REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 20, 2005:

The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Mayor Ron Justice, City Manager Dan Boroff, City Clerk Linda Little, Assistant City Manager Jeff Mikorski,, and Council Members Ron Bane, Jim Manilla, Frank Scafella, Teresa Miller, Bill Byrne, Don Spencer. City Attorney Steve Fanok Absent.

The meeting was called to order by the Mayor.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the special meeting and the regular meeting on September 6, 2005, were approved as printed.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Mayor Justice mentioned the death of Rev. Stacy Groscup and future events and meetings.

PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 305.04 OF THE TRAFFIC CODE BY ADDING ELMINA STREET FROM DEWEY STREET TO LYNDHURST STREET AS A ONE-WAY STREET:

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 public hearing closed.

PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN WVML MUNICIPAL REVENUE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION:

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 public hearing closed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 305.04 OF THE TRAFFIC CODE BY ADDING ELMINA STREET FROM DEWEY STREET TO LYNDHURST STREET AS A ONE-WAY STREET: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 305.04 OF THE TRAFFIC CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN BY ADDING ELMINA STREET FROM DEWEY STREET TO LYNDHURST STREET TO THE CITY'S LIST OF ONE-WAY STREETS.

After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Manilla, to adopt the above Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN WVML MUNICIPAL REVENUE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading.

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN WVML MUNICIPAL REVENUE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND THE EXECUTION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AMONG THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, THE WEST VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, INC., AND PARTICIPATING MUNICIPALITIES.

Motion by Byrne, second by Spencer, to adopt the above Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0.

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

There was no business.

PUBLIC PORTION:

Keith McManus, South Park property owner, spoke about awareness of area muggings.

Louis Biruakis, 435 Cobun Avenue, commented on covering Poponoe Run and the sewer route.

Bill Reger-Nash, WV Walks Campaign, remarked on community wellness and walkability.

Chris Willis, 2040 University Avenue, addressed harassment problems on the Rail/Trail system.

There being no more appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.

Councilor Byrne said they are waiting to hear from the DOH regarding the truck ordinance, City Manager Boroff clarified that police are still patrolling the Rail/Trail and offered some basic safety tips, and Councilor Scafella summarized the interest in opening Deckers Avenue for Rail/Trail access.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mayor Justice covered the Solid Waste Task Force and Airport Committee meetings; Councilor Spencer announced the future grand opening of the Dorsey Knob Lodge and a floating fountain on the river meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PARKING HOURS ON ELMINA STREET: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for Council's approval.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE PARKING HOURS ON ELMINA STREET, BETWEEN OVERDALE STREET AND LYNDHURST STREET WITHIN THE SOUTH PARK DESIGNATED PARKING DISTRICT.

After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Miller, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL: The following entitled Ordinance was presented for Council's approval.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN".

Motion by Spencer, second by Scafella, to pass the above Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0.

CITY MANAGERS REPORT:

INFORMATION:

Item No. 1:

Recently the U. S. Department of Transportation informed the City that it has selected Regions Air, Inc. to provide subsidized essential air service to Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg, West Virginia for a two year period with an established combined subsidy rate of $1,051,333 per year for service consisting of 18 nonstop round trips each week between Parkersburg and Cincinnati, and 18 round trips to Cincinnati each week over a Morgantown to Clarksburg to Cincinnati to Clarksburg to Morgantown routing with a 34 seat Saab 340A aircraft. This action will have a significant impact of the future growth and development of the Airport.

NEW BUSINESS:

Item No. 1:

The City of Morgantown is rapidly becoming a regional arts and culture center with existing and new committed facilities. The Creative Arts Center and the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater are big successes. The new West Virginia Public Theater that will be under construction next year will be a significant addition to the City's cultural character. Other theater and arts organizations abound The Metropolitan Theatre too has a special charm and contribution to make to the Greater Morgantown area. With regard to this latter project, to assure that it is completed in a timely way (approximately $2,000,000 in restoration remains to be done), I recommend that if contributing sources can raise $1,000,000 for the project, that City Council match this amount with an additional $1,000,000 for the City owned facility. Hopefully such a pledge from Council at this time will signal the City's strong commitment to the Theatre and spur donations and contributions to assure that the project is completed in a timely way.

After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to pledge this match for the Metropolitan Theatre. Motion carried 7-0.

Item No. 2:

Attached you will find a memo from the Assistant City Manager reporting bid results for a City Hall Copier. I agree with his findings and recommend that the copier be acquired from Queen City Business Systems, Inc. for $20,065 (with trade in)-pertinent issues are supplies, materials, maintenance, space, and logging usage.

Motion by Byrne, second by Bane, to approve the expenditure of $20,065 for a new copier for City Hall. Motion carried 7-0.

Item No. 3:

An important event in Morgantown for the past several years has been the Labor Day Concert at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. BOPARC works with many groups to make this event possible. To help cover the expense of the concert for this year, the Commission requests a $10,000 contribution from the City. Given the Concert's very special community benefit and enrichment, I recommend that the request be granted from the Capital Escrow Contingency Account.

After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to approve the request. Motion carried 7-0.

Item No. 4:

The second attachment is a memo from the Public Works Director reporting bid results for a 1 ½ Ton Dump Truck. I agree with her comments and recommend that the contract be awarded to the low bidder Hunters Truck Sales for $55,999.

Motion by Bane, second by Manilla, to award the contract to Hunters Truck Sales for $55,999. Motion carried 7-0.

CITY CLERK'S REPORT:

City Clerk Little announced the blood drive results and West Virginia on the Move.

CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:

ABSENT.

REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane asked about street cleaning on secondary roads and noted the concert raised $3,500 for Katrina victims.

City Manager Boroff explained that they are done on a rotation schedule.

Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla requested better lighting for the Walnut Street bridge and related safety concerns; noted a possible walking access to the Trail by Hasting's; and that he will bring the safety issues to the MRTC meeting.

Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella announced football parking will be provided at the Wiles Hill Senior Center.

Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller requested crime statistics; is pleased about the arts matches; asked that a request of $20,000 for Health Rite be on the COW agenda; and depicted North Street fire station building problems.

Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne announced the South Hills community picnic.

Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer commented on city neighborhoods and better safety for trails as alternative transportation; requested a list of options for creating a sidewalk program; endorsed Deckers Avenue as a Trail access; and advised of the Suncrest NHA meeting.

Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice spoke about the affordable housing program; reported results of various meetings; thanked the organizers of Arts on the River and the Mason Dixon Festival; announced future meetings and events; congratulated Jack Thompson as the new Director of Arts Monongalia and announced Bill French is working on an outdoor drama; requested status reports on Youth Commission and Council of Neighborhood; and thanked the Ruby Foundation for funding community projects.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:55 p.m.

_____________________________ __________________________________

City Clerk Mayor

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