Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:30 PM ON AUGUST 10, 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, Bill Kelly, Director of IT, Director of Parks & Recreation Leslie Baker, Donnie Morgan Fire Department Captain and Chief Code Official, and Chief of Police Lonnie Christian, and Grants Administrator, Angela King. THOSE PRESENT BY WEB-X: Ernie Parsons, Captain of the Fire Department and Jeremiah Johnson, General Manager of the Sanitary Board. THOSE ABSENT: Jerry Stump, Director of Board of Public Works. 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 at 6:30 p.m. 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 July 27, 2021, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilwoman Hunter seconded by Councilman Sopher. Council dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the Public Hearing dated July 29, 2021 copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilwoman Bullock seconded by Councilman Reedy. Next, Angela King, Grants Administrator summarized the 2021 CDBG Annual Action Plan which Covers the expenditure of $321,742.00. The breakdown is as follows: $232,394.00 for paving streets; $25,000.00 to Raleigh County Community Action for rent/utility assistance programs; $64,348.00 for administrative fees in administrating grants. This money will also cover the cost of advertisements in the newspaper. Council unanimously approved the CDBG Annual Action Plan on a motion made by Councilman Price, seconded by Councilman Sopher. The resolution is hereby incorporated into these minutes.  OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor announced that he and Mr. Trump, Recorder-Treasurer recently attended a West Virginia Municipal League meeting in Wheeling where the City of Beckley was awarded the Vision for Tomorrow Award by Thrasher. The Mayor stated that the award was sponsored by Thrasher but an independent panel selected the recipient. The Mayor gave an update on the Cardinal Sculpture. He said it will be installed in three pieces and the first piece should be installed next week. Landscaping will also be touched up in that area. NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Sopher showed a topography map that Tim Lamb made of the City. The City will be purchasing one for $2,500.00. Councilwoman Hunter congratulated the four Beckley Police Officers who recently received promotions. She also thanked Captain Donnie Morgan for all that he and the code office does. She thanked Donna Whitt for having a Back to School Program for children. She said that Friday, August 13, 2021 another Back to School Program will be held at Lewis Ritchie Apartments from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, August 14, 2021 is the Beckley Day of Hope. Councilman Dunlap thanked Chief Christian, Captain Morgan, Leslie Baker and Mr. Trump for their time in discussing with him various ideas. Councilman Sopher mentioned that the youth will be recognized tonight at the Youth Museum from 6-8 p.m. Councilwoman Bullock asked for an update on the Bill Wither's statue. The Mayor said that in his last conversation with Pastor Hightower he was told the work would start in July or August. The possibility of getting a dog park at the soccer field was mentioned. The Mayor said that it may be a possibility if the City receives the eight million dollars it's hoping for from the Federal government. Councilman Sopher asked if it would be possible to remove the requirement for dogs to be registered. Mr. File, City Attorney, said that he will research this issue. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. With no further business, the Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Councilman Sopher made the motion which was seconded by Councilman Price. _________________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer