Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:33 PM ON JANUARY 11, 2022, BY WEB-X DUE TO COVID-19. THOSE PRESENT: Mayor Robert R. Rappold, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, City Attorney Bill File, Secretary Susan Miller, IT Director, Bill Kelly, Assistant IT Director, Amy Evans, Council Members: Cody Reedy, Tom Sopher, Robert Dunlap, Bob Canter, Kevin Price, Sherrie Hunter, and Janine Bullock. The following Department Heads were present: Captain Parsons of Beckley FD, Deputy Chief Bailey, Board of Public Works Director, Jerry Stump, Parks & Recreation Director, Leslie Baker (as the guest speaker). 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 6:33 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 and approval of minutes from the regular Council meeting dated December 14, 2021, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilman Sopher and seconded by Councilman Price. Next was the second reading by title only and public hearing of an ordinance titled Ordinance To Provide For An Amendment To The Traffic Control Map – Other Than Parking – And Traffic Control File – Requiring Vehicles Traveling On Prince Street From The Intersection Of North Kanawha Street And Prince Street To Travel In Two West Bound Lanes To The Intersection Of Leslie C. Gates Place And Prince Street. Mr. File opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mr. File closed the public hearing. The Mayor asked for a motion to adopt the Ordinance which was unanimously approved by Council on a motion made by Councilman Reedy and seconded by Councilman Sopher. The ordinance is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Mr. File summarized an ordinance titled An Ordinance Amending Chapter 9, Article II, Section 9- 229 (a) and (b) Of The City Of Beckley Municipal Code Increasing The Limit To $25,000.00 For Purchases Of Goods And Labor By The City of Beckley Sanitary Board Without Going Through The Formal Bid Process And Automatically Incorporate Any Future Increase In Said Limit Set By The West Virginia Legislature. Mr. File said if passed tonight on the first reading, the second reading and public hearing will take place during the January 25, 2022, Council meeting. Mr. File read the Ordinance by title only. Council unanimously approved the Ordinance on a motion made by Councilwoman Hunter and seconded by Councilman Sopher. The Ordinance is hereby incorporated into these minutes.  Next, Parks & Recreation Director Leslie Baker updated Council on the maintenance work for the Exhibition Coal Mine that she and Mine Foremen, Tonie Bosconi and Dorcil Turner, have been working on. They have been working closely with Jenmar, Menvest, Affinity Coal, and Safety Engineers. Leslie stated that no major work has been done to the mine since the 1990's. Because it is not a production mine it is not held to the same guidelines that a producing coal mine is held to. However, regular maintenance is needed now to allow the mine to continue being a safe place for visitors and to bring the mine up to date with more current mining equipment and techniques for mining coal. Jenmar is supplying all the labor. Jenmar and Affinity are supplying all the parts and equipment. They have been working there the last two weeks and anticipate working there two or three weeks longer. This is a three-year project. Leslie received a report that the roof on the mine is solid sandstone and in great condition and once these maintenance issues are completed the mine will continue being safe for another sixty years. They have installed over three hundred new roof bolts and the roof has not shown any concerns during this process. Three hundred rib bolts will be installed, as well as new metal beams. A core hole will be put in so the top can be inspected at any time. Any water that may be underground will be removed during this maintenance. Leslie was told that the work is estimated to cost $75,000.00 and if they see it will exceed the $75,00.00 (it shouldn't be any more than an additional $10,000.00 for labor) they will let her know in advance. Leslie said Affinity may cover the $10,000.00 for labor if it reaches that point. Leslie said there will be a sign on the depot thanking the workers for all their help on this project. Leslie said that once the work is completed, she will invite Council members to the mine along with all those involved with helping on this project. She plans on having an "Affinity Day" this summer so the family members of the Affinity employees that did the work can come and see what a great job they did. The Mayor expressed what a pleasure it was visiting the Exhibition Coal Mine today. There were approximately fifteen employees from Jenmar and Affinity working there today. Leslie said that the President and Regional Manager of both companies were present. The Mayor expressed his appreciation to Leslie and the staff at the Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum. Councilwoman Hunter asked Leslie if she knew how many people attended the ice-skating rink. Leslie said that 3,352 people attended. Councilman Price suggested that Leslie invite the Beckley FD to the Exhibition Coal Mine while the employees from Affinity and Jenmar are there so that the FD is aware of the recent work on the mine. The Beckley FD would be the responding agency in the event of an emergency. The Mayor agreed and said this is a great suggestion. Leslie said the Beckley FD visit there every other year and she will contact them. The Mayor said that there is a lot of excitement from the Jenmar and Affinity groups about helping the Exhibition Coal Mine update with modern mining equipment. They have checked with some mining repair shops such as Phillips Machinery to see if they have some equipment that the Exhibition Coal Mine could exhibit which would show how modern mining is done today. Next was the award of bid for block to be used for a retaining wall at the Scott Avenue Park for a new basketball court. Councilman Reedy said the only bid received was from Foster Supply, Inc. of Teays Valley in the amount of $ 44,275.70. Councilman Reedy said that this is a CDBG Grant. Council unanimously approved the bid on a motion by Councilman Reedy and seconded by Councilman Price. The bid was incorporated into the December 14, 2021, minutes. OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor asked each Council member to remember the family of Madrith Chambers in their prayers. She passed away last week. Madrith was a former Councilwoman of twelve years for Ward 5. The Mayor announced an upcoming Workshop via WEB-X at 5:05 on Tuesday January 18, 2022. The topic of the Workshop is to discuss the gifting of real estate to the City by Matt Bickey. Councilman Reedy said that he has some questions that he needs to ask on behalf of some individuals that have reached out to him. One question is when will the ability to pay B&O taxes online be available? Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump and the Mayor said the deadline for this is approximately eighteen months away and the City is working to get this implemented as quickly and accurately as possible. Councilman Reedy asked (on behalf of Mr. Brown) questions regarding the former Zen's building. He first asked if there is an update on the purchase of the building. Other questions were: When does the restaurant open? What is the amount of the rent? Is it a triple net lease? Is this an owner financed purchase? What are the terms? The Mayor said that these questions may be more suited for a phone conversation with Mr. Brown. The Mayor further stated the City operates under full disclosure, but he does not have the answers readily available at this moment. The Mayor said that the building has undergone routine maintenance and encouraged Mr. Brown to call him or Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump to discuss these questions. The tenant has been in the process of opening her Alderson and Montgomery locations which have caused a delay. Councilwoman Bullock thanked Jerry Stump, Director of the Board of Public Works, and the staff there for the snow removal. Councilman Sopher thanked Jerry Stump for the removal of trees along the parking lot on S. Fayette and McCreery Street. NEW BUSINESS: Councilwoman Hunter thanked the volunteers for working and providing coverage for the Warming Center in the United Methodist Church on Heber Street. She thanked the church for hosting the Warming Center, and thanked Trina Dacal, and the United Way of Southern WV for their help, as well as the EMT that was on site. She also thanked everyone who made donations. She said that as of this week a historical marker will be placed in Bolt honoring Little Jimmy Dickens. Councilwoman Bullock announced that Saturday, January 15th a memorial service for Kevin English will be held in the auditorium at Woodrow Wilson High School. Monday, January 17th is Martin Luther King, Jr. day and the NAACP will be honoring Quincey Madison at 1:30 at Central Baptist Church with the Living Legend Award. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Frank Williams called to congratulate Code Enforcement for tearing down two houses. He thanked Mr. Stump and the Board of Public Works for what they do for the City. A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Price and seconded by Councilman Dunlap. The meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. _____________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer