MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Regular Meeting

The regular meeting of the Morgantown Parking Authority was held at 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 8, 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: Terry Cutright, Main Street Morgantown Director

Chris Fletcher, City Planning Director

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 October 11, 2006 were approved as presented.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Report on State College:

Mr. Arnold recently visited the Borough of State College, Pennsylvania with Terry Cutright, Main Street Director and Chris Fletcher, City Planner. The Borough of State College is a small town similar to Morgantown. While in State College the trio visited its downtown and parked in the new parking garage that houses commercial and retail spaces. He invited Ms. Cutright and Mr. Fletcher to the Parking Authority meeting to elaborate on the similarities of Morgantown and State College.

Mr. Papandreas asked how State College prevented student residents from flowing into residential areas. Mr. Fletcher said the residential property values are extremely high and State College has established a “3 Unrelated Rule”, therefore, students can’t afford to live in the residential areas. Mr. Fletcher believes that Morgantown is in need of density requirements and needs a downtown plan.

Trees on Spruce Street:

Councilman Don Spencer attended the October 11, 2006 meeting and presented a render drawing of Spruce Street showing the location of existing trees as well as the location for proposed trees. Mr. Arnold presented the plan to the Trustees of the Spruce Street United Methodist Church for their review. The Church took a vote and unanimously agreed that they are not interested in the plan due to planned expansion of the church. The members didn’t like the boxes the trees would be planted in and also had concerns with snow removal in the lot.

Mr. Arnold believes there is a need for additional trees on Spruce Street however the placement of trees in the Spruce Street Church lot is a problem. Mr. Arnold suggested that Mr. Spencer discuss the church’s concerns with them. Mr. Byrne suggested the Parking Authority could include trees in any future leased lot. Mr. Arnold said the Parking Authority currently follows the 5% rule for trees and trees will be included in future leases as long as the tree placement make sense and the parking lot can be designed around them functionally. He has concerns about the maintenance of the trees once they are planted because it appears that the Tree Board is not maintaining them.

Replacement for an Opening on Parking Authority Board:

The Parking Authority was notified that Authority member Ron Bane wishes to step down from the Parking Authority Board. Mr. Arnold is requesting that the Authority members submit names of possible candidates to fill this vacancy. Mr. McEwuen said Ms. Becky Reese seemed interested in serving on the board. Mr. Byrne said there are already has two business owners serving on the Board and suggested having someone from the area neighborhoods such as South Park to serve.

After a brief discussion it was determined that Mr. Arnold will report to the City Clerk’s office that the Parking Authority is canvassing two different areas for candidates. Mr. Arnold reminded the members that the candidate must live within the city limits of Morgantown.

NEW BUSINESS:

Street Scape Update:

Mr. Arnold reported on the status of the High Street-Street Scape. The remainder of the concrete for the sidewalks is being poured and the project should be completed by November 29^th. The trees will be planted in the planters and the lights were turned on.

Lot H Walnut Street Exit - Pedestrian vs. Vehicle:

Mr. Arnold informed the Authority members of a safety problem at the Walnut Street exit to the Spruce Street parking garage. Pedestrians are illegally crossing Walnut Street to get to the Spruce Street parking garage. This exit can be dangerous when pedestrians don’t use the crosswalk because one person has already been hit by a vehicle and killed there. Mr. Arnold is afraid that a similar situation could happen again, that is why he will be writing a letter to both the Beauty School and to Mindy’s School of Dance asking them to inform their clients of the potential danger and to urge them to use the designated cross walks.

Another problem that is occurring at the Walnut exit is pedestrians walking through the exit gate when vehicles are exiting. There is a light beam that tells the gate when the vehicle has exited and it should close. When the person passes by the light beam it sends a false signal to the gate informing it that the vehicle has exited and it can close. This has resulted in gate arm coming down on to vehicles. The Parking Authority maintenance personnel has stenciled on warning signs and installed metal pedestrian cross walk signs to inform the public not to cross near the exit gate.

OTHER MATTERS:

None.

ADJOURNMENT:

The Parking Authority upon a motion by Mr. Byrne, seconded by Mr. Papandreas and approved by unanimous vote went into Executive Session at 4:35 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 4:50 P.M.

_____________________________ ______________________________

DATE Ernest Fortuna, Chairman

Prepared by: _____________________________________

Dianna L. Kovalcheck