City Council

SPECIAL MEETING JANUARY 16, 2014: The special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Shamberger, and Council Members, Ron Bane, Bill Kawecki, Wes Nugent, Mike Fike, Nancy Ganz, City Manager Jeff Mikorski and City Clerk Linda Little were present. Mayor Jenny Selin was Absent. The meeting was called to order by Deputy Mayor Shamberger. City Manager Jeff Mikorski explained the five major concerns of the City with regard to the proposed power plant. He enumerated concerns such as, potential impact to the rail-trail, odor, light and noise created as well as the proximity to residential areas. Mr. Mikorski also stated that there could be a potential financial impact to the Wharf District, and a visual impact on the City’s gateway, noting power lines which would run to the facility. PUBLIC PORTION: Deputy Mayor Shamberger declared the public portion open. Matthew Cross, 124 Milford Street, noted that a power plant at the Morgantown Lock and Dam would create noise during events at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. Tom Sal, 514 Callen Avenue, stated he is concerned for his family, as he knew nothing about the proposed power plant. He is concerned for its proximity to residential areas and urged Council to look at the situation very closely before making a decision. Ella Belling, Executive Director of the Mon River Trails Conservancy, reported that the conservancy will also be sending comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. She asked that Free Flow Power create a design which does not utilize rail-trail property. She hoped that a shutdown of the trail would not be permitted. Aaron Such, 201 Wagner Road, Green Team Member, shared suggestions from the Green Team with Council including the construction of fishing piers, boat docks, and removal of debris. He also offered the Green Team as an advisory body on the proposed project. Tim Ball, General Manager, Morgantown Utility Board, informed Council that MUB supports and endorses the comments provided in the application by City Council, as well as the harvesting of green energy sources. He stated that if the project is approved, MUB would like to explore the possibility of acquiring, whether as a partner or a direct customer. James Giuliani, 256 Prairie Avenue, stated that the Morgantown area already has a power plant, which he feels is a liability. He commented that Council should evaluate what the City would gain by adding another power plant. He stated hopes that Council would consider the health and safety of its citizens and the community. 1 NEW BUSINESS: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A LETTER OF COMMENTS TO THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ON PROJECT NUMBER 13762, THE LICENSING OF FREE FLOW POWER TO CONSTRUCT HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT ADJACENT TO THE MORGANTOWN LOCK AND DAM. After discussion, motion by Kawecki, second by Ganz to approve the City Manager forward the letter of comments and concerns to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to mitigate prior to licensing. Motion carried 6-0. Mayor Selin was absent. Deputy Mayor Shamberger requested that comments read on behalf of Mr. Mike Brieding of 1251 Hornbeck Road be entered into the record: Mr. Brieding wrote to the Council in opposition to the proposed project. He stated in an email that he sees hydro power replacing coal power as a step in the right direction; however, he feels that the Morgantown Lock and Dam location, a heavily utilized outdoor recreation corridor, is not the ideal placement for such a project. He stated that any project industrializing an area such as this, and compromising that area’s recreational usage should not be permitted. He wrote that the rail-rail project and its associated parks have often been cited as a catalyst in the recreational and commercial renaissance of the waterfront area, and he asked that the project be prohibited. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business or discussion, Council adjourned the special meeting at 7:50 pm. _________________________ ______________________________ City Clerk Mayor *A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON CD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY. 2