City Council

July 23, 2019 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Fairmont was held at 7:00 p.m. on the 23rd day of July, 2019, at the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street in Fairmont, West Virginia. Mayor Merrifield called the meeting to order. Councilmembers present were: First District Joshua D. (Josh) Rice Second District Frank G. Yann Third District Karl (David) Kennedy Fourth District Kenneth (Brad) Merrifield Fifth District Barry H. Bledsoe Sixth District Dora Kay Grubb Eighth District Thomas (Tom) Mainella Ninth District Donna M. Blood Absent were: Seventh District Philip R. (Phil) Mason Also present were: City Manager Valerie Means City Attorney Kevin Sansalone City Clerk Janet L. Keller Police Chief Steve Shine Pastor Howard Brooks gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Councilmember Grubb. IN RE: COUNCILMEMBER MASON EXCUSED The Mayor entertained a motion to excuse Councilmember Mason from this meeting. Motion: Councilmember Kennedy moved to excuse Councilmember Mason from this meeting for his vacation. Councilmember Bledsoe seconded the motion. The Mayor declared Councilmember Mason excused by voice vote of Council. 1  APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Merrifield noted that each member of Council had received a copy of the minutes from the Regular Meeting July 9, 2019. Councilmember Yann moved to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rice. The Mayor declared the minutes approved as submitted by voice vote of Council. PUBLIC HEARINGS AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT’S 2019-2020 ANNUAL BUDGET: GENERAL FUND Pursuant to a notice duly published in the Times-West Virginian on July 15, 2019, a public hearing was convened to obtain citizen input on a proposed ordinance providing for a General Fund Budget Revision. The Mayor asked if anyone present desired to speak to the proposed ordinance. Ms. Means spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. She said this is a required first budget revision for the fiscal year required by the State to adjust our fund balance. There being no one else to speak, the public hearing was called to a close at 7:05 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS IN RE: POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS COMMENDED Councilmember Grubb thanked the Police Department and Fire Department for the way they handled a fire on Mt. Vernon Avenue. She said that a lot of people asked her to thank both the Police Department and Fire Department for doing an excellent job at the scene. Councilmember Blood asked the Police Chief to thank the two officers that saved the raccoon. She noted that it was another soft side to the Fairmont 2 Police for caring. IN RE: CVB MEETING Councilmember Grubb reported that she attended a CVB meeting last Wednesday and it was very interesting. She said that the Random Travel Marketing (RTM) has done a five-year study from 2013-2018 on Marion County lodging. She said that for 2018 the total lodging expense that we got in for Marion County was $13 million dollars. In addition, they get about two times that from the hotel/motel for gas and food which brings the year to $39 million dollars that comes in here strictly from the hotels. She then said that one of the things that we are lacking on the most is actually promoting what we have here locally for people to do. She noted that if the City collaborates with the County, we would actually bring more money into this City itself. IN RE: BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE Councilmember Kennedy mentioned the incredible camp out that is going on in Oak Hill, WV. It is the International Boy Scout Jamboree and there is between 40,000 and 60,000 kids there plus their parents. He noted that it was so big that they have over 840 full size buses to transport these kids around. He stated it was a great organization and the investment that has been made in West Virginia is a statement toward the character of this state and the potential that it has for incredible tourism. Councilmember Mainella stated that he and Councilmember Yann experienced something like that at FSU two weeks ago. He said that there was a Lego Robotics event and there were people from 15 different countries and it was a big deal. He noted it was a big draw of people for Fairmont. IN RE: POLICE PROMOTIONAL SWEARING-IN Mayor Merrifield reported that he attended the promotional swearing-in ceremony at the Police Department last Wednesday. He said it was very touching with a couple officers being promoted and their families in attendance. IN RE: RAIL TRAIL KICK-OFF The Mayor announced he attended the rail trail kick-off. He said that a consultant has been hired and that it appears that it’s finally going to get some energy going through Fairmont. He noted that once you actually look 3 at what they are doing and the potential economic development from it, it’s going to be a tremendous economic boost to the City of Fairmont in years to come. IN RE: PROCLAMATION PRESENTED TO CHIEF SHINE The Mayor presented a proclamation to Chief Shine for the Police National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6th. CITIZENS PETITIONS IN RE: TRANSIT AUTHORITY COMMENDED MICHAEL BOBIC, 10 Hollen Circle, addressed Council to publicly commend the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority. He said that he had back surgery in April and it is hard for him to get around and the Transit Authority has been taking him to dialysis. He said that he is impressed with the drivers, they always go above and beyond their requirements of their duties to help people get in and out and are very compassionate. He noted that the Transit Authority is a vital service to this area and he hopes that the City will encourage the County to find resources to keep their service going. