Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:30 PM ON JULY 13, 2021 IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF BECKLEY CITY HALL. THE PUBLIC WAS ABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND BY WEB-X. THOSE PRESENT: Mayor Robert R. Rappold, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, City Attorney, Mr. File, Secretary Susan Miller, Council Members: Tom Sopher, Kevin Price, Robert Dunlap, Robert Canter, Cody Reedy, Jeanine Bullock and Sherrie Hunter, 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, Director of the Board of Public Works, Jerry Stump, and Deputy Police Chief Dean Bailey. Guest speakers from The Salvation Army: Ms. Tammy Shank and Major Ronald Mott. 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 public joined the meeting in person in Council chambers and had 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 22, 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 Councilman Sopher. Ms. Shank gave a power point presentation on the history and mission of the Salvation Army. Major Mott spoke about the new facility the Salvation Army is building in Beckley and explained the floor plan with pictures and drawings and the purpose the facility will serve in our local community. The Salvation Army is requesting seventy-five thousand dollars from the City towards the construction of this new facility. Councilman Price asked if this project will be completed in phases. Major Mott said no. Councilman Canter acknowledged that this is a four-million-dollar project and The Salvation Army is asking the City for seventy-five-thousand dollars. He asked for clarification as to where the remainder of the funding will come from. Major Mott said the Carter Foundation is contributing $200K, and The Salvation Army already has $1.5M. Major Mott said they have asked a couple of other foundations for contributions but have yet to hear back from them. Councilman Sopher asked if they are going to kick off a fundraiser for the building and Mr. Mott replied they anticipate doing so this fall as long as they can obtain the necessary permits. The Mayor stated that allocation of the Rescue Act funds that are available will be discussed for projects like what The Salvation Army is doing. The Mayor reminded Council of the email he sent them today stating there will be one or two Workshop meetings open to the public to attend to discuss any contributions the City may make to non-profit organizations. The Workshop meetings will be open to all of the non-profit organizations that are interested. The Mayor mentioned some of the items that are allowed and encouraged including: broadband expansion, storm water and sanitary sewer upgrades, contributions to non- profits, monetary recognition of City employees who performed during the pandemic, making up shortfalls in the General Fund caused by the pandemic and others. The Mayor stated that Council will be very involved in making the selection and interviewing organizations like The Salvation Army, The United Way, Just For Kids, Brian's Safehouse, The Southern WV Fellowship Home, and others who have indicated interest. The Mayor said that the first Workshop will be scheduled within a month to begin this process. The Mayor said that the City has already received one allocation of funds and expects to receive another allocation approximately twelve months after the first allocation. Next, the Mayor opened bids for the paving and milling of four streets: Myers Avenue, "E" Street, Holiday Drive (Teel Rd – Pikeview Dr.) and Hull Street (Elkins Street – Berry Street). The only bid received was from Southern WV Paving, Inc. in the amount of $259,750.00. This bid will be turned over to the two Council Members at Large, Councilman Reedy and Councilwoman Hunter, as well as Jerry Stump, Director of Board of Public Works, and Billie Trump, Recorder-Treasurer, for review and possible award at a future meeting. Councilman Sopher asked if the paving would be paid for through Community Block Grant money. The Mayor said this paving would be paid from the General Fund. Councilman Canter asked why the last three paving bids have been from Southern WV Paving. The Mayor said Southern WV Paving is the only paving company in town. This bid is incorporated into these minutes. Next, the Mayor asked Mr. File to present the first reading of an Ordinance regarding the purchase of the Zen's building and parking lot. This Ordinance was summarized and read by title only by Mr. File, City Attorney. Councilman Dunlap recused himself from participating in the discussion or voting on this Ordinance and requested the minutes reflect that he abstained from participating. He informed Council that he contacted the Ethics Commission and was advised that he may have a conflict of interest. Councilwoman Hunter made the motion to adopt the Ordinance and Councilman Price seconded. The Mayor asked for a vote by show of hands in support of the Ordinance. Councilman Price, Councilwoman Hunter and Councilman Canter raised their hands. The Mayor then asked for a show of hands from those Council members opposing the Ordinance. Councilman Sopher, Councilwoman Bullock and Councilman Reedy raised their hands. The Mayor referred to Mr. File to explain the protocol in the instance of a tie. Mr. File explained that the Mayor would then be required to vote to break the tie. The Mayor voted for the motion to adopt the Ordinance and the motion passed 4-3 with 1 abstention. The Mayor announced that there will be a second reading and public hearing on this Ordinance during the July 27, 2021 Council meeting. This Ordinance is hereby incorporated into these minutes.  