REGULAR MEETING MARCH 2, 2004:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 2, 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 February 17, 2004, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice commented on e-mails to Councilors, read the National Women's History Month proclamation, and thanked the Library Staff and Board for the Garlow House tour.
Councilor Scafella read Jim Rockis' letter about the new zoning ordinance.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
There being no Boards and Commission appointments, Mayor Justice moved to the Public Portion.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Milton Cohen, 1060 Ross Street, spoke against the TIF Resolution.
Vince Collins, Attorney for Steptoe & Johnson, noted there will be an Ordinance for bond authority.
Louis Birurakis, 435 Cobun Avenue, spoke on sewage water towards Star City.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Byrne reported on the Solid Waste Task Force recycling meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
CABLE TV STATUS REPORT: The above entitled report was presented to Council for their review and consideration by Susan Lorenze of Adelphia.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR 2004-2005: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion to amend by Spencer died for lack of a second. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE CREATING ARTICLE 760 WITHIN THE B&O CODE ADDRESSING WV WINE LICENSING FEES : The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first 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 Miller, second by Scafella, to pass the above entitled ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
A RESOLUTION THAT THE RIVERFRONT TIF DISTRICT HAS REQUESTED THE COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE OF THE CITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING OBLIGATIONS UNDER AND PURSUANT TO THE ACT, TO FINANCE A PORTION OF A PROJECT (THE "PROJECT") CONSISTING GENERALLY OF THE DESIGN, ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF A PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED FACILITIES, LOCATED WITHIN THE RIVERFRONT TIF DISTRICT. The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval:
The Rules were suspended for Vince Collins and Rich Lane to answer questions from Council. Milton Cohen was gaveled down and removed from Council Chambers. After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to pass the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 6-1. (Spencer voted NO).
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
ITEM NO. 1:
As directed by Council a number of extraordinary, special City projects have been prepared for execution this calendar year. A brief report of them is as follows:
A. Preliminary construction plans have been completed for the new $740,000 Maintenance Building Project at the Airport. Work will start April 1st and is scheduled to be completed this fall.
B. Construction of the Airport Runway Safety Area Extension will start this summer. The City anticipates $3,400,000 to be released by the FAA for the first phase of this work (the total project is estimated at $10,000,000 and may take 3 years to complete).
C. In mid March, MUB will start the utility work on Clay Street ($300,000) and this summer another $600,000 will be invested in the street scape. There may be an opportunity for an additional $400,000 to place utility lines underground. All work should be completed this year.
D. The draft Consolidated Plan for the HUD Entitlement Grant will be forwarded to City Council in mid March. A public hearing will be held at the end of March to seek additional input. In early May the Plan along with the Strategic Plan (to include proposed projects for this year starting July 1st) will be presented to City Council.
E. The City's $250,000 Street Paving Program will go to bid at the end of March and the work should be started by June.
F. $300,000 is available for the Sidewalk Program. The proposed project list for this year will be presented to Council in early April and the work will start in May.
G. The Downtown BID Committee is currently selecting a design firm for the $500,000 High Street Improvement Project. Design should be completed by early fall and the project prepared to go to bid. Construction may not start until early next spring.
H. This spring MUB will acquire right-of-ways and start installation of water lines to support the $1,200,000 upgrade of the Airport water system. Installation of the water tank and completion of the project will be early next year.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
City Clerk Little informed Council and the public of upcoming United Way fund-raiser.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
City Attorney Fanok clarified that Council is not violating the Charter with the TIF Resolution.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS :
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane mentioned safety for children during the Willowdale Project and trash problems on College Avenue and Willey Street.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla suggested publicity help for Officer Bender with trash; depicted a Police ride-along tour and proposed getting taser guns for the Police Department.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella requested that the public help keep tabs on over-occupancy in rentals; commented that the Willowdale Road Project was modified with bus traffic in mind and apologized to Councilor Spencer and discussed trust in the City Manager.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller noted trash problems on Willey Street and Campus Drive.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne gave suggestions for the next BFI meeting and amending State Law on bars; thanked Sharon Turner, Library Director, and the Library Board for the tour of the Garlow House and noted upcoming events at the Garlow House in May.
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer commented on tonight's discussion and dismay with the TIF process; clarified Mr. Birurakis' sewage problem, utility pole problems, and differences with the MPO; and addressed strategic planning for future budgets, single payer system for health insurance, and the planning legislation at the state level.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice covered Willey Street trash, Mr. Cohen's disrespect, the 2nd Alcohol Summit, and Commissioner Asel Kennedy's heart attack.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at
10:10 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.