MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Morgantown Parking Authority was held at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 13, 2006, in the Conference Room at the Public Safety Building.

 

PRESENT:  Chairman Ernest Fortuna, Vice-Chairman Bill Byrne, George Papandreas, Charlie

        McEwuen and Tom Arnold.

 

ABSENT:  Ron Bane.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  None.

 

            Chairman Ernest Fortuna called the meeting to order at 3:05 P.M.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Upon a motion by Mr. Byrne, seconded by Mr. McEwuen and approved by unanimous vote, the minutes of the regular meeting of November 8, 2006 were approved as presented.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

Replacement for an Opening on Parking Authority Board:

 

            Mr. Arnold previously requested the Authority members submit names of possible candidates to fill the vacancy left by former member Ron Bane.   Mr. McEwuen had recommended Ms. Becky Reese at the last meeting but it has been determined she lives outside the city limits.  He has a neighbor, Mr. Ralph LaRue, who lives in the city limits and would like to serve on the Board.  Mr. Arnold said Mr. LaRue is a City employee so he will check with the City attorney to see if Mr. LaRue is eligible to serve on the Board. 

 

Authority members submitted a few more names such as Betty McClain, Marka Paparozzi, Jeanne Hagan (Pinocchio’s), and Linda Snyder (Elegant Alley Cat).  Mr. Arnold said Ms. Snyder lives outside the city limits; therefore, she is ineligible to serve on the Board.

 

            After a brief discussion it was determined that Mr. Arnold will check with the City Attorney to determine Mr. LaRue’s eligibility to serve on the Board.  Mr. Arnold reminded the members that the candidate must live within the city limits of Morgantown. 

 

January 2007 Meeting with Downtown Merchants:

 

            Main Street Morgantown will hold a meeting with downtown merchants on January 10, 2007.  At the meeting Ms. Cutright will seek additional input from the downtown merchants on creating a “business zone” or “customer only zone.”   Mr. Papandreas would like to see the meters on High Street changed to .25¢ for fifteen minutes and restrict parking to two-hours.   Mr. McEwuen said some merchants would like to see the meters shortened to one hour on High Street and an alternative to a shorter time period would be to increase the fee.  

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Review Reports Received in Authority Meeting Packets:

 

            Mr. Arnold presented a draft of the Parking Authority’s annual report for review and said there may be changes.  He would like to establish a relationship with the downtown residential property owners (B-4) and get an inventory of their parking needs.  He is currently working on a fall semester program for residential parking. 

 

            Mr. Papandreas discussed potential residential development in the downtown and would like to provide them with a parking space in Lot H (Spruce/Walnut garage) or in Lot K (University/Walnut garage).  Students living in Evansdale and needing a parking space would be required to park at Lot N (Wharf garage). 

 

Mr. McEwuen would like to see an ordinance enacted that would require tenants in a (B-4) district who owns a vehicle to secure a parking permit.  Mr. Arnold said WVU residential halls such as Boreman and Arnold are not in the (B-4) district but are in the downtown.  The residents in the (B-4) district are the Parking Authority’s main concern.   Mr. Byrne said the City could require information from the property owners to see if they are in compliance with parking.  However, the problem with the letter of compliance is that it is good for three years.  The City could obtain this data by including a survey along with the B&O taxes. 

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

Meters on High Street:

 

Mr. Fortuna asked Mr. Arnold why the meters on High Street were installed backwards.  Mr. McEwuen said he had the same reaction when he first parked on High Street after the meters were reinstalled but is used to it now.  Mr. Byrne said to give it a few weeks for the public to get used to the direction of the meters.  Mr. Fortuna’s concern with the direction of the meters is when it snows the snow plow will push the snow on the sidewalk and people will not be able to put money in the meter.  Mr. Arnold said the meters could be changed easily.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            The Parking Authority upon a motion by Mr. Byrne, seconded by Mr. Papandreas and approved by unanimous vote went into Executive Session at 4:05 P.M., pursuant to 6-9A-4 of the Open Government Proceedings Act specifically subsection 9 to consider matters involving the purchase, sale, or lease of property, the investment of Public Funds or other matters involving commercial competition, which if made public might adversely affect the financial or other interest of the City or this Parking Authority.

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 P.M.

 

 

_____________________________              ______________________________

                           DATE                                                  Ernest Fortuna, Chairman

 

Prepared by:  _____________________________________

                                      Dianna L. Kovalcheck