Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:30 PM ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 BY WEB-X DUE TO COVID-19. THOSE PRESENT BY WEB-X: Mayor Robert R. Rappold, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, Secretary Susan Miller, IT Director, Bill Kelly, Assistant IT Director, Amy Evans, Council Members: Sherrie Hunter, Cody Reedy, Bob Canter, Robert Dunlap, Kevin Price, and Janine Bullock. Also present by WEB-X were the following Department Heads: Chief of PD Lonnie Christian, Captain of FD and Chief Code Official, Donnie Morgan and, FD Captain Ernie Parsons. THOSE ABSENT: Councilman Sopher and, City Attorney, Mr. File. 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. Council members, Department Heads and the public joined the meeting by WEB-X 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 September 14, 2021, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Dunlap, seconded by Councilwoman Bullock. Next, the Mayor stated that the only bid received to replace the roof on the Welcome Center was from JH Building & Contracting. The total cost of the bid was $64,500.00. The two Council members at Large, Sherrie Hunter and Cody Reedy, reported they met with Recorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump, and Director of the Board of Public Works, Jerry Stump and they recommended that it be rebid. The Mayor commended those that reviewed the bid. Next, Recorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump presented the second reading of an Ordinance by title only An Ordinance Permanently Closing, Vacating discontinuing So Much Of A Public Right-Of-Way, Namely, An Unused 10-Foot-Wide Right-Of-Way/Alley Between Ellison Avenue And Seaver Avenue In Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, And Authorizing Conveyance Of This Unused Right-Of-Way/Alley To The Owner Of The Adjacent Property. Mr. Trump opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mr. Trump closed the public hearing and the Mayor asked for a motion to adopt this Ordinance. A motion was made by Councilwoman Hunter seconded by Councilwoman Bullock and unanimously approved by Council and the Ordinance is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Next, the Mayor read aloud the email he sent Council members earlier today updating them on the deterioration of the Former Prince Medical Lab building on Prince Street. The Mayor stated that it will be up for further discussion during the Workshop Monday, October 4, 2021 at 5:05. The Mayor asked if any Council member wanted to make any comments. Councilman Price said that he walked by the building today with an Architect, and Engineer. Councilman Price stated that the front of the building is starting to do the same as the sidewall that collapsed. He said that it has moved approximately one inch from where it was a few weeks ago and thinks the internal issues that caused the sidewall to collapse are pushing the front out. Councilman Price stated that he does not think the City should wait. Councilman Price said the Architect was of the same opinion. Councilman Price stated that this building needs to come down in a controlled manner. The Mayor said that he agrees and thanked Councilman Price for being so observant of the building. The Mayor said that he will immediately contact Mr. Stump, Director of the Board of Public Works to request he fence off the Prince Street side of the building. Councilwoman Hunter stated that she thinks the City should expedite having the building taken down as quickly as possible. The Mayor said that the Workshop is scheduled for Monday, October 4, 2021, and that Mr. File will be back in town Wednesday evening and he wants to consult with Mr. File regarding this. The Mayor stated that after Council tabled the original demolition quote from Empire Salvage, the issue was not taken off the table at the next meeting and it was a dead issue that should be reintroduced for Council's approval. The Mayor stated that depending on Mr. File's recommendation, a special meeting may be called prior to the October 4th Workshop. The Mayor clarified that the Workshop will still take place to discuss the New River Drive property for the Beckley Sanitary Board. Councilman Dunlap asked the Mayor if he had Council's permission to communicate the Workshop information to the independent investor that expressed interest in the former Prince Medical Lab building. He would like to communicate to the investor that if she wishes to submit a written offer, she will need to submit it before the Workshop, October 4, 2021. Councilman Dunlap said that he will likely abstain from the vote to avoid the appearance of impropriety since he attempted to attract this and other investors to this structure and other structures uptown. The Mayor agreed that she should be notified stating that he met with the potential independent investor today and that her offer should include some architectural plans and authentication of her financial wherewithal and it would require a definite timetable. The Mayor said that this will be a valuable piece of property and that if the City does not attract an independent investor that wants to start from scratch, perhaps the City could take charge and do it on their own or do it through a PPP. Recorder Treasurer, Billie Trump said that after a discussion with Mark Elmore at Empire Salvage, the State requires a two-week notification before the demolition can begin. OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor congratulated Councilwoman at Large Sherrie Hunter and Councilwoman Janine Bullock for being recognized as Female Leaders and thanked them for their contributions to the City. The Mayor stated that he has heard a lot of praise regarding the Rising Cardinal Sculpture that was dedicated Sunday, September 26, 2021. The Mayor thanked Council and Recorder Treasurer Billie Trump for their help. He also thanked Councilwoman Hunter, Councilwoman Bullock, and Councilman Dunlap for attending the dedication. OLD BUSINESS: Councilman Price stated that the company that did the work on the light poles and sidewalks left several wheelchair access points on the Prince Street side that come out one or two car lengths beyond the crosswalk. Councilman Price stated the crosswalk is about 12 – 15 ft. back from the actual crosswalk. Councilman Price said that the City needs to see if this can be corrected. The Mayor stated that RK Construction Company, Inc. from Frametown, WV did the work, and he will follow up on this issue. Councilman Price stated that there is another access point on Fayette Street that needs corrected. Councilwoman Hunter thanked the Board of Public Works for helping to maintain the beauty of the hanging Baskets and flower beds in the City. She stated that Jane Haga and the Beckley Beautification Committee work well together. Councilwoman Hunter also thanked Code Enforcement and Captain Donnie Morgan for their help in dump sites around the City. Councilwoman Hunter stated that a home on Crescent Road across from the former BB&T was demolished. The Mayor stated that there were some issues as to whether the contractor followed correct protocols regarding a very large sewer line. The Mayor said that the City will observe Halloween on Sunday, October 31, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The Mayor stated that Council in the future may want to designate the last Saturday in October for trick-or-treat each year. NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Dunlap thanked Code Enforcement and the Board of Public Works. He also announced that the new business Coffee on Main will open Friday October 1, 2021. The ribbon cutting will be at 4:00 Friday. He also thanked the Chamber of Commerce and Michelle Rotellini. He was very appreciative of Code Enforcement's expedient work in contributing to making this happen, as well the County's cooperation in helping make this happen so quickly. The Mayor thanked Code Enforcement and the Beckley Fire Department for their hard work to protect and provide public safety. The Mayor thanked Captain Donnie Morgan for trying to accomplish so much. Councilwoman Bullock reminded the Mayor about Chili Night Saturday, October 2, 2021. The Mayor said that the Beckley City Events Committee met September 20, 2021, to vote on whether to have Chili Night. The majority voted to have Chili Night. The Mayor commended the City Event's Coordinator, Jill Moorefield for her hard work and stated that there have been a few cancellations from some vendors but he is optimistic about Chili Night. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments. The Mayor asked for a motion to adjourn at 7:05 p.m. which was made by Councilman Dunlap and seconded by Councilwoman Bullock. _________________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer