REGULAR MEETING MAY 1, 2001:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 17, 2001, at 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Staff Attorney Steve Fanok and Councilmembers Frank Salucci, Greg Good, Teresa Miller, Ronald Justice, Bill Byrne, Betty McClain, and Jeff Mikorski, Assistant to the City Manager.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on April 17, 2001, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Scafella read a proclamation recognizing April 29 through May 5, 2001, as Municipal Clerks' Week and further extended appreciation to our Municipal Clerk, and to all Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their exemplary dedication to the communities they represent.
Mayor Scafella then read a proclamation that May 13-19, 2001, be observed as National Historic Preservation Week and called upon the people of Morgantown to join their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance.
Mayor Scafella read a letter from Daniel Barbero of 672 Kenwood Place, 11 years old, using private sanitation service, not BFI. The City Manager explained that this area was annexed after BFI became the city's agent and private companies have the right to continue their service.
Mayor Scafella read a letter from Robyn Hess, PR/Communications Consultant for Main Street Morgantown, inviting Council to the West Virginia Birthday Party Celebration on June 23 from 11a.m. to 6p.m.
Mayor Scafella read a letter from McCoy 6 Apartments regarding the use of Beechurst Avenue and Jerry West Blvd. for mail delivery as the Post Office will not deliver mail to Jerry West Blvd. The City Manager responded that Jerry West Blvd. is a ceremonial name only not a change in mailing addresses.
PUBLIC HEARING-ANNULLING AN 8 FOOT WIDE RIGHT OF WAY IN THE CRESTHOLM ADDITION:
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-LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:
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:
ANNULLING AN 8 FOOT WIDE RIGHT OF WAY IN THE CRESTHOLM ADDITION : The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE VACATING, ABANDONING AND ANNULLING AN EIGHT FOOT WIDE UNNAMED RIGHT-OF-WAY EXTENDING FROM SOUTH WALNUT STREET FOR A DISTANCE OF ONE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT AND ONE HALF FEET BETWEEN LOTS 6 AND 7 OF THE CRESTHOLM ADDITION, AND A TWO HUNDRED SIX FOOT LONG PORTION OF A FOURTEEN-FOOT NINE INCH WIDE UNNAMED RIGHT-OF-WAY ABUTTING AT THE REAR OF LOTS 3, 4,5,6,7, AND 8 OF THE CRESTHOLM ADDITION, INCLUDING THE WIDTH OF THE EIGHT FOOT WIDE RIGHT OF WAY HEREIN BEING ANNULLED, IN THE SECOND WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, NOT USED NOR USEFUL FOR STREET PURPOSES.
Motion by Good, second by Salucci, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried
7-0.
APPROVING A LEASE BETWEEN THE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A LEASE BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LESSEE, AS THE SAME PERTAINS TO THE MORGANTOWN AIRPORT; MORE SPECIFICALLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S INTENT TO LEASE SPACE SO AS TO OPERATE A RUNWAY END IDENTIFICATION LIGHTS SYSTEM.
Motion by Salucci, second by McClain, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Florence Merow, congratulated all those re-elected and Betty McClain for ten years of service and Greg Good for his service. Mrs. Merow announced that WKKW radio will be a media partner with the Mason/Dixon Festival. Mrs. Merow asserted that Council needs to have a plan for Beechurst and other areas and not piece- meal this. Mrs. Merow stated that Beechurst needs widened and all utility lines should be underground. Mrs. Merow proposed an ordinance that all new construction have underground utility lines. Mrs. Merow asserted that some complete restorations of Beechurst are a top priority for Council.
John Duarte, 460 Grove St., stated the City must do more for pedestrians crossing High Street at Walnut. He reported there are unnecessary poles on Chestnut Ridge Road and two poles on Chestnut Street should be removed. Mr. Duarte stated that crosswalks need addressed and painted. Mayor Scafella requested copies of the photos Mr. Duarte had passed around.
Gerald DeGripp , 228 Green Street, Project Director for MON-Day Cleanups, reported that the first MON-Day had seven people removing two truckloads of garbage from the Rail/Trail area and invited people to come out May 7th.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Justice noted the Umbrella Group's gratitude for clean up on the Trail and mentioned reports given by the Police, Building Inspections, and BFI at the last meeting.
Councilor Byrne suggested institutionalizing the current ad hoc process of clean up.
Councilor Good responded that formal agreements among the government groups are needed to keep the Umbrella Group functioning in the future.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO JOINT USE OF PARKING AND LOADING REGULATIONS: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AMENDING SECTION 12(B)(5) AND 12(B)(6), OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, AND ADDING A NEW SECTION 12(B)(5.1), AS THE SAME APPLIES TO JOINT USE OF PARKING AND LOADING REGULATIONS.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by McClain, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSION:
PERSONNEL BOARD: Councilor Miller nominated Ken Fones-Wolfe for a three-year term on the Personnel Board. Motion carried by acclamation.
POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION: Motion by Justice, second by Byrne, to consider Bernie Bossio as Police Civil Service Commissioner. Motion carried by acclamation.
BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION: Councilor Miller nominated Brent Bailey to fill the 4th Ward position on the Beautification Commission. Motion carried by acclamation.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
INFORMATION:
West Virginia University Hospitals have generously donated an automatic electronic defibulator to the Morgantown Fire Department. This is an important piece of equipment that will greatly enhance the Department's first responder capabilities. Of this donation, the City is very appreciative.
NEW BUSINESS:
ITEM NO. 1:
State law prescribes that one member of the Planning Commission represent the Administration of the City. For many years Dr. Ken Klase very ably served in this position, but regrettably he is now leaving the area and needs to be replaced. To fill the position, I nominate Dr. Ken Martis.
Motion by Justice, second by Byrne, to approve appointing Dr. Ken Martis to serve in the Administrative Position on the Planning Commission. Motion carried by acclamation.
ITEM NO. 2:
As discussed at the recent Committee of the Whole Meeting, attached is a proposed Letter of Understanding with the Morgantown Utility Board concerning the use of City property.
After discussion, motion by Salucci, second by McClain to approve the Letter of Understanding with MUB concerning the use of City property. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 3:
Bids were opened on April 12, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. for a 1-ton dump truck to be used on the Beechurst Avenue Sidewalk Project along with other sidewalk projects. I concur with the City Engineer that the bid be awarded to Metheny Motors for the 2001 GMC 6.6 Diesel with the 8ft bed for $32,365.23.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by McClain, to award the bid to Metheny Motors for the 2001 GMC 6.6 Diesel with the 8-ft bed for $32,365.23. Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 4:
Bids were opened on April 12, 2001, for a skid steer loader with a hydro-hammer and a trailer to be used on the Beechurst Sidewalk Project along with other sidewalk projects. And I concur with the City Engineer that the bid be awarded to State Equipment for $32, 749.00.
Motion by Salucci, second by Good, to award the bid to State Equipment for $32,749.00.
Motion carried 7-0.
ITEM NO. 5:
The Fire Department is applying for a Federal Fire Act Grant of $388,000 for a Rescue Truck and Wellness and Fitness Program. The grant will need a 10% match from the City.
Motion by McClain, second by Justice, to approve a match of 10% for the Federal Grant the Fire Department is seeking for a Rescue Truck and Wellness Program. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Linda Little thanked Council and City employees for their help in the canvassing and now we are moving onto other things. The Colasessano pepperoni roll sale for the United Way goal is 2, 500.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Salucci: No Report.
Councilor Good: Councilor Good thanked John Duarte for keeping attention focused on crosswalks and safety. The president of SPAN reported to Councilor Good that commercial signs are reappearing on utility poles and these are against the litter ordinance.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller thanked the City Clerk for her hard work and doing a monumental task very well.
Councilor Justice: Councilors Justice and Good visited a dump on Forest Ave. which is too big for volunteers to clean. It will need coordination with the SWA, City employees and the gas company to help. Councilor Justice reported that students recently did a safety audit and a crosswalk is needed by the new computer lab. Marvin Murphy of the DOT has okayed the plans and sent back to the City.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne remarked on the hard time crossing High St. on the Wall St. walkway since traffic keeps on going. It needs repainted and maybe the beat officer should ticket people. Councilor Byrne suggested revisiting Decker Ave. as access to the Trail.
The City Manager replied the Traffic Commission is addressing bike access there.
Councilor Byrne explained to Florence Merow that there is a committee checking into putting utility lines underground. They have looked at other cities and gotten costs with detailed prices - more than $10 million to do it citywide.
Councilor McClain: No Report.
Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella commented that since Council has approved the acquisition of the equipment for side-
walk repair, the long range plan is to replace and repair as many sidewalks as we can in two years.
Mayor Scafella stated that while talking with Charlie Moran during the Canvassing, and Charlie informed me that the city has a new painting machine and that all of the crosswalks should be painted this summer.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:43 p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor