REGULAR MEETING JUNE 17, 2003:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 17, 2003, 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, Florence Merow.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the regular meeting on June 3, 2003, were approved as amended.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice read Governor Wise's letter regarding MPO designation, summarized Cindy Frich's letter of Budget Digest projects funded, and announced the 11th Annual West Virginia Birthday Party and Celebration of America activities. Mayor Justice noted 3 memos from Police Chief Lucci, covered Dr. Majumder's thank you letter for Civil Rights press conference presentation, and commented on the Litter Patrol memo. Mayor Justice presented a retirement plaque to Helen Ball for 25 years of service to BOPARC.
PUBLIC HEARING:-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING LONGEVITY PAY, SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL PAY & HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY OF THE PERSONNEL RULES:
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.
PUBLIC HEARING -AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES OF COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYEES:
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.
PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW SECTION 137.04 AWARD OF SERVICE REVOLVER TO RETIRED/DISABLED POLICE OFFICERS:
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.
PUBLIC HEARING - AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION V-8 & ADOPTING NEW SECTION V-8 OF THE PERSONNEL RULES AS THE SAME APPLIES TO MILITARY DUTY:
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 AMENDING LONGEVITY PAY, SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL PAY & HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY OF THE PERSONNEL RULES: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS III-1(B)(LONGEVITY PAY), III-3(B)(SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL), AND III-4(HAZARDOUS DUTY PAY) OF THE PERSONNEL RULES OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN BY INCREASING THE MONETARY AMOUNTS WITHIN EACH.
After discussion, motion by Merow, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING RATES OF COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYEES: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES OF COMPENSATION FOR CITY OF MORGANTOWN EMPLOYEES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2003-2004.
Motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW SECTION 137.04 AWARD OF SERVICE REVOLVER TO RETIRED/DISABLED POLICE OFFICERS: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW SECTION 137.04 WITHIN THE MORGANTOWN CITY CODE AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A SERVICE REVOLVER TO MORGANTOWN POLICE OFFICERS UPON EITHER THEIR RETIREMENT OR DISABILITY, AS DEFINED WITHIN SECTION 137.04.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Miller, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION V-8 & ADOPTING NEW SECTION V-8 OF THE PERSONNEL RULES AS THE SAME APPLIES TO MILITARY DUTY: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION V-8 OF THE PERSONNEL RULES OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, AND ADOPTING A NEW SECTION V-8 AS THE SAME APPLIES TO MILITARY DUTY OF CITY EMPLOYEES.
After discussion, motion by Merow, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, David Huffman, Robert Feathers, Marca Paparozzi and Alan Donaldson were reappointed to the Ward and Boundary Commission.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Cindy Frich, 1248 Bakers Ridge Road, spoke opposing the Longview Power Plant.
Stephen Shuman, Attorney for David Biafore, requested special Planning Commission meeting.
John Gever, resident, spoke opposing the Longview Power Plant and submitted Bill Wonderlin editorial.
Don Spencer, 565 Harvard Avenue, spoke opposing the Longview Power Plant.
Lloyd Moore, 57 West Street, spoke opposing the Longview Power Plant.
Edna Dillon, Collins Ferry Road, spoke opposing the Longview Power Plant and submitted a resolution.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
.
Councilor Byrne reported that Sunnyside Up hired a Pittsburgh firm named Environmental Planning and Design to prepare a redevelopment plan of Sunnyside in conjunction with the Board and its advisory groups.
Councilor Miller commented on attending a West Virginia Advocate workshop.
Mayor Justice announced "Stranded on the Rock" and a July 18th concert for Dorsey Knob fund raisers.
Councilor Merow mentioned on the Historic Landmarks Commission meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,000.00 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE JUVENILE ACCOUNTABILITY INCENTIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to pass the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
Mr. Shuman's request for a Planning Commission Special Meeting was approved unanimously.
RESOLUTION ON PLAN TO CONSTRUCT A LONGVIEW POWER PLANT:
Motion by Merow, second by Bane, to add the above entitled Resolution to the agenda. Motion carried by unanimous consent. After discussion, motion by Miller to table, motion died for lack of a second. Motion by Bane, second by Manilla, to pass the above entitled Resolution. Motion failed 3-3-1. (Scafella, Byrne, Justice voted NO, Miller ABSTAINED).
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1:
Based upon an application submitted by the Public Works Director, the City will receive $33,500 from FEMA as partial assistance for winter storm recovery this past February.
Item No 2:
During budget sessions, Council allocated $49,000 for a projected 20% increase in Worker's Compensation premiums. The State has announced a 15% increase but is also putting in place "adjustments" to experience modification factors. Even though the City's factor is better then the average for its class of employment, the adjustment is going to cost an additional $67,000. In effect the premium is being increased 44%. In the near future a budget amendment for the new fiscal year will be prepared to fund this unexpected increase.
Item No 3:
This past week it was announced that Morgantown is the core City of a Metropolitan Statistical area that includes Monongalia and Preston Counties. This designation advances the area's economic development prospects; will provide additional data for a wide range of planning initiatives; and could lead to Morgantown becoming an Entitlement City under HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No. 1:
This past week the Monongalia County Local Emergency Planning Committee conducted a successful "Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day". To assist with the cost of disposing of the materials collected, I recommend that the City grant $500 to the organization from the Capital Escrow Account.
After discussion, motion by Manilla, second by Bane, to grant $500 to the Monongalia County Local Emergency Planning Committee. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 2:
Attached you will find a summary of a grant application to establish a new commercial air service at the Morgantown Airport. Based upon the benefits projected, I recommend that Council authorize the staff to submit the application and pursue its approval.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to submit the grant application for the Airport. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 3:
The last attachment is a proposal to construct a public patio adjacent to the Caperton Trail in the Wharf District. Based upon the merits of the project, I recommend that it be approved.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to approve construction of a public patio in the Wharf District. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
City Clerk Little reported on the June blood drive.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS :
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane commented on the Longview Resolution, thanked the Police Department for speeding patrols and stated he will continue to bring complaints to Council.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla complimented Police Department on catching a theft ring.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella thanked SPAN for their lighting proposal and commented on jurisdictional boundaries.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller noted the child care ordinance was adjusted, requested the City Clerk to compile a list of child care providers and complimented BOPARC on their summer programming.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne thanked the City Manager for the South Pointe Circle sign, thanked Mike Manypenny for all his hard work on Household Hazardous Waste Day and commented on the Longview power plant.
Councilor Merow: Councilor Merow thanked people for help in preparing the Longview Resolution and gave comments about the power plant. Councilor Merow presented articles for the archives: 1983 Four-Lane Project, WV Award for 3 consecutive years, City Recreation Levy for the ice rink.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice noted the next MPO meeting, that Council will do administrative evaluations, and remarked on the Hart Field Coalition meeting. Mayor Justice mentioned upcoming events, clarified the City Manager's abstention vote due to protocol and jurisdiction, and commented on the Longview Resolution.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:10p.m.
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City Clerk Mayor
*A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY.