MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Morgantown Parking Authority was held at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 14, 2005, in the Conference Room at the Public Safety Building.

 

PRESENT:  Chairman Ernest Fortuna, Charlie McEwuen, George Papandreas and Tom Arnold.

 

ABSENT:  Vice-Chairman Bill Byrne and 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. Papandreas, seconded by Mr. McEwuen and approved by unanimous vote, the minutes of the regular meeting of December 14, 2005 were approved as presented.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

University Avenue Garage Stair Replacement:

 

Mr. Arnold said he is pleased with the work Commercial Builders is doing on the University Avenue garage stair replacement.  The contractor uncovered some moisture damage to the steel, which required a Change Order to replace. 

 

The concrete for the stairs are being poured.  The stairs will be wide with blue rubberized tread with gold steps.  The railings will be open to allow pedestrians to see from top to bottom.  To help keep the cost down for this project Parking Authority employees will paint the stairs.  This work should be completed the week of January 16th. 

 

Customer Parking Handbook:

 

            Mr. Arnold has asked Main Street Morgantown to review the customer parking handbook and offer feedback on possible improvements to it.  The Enforcement Officers would like to include the parking regulations in the handbook.  A map was received from the Police Department and hat may be added to the handbook. 

 

Mr. Arnold asked the Parking Authority members what they would like to includ in the brochure.  Mr. McEwuen prepared a rough draft of information on the “cashkey”.  Mr. Fortuna said it is a possibility that people will not read the brochure and will just toss it away.  Mr. Arnold reminded the members that this brochure is parking information that downtown merchants could share with their customers.

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

“Customer Only Parking” Program:

 

            Ms. Terri Cutright was scheduled to attend this meeting to discuss “customer only parking”.  She was unable to attend due to a meeting with Kane Core regarding the 1,000-bed apartment building that may be built on University Avenue.  Mr. Arnold said the Parking Authority did not initiate the “customer only parking”.  He has met with the City Manager and has informed him that the Parking Authority will not go before City Council on this issue.  The Authority will however work with Main Street on this. 

 

            He said that on any given day there are ten to twenty-five business owners, employees and residential vehicles parked on High Street.  The “customer only parking” spaces will not be for employees or residents of the downtown.  The fine for this violation should be at least $100. 

 

            Mr. Papandreas asked if the “customer only parking” is legal.  Mr. Arnold said he is just informing the Parking Authority about the concept of “customer only parking” and in no way is the Parking Authority initiating this requesting.  The Authority members are in agreement that when Main Street Morgantown makes this request before City Council they are not to involve the Parking Authority.  The members do not want the Parking Authority’s name attached to this request.

 

OTHER MATTERS:

 

None.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

 

            The Parking Authority upon a motion by Mr. McEwuen, seconded by Mr. Papandreas and approved by unanimous vote went into Executive Session at 3:40 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.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

            There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 P.M.

 

 

 

_____________________________              ______________________________

                           DATE                                                  Ernest Fortuna, Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:  _____________________________________

                                      Dianna L. Kovalcheck