REGULAR MEETING APRIL 4, 2006:


            The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, at 7:30 P.M.

             

PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda Little, City Attorney Steve Fanok, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mikorski, 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 special meeting & regular meeting on March 21, 2006, were approved as printed.


CORRESPONDENCE: 


            Mayor Justice announced the WVU Women’s Softball Team will be hosting a National Tournament; read and presented proclamations for West Virginia State Honor Bands. Councilor Miller read an Autism Awareness Week proclamation. Councilor Scafella read Reggie Spencer’s letter about Wiles Hill School and a furniture donation.


PUBLIC HEARING-A BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ITS COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2006 A:


            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 public hearing closed.


UNFINISHED BUSINESS:


            A BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ITS COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2006 A: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for third reading.


            A BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF ITS COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2006 A (WEST VIRGINIA SRF PROGRAM) (THE “BONDS”) TO: (i) PAY A PORTION OF THE COSTS OF ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONS, IMPROVEMENTS AND BETTERMENTS OF THE SEWERAGE PORTION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC COMBINED WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE FACILITIES OF THE CITY (THE “PROJECT”); AND (ii) PAY CERTAIN COSTS OF ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS.

                        

            Motion by Scafella, second by Bane, to adopt the above Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.


BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:


            By acclamation, Chris Gluck, Roy Nutter, Ken Martis, and Don Spencer were reappointed to the Traffic Commission.

PUBLIC PORTION:

 

            Bertha Modzik, 1557 Folger Avenue, asserted that Folger Avenue is in the wrong place.

 

            Andrew Modzik, 1557 Folger Avenue, read David Straface’s letter and urged resolving the situation.

 

            City Manager Boroff will research the issue again. 

 

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

 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

            Councilor Miller spoke of the Design Review Committee meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:


            CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ADVISORY BOARD: The above entitled Resolution was presented for approval:

 

            After discussion, motion by Spencer, second by Scafella, to approve the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

 

CITY MANAGERS REPORT:


NEW BUSINESS:


Item No. 1:

Attached you will find a memo from the Finance Director reporting request for proposal results for the City’s liability and property insurance coverage. As per her comments, I recommend that the contract be awarded to Acordia of West Virginia for a cost of $325,857 (saving the City $110,000 in the new year as per budgets recently adopted). The principal reasons for this significant savings are recent changes in State law, and much more so, the excellent claims history the City has experienced in the last several years.


            After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Scafella, that Acordia of West Virginia be awarded the liability and property insurance contract at a cost of $325,857. Motion carried 7-0.

 

Item No. 2:

The second attachment is a letter from the West Virginia University Student Government Association presenting an excellent opportunity to construct a much needed sidewalk on Willowdale Road. With a $37,000 match from the City of Morgantown, this $445,238 project will be realized. The project also once again demonstrates the practical benefits of local governments and institutions working together to effect projects that otherwise would not happen (Monongalia County Commission, WVU, WVU Student Government, and the City of Morgantown). Based upon these considerations, I recommend that the request be approved and especially congratulate the West Virginia University Student Government Association for their imagination and initiative in making this project possible.


            Motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to allocate a $37,000 match for the sidewalk project on Willowdale. Motion carried 7-0.

Item No. 3:

 As discussed at the Committee of the Whole, a minor land slide has closed a portion of Koontz Avenue. To assure that the street is reopened as soon as possible, I recommend that $20,000 be allocated from the Capital Escrow Account to stabilize the slope that supports the road (Public Works Director Memo attached).


            Motion by Manilla, second by Spencer, to allocate $20,000 to the Koontz Avenue project. Motion carried 7-0.


Item No. 4:

The City has received a request from the Bartlett House for $15,000 to continue its program contending with public intoxication. Given the merits of this program and the assistance rendered to the Police Department, I recommend that the request be granted (letter also attached).


            Motion by Bane, second by Scafella, that $15,000 for the program at Bartlett House to be approved. Motion carried 7-0.


Item No. 5:

The last attachment is a memo from the Police Chief reporting an opportunity to join with other local government agencies to acquire a mobile command post for emergencies, disasters, and large events. The City’s share of the project cost would be $7,000. Given the merits of the proposal, I recommend that it be funded.


            After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Spencer, that $7,000 is given for the mobile command post. Motion carried 7-0.

 

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

 

            No Report.

 

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

 

            No Report.

 

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (reverse order):

 

Councilor Spencer:                                         Councilor Spencer asked for progress on McQuain Park entrance; discussed Willowdale sidewalk and sidewalk policy; kudos to WVU for Brooks Hall renovation; expounded on NLC issues; requested Pandemic Flu planning progress report within the next 6 months; mentioned the Suncrest NHA and the Farmers’ Market.

 

Councilor Byrne:                                            Councilor Byrne requested an Inclusive Community Program update; gave a reminder of the J. R. Clifford & Carrie Williams Case Re-enactment; and he reported on the South Hills Association meeting and their concerns.

 

City Manager Boroff reported that Inclusive Community will be on the April COW agenda and a Resolution prepared for the April 18th Regular Meeting.

 

Councilor Miller:                                            Councilor Miller inquired about tickets to the J.R. Clifford Case and complimented Councilor Scafella and the Committee on a job well done on the Wiles Hill School Community Center.

 

Councilor Scafella:                                         Councilor Scafella asked about a time-line for design and start of work for the park entranceway; noted that Willowdale has a continuous sidewalk on one side; reported work continues on the Wiles Hill Community Center and will update the progress; suggested the solid waste advisory committee look at garbage in high density areas; and reiterated kudos to WVU for Brooks Hall renovation.

 

Councilor Manilla:                                         No Report.

 

Councilor Bane:                                             Councilor Bane announced that Mike Roh, University High, received the Outstanding Teachers Award; suggested invitees to the COW for the Pandemic Report; commented on garbage pick-up that property owners need to help change behavior.

 

Mayor Justice:                                                Mayor Justice commented the DOH is in the process of cleaning up the limestone from the snows; he encouraged everyone at the South Hills meeting to use the Wiles Hill Community Center and check out the web-site; discussed the Citizens’ Survey and the State Arts Association Conference; commendations to Marchetta Maupin and Officer Lantz for community relations at the South Hills meeting and gave a reminder of the River Summit.


                                                                        City Manager Boroff asserted the survey will be later this year.

 

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:50 p.m.


 

_____________________________                          __________________________________

City Clerk                                                                   Mayor



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