Common Council

AREGULAR MEETING OFTHE COMMON COUNCIL OFTHE CITY OF BECKLEY CONVENED AT 6:30PMONMAY 24, 2022, INCOUNCIL CHAMBERS. THOSE PRESENT: Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump, City Attorney BillFile, Secretary Susan Miller, IT Director, BillKelly, Assistant ITDirector, Amy Evans, Council Members: Cody Reedy, Tom Sopher, Robert Dunlap, Bob Canter, Kevin Price, andSherrie Hunter. Thefollowing Department Heads were present: Superintendent ofBPW, Walter Peplowski, Captain Parsons ofBeckley FD, Deputy Chief Allard of Beckley PDandChief EdWills ofBFD. ABSENT: Mayor Rappold andCouncilwoman Bullock. Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump explained intheabsence oftheMayor, Council votes ona Council member toconduct theCouncil meeting. The Pledge ofAllegiance was recited. A motion wasmade byCouncilman Dunlap, seconded byCouncilman Price, andunanimously approved forCouncilwoman Hunter tochair themeeting. Chairperson Sherrie Hunter reminded thepublic that they willbeable tomake comments when invited todosobyeither pressing *3ontheir phone andtheir callwillbetaken intheorder itisreceived, orifviewing bycomputer ortablet, raising yourhand byright clicking your name and choosing "Raise Hand". Chairperson Hunter called the meeting toorder at6:30p.m.The public joined themeeting by WEB-Xeither from their computer, orbyphone, using theweblink orphone number provided thedayofthemeeting ontheCity’swebpage atBeckley.org, theCity’sFacebook page, or attended inCouncil chambers. Council dispensed with thereading andapproval ofminutes from theWorkshop dated April 25, 2022. Council unanimously approved theminutes aswritten onamotion byCouncilman Dunlap andseconded byCouncilman Price. Copies hadbeen distributed toeach member prior tothemeeting. Council dispensed with thereading andapproval ofminutes from theregular Council meeting dated April 26, 2022. Council unanimously approved theminutes aswritten onamotion byCouncilman Sopher and seconded byCouncilman Canter. Copies hadbeen distributed toeach member prior tothemeeting. Next, Recorder-Treasurer Billie Trump explained that theCity isrequired tosubmit abudget revision before theendofthefiscal year toreconcile allininflows andoutflows that were notanticipated. Usually, theCity submits thisinJune. However, because oftheproximity oftheCouncil meeting tothe deadline set bytheState, theCity iscompleting itnow. Mr.Trump stated thathesent anemail toallCouncil members with thedocument andanexplanation. Asareview, theCity showed some increases, but theCity hadto book thevalue ofthePinecrest property, WJLS property, ARPA funds andsome additional money from the firelevy andsome contributions from theBoard ofEducation. Allthese items arebooked asrevenue andare allaccounted for inGeneral Government, Streets & Transportation. Mr.Trump stated that everything balanced. He asked ifanyone hadany questions. Noonehadquestions. The Budget Revision was unanimously approved byCouncil onamotion made byCouncilman Price andseconded byCouncilman Sopher. The Fiscal Year Ending 2022 Budget Revision isincorporated into these minutes. Bids forpark equipment andinstallation forFreedom Park (CDBG) were received and opened. The first was from Radford & Radford, Inc. for $386,715.00. The second bid was from Game Time for $249,999.56. The bids willbegiven toRecorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump, Board ofPublic Works Director, Jerry Stump, andthetwo Council members atLarge, Councilwoman Hunter andCouncilman Reedy toreview forpossible award atalater meeting. These bids arehereby incorporated intothese minutes. The bids forthereconstruction ofNebraska, Washington, 9thth & 10 Streets (CDBG) were received and opened. The first bidwas from Asphalt Contractors Site Work, Inc. for $249,392.00. The second bidwas from Southern West Virginia Paving, Inc. for $237,500.00. The bids willbegiven toRecorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump, Board ofPublic Works Director, Jerry Stump, andthetwoCouncil members atLarge, Councilwoman Hunter andCouncilman Reedy toreview forpossible award atalater meeting. These bids arehereby incorporated into these minutes. The bids forthepaving ofthebasketball court attheScott Avenue Park (CDBG) were received and opened. The firstbid was fromSouthern West Virginia Paving, Inc. for $55,800.00. The second bidwas from Exterior Services, Inc. for $73,000.00. The bids will begiven toRecorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump, Board ofPublic Works Director, Jerry Stump, and thetwo Council members atLarge, Councilwoman Hunter andCouncilman Reedy toreview forpossible award atalater meeting. These bids are hereby incorporated into these minutes. The bids fortheinstallation ofrecreation equipment, poured-in-place rubber surfacing andfencing for Scott Avenue Park (CDBG) were received andopened. The first bid was from Court Street Construction for 250,000.00. The second bidwas from Radford & Radford, Inc. for $256,345.00. The bidswillbegiven to Recorder-Treasurer, Billie Trump, Board ofPublic Works Director, Jerry Stump, and thetwo Council members atLarge, Councilwoman Hunter andCouncilman Reedy toreview forpossible award atalater meeting. These bids arehereby incorporated intothese minutes. There were nobidsreceived tofurnish gravel forScott Avenue Park (CDBG). Chairperson Hunter said that theCity willadvertise again asking forbids onthisproject. Next, Mr.Fileexplained thattheBSB (Beckley Sanitary Board) adopted aresolution attheir May 11, 2022 meeting requesting theCOBCC (City ofBeckley Common Council) accept thedonation oftwo parcels of realestate. The lotsaredescribed aslots67 & 68Sylvia, parcels 272 & 273ontax map 40oftheRaleigh County Assessor'sOffice. These areparcels aredirectly impacted bywork ontheSewer andStormwater upgrade replacement project taking place intheS.Fayette Street, Koch Avenue andDock Street area. There isnocost totheCity. These parcels arebeing donated totheCity attherequest oftheBSB. The resolution was unanimously approved byCouncil onamotion byCouncilman Sopher andseconded byCouncilman Price. This resolution ishereby incorporated into these minutes. Next was theaward ofbidtoSouthern West Virginia Paving, Inc. forasphalt, concrete, stone, and reinforcement rods. Southern West Virginia Paving Inc.’sbidconsisted of: Base IIorP&LIat $92.50per ton, Wearing Iat $97.50perton, Curb Mix at $107.00perton, andTennis Mix at $107.00perton. Council unanimously approved thisbid onamotion made byCouncilman Reedy seconded byCouncilman Price. Acopy ofthisbidwasincorporated into theCouncil meeting minutes dated April 26, 2022. Councilman Sopher asked ifthebidreceived from Southern West Virginia Paving, Inc. forasphalt, concrete, stone, & reinforcement rods could beused asabidtofurnish gravel fortheScott Avenue Park. Mr. Trump saidthat hewillcheck withthe Consultants since CDBG funds arebeing used. Hestated that CDBG bidding requirements aredifferent than theCity's bidding requirements. Mr.Trump said that ifthe City candemonstrate thatitmetallthebidding requirements ofCDBG, theCity may beable todothat. OLD BUSINESS: Councilman Reedy asked for anupdate onStiffler Avenue. Mr.Trump saidthatoneof thefoundational things that must bedone isthemanagement ofstormwater. Hethinks Stormwater employees have been there toassess theproblem. Mr.Trump said thathehascontacted theEthics Commission andtheState Auditor's Office todetermine theCity’soptions tospend money onthisissue. Councilman Sopher spoke about theattendance oftheBillWither's event attheBeckley Intermodal Gateway BIG). He said thatitwas arainy afternoon andthere was anice crowd there despite theweather. Hesaid themusic was wonderful andthere were vendors there. Hesupports thisbeing anannual event. Councilman Sopher asked Mr.Trump foranupdate about hiring Lifeguards andasked ifthepools will open forMemorial Day. Mr.Trump said thatheandLeslie Baker, Director ofParks andRecreation willbemeeting with the USA Pools ofDelmarva which isthecompany that theCity contracted with tostaffandoperate thepools. Mr.Trump said that asofnow, hedoesn’tknow ifthepools willbeopen. Hesaid hopefully theCity can initially getthepool atBlack Knight open because itrequires fewer Lifeguards. NEW BUSINESS: Councilman Dunlap asked ifCouncil could request theMayor hold aWorkshop regarding thepossibility of theCity hiring aCityManager. Hewould likeforCouncil members toanswer questions with asense offinality ofyes, theCity isgoing tohireaCity Manager orno, theCity isnotgoing tohireaCity Manager andelaborate with specific reasons. Councilman Sopher agreed. Hesaid thisis somewhat likea "mid-term" because itisnotanelection year andtherefore now isagood time todiscuss thissubject. Chairperson Hunter thanked Beckley Beautification andtheBoard ofPublic Works fortheir work onmaking theCity apretty place with theflowers they'verecently hung and allthepretty flower beds. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chairperson Hunter reminded those logging onorcalling inbyphone how to comment. Noone was online tomake public comments. However, there were three citizens that attended the meeting andcommented. The firstwas Ms. Carter. She lives on "G" Street andasked when the mud anddust willbecleaned upandwhen willthestreet berepaired. Councilman Dunlap validated her concerns andexplained thatthere hasbeen heavy equipment inandoutthat would damage new asphalt and perhaps maybe thatitwhythe street hasnot yetbeen repaired. Chairperson Hunter saidthat shewillspeak to BPW Director, Jerry Stump regarding this. Chairperson Hunter asked Ms. Carter ifshewould share hercontact number with herafterthemeeting. Reverend Neighbors spoke representing theEast Beckley Bulldogs football team intheEast Beckley area. Heexplained that they previously hadateam, butitfolded. Agroup istrying torestart thismidget league football team togive young people anopportunity tojoin a team andplay football. East Beckley Bulldogs hasformed aBoard ofDirectors. They areasking theCity for tenthousand dollars tohelpwith equipment andstartup costs. They have kidsthat have already signed up. Councilman Dunlap saidthat Stratton isaTitle Ischool. The kids were informed that ifthey were interested andcouldn't afford the enrollment fees toorganize team sports thisyearthat itwould besubsidized from some oftheCOVID funds. Councilman Dunlap asked Reverend Neighbors ifhehaschecked with theBoard ofEducation toconfirm thatsince thisteam isorganized andstructured ifthey could access some ofthemoney that Raleigh County Board ofEducation hasbeen provided. Reverend Neighbors said that they willbechecking onit. Noaction was taken onhisrequest forfunding. Paul Hutchinson spoke about theClarence W.Meadows Bypass which was completed acouple ofyears ago. June 28th isthetentative date thattheGovernor ofWV will beable to attend the dedication ceremony at2:00p.m. (attheBypass) andthere willbealuncheon prior tothe dedication atnoon either attheCivic Center oratBlack Knight. This issponsored bythe Beckley Raleigh County Chamber ofCommerce, theCity ofBeckley (atnocost tothe City) andbytheCounty. Mr. Hutchinson said theCity may beasked for $500 or $1,000.00tohelp cover the cost. Councilman Sopher said thattheHistorical Society wrote thetextfortheClarence W.Meadows sign andapplied fortheapplication. The Meadows family raised extra money toapply towards thededication ceremony. Mr.Hutchinson said thatThursday, May 26, 2022, Alfred Beckley willbe220years old. Hesaid that hechecked with theEditor ofthe Register Herald, andhehas yettoseemuch inthepress about this. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were nopublic comments. Council unanimously voted tomove toExecutive Session onamotion made myCouncilman Dunlap and seconded byCouncilman Price. Executive Session began at7:15p.m.andconcluded at7:26p.m.ona motion byCouncilman Dunlap andseconded byCouncilman Canter tocome outofExecutive Session and resume theregular meeting. The motion passed. Amotion toadjourn theCouncil meeting was made by Councilman Dunlap andseconded byCouncilman Sopher. The meeting adjourned at7:30p.m. Mayor Recorder-Treasurer