Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:30 PM ON JUNE 22, 2021 IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF BECKLEY CITY HALL. THOSE PRESENT: Mayor Robert R. Rappold, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, City Attorney, Mr. File, Secretary Susan Miller, Council Members: Tom Sopher, Robert Dunlap, Robert Canter, Cody Reedy, Jeanine Bullock and Sherrie Hunter, Bill Kelly, Director of IT, and Amy Evans, Assistant Director of IT, Director of Parks & Recreation Leslie Baker, Donnie Morgan Fire Department Captain and Chief Code Official, Captain of FD Ernie Parsons. PRESENT BY WEB-X: Chief of Police Lonnie Christian, Councilman Kevin Price and Director of the Board of Public Works, Jerry Stump. In memory of Pastor Nelson Staples III, the Mayor asked that we honor him with a moment of silence. The Mayor reminded the public that they will be able to make comments when invited to do so by either pressing *3 on their phone and their call will be taken in the order it is received, or if viewing by computer or tablet, raising your hand by right clicking your name and choosing “Raise Hand”. The Mayor called the meeting to order. The Mayor asked that all in attendance stand and recite The Pledge of Allegiance. The Mayor announced because of the ongoing concerns of the coronavirus, and the health and safety of the City of Beckley employees, as well as the public, this regular Council meeting for June 8, 2021 is being held via WebEx Event. The public will have access to join the meeting either from their computer, or by phone, using the weblink or phone number provided the day of the meeting on the City’s webpage at Beckley.org or the City’s Facebook page. Council dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the regular Council meeting dated June 8, 2021, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Price seconded by Councilwoman Hunter. Council dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the Workshop meeting dated June 7, 2021 copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Sopher seconded by Councilwoman Bullock. Mr. File read, in its entirety, the Bank Depository Resolution. Council unanimously approved the Resolution as written on a motion by Councilman Dunlap seconded by Councilwoman Bullock. The Resolution is hereby incorporated into these minutes.  The Mayor requested that Council consider Lee Leftwich joining the Planning Commission as a replace- ment for Ann Worley who resigned after being appointed to the Beckley Sanitary Board. Council unanimously approved Mr. Leftwich's appointment to the Planning Commission on a motion by Councilwoman Hunter seconded by Councilman Sopher. The following Emergency Operations Center Board memberships were renewed. Bill Brown whose term will expire June 30, 2024 was renewed on a motion by Councilman Sopher seconded by Councilman Price and passed unanimously. Kevin Price whose term will expire June 30, 2023 was renewed on a motion by Councilman Dunlap seconded by Councilwoman Hunter and passed unanimously. Mr. Price recused himself from the vote. Next, Council unanimously awarded the paving bid to Southern West Virginia Paving for the paving of Sour Street and Broadway Street on a motion by Council Reedy seconded by Councilman Sopher. The total bid is $98,700.00. Next, the Mayor opened three bids for playground equipment on Scott Avenue. The first bid was from Metro Recreation which included basketball and playground equipment, benches, and trash cans for a total bid of $79,280.00. The second bid opened was from Cunningham Recreation which included basketball & playground equipment, picnic tables, benches, and trash cans for a total bid of $146,264.63. The final bid was from BSN Sports which included basketball equipment, picnic tables and trash cans. However, the bid did not include playground equipment or picnic tables. The total cost of BSN Sport's bid is $13,545.08. Councilman Sopher asked if we could mix and match and get different pieces of equipment from each company. The Mayor stated the bids must meet the specifications stated in the advertisement requesting the bids. Ms. Baker, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that this is grant money coming from HUD and they are very particular. At the request of the Beckley Raleigh County Chamber, the Mayor invited Council Members to a grand opening and ribbon cutting Thursday, June 24, 2021 for Dr. Elizabeth Nelson, MD. Open house is from 4 – 6 p.m. with the ribbon cutting at 5:00 at Beckley Medical Arts. OLD BUSINESS: Councilwoman Bullock thanked everyone that attended Juneteenth celebrations. Councilman Sopher invited Council Members to the Wildwood House sign dedication regarding Ferguson Rock Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. He said there will also be a History Alive presentation by the Historical Society and everyone are welcome to attend. The Mayor commended Jill Moorefield and her group for the painting they did on the Birchfield building. NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Hunter thanked Captain Morgan for the great job that they do at the code office. She also commended Ms. Rotellini for the work she and the Chamber of Commerce do for our area. Councilwoman Hunter said that she is very proud of the Showcase Book. Councilwoman Bullock invited Council Members to the Raleigh Playhouse to see the Motown review next weekend, Friday through Monday. She also congratulated her nephew, Jonathan Lankan, for recently becoming a Pediatrician. Councilman Dunlap passed out Mountaineer Challenge Academy folders for Council Members to review so they are familiar with the program when a speaker from the academy makes her presentation. The academy is located in Montgomery. Councilman Reedy asked if Pastors representing different churches could offer prayer at the beginning of each Council meeting.  The Mayor said that this would be considered. Councilman Reedy also asked when the City might reopen the meetings to the public to attend. The Mayor said the tentative plan is the first meeting in July. Councilman Sopher asked Ms. Baker how the progress with opening the city pool at New River Park is coming. She said that it is coming along well. She said that the YMCA is holding a prerequisite course this Saturday, June 26, 2021. She also said that the insurance company has agreed that sixteen – eighteen-year-old Lifeguards is acceptable. The YMCA is reserving two lanes of their pool for this at no fee. She stated that the individuals that pass the prerequisites progress to the online portion. The written test is July 2 and the final test is July 3, 2021. The target opening date is July 9, 2021. The Lifeguards will be paid $12.00 per hour. Ms. Baker stated that concession stand workers and ticket takers are needed. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. The Mayor said that he and Recorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump met with a new representative from the Piney Creek Watershed today and the real need for camping sites in this area was discussed. With no further business to discuss a motion made by Councilman Sopher to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. was seconded by Councilman Dunlap. _________________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer