Common Council

A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 5:05 PM ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021, VIA WEB-X DUE TO COVID-19. THOSE PRESENT: Mayor Robert R. Rappold, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, City Attorney, Mr. File, Secretary Susan Miller, Bill Kelly, Director of IT, Amy Evans, Assistant Director of IT. Council Members: Sherrie Hunter, Robert Dunlap, Tom Sopher, Janine Bullock, Cody Reedy, Bob Canter, and Kevin Price. Andrew Davis and Jina Belcher from the NRGRDA were present. The public was invited to attend this meeting virtually. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. He 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 only item on the agenda was the transfer of ownership of the former Beckley Trash Dump. Mr. File explained that this Ordinance is necessary if the City is going to be involved with the Brownfields Remediation Program. Mr. File explained that the second reading and public hearing of this Ordinance will take place tonight. The first reading of this Ordinance took place Monday, November 22, 2021. Mr. File said that If this Ordinance is approved tonight, it will authorize the City to convey a tract of land formerly used by the City as a Trash Dump/Landfill. The property is described in Exhibit "A" attached here-to and made a part here-of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) which has agreed to accept the property. The NRGRDA will apply for a grant through the EPA Brownfields Remediation Program. This grant will pay to clean up this former dump site. Once the remediation work is complete, the City will receive this property from the NRGRDA and be in position to develop it. Mr. File read by title only the ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY FORMERLY USED AS BECKLEY TRASH DUMP/LANDFILL TO NEW RIVER GORGE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Mr. File opened a public hearing and asked if any member of the public had any comments. The Mayor reminded the public how to comment. There were no comments. Mr. File closed the public hearing. The Mayor asked Andrew Davis and Jina Belcher if they had any comments. Andrew said that he was in contact with NRGRDA Attorney, Anna Ziegler, today who is preparing the deed. The NRGRDA will receive the executed deed Tuesday. Andrew said that he will be in touch with Council, the Mayor, and Mr. File. Jina said that she has submitted all the organizational documents to open the grant process through the grants.gov portal. She said there will be costs involved which have been provided to them by George Carrico at the Brownfields Assistance Center. Once the grant package is submitted, the NRGRDA will share the entire application package with Council. Councilman Sopher said that George Carrico is a wonderful person from the WV Brownfields and Beckley should be proud that the City is putting something together on top of a Brownfield. Councilman Sopher said that he thinks the City will get national recognition once this project is complete. Councilman Sopher thanked the NRGRDA. Jina said that they are happy to serve in this role for the City. The Mayor said that he thinks that this is historic for all who are involved, and that Council is fortunate to be involved at such an exciting time as this. The Mayor thanked Councilman Sopher for his persistence over the years on this project. The Mayor thanked Andy and Jina for their guidance and involvement. Council unanimously approved the Ordinance as written on a motion by Councilman Sopher and seconded by Councilman Dunlap. The Ordinance is hereby incorporated into these minutes. The Mayor asked if there were any public comments. There were no public comments. A motion was made by Councilwoman Hunter and seconded by Councilman Price to adjourn. The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 5:17 p.m. ___________________________________ __________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer