City Council

September 23, 2014 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 23rd day of September, 2014, at the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street in Fairmont, West Virginia. Mayor Straight called the meeting to order. Councilmembers present were: First District Robert D. (Bob) Gribben Second District Frank G. Yann Third District Deborah D. (Debbie) Seifrit Fifth District Charles E. (Chuck) Warner Sixth District Daniel K. (Dan) Weber Seventh District James B. (Jamie) Greene Eighth District Robin W. Smith Ninth District Ronald J. (Ron) Straight, Sr. Absent: Fourth District William H. (Bill) Burdick Also present were: City Manager Jay Rogers City Clerk Janet L. Keller City Attorney Kevin V. Sansalone City Planner Kathy Wyrosdick Finance Director Eileen Layman IN RE: EXCUSE COUNCILMEMBER BURDICK The Mayor noted that Councilmember Burdick asked to be excused from this meeting. Motion: Councilmember Yann moved to excuse Councilmember Burdick from tonight’s meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Warner. The Mayor declared Councilmember Burdick excused from tonight’s meeting by voice vote of Council. 1 IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Rev. Hal Hevener of Central United Methodist Church gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Warner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Straight noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on September 9, 2014. He asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or amendments. Councilmember Smith moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Warner. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. PUBLIC HEARINGS IN RE: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF THAT CERTAIN TRACT OF REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, WINFIELD CITY DISTRICT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, CONSISTING OF 0.1543 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AND BEING PARCEL NO. 24.3 OF MARION COUNTY, TAX MAP 04-8, SITUATE ALONG AMOS STREET, SAID PARCEL BEING REZONED FROM INDUSTRIAL TO GENERAL RESIDENTIAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on September 15, 2014, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on an ordinance providing for the rezoning of parcels on Amos Street from Industrial to General Residential. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. KATHY WYROSDICK, City Planner, spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. She explained that the subject property is located behind Novelis between Novelis and Morgantown Avenue. She noted that a lot of those properties are zoned Industrial and as such a residential cannot be built on property that is zoned Industrial. She went on to say that this property is a vacant lot that had a home on it at one time and that home was demolished and removed and now the property owner would like to rebuild a single family home on that lot. She mentioned that the property owner did apply for the rezoning on July 1 st and 2 on August 20th a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission and there were no negative comments. She said the Planning Commission recommended approval upon a unanimous vote and recommended it to City Council for approval. WAYNE VANDERGRIFT, property owner, also spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. There being no one else to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:10 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: CITY MANAGER COMMENDED Councilmember Gribben thanked the City Manager for making note about the FCDP and what they have been doing on Virginia Avenue. IN RE: FAIRMONT GENERAL HOSPITAL MERGER Councilmember Gribben stated that it was nice to hear that everything is in place now with the Hospital. Councilmember Smith said that being on the Hospital Board, we are glad that it went through. He noted that he thought it was the right move to make and he thought we will be very surprised of what the new owners of the hospital will do. Mayor Straight said it is finally over and Fairmont General was signed over to Alecto Healthcare Service. He noted that we are blessed to still have this hospital in our community. IN RE: CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS Councilmember Yann reported that Butch Phillips was very happy with the cooperation that the City Manager has been giving him and for patching the holes around Morris Park in preparation for the Celebration of Lights. He also commended Chip West and Russell Yann for their work on the project as well. IN RE: VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH MARION COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD Councilmember Seifrit spoke about the accident on September 22 nd involving the Marion County Rescue Squad. She extended condolences to the family of the person who was involved that did not make it. 3 IN RE: 612 MAC FUNDING Councilmember Seifrit stated that 612 MAC is trying to get funds and she wondered if the City could get involved in helping them along. IN RE: MEET YOUR CANDIDATE PUBLIC FORUM Councilmember Greene thanked the Chamber and the panel members who served on the Candidate’s Forum last week. He noted that it was a great opportunity for folks that are running for office in the City to speak and a great opportunity to learn as well. CITIZENS PETITIONS There were no citizen’s petitions for this meeting. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT IN RE: VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH MARION COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD Mr. Rogers said that we want to keep those involved in the accident in our thoughts and condolences to the family. He then thanked our personnel from the Police and Fire Departments that assisted with the accident as part of our mutual aid agreement. IN RE: FAIRMONT GENERAL HOSPITAL The City Manager stated that the transaction is finally closed. He said that Fairmont General Hospital is part of Alecto Healthcare Services now and will be known as Fairmont Regional Medical Center. IN RE: FALL PAVING PROJECT Mr. Rogers reported that the fall paving project is in full swing. He mentioned that they will complete the paving on East Side tomorrow and will then move to the Bellview area. IN RE: PREPAREDNESS EXPO 4 The Manager reminded Council of the Preparedness Expo this Saturday at Middletown Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He noted that it was being sponsored by the Greater Council of Churches. IN RE: FALL CLEAN UP SCHEDULED The City Manager reported that fall cleanup will be held the week of October 13th to 17th. IN RE: TRICK OR TREAT SCHEDULED Mr. Rogers stated that Trick or Treat will be held on Friday, October 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF THAT CERTAIN TRACT OF REAL ESTATE SITUATE IN THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, WINFIELD CITY DISTRICT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, CONSISTING OF 0.1543 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, AND BEING PARCEL NO. 24.3 OF MARION COUNTY, TAX MAP 04-8, SITUATE ALONG AMOS STREET, SAID PARCEL BEING REZONED FROM INDUSTRIAL TO GENERAL RESIDENTIAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT Mayor Straight entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance providing for the rezoning of parcels on Amos Street from Industrial to General Residential. Motion: Councilmember Warner moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Greene. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present and the ordinance designated as Ordinance No. 1627 was duly adopted. IN RE: TABLED, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF PART ONE-ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER SEVEN- BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND AUTHORITIES, ARTICLE 171 PARKING 5 AUTHORITY, SECTION .08 RATES, THEREOF, TO ESTABLISH A MONTHLY RATE FOR POOL VEHICLES REGISTERED TO THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA RELATING TO THE ADAMS STREET PARKING GARAGE Mayor Straight noted that this item was tabled at the last meeting. He said that Council can do nothing and let it die or make a motion and vote it down. Mr. Rogers explained that this proposed ordinance lowered the parking rates from the current fee for the State of WV pool vehicles. He noted that the State came back and said that they will pay what the fee is because they were able to reduce the number of spaces that they were going to need. He then said that we do not need an ordinance to enter into the agreement with the State. Councilmember Gribben noted that these are the same fees that anybody else will be paying. Mr. Rogers replied yes, that was correct. Councilmember Smith asked the Mayor to move on to the next item on the agenda. This Ordinance died for a lack of a motion to come off the table. IN RE: INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT’S 2014-2015 ANNUAL BUDGET: GENERAL FUND Mayor Straight entertained a motion and a second for the introduction of this ordinance and to set the public hearing for October 14, 2014 for a General Fund Budget Revision. Councilmember Warner moved for the introduction of the proposed ordinance and the reading of a synopsis in lieu of the entire ordinance. Councilmember Greene seconded the motion. The Clerk read the proposed ordinance by synopsis for the first time. The Mayor declared the public hearing set for October 14, 2014 by voice vote of Council. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A WEST VIRGINIA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT FOR THE FUNDING OF A NEW ROOF FOR THE FAIRMONT FIRE STATION BUILDING 6 Mayor Straight entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant for the funding of a new roof for the Fairmont Fire Station building. Motion: Councilmember Seifrit moved for the adoption of the proposed resolution and the reading of a synopsis in lieu of the entire resolution. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Warner. The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present. IN RE: THREE RE-APPOINTMENTS, FAIRMONT AUDIT COMMITTEE, TWO- YEAR TERMS TO END SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 Mayor Straight entertained a motion for three re-appointments to the Fairmont Audit Committee for two-year terms to end September 23, 2016. Motion: Councilmember Warner moved to re-appoint Dan Weber, Allen Retton, and Eileen Layman to the Fairmont Audit Committee for two-year terms to end September 23, 2016. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Smith. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared Dan Weber, Allen Retton, and Eileen Layman to the Fairmont Audit Committee for two-year terms to end September 23, 2016 by unanimous vote those Councilmembers present. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Smith moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Warner. 7 The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:27 p.m. 8