REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 2006:
The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, September 5, 2006, at 7:30 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 August 15, 2006, were approved as printed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mayor Justice noted a proclamation for National Assisted Living Week and read Lauren Biafora’s proclamation as Queen Silvia LXX; announced a blood drive; summarized a letter from Bill and Carol Pell about parking; and mentioned 9-11 events; and thanked BOPARC for the Wheeling Symphony concert.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
By acclamation, Ralph LaRue and Don Spencer were reappointed to the Beautification Commission. Councilor Spencer commented on the first meeting of the Bike Board.
PUBLIC PORTION:
There being no appearances or objections, Mayor Justice declared this public portion closed.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:
No Reports.
NEW BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO ADMINISTER A $20,000 GRANT FOR THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE TO REPLACE THE HEATING AND HVAC SYSTEM: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council’s approval.
Motion by Scafella, second by Manilla, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION SEEKING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVALUATING MUNICIPAL HOME RULE: The above entitled Resolution was presented for Council’s approval.
Motion by Byrne, second by Bane, to approve the above Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE TEEN COURT APPOINTMENT: The above Appointment was presented for Council’s approval.
After the City Manager’s explanation, motion by Bane, second by Miller, for Bane to serve. Motion passed by acclamation.
CITY MANAGERS REPORT:
INFORMATION:
Item No. 1:
Attached you find a letter from Comcast announcing a new cable television channel. This new channel called Current will be dedicated to “bringing the voice of viewers to television”. The new channel should be available in the near future.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item No. 1:
The second attachment is a letter from Chief Scott reporting that the Transportation Security Administration would like to extend its contract with the City for Airport security into Federal Fiscal Year 06-07 for a payment of $86,979. Based upon the importance of this program, I recommend that the contract be extended.
Motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to extend the contract as proposed for $86,979. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 2:
The City has received several queries concerning when Halloween will be observed this year. Based upon the suggestion of the Police Chief, I recommend that it be celebrated on Tuesday, October 31st, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The City will coordinate this recommendation with Westover and Star City.
Motion by Miller, second by Bane, to celebrate Halloween on Tuesday, October 31st, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 3:
The third attachment is a memo from the Public Works Director reporting Traffic Commission suggestions concerning proposed parking restrictions on Vangilder Street. I agree with the comments and recommend that the additional yellow curb be authorized.
Motion by Scafella, second by Miller, that those be accepted Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 4:
The fourth attachment is another memo from the Public Works Director reporting Traffic Commission suggestions to improve the intersection of Protzman, Stewart, and Vangilder Streets with Hoffman Avenue. As you will read, two options have been identified to make this intersection a more traditional, four way intersection by using street markings and barriers. I agree with the Director’s and Commission’s suggestion that the second option be authorized making Protzman/Stewart the main route.
After discussion, motion by Scafella, second by Miller, to adopt scenario two. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 5:
The fifth attachment titled “A Municipal E2 Overview” contains a number of pertinent suggestions and recommendations concerning the environment and actions that the City can take to improve the environment. Based upon practical considerations, I recommend that those suggestions listed under “Proposed for Morgantown” be adopted as a City Policy to be executed as State laws allow and opportunities are developed.
After discussion, motion by Byrne, second by Scafella, to adopt. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 6:
The sixth attachment is a memo from the Assistant City Manager reporting that $26,564 is available in the Capital Escrow Account Budget that can be used to match a $10,000 Cool Communities Grant and fund the balance required for the High Street streetscape planting. Based upon the merits of the streetscape project, I recommend that the total tree project of $36,564 be approved.
After discussion, motion by Bane, second by Scafella, for approval. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 7:
The seventh attachment is a memo from the City Clerk reporting a change in the Police Civil Service Rules and Regulations concerning Physical Agility Training Standards as approved by the WV Law Enforcement Training Committee. As per State law, I recommend that the change be authorized.
Motion by Manilla, second by Bane, for approval. Motion carried 7-0.
Item No. 8:
This past week, the County Commission unanimously voted to donate a one third acre tract to the City of Morgantown to be used as the site for the new North Side Fire Station (map attached). This is a very generous act that will save the residents of the City an 8% increase in Fire Service Fees that otherwise would have been needed to acquire a similar site. Based upon this very generous act and the merits of the site, I recommend that the donation be gratefully accepted and the City express its appreciation to the County Commission.
Motion by Byrne, second by Manilla, to accept it with gratitude. Motion carried 7-0.
CITY CLERK'S REPORT:
No Report.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT:
No Report.
REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane spoke of student parking in yards and parties lowering property values in First Ward and asked about enforcement of exterior standards.
City Manager Boroff stated that, with an address, he will have it checked.
Councilor Manilla: Councilor Manilla noted that High Street is taking shape; discussed the B-4 District task force and that the City Planner is gathering information; and has received e-mails on trash problems.
Council: There was general discussion about amenities for High Street.
Councilor Scafella: Councilor Scafella advised educating students on the different rules, bringing High Street back to where it was, and suggested starting revision of the Comprehensive Plan.
Councilor Miller: Councilor Miller announced an Evansdale NHA meeting; gave an example of revitalization in her neighborhood; and attended a Marshall University tailgate with Officer Gordey.
Councilor Byrne: Councilor Byrne announced the South Hills Community picnic; asked if the meeting was held with Mr. Raese, the possibility of the DOH taking over portions of Walnut, University, Pleasant, and Spruce and if the Property Owners Association had brought back any standards for exterior maintenance; discussed citations versus arrests for open containers, checking I.D.’s at keg parties, and gave an example of why we need our police inside the bars; and commended Bill Kowecki for staying for the entire COW.
City Manager Boroff has not met with Mr. Raese yet nor heard from the Property Owners Association about exterior standards.
City Attorney Fanok responded that in most instances police officers issue citations rather than arrest for open container violations and that the police do check I.D.’s at keg parties.
Councilor Spencer: Councilor Spencer discussed the Wayfinder System as a High Street amenity, the Collins Ferry and Patteson Drive sidewalks; asked for Dr. McConnell and solid waste report on COW agenda; noted the Post Office is leaving downtown; discussed questions raised by the Riverview project; and suggested that WVU needs to address sprawl.
Mayor Justice: Mayor Justice requested trashy locations be reported to Officer Ball and for Main Street to give a High Street update at the COW; observed that Rawley Avenue petitioners should be informed of the Evansdale NHA meeting; confirmed a tour before the COW, noted that Terri Cutright is working on options for Post Office services in town; and advised starting the Comprehensive Plan revision now with a mid-October stakeholder exercise to prioritize issues.
Council: There was discussion of the Comprehensive Plan process, short-term B-4 concerns, businesses and Riverfront development, downtown buildings, and finding a vision to put into the Comprehensive Plan.
Mayor Justice (continued): Mayor Justice had questions about T-21 grants for High Street.
City Manager Boroff confirmed the application is already submitted for the next block. In November, the letter of intent will take it down to the bridge. After that, Council will have a choice, come back up Spruce Street or side streets or shift that tool to another project.
Mayor Justice informed that Sen. Oliverio will help talk to the DOH about repaving High Street when the project is complete; announced the Met Theatre lobby almost done and WV Heritage Week events; complimented the Police and Fire Chiefs, Dan, and everybody for making the weekend a success.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:00 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.