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT IN RE: FRIENDLY CITY SPOTLIGHT PROJECT Ms. Means said that the City will be launching the citizen recognition program that Councilmember Rice brought up last month. She said that we are going to call it the Friendly City Spotlight Award. The City will be creating a form in which people in the community can nominate other folks. She said nominees for these awards must meet the following criteria: • A resident of the City of Fairmont • An unsung hero of our community who exemplifies kindness, serving of others, love for community, and cares about the betterment of Fairmont and its people • Does things worthy of being the Citizen of the Month as a volunteer, on their own time, and are not paid • We request that nominees not be public officials in our community and are people and are people that are doing great things for Fairmont, large or small, that make our city better. The Manager said that we will be seeing some more on that come out and we are looking forward to that program getting launched. 4 IN RE: RAILS TRAILS MEETING The City Manager said that once the consultant gets done with their work, we should have a playbook on how to make it a reality. The Mayor said that the consultant was so impressive with his experience level and his knowledge on some of the work that he has done. Ms. Means noted that the consultant is being paid by a grant that the City of Fairmont had applied for. CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL BUSINESS IN RE: ADOPTION, FIRST READING, SET PUBLIC HEARING, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT’S 2019-2020 ANNUAL BUDGET: GENERAL FUND Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for the adoption of an ordinance providing for a General Fund Budget Revision. Motion: Councilmember Mainella moved for the adoption of the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Rice seconded the motion. 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. 1825 was duly adopted. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT MANIFESTING THE CITY OF FAIRMONT’S APPROVAL OF THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY, KNOWN AS THE CITY OF FAIRMONT UTILITY CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, 109 MERCHANT STREET, FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, FROM THE FAIRMONT BUILDING COMMISSION TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT WATER BOARD; MANIFESTING THE CITY’S APPROVAL OF AN ASSIGNMENT TO THE CITY OF FAIRMONT WATER BOARD OF THE LEASE RELATING TO SAID PROPERTY BETWEEN THE FAIRMONT BUILDING COMMISSION AND WESBANCO BANK, INC.; AND AUTHORIZING THE CANCELLATION OF THE LEASE RELATING 5 TO SAID PROPERTY BETWEEN THE FAIRMONT BUILDING COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF FAIRMONT Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution showing the City of Fairmont’s approval of the transfer of the Utility Customer Service Center located at 109 Merchant Street from the Fairmont Building Commission to the City of Fairmont Water Board. Motion: Councilmember Mainella 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 Yann. 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: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT ENDORSING THE BOOTHSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 9 th ANNUAL PRIZE AND GUN BASH TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2019, AT THE MARION COUNTY ARMORY LOCATED ON ARTILLERY DRIVE Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution endorsing the Boothsville Volunteer Fire Department gun bash to be held on August 3, 2019 at the Marion County Armory. Motion: Councilmember Mainella 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 Rice. 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. 6 IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRMONT MANIFESTING THE CITY’S SUPPORT FOR THE I-79 WIDENING PROJECT FROM SOUTH FAIRMONT (EXIT 132) TO PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD (EXIT 135) IN MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA AND AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution supporting the I-79 Widening Project from Exit 132 to Exit 135 in Marion County. Motion: Councilmember Blood 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 Kennedy. The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Discussion: Councilmember Bledsoe said that he will be voting against this resolution and he would like others to consider the same. He explained that this is part of the Governor’s $1.6 billion road bond and the projected cost of this three lane expansion is $78 million. He said that he did not think it was necessary and he thought it was a huge waste of money being someone who goes to a lot of accidents on the interstate because of his job. There are accidents there but there are just as many accidents on the stretch of three lanes that we have on Pleasant Valley and the East Grafton Road exit. He noted that he has never seen a traffic back up there that was not related to construction or an accident. He said, again, that he did not think it was necessary and a huge waste of money and he did not think it will decrease the accidents because you can’t fix stupid. Councilmember Blood asked if the money has already been allocated for this project. Councilmember Bledsoe said the money is there but they don’t have to do that particular project. Councilmember Mainella said that project is going to involve the replacement of those two interstate bridges that are approximately 60 years old. Ms. Means said that the Department of Highways wants to also apply for a grant for $25 million of that project. 