Mayor Scafella presented a key to the City to the Cultural Mayor of Bamberg, Germany, Werner Hipelius, representing members of a cultural exchange program with WVU. Jurgen Schlunk and Peggy McKowen also spoke about the cultural exchange program.
Councilor Merow read, into the record, a letter which endorses the First Things First, which is part of the 2020 Transportation Plan (Exhibit A) from the League of Women Voters.
PUBLIC HEARING-CITY OF MORGANTOWN BUDGET 2002-2003:
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Scafella called for a public hearing on the above referenced Ordinance.
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Scafella declared this hearing closed.
PUBLIC HEARING-AMENDATORY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE DEFINITION OF "THE PROJECT":
Pursuant to a legal notice appearing in the Dominion Post, Mayor Scafella called for a public hearing on the above referenced Ordinance.
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Scafella declared this hearing closed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002-2003.
After discussion, motion by Merow, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
A SECOND AMENDATORY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE DEFINITION OF "THE PROJECT": The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
A SECOND AMENDATORY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE DEFINITION OF "THE PROJECT" AS SAID TERM IS DESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THE COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2000 A (WEST VIRGINIA SRF PROGRAM):, AND COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2000B (WEST VIRGINIA INFRASTRUCTURE FUND), OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, AS PREVIOUSLY AMENDED BY AN AMENDATORY ORDINANCE ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY ON APRIL 3, 2001.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Justice, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Motion by Justice, second by Byrne to reappoint Ron Eck to serve another term as the 7th Ward appointment on the Traffic Commission. Motion carried by acclamation.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Jim Gaston, 720 Powell Avenue, commented on the League of Women Voters' letter, Beechurst Avenue sidewalks, and lights being out on Monongahela Boulevard.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Bane clarified attempts for a Sports Ethics Code for next year.
Councilors Merow and Bane spoke on designing an application for agency requests which will be on the COW agenda.
Councilor Byrne noted the Sabraton Businesses meeting had a presentation by the DOH and the next meeting will be April 11.
Mayor Scafella reported that COMM/PACT met and put several projects on its agenda.
NEW BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING MORGANTOWN POLICE OFFICERS SERVING AS PREVENTION/RETENTION OFFICERS: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AND THE MONONGALIA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AS THE SAME APPLIES TO MORGANTOWN POLICE OFFICERS SERVING AS PREVENTION/RETENTION OFFICERS WITHIN THE LOCAL SYSTEM.
After discussion, motion by Merow, second by Miller, to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION THAT THE WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS AGREES TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING MONONGALIA COUNTY ROUTE 68/7 FROM MP.0.00 AT COUNTY ROUTE 7/40 TO MP.0.25 AT THE MORGANTOWN CORPORATION LINE : The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval:
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to adopt the above entitled resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM NO. 1:
The first attachment reports bid results to implement the computer networking project at City Hall. I concur with the comments made and recommend that the equipment be purchased from the low bidders as follows:
After discussion, motion by Bryne, second by Miller, to award the bid to Premier Computer Services, and Computer Companion to implement the computer networking project at City Hall. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 2:
The second attachment reports the results of a request for proposals to provide aviation fuel to the Airport. To be noted about the results are that they show a complex blend of equipment, services, fees, safety issues, as well as, the cost of the fuel [and even that is not an absolute number but rather the product of a formula mitigating fluctuations in daily prices]. Based upon these considerations and particularly the one proposal that does hold delivery costs to $.04 per gallon for a 3 year period and refueller lease rates, I concur with the Airport Director's memo and recommend that the contract be awarded to Exxon Mobile.
Motion by Byrne, second by Merow, to award the contract to Exxon Mobile to provide aviation fuel to the Municipal Airport. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
STAFF ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS : (reverse order)
Councilor Merow: Councilor Merow noted the State census figures and that Beechurst sidewalks are in good condition. Councilor Merow commented that Boulevard lights are out again and an illegal dump is on Mclane Avenue. Councilor Merow clarified that the County Commission endorsed the First Things First plan.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne reported that Jeff Brown of BFI will work with the City and students over spring break to clean up trash. Councilor Byrne commented on the DOH letter re Beechurst and that the League of Women Voters endorsement letter is dead wrong.
Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice requested a text change to put beauty salons in PRO zoning and proposed that the City provide labor for curb cuts with the property owner paying for materials. Councilor Justice noted esthetic issues on Louise, Cayton and Monongalia and listed upcoming meetings.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller agreed with Mr. Gaston's request to fix the lights on Mon Boulevard and asked for a week to be set aside for people to spring clean their property.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla noted interns are gathering information from other college communities about trash and hope to have a report in April. Councilor Manilla suggested going to the BFI regional office with trash problems. Councilor Manilla asked for a Sabraton exit I-68 sign for the airport and mentioned the joint elected officials meeting for land use policy. Councilor Manilla asked for information on the Mingo County land use policy.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane invited Council to the MHS Civil War re-enactment on May 13 and requested the Fire Chief come to the COW for hard wired smoke detectors. Councilor Bane commended the City Manager for setting up the joint meeting on the 28th and hopes the Planning Commission looks at the PRO zoning issue.
Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella asked if new lights could be part of the bike lane project.
City Manager Dan Boroff stated that would have to be a separate grant.
Mayor Scafella clarified that the ICC codes (hard wiring) were not adopted by the Legislature and requested copies of the NFPA code. Mayor Scafella noted the ugliest place on Beechurst is coming up to be replaced with new sidewalk.
Councilor Merow asked why couldn't grass be replanted in the sidewalk islands and Mayor Scafella stated that MUB had replaced a line and removed the dirt and sod.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Councilor Byrne motioned to go into executive session, second by Justice, pursuant to Section 6-9A-4-2 of the West Virginia Code in order to discuss personnel matters with the following persons present: Mayor Frank Scafella, Councilmembers and City Manager: Time 8:55 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: At 10:50 p.m. Council went back into Regular Session and there being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent.
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City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.