REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 2001:

The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, September 18, 2001, at 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Mayor Frank Scafella, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda L. Little, Assistant to the City Manager Jeff Mikorski and Councilmembers Jim Manilla, Teresa Miller, Ronald Justice, Bill Byrne, Florence Merow.

The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the regular meeting on September 4, 2001, were approved as printed.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Mayor Scafella welcomed Journalism classes 215 and 315.

Mayor Scafella read proclamations for National Rehabilitation Week and White Cane Safety Day, October 15, 2001. The White Cane proclamation was presented to James Judy.

Mayor Scafella read a letter from the Airport Director, Charles Keener, about airport security measures.

Mayor Scafella read from a United Way letter about a Day of Sharing to gather financial donations for the September 11^th Fund.

Councilor Merow read a letter from Clorinda Ammons requesting a yellow line be painted on Lawnview Drive.

Motion by Justice, second by Byrne, to permanently affix a bronze plaque honoring Florence Merow in Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. Motion carried 5-0. (Merow abstained).

PUBLIC HEARING-TERMINATION OF LEASE AT AIRPORT WITH INTERSPACE AIRPORT ADVERSTISING:

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:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TERMINATION OF A LEASE AT THE AIRPORT WITH INTERSPACE ADVERTISING: The following entitled ordinance was presented for second reading:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TERMINATION OF A CONCESSION (ADVERTISING) AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AND INTERSPACE AIRPORT ADVERTISING, AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

Motion by Merow, second by Justice, to adopt the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 6-0.

PUBLIC PORTION:

Cindy Frich, 1248 Baker's Ridge Road, commented on the Florence Merow Mason/Dixon Festival.

Joe Chico, 301 Hillcrest Street, spoke of concerns regarding the proposed opening of Folger Street and gave printed information to Council.

Fred Wyant, Star City, asked if the traffic signal at University and Foundry is permanent and remarked on the new sidewalks on Burroughs Street and Beechurst Avenue.

Andrew Modzik, 1557 Folger Avenue, echoed Mr. Chico's concerns and presented a history of Folger Avenue.

Councilor Byrne said that he has spoken to Mr. Modzik several times and this is a long standing problem that needs to be explained to the community.

City Manager Dan Boroff explained right-of-ways and that the City cannot deny the public access. Mr. Boroff has asked the City Engineer and the City Attorney for a written response to the situation. Mr. Boroff responded to Mr. Wyant that the timing of the traffic light is being synchronized and he will call the City Engineer's attention to the Burroughs Street problems.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mayor Scafella reported that the Transportation Committee met last week.

NEW BUSINESS:

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT AT THE AIRPORT WITH CHESAPEAKE BAY HELICOPTERS, INC.: The below entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND CHESAPEAKE BAY HELICOPTERS, INC., LESSEE, REGARDING THE LEASE OF BUSINESS SPACE AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

The City Manager stated that this ordinance was withdrawn by the Airport.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A RIGHT-OF-WAY/EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH SELLARO ENTERPRISES, INC.: The below entitled ordinance was presented for first reading:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A RIGHT-OF-WAY/EASEMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN SELLARO ENTERPRISES, INC., (GRANTOR) AND THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN (GRANTEE) AS THE SAME APPLIES TO LAND FOR SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION.

After discussion, motion by Justice, second by Miller, to approve the above entitled ordinance. Motion carried 6-0.

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A

GRANT AGREEMENT FOR DRUG AND VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL GRANT PROGRAM:. The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council's approval:

Motion by Miller, second by Justice, to approve the above entitled resolution. Motion carried 6-0.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:

NEW BUSINESS:

ITEM NO 1:

As per your direction, attached you will find a proposed policy to adopt City Ordinances.

After discussion, motion by Justice, second by Byrne, to approve the policy to adopt City Ordinances. Motion carried 6-0.

ITEM NO. 2:

The Police Department currently has 54 sworn officers. Two have been detailed to specific duties: University High School and trash/ litter control. A third responsibility is airport security, bringing available officers to 51. For one more officer, it will cost approximately $38,000 for salary and fringe benefits will would be taken from the Contingency Fund.

After discussion, the budget transfer is to be placed on the agenda.

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

City Clerk Linda Little gave a thank you to everyone that helped with and supported the hot dog sale.

STAFF ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

No report.

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla commended Linda Little and Donna and the rest of the crew for their work on the hot dog sale and remarked that the Florence Merow Mason/Dixon Festival was a very successful event.

Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller thanked Ms. Little for her hard work on the hot dog sale and thanked people for coming to the Council Meeting.

Councilor Justice: Councilor Justice mentioned the storm drain and parking issues on Montrose Ave. and that BFI trucks are unable to get through illegally parked cars on Cayton Street.

Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne also commended Linda Little and Donna for their work on the hot dog sale and asked for a review of the Pleasant & Spruce traffic light. Councilor Byrne showed pictures taken of lower Brockway Avenue in preparation for the Exterior Code Maintenance ordinance on the next COW agenda.

Councilor Merow: Councilor Merow remarked on the patriotism shown at the Courthouse Square today. Councilor Merow thanked departments of the City, Senior Citizens, EMS, WKKW, WAJR, and WVAQ for helping with the Mason/Dixon Festival and noted that the tragedy was remembered every day. Councilor Merow reported the Festival Board is not asking for more money and there are lights out on the Boulevard..

Mayor Scafella: Mayor Scafella agreed with Ms. Frich that the Festival was an oasis of normalcy. He observed that 1500 people came for the community candlelight event and reported that David Bruffy apologizes for the towing of cars by the Depot during the Festival. Mayor Scafella requested a modification to the daily pickup ordinance by allowing garbage bags instead of requiring cans and thanked Romisch Manufacturing for their new fence. Mayor Scafella commented on Mr. Wyant's statements about Beechurst Avenue and offered a "Bushism", "I will have a strong foreign policy and that foreign policy will start at home."

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ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:35 p.m.

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City Clerk Mayor

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