7 Councilmember Kennedy said that this small project is needed if the extension of I-68 takes places into Martinsville, we as a community, want this termination to happen at Exit 131 in White Hall. In doing so and terminating I-68 in White Hall instead of Morgantown saves over $20 million in road building. This I-68 extension is being worked on and the principals that are involved in that have met with the Trump people in Washington last year. He said that it is really necessary for this region to have I-68 extended and bring the natural gas out of those northern WV fields to this area so it can be transported over water to Pittsburgh. This little widening project at $78 million is just a drop in the bucket and we are talking about the entire area of White Hall being the dynamic vital entity economically 10 to 20 years into the future and this will get us our share of that gas money. Roll call was taken by the Clerk and the following votes were recorded: Councilmember Yann Yes Councilmember Blood Yes Councilmember Grubb Yes Councilmember Mainella Yes Councilmember Bledsoe No Councilmember Kennedy Yes Councilmember Rice Yes Mayor Merrifield Yes The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by majority vote of those Councilmembers present. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT MANIFESTING ITS SUPPORT OF MONONGAHELA VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CENTERS, INC’S EFFORTS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TO THE RESIDENTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA BY THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES TO FAIRMONT STATE UNIVERSITY, AND AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution supporting MVA’s efforts to continue to provide primary health care to residents in West Virginia by the expansion of services to FSU. Motion: Councilmember Yann 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 Blood. The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. 8 The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present. IN RE: ADOPTION, A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF FAIRMONT CONSENTING AND APPROVING THE CREATION OF “THE COUNTY COMMISSION OF MARION COUNTY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NO 2” (THE TIF DISTRICT), AND REQUESTING THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSION CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN APPLICATION FOR THE CREATION OF THE TIF DISTRICT AND SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE WEST VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for the adoption of a resolution approving the creation of the Marion County TIF District and the submission of an application to the WV Development Office. Motion: Councilmember Mainella 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 Bledsoe. The Clerk read the proposed resolution by synopsis for the first time. The Mayor told Council that there are a couple gentleman here from Bowles and Rice that can answer any questions if you might have them. Councilmember Bledsoe asked what part of this TIF District involved is directly in the City of Fairmont. The City Manager replied that there are several parcels near the Technology Park but the Technology Park itself is not included. It is an area around or behind the Park. She noted that there is probably 200 acres that are in the City that are in the TIF. Councilmember Bledsoe said he thought this was a good thing and obviously it impacts White Hall more than the City of Fairmont but it is a good thing and what helps White Hall helps us. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared the resolution adopted by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present. 9 IN RE: ONE APPOINTMENT, BOARD OF ZONIING APPEALS, UNEXPIRED TERM TO END JANUARY 1, 2020 Mayor Merrifield entertained a motion for one appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals for an unexpired term to end January 1, 2020. Councilmember Blood moved to confirm the appointment of Anne Bolyard from an alternate on that board to a permanent board member. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bledsoe. Roll call was taken by the Clerk. The Mayor declared Anne Bolyard appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals as a permanent member for an unexpired term ending January 1, 2020 by unanimous vote of those Councilmembers present. IN RE: ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Merrifield moved that Council adjourn to Executive Session as per WV Code §6-9A-4(b)(2)(A) and City Charter 2.11 (a)(1)A – to consider matters arising from the appointment, employment, retirement, promotion, transfer, demotion, disciplining, resignation, discharge, dismissal or compensation of a City Officer. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Blood. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned to Executive Session by voice vote of Council at 7:37 p.m. IN RE: MEETING RECONVENED The Mayor declared the meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The Mayor entertained a motion for adjournment. Motion: Councilmember Mainella moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Yann. The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned by voice vote of Council at 8:01 p.m. 10 11