Next, the Mayor stated the Beautification Committee met July 7, 2021 and Gail Garcia attended and offered to join the committee. Motion was made by Councilman Price and seconded by Councilman Sopher to appoint Ms. Garcia to the Beautification Committee. Council unanimously approved the motion. Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump explained the revised Coal Severance Budget. He asked if anyone had any questions. No questions were asked. Motion was made by Councilwoman Bullock and seconded by Councilman Reedy to approve the revised Coal Severance Budget. Council unanimously approved the revised Coal Severance Budget and is incorporated into these minutes. Recorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump explained that line item #376 for Gaming Income was added to the City's Fiscal Year 2021-2022 revised budget. No questions were asked. Motion was made by Councilman Sopher to accept the revision and seconded by Councilwoman Hunter. The revised budget was unanimously approved and is incorporated into these minutes. For edification of Council, Captain Morgan read the Notice of Renewal and Application for WVABCA License for Logan's Roadhouse, LLC. This notice and application are incorporated into these minutes. The Bid Review Committee recommended the award of bids for playground equipment on Scott Avenue as follows: The vendor Miracle will supply the City with play structures with alternates for $67,842.00 and benches with alternates for $4,050.00. The bid from Miracle included five trashcans and the City requested only four. Therefore, the bid may be slightly lower. Councilwoman Hunter made the motion to accept the bid from Miracle and Councilman Price seconded. It was unanimously approved by Council and is incorporated to these minutes. The Vendor GameTime will provide the City with basketball equipment with alternates for $2,685.64 and picnic tables for $19,258.72. Councilman Canter asked for clarification if the City can purchase various items from the different vendors. The Mayor and Ms. Baker, Parks and Recreation Director, explained it is permitted in this instance. Motion was made by Councilwoman Hunter and seconded by Councilman Reedy to accept the bids from GameTime and Council unanimously approved. The bid is incorporated into these minutes.  OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor complimented the second edition of Motown that was held last week. Councilwoman Bullock did a great job. NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Dunlap said that Linda Hurley is organizing Lightened To Empowerment in Councilman Dunlap's Ward 3 on August 7, 2021. He also mentioned that last Sunday the New River Riders started riding again which includes kids cycling with law enforcement. Councilman Dunlap said he appreciates Dr. Dumas's efforts with this. Councilwoman Hunter thanked Captain Morgan for the great job that they do at the Code Enforcement office. The Mayor commended Jerry Stump, Director of Board of Public Works, for cleaning up the area at the former Colony Drug location. The Code Office gave the required notices to the new owner to comply with getting the overgrowth of the lawn area cleaned up. The new owner failed to comply and the Board of Public Works cleaned it up and the City will invoice the new owners. Councilman Sopher said that over a year ago Crescent Road was paved but did not get stripes put on it. Councilman Sopher said he discussed it with Mr. Stump, Director of the Board of Public Works and the WV DOH has been contacted to install the stripes. PUBLIC COMMENTS: The following citizens attended the meeting in person and voiced opposition to purchasing the Zen's building and parking lot: Dr. Kristi Dumas, Kevin Reedy, Calvin Moore, Jr., Beatrice Johnson (Pannell) and Adam Smith. The Mayor asked Calvin Moore, Jr, Beatrice Johnson, and Adam Smith to stay after the meeting is adjourned so he can bring them up to date on their stormwater concerns in their neighborhood. With no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Councilman Dunlap to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. and was seconded by Councilwoman Hunter. _________________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer