City Council

November 24, 2015 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 24th day of November, 2015, 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 Marianne Moran Second District Frank G. Yann Third District Robert (Rob) Linger Fourth District William H. (Bill) Burdick Fifth District Fran Warner Sixth District Daniel K. (Dan) Weber Eighth District Thomas (Tom) Mainella Ninth District Ronald J. (Ron) Straight, Sr. Councilmembers absent were: Seventh District Philip R. (Phil) Mason Also present were: Interim City Manager Janet Keller City Attorney Kevin Sansalone Interim City Clerk Paula Friend IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Chaplain Ken Charles from Fairmont Regional Medical Center gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Burdick. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Straight noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on November 10, 2015. Councilmember Mainella moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Linger. 1 The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ON WEBSITE Councilmember Moran stated that she agreed with Councilmember Linger’s suggestion from the previous meeting that the names of the members of all of the City’s Boards and Commissions be placed on the website. IN RE: BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTING TO COUNCIL Councilmember Moran stated that she agreed with Councilmember Weber’s suggestion from the previous meeting that representatives from all of the City’s Boards and Commissions should report annually to Council. IN RE: ETHICS COMMISSION Councilmember Moran referred to Councilmember Weber’s comments from the previous meeting regarding Council not having enough time to discuss issues that arise. She said this reiterates the fact that Council should have a work session with the WV Ethics Commission as soon as the new City Manager arrives so Council can ask questions and know what they can and cannot do. Councilmember Weber said that he agrees with Councilmember Moran. He said Council is afraid to call each other on the phone in fear of it violating Council’s ethics. He feels they should all be free to talk openly to each other and discuss ideas without sitting in a formal, executive meeting. IN RE: SHARON STEEL PROPERTY Councilmember Moran reminded Council that she would still like to have the work session that Karen Gribben suggested once the new City Manager is here to discuss the Sharon Steel property. 2 IN RE: BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Councilmember Moran read that at the previous meeting, Council voted to re-appoint someone to the Transit Authority Board. She said that she is hoping, going forward, that Council will be more open to appointing new people that will bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to those boards. Councilmember Weber said he would like to see term limits on some of the boards. He believes in doing this, it would give other people the opportunity to be on the different boards instead of having the same people on the board for years. IN RE: THANKS TO INTERIM STAFF Councilmember Yann thanked Interim City Manager Janet Keller, Interim City Clerk Paula Friend, City Attorney Kevin Sansalone and Administrative Assistant Tanya Hamilton for keeping things running smooth during the process of hiring a new City Manager. Councilmember Weber also extended thanks to the interim staff for the work they have done over the past few months and said he is proud of all of them. Mayor Straight added his gratitude to the interim staff and everyone involved in operating the City while they looked for a new City Manager. IN RE: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Councilmember Linger wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. IN RE: COUNCILMEMBER BURDICK’S COUNCIL ANNIVERSARY Councilmember Burdick stated that this was the 8th anniversary from when he was officially elected to serve on City Council. He said the City was broke at that time but we have come a long way. IN RE: DEMOLITION REQUESTED Councilmember Burdick said that he is requesting on the next budget 3 revision to look at tearing down by imminent domain the old Pitrolo Market and the two houses beside of it because they are eyesores coming in from the Bellview area to Downtown. Councilmember Weber said that he sympathizes with the person that opened a business next to the dilapidated properties because it is hard for their patrons to get in and out. He said that the BAD Buildings committee looked at these buildings and suggested that those buildings be torn down but no action has been taken yet. IN RE: FAIRMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT CONGRATULATIONS Councilmember Mainella commended the Fairmont Police Officers that stopped a man from jumping off the Spanky Roberts Bridge downtown yesterday. Councilmember Weber also commended the officers for their bravery. IN RE: MARION COUNTY SPORTS MUSEUM Councilmember Weber said that he spoke to the Marion County Commission last week regarding building a sports museum. He said there is a Marion County team playing for a state football championship this weekend and there is nowhere for them to be recognized in the future. He also feels that we need to be more cognizant of women’s sports in the county as well. He said the Marion County Commission was receptive to the idea and he hopes to go around to all of the cities and towns in Marion County over the next few months to get support. He then asked for Fairmont City Council to support this project. IN RE: BAPTIST TEMPLE FLAG DISPLAY Councilmember Warner expressed her gratitude to the Baptist Temple Church on Morgantown Ave. for their annual flag display that holds all of the service member’s names on them. She said that her father’s name is on one of them and since he is buried overseas, this is a nice way to be able to visit and remember him. IN RE: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY 4 Councilmember Linger reminded everyone that this Saturday is Small Business Saturday and reminded everyone to shop the local businesses and show support in our community. IN RE: FAIRMONT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER Mayor Straight commended the FSHS Polar Bear Soccer Team for winning the state championship. IN RE: FAIRMONT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Mayor Straight wished the FSHS Polar Bear Football Team good luck in their game Friday night against Bridgeport. CITIZEN’S PETITIONS IN RE: COAL MINER’S APPRECIATION DAY SWAP MEET Cherie Coogle, Executive Director of the local Coal Mining Heritage Museum, invited Council to attend the Northern Appalachian Coal Mining Heritage Association’s Third Annual Coal Miner’s Appreciation Day Swap Meet to be held Saturday, December 5th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus. She said there will be different vendors and events, including crafts and wine tasting. She then stated that local resident Creed Holden started the national holiday for Coal Miner’s Appreciation. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT IN RE: FAIRMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZED Interim City Manager Janet Keller recognized Fairmont Police Officers Brian Lemley, Jared Martin and Lt. Doug Yost after saving the life of a man that threatened to jump off the South Side Bridge (Spanky Roberts Bridge) yesterday. She said that Officer Lemley and Officer Martin attempted to negotiate with the man. Lt. Yost and Officer Lemley then wrestled the man from the other side of the bridge. She said that all of the officers on scene deserve recognition for the great teamwork and response with that incident. Lt. Yost and Officer Lemley’s decisiveness saved that man’s life. 5 She then said that their heroic conduct demonstrated the meaning of selfless service and the best of what it means to Protect and Serve. She said their action saved the man’s life and was undertaken at a personal risk to the officers themselves. She then commended Lt. Yost, Officer Brian Lemley and Officer Jared Martin for their actions. IN RE: CITY HALL CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING Interim Manager Keller reminded Council that City Hall and non-emergency offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. IN RE: NO WEEKLY REPORT Interim Manager Keller also reminded Council that they would not receive a weekly update due to the week being short for the holiday. IN RE: THANKS FOR TIME AS INTERIM MANAGER Interim City Manager Janet Keller thanked Council for allowing her to serve as the Interim City Manager during the process of hiring a new City Manager. IN RE: HAPPY THANKSGIVING Interim Manager Keller wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS There were no items to consider. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Mainella moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Moran. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 7:25 p.m. 6