REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 19, 2003:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, August 19, 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, Don Spencer.
The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the regular meeting on August 5, 2003, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice announced 5 awards won by Mountain Line Transit; noted Delegate Cindy Frich's letter re: I-68 exit ramp and response from Nick Rahall; covered thank you letters from Sgt. William Johnson and Howard Wilson (silver medal at World Games in Ireland); announced the WVML Annual Conference, Hot Dog sale, and the blood drive. Councilor Miller introduced her and Mayor Justice presented a proclamation for Melinda Graham Day.
PUBLIC HEARING - APPROVE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO CITY CODE :
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 - ADOPTING ALUM STREET INTO THE CITY STREET SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL, IN THE SIXTH WARD :
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 - ADOPTING BARTLOW STREET INTO THE CITY STREET SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL, IN THE SIXTH WARD:
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 - AUTHORIZING INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES :
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 - AMENDING THE FY 2003-2004 BUDGET AS THE SAME APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND:
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 TO APPROVE THE CURRENT CITY CODE REPLACEMENT PAGES: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE CURRENT REPLACEMENT PAGES TO THE CITY CODE.
Motion by Scafella, second by Spencer, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING PORTION OF ALUM STREET INTO THE CITY: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE FOOT PORTION OF ALUM STREET INTO THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN'S STREET SYSTEM FOR PURPOSES OF PUBLIC MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL, IN THE SIXTH WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING PORTION OF BARTLOW STREET INTO THE CITY: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT FOOT PORTION OF BARTLOW STREET INTO THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN'S STREET SYSTEM FOR PURPOSES OF PUBLIC MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL, IN THE SIXTH WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
Motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AND THE MONONGALIA COUNTY COMMISSION, PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY TO THE CITY.
After discussion, motion by Spencer, second by Byrne, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2003-2004 BUDGET: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2003-2004 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN IN THE REVISED BUDGET ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Byrne, to approve the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Councilor Bane noted Spencer has replaced Merow on the Traffic Commission.
Mayor Justice commended Steve Fanok for his legal research on boards and commissions and noted Historic Landmarks has an open council position.
Councilor Spencer also commended Mr. Fanok and Councilor Manilla asked about numbers of members.
Councilor Scafella addressed advisory committees and problems with large boards.
Councilor Miller asked for a Beautification replacement from Council.
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PUBLIC PORTION:
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared the Public Portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Councilor Spencer noted Dorsey Knob historical and archeological survey reports will be ready the end of August.
Motion by Spencer, second by Scafella, to provide $2,500 for rental of equipment and gravel to complete the loop road. Motion carried 7-0.
Councilor Spencer remarked on the Beautification Commission memo about the Memorial Wall.
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,714 TO THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THROUGH MAINSTREET MORGANTOWN: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval.
After discussion, motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to pass the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No 1:
The City has been informed by the Federal Department of Transportation that six slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are available to serve the Cities of Lewisburg, Clarksburg, and/or Morgantown and it will be accepting proposals from commercial airlines in the next 30 days to reestablish flights to and from those Cities. This is an important announcement for Morgantown and there is cause for guarded optimism that such new services will be realized.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No 1:
On August 11, 2003, the City was notified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD) that it is qualified to become an Entitlement Grantee and receive $673,000 per year for programs/projects that benefit low and moderate income groups; eliminate slums and blight; and mitigate emergency situations. To assure receipt of these funds the City has to author a Consolidated Plan and put in place a strong Citizen's Participation Program. Interim rules and regulations for DHUD also need to be completed. The first step though is for the City to notify DHUD in writing that it will participate in the program. With considerable understatement, I recommend that the letter be authorized.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Spencer, to notify HUD that we will participate in their program. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No 2:
Attached you will find a letter from Arts Monongahela requesting a Festival Permit to allow wine tasting and sales at a special event they have planned for October 25, 2003, in the Vintage Room at 471 Chestnut Street. Given the character and purpose of the event, I recommend that the permit be granted.
Motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to grant Arts Monongahela a Festival permit. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 3:
The second attachment is a memo from the City Clerk proposing an Official City Flag. Based upon its design, I recommend that the flag be approved.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Byrne, to approve the Official City Flag. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No 4:
The third attachment reports bid results on a Skid Steer Loader. I concur with the Public Works Director's comments and recommend that the bid be awarded to the only firm that met all the bid specifications State Equipment, Inc. for a cost of $16,910.
Motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to award the Skid Steer Loader bid to State Equipment, Inc. for $16,910. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No 5:
The last attachment is a letter from the West Virginia Department of Transportation suggesting a preliminary study and a hydraulic study of the low water bridge over Decker's Creek. Given the points made, I recommend that the City fund the twenty percent local match required for an approximate cost of $2,000 from the Capital Escrow Account to effect the project.
After discussion, motion by Spencer, second by Manilla, to approve a $2,000 match for preliminary and hydraulic studies of the Deckers Creek low water bridge. 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 commented on parade towing notification; burning permits; stormwater stakeholders committee for MUB; DOT presentation at next MPO meeting; agenda packet is on City website; short-term traffic solutions; and 2020 Transportation Plan limitations.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne remarked on annual HUD grant for protecting neighborhoods; front yard parking as zoning ordinance as recommended by Steve Fanok; and the DOH at the MPO meeting.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller commented on painting of yellow curbs in Suncrest; yellow curbs on COW agenda; Washington, D. C. traffic; and a North Carolina trash solution.
City Manager Boroff explained national standards and a court decision about yellow curbs in the city.
City Attorney Fanok commented on state law for yellow curbs.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella noted Wiles Hill Association will provide labor to build gazebo for BOPARC Master Plan and requests $3,000 for materials; commended Councilor Spencer for Beechurst traffic focus but just part of the system; remarked on government channel 15, commended City Manager Boroff for negotiations and Jeff Mikorski for upgrading access; stated front yard parking will be on COW agenda and that the terrain makes uniform trash containers impracticable; and the 2020 Transportation Plan is a guideline used by the DOT.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla mentioned Wall Street garbage, Beautification Commission input with City projects, and the MPO meeting.
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane noted Willey Street pothole, construction on every major artery when students back; asked the MPO to look at short-term traffic solutions and asked Code Enforcement to check trimming trees and shrubs.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice commended the City Manager for representing the City so well on WAJR radio; noted the MPO follows the 2020 Transportation Plan; announced future meetings; thanked Police and Fire Departments for help with weekend and Fall Fest, noise complaints were down; Chamber of Commerce Vision 2020 received $60,000 from the Governor and $30,000 from Morgantown; the B.I.D. request is in Charleston; and the City still awaits state Development Committee grants.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:15 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.