REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2006:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at 7:46 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 regular meeting on September 5, 2006, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice mentioned proclamations for Suicide Prevention Week, Arbor Day and Rehabilitation Week ; announced events for West Virginia Heritage Week; and thanked Neighborhood Associations for their events. Councilor Byrne summarized an e-mail about Willey Street paving noise and Councilor Spencer announced an MPO-CAC meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, reappointments were Donna Ford-Werntz on Beautification, Barton Loar on MUB, and Fred Schaupp was appointed to the Museum Commission.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Paul Steel, 220 Grand Street, advised of garbage collection noises at 4:00 a.m. Monday mornings.
David Kelly, 235 Jones Avenue and Property Owners Association, observed that 90% of students have cars with only 50% parking required in R-3 areas; discussed the property maintenance study and safety issues; and problems with trash and dumpster service.
There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
No Reports.
NEW BUSINESS:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE MONONGALIA COUNTY COMMISSION PERTAINING TO ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first 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 the City Manager’s explanation, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS AND APPENDIX A “DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TABLE” OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLY DETERMINING MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS 201, 301.06, 303.06, 304.06, 305.05, 311.05, 312.05, 313.05, 320.05, AND APPENDIX A “DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TABLE” OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS THE SAME APPLY DETERMINING MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT.
After explanation by the City Manager and discussion, motion by Miller, second by Scafella, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO CORRECTING MINOR ERRORS IN THE JANUARY 2, 2006 AMENDMENT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS AND SUBSECTIONS 300.05 (TABLE 300.053.01), 333, 402.07, and 403 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS THE SAME APPLIES TO CORRECTING MINOR ERRORS IN THE JANUARY 2, 2006 AMENDMENT.
After the City Manager’s explanation, motion by Scafella, second by Byrne, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1:
It is not included in this report, but I want to call City Council’s attention to the scheduled November 7, 2006 meeting. That date is a national and state holiday for elections and City Hall will be closed that day. You may want to consider postponing that meeting until Wednesday, the day following Election Day.
Item No. 2:
The past week, the West Virginia University Board of Governors approved the donation of a one third acre site to the City of Morgantown to support the new North Side Fire Station. This is a very generous act on the part of the University that will very well serve public safety in Morgantown. One addition level of approval is required in State government to complete this transaction, and hopefully it will be secured in the near future.
Mayor Justice requested a letter of thanks be sent to the County Commission and the Board of Governors in appreciation of their generous donations of land.
Item No 3:
The City has been informed that it will receive a $95,323 State Homeland Security Grant from the WV Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. These funds will be used to acquire specialized equipment for the Police and Fire Departments.
Item No 4:
The WV Division of Forestry has also notified the City that it will receive a $10,000 Cool Community Grant. Proceeds of this program will place trees in the Downtown as part of the High Street Project.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No 1:
Governor Manchin has announced a $500,000 Transportation Enhancement Grant award to the City of Morgantown for the next phase of the High Street Project (from Walnut to Pleasant). Including the local match, $625,000 will be available for the project. With this announcement, the City is also now prepared to submit a Letter of Intent for the next phase of the project (Pleasant to Kirk). Given the scope of this part of the project and funds available, I recommend that the letter be submitted indicating that the City will apply for a $400,000 grant with an additional $100,000 match. For the cumulative successes realized in this project to date, special appreciation is expressed to Jeff Mikorski, Terry Cutright, the Downtown Banks, the County Commission, and Downtown property owners and businesses.
Motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to authorize that letter. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
City Clerk Little gave blood drive results and thanked the County Commission for their support.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane asked about forming a B-4 District committee and the Teen Court meeting, and advised of loose bolts on the South High bridge.
City Manager Boroff noted that the City Planner is researching how other university cities use B-4 downtown and the possibility of mid-October for the visioning exercise.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla noted that the South Park, South High and Walnut Street bridges need cleaned and 6 a.m. is the start time for Allied Waste in the contract.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella advised of the progress of the Wiles Hill Senior Center, thanked Brenda Walker for fund-raising help, and is requesting a grant match from the City.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller informed of speeding cars on University going toward Wiles Hill.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne complimented Jeff Mikorski on the financial brochure; asked the City Manager to report on his meeting with Mr. Raese; thanked Dave Kelly for property maintenance study help; spoke of the South Hills community picnic; commended Frank McGreevy, Barbara Kent and Sandy Panrell; and asked for some financial help for NHAs.
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer asked for an interim solution for downtown traffic; noted dumpster problems and rampant BFI maintenance problems; suggested re-painting dumpsters tan or green; commented on the financial brochure; discussed the Inclusive Cities program; progress on Rawley Avenue issue, and the $20 million spent during one month for video lotteries in this county.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice said that the B-4 meeting will be October 18th; congratulated Mason Dixon Festival organizers and Don Marshal for Inclusive Community event at the library; listed Inclusive Community programs to come; confirmed a short-term traffic solution meeting and advised of the last public information meeting for the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:10 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.