Common Council

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:33 PM ON JANUARY 25, 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, Chief Christian of Beckley PD. 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 January 11, 2022, 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 Councilwoman Hunter. Council dispensed with the reading and approval of minutes from the Workshop dated January 18, 2022, copies of which had been distributed to each member. Council unanimously approved the minutes as written on a motion by Councilwoman Bullock and seconded by Councilman Dunlap. Next was the second reading by title only and public hearing of an ordinance titled Ordinance Amending Chapter 9, Article II, Section 9-229 (a) And (b) Of The City of Beckley Municipal Code Increasing the Limit To $25K 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 WV Legislature. Mr. File explained that the current Beckley Sanitary Board limit is $5,000.00. and if the WV Legislature increases its current limit of $25K, this ordinance would automatically increase the limit for the Beckley Sanitary Board. Mr. File opened the public hearing. Danielle Stewart commented that she fully supports the increase to $25K. However, she recommends that Council amend the ordinance so that it is not bound to the State Legislature. She thinks that it would be better if Council keeps this decision within Council's jurisdiction. She said that if passed City Council loses its voice because it will be up to the State. Mr. File stated that the Beckley Sanitary Board requested this ordinance, and it is in the best interest of the public. The Beckley Sanitary Board would be able to expedite the purchase of labor and goods quicker. It has become very cumbersome with the supply shortage and delay of the shipping of goods. When the Beckley Sanitary Board must respond to a situation there are time sensitive matters that require them to respond quickly. Some of these issues involve families, buildings, and a lot of property where the backing up of sewage is a possibility. This ordinance is to help eliminate those risks. There were no other public comments. Mr. File closed the public hearing. The Mayor said that the supply chain problems have accentuated this problem. The Mayor asked for a motion to adopt the Ordinance which was unanimously approved by Council on a motion made by Councilwoman Hunter and seconded by Councilwoman Bullock. The ordinance is hereby incorporated into these minutes. Councilman Price asked if this ordinance includes the City's limit, or if it only applies to the Sanitary Board. Mr. File clarified that currently the City has a limit of $15K for the purchase of goods and labor. In the future the City will ask for an increase to at least $25K which has been authorized by the legislature. Mr. File said that the ordinance presented tonight does not authorize the City's administration to increase the City's current limit of $15K without further action by Council. The ordinance voted on tonight solely addresses the increase for the Beckley Sanitary Board. The Mayor said that he hopes that the City can soon adopt a similar ordinance due to the same reasons. OLD BUSINESS: The Mayor stated that Attorney Gavin Ward is doing a title search for the WJLS building that Mr. Bickey is offering as a gift to the City. Thrasher Engineering is conducting a survey regarding the Pinecrest Business and Technology Park. This will provide Mr. File the information that the City needs for the ordinance deeding the property to the City. Councilman Sopher asked if the City should hire a Property Manager with maintenance staff and a budget. The Mayor said that the City's legal and accounting departments have been discussing the possibility of a commission that could make these decisions pending Council's approval. This commission would be similar to the Beckley Building Commission that holds title to property such as the FD and the Beckley PD Headquarters then leases it back to the City. The Mayor said this commission would be the first step and agrees that an individual is needed that specializes in real estate valuations, appraisals, and writing agreements/contracts. The Mayor said there may be more real estate that is of interest to the City. The Mayor said that the City is working on forming a Real Estate Commission. Councilwoman Bullock thanked the Beckley FD (on behalf of the residents on "E" Street) for its response to two fires on that street. NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Sopher asked if the City is looking to train/hire Lifeguards so that New River Pool can be open to the community this year. The Mayor said that Leslie Baker, Director of Parks and Recreation, and the YMCA began approximately two months ago aggressively working on a Lifeguard training program. With there being no public comments, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:50 on a motion made by Councilman Price and seconded by Councilman Dunlap. _____________________________ ________________________________ Mayor Recorder-Treasurer