City Council

REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 4, 2014: The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 7:00P.M. PRESENT: City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City Attorney Steve Fanok, City Clerk Linda Little, Mayor Jenny Selin and Council Members: Ron Bane, Bill Kawecki, Marti Shamberger, Mike Fike and Nancy Ganz. Councilor Wes Nugent was absent. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Selin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the January16, 2014 Special Meeting and the January 28, 2014 Regular Meeting were approved as presented by acclamation. CORRESPONDENCE: Mayor Selin presented a proclamation declaring 2014 as “The Year of Community Sports”. She then read a letter into the record, received by Debbie Lewis and expressing her views about the Human Rights Commission resolutions before Council. Mayor Selin also presented a Citation from County Day at the WV State Legislature received by Council at their last trip to Charleston.She also presented a Chinese New Year scroll given to the Council at the Chinese New Year celebration at WVU. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: By acclamation of Council, Brian Jara was appointed to the Human Rights Commission, filling a vacancy for the remainder of an unexpired term. PUBLIC PORTION: Kelly Kimble, 312 Maple Avenue, Acting Chair of the group Fairness WV, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She asked Council to pass the resolutions, as she feels they would be doing the right thing. Barb Howe, 432 Riley Street, Community Coalition on Social Justice, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She urged the Council to support equal rights for all. Barry Wendell and husband Rabi Joe Hample, Morgantown residents who were married in California and relocated to Morgantown spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. They spoke in tandem, sharing their support of the measures. Teanne Hawkins, 336 Laurel Street, appeared on behalf of WVU and read a letter from David Fryson the Chief Diversity Officer in the WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in support of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. Rev. Christine Haig, of First Presbyterian Church, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She lent her views on the topic based on her study of scripture. Brian Jara, 52 Beech Street, newly appointed member of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. Rachel Lake, 12204 Koehler Drive, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council and shared her personal experiences growing up in a small town before moving to Morgantown. Sam Wilmoth, 54 Kingwood Street, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council and asked Council to see the issue in human terms. 1  Melissa Chesenko, 409 A Arch Street, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She shared her experience as a member of the LGBTQ community of WVU students. Katherine Lozier, 345 Virginia Avenue, League of Women Voters, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council, and read a letter of support received from the National League of Women Voters, urging Council to pass the resolutions. Emily Zejura, 423 Cobun Avenue, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council for the advancement of the Morgantown residents. Daniel Brewster, 102 Ventura Court,spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. He stated that Council will open doors for students to remain in the area after graduation. Rachel Raneslive, 3 Flats Lane, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council, stating that residents should not have to live in fear because of their identity. Christina Byrne-Hoffman, 1289 Carlisle Avenue, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She stated that even as a heterosexual Christian, she is not threatened by equal rights for the LGBT community. Fran Whiteman, 500 Grand Street, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She explained that marriage equality is about civil law and licenses, not religion. Joseph Scotti, 808 Ridgeway Avenue, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council and cited the State motto, that citizens are only free when they are all equal. Mona Zimble, 500 Grand Street, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She shared her personal story and views on same sex marriage with Council. Eve Fox, 49 Maple Avenue, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council and urged Council to pass the resolutions. Judith Wilkinson, 2 Waterfront Place, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. She shared her experience as a student counselor and asked Council to be leaders in the State. Matt Held, 213 Kingwood Street,spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council. He discussed the culture of West Virginians and their tendency toward change. He asked Council to pass the resolutions. Don Spencer, 565 Harvard Avenue, Chair of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission, spoke in favor of the Human Rights Commission equality resolutions pending before Council and clarified for Council the timing of the resolutions presented. There being no other appearances, Mayor Selin declared the public portion closed. 2 SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS:No reports. NEW BUSINESS: A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING NON- DISCRIMINATION ACT IN THE WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE. Motion by Bane, second by Shamberger to approve the above entitled Resolution. After discussion, motion carried 6-0. A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN THE WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE. Motion by Fike, second by Shamberger to approve the above entitled Resolution. After discussion, Councilor Bane referred to handouts which identify the differences between religious and civil marriages, and he also indicated the wording in State code for a marriage license. After continued discussion, motion carried 6-0. CITY MANAGERS REPORT: NEW BUSINESS: 1. Capital Escrow Fund Adjustment After explanation from the Manager, and discussion by Council, motion by Bane, second by Shamberger to approve of $10,000 in funding for the operation of the Coordinating Council on Homelessness as recommended in the above Capital Escrow Fund Adjustment. Motion carried 6-0. After explanation from the Manager, and discussion by Council, motion by Ganz, second by Bane to approve of $3,500 in funding for exploration of a potential wireless broadband system through a contract with Declaration Networks Group, LLC as recommended in the above Capital Escrow Fund Adjustment. Motion carried 6-0. REPORT FROM CITY CLERK:No report. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY:No report. REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane commented that it has been interesting to research the equality issues before Council, and he noted that this is the first social issue that has come before Council during his tenure. He urged Council to be cautious about social issues and not lose sight of the Council’s main purpose to provide basic services to the City. Councilor Kawecki: Councilor Kawecki commended the City employees for their work during snow removal. He noted that most of the complaints he received were about State roads. Councilor Nugent: Absent. 3 Councilor Shamberger: Councilor Shamberger echoed Councilor Kawecki’s comments. She suggested the City explain to citizens which streets are State- controlled in order to ease confusion about winter treatment responsibilities. She noted a museum exhibit about aviation and appreciated the WVU Chinese new year celebration. She stated that three street lights previously reported have been replaced. She also commended the Council for passing the equality resolutions. Councilor Fike: Councilor Fikealso commended the Council for their action on the equality resolutions and commended the HRC for bringing resolutions forward to Council. He encouraged other Commissions to do likewise. Councilor Ganz: Councilor Ganz complimented Council’s actions and those who supported the equality measures. She also commented about State road snow removal and echoed Councilor Fike’s suggestion for Commissions to come forward with ideas. She hoped that residents, volunteers, employees and the Manager can work together to bring concrete solutions to Morgantown’s problems and create revenue for the City. Mayor Selin: Mayor Selin also agreed with Councilor Fike’s comments and discussed how Boards and Commissions can collaborate and also bring issues to Council for action. She suggested that lighting efficiency be looked into by the Green Team and the City in order to produce cost savings. She commented on the success of the Chinese new year celebration. Mayor Selin then announced several upcoming community events including: a singing event at the MAC, Spin performances, Met Opera Live, and the University Art Series, Soweto Gospel Choir. She complimented Council for their efforts and for taking action on the equality issues which make Morgantown an inclusive community. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further items of business or discussion, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:10p.m. _____________________________ __________________________________ City Clerk Mayor *A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON DVD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY. 4