City Council

REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 18, 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,Wes Nugent,Marti Shamberger,Mike Fikeand Nancy Ganz. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Selin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:The Regular and Special meetings minutes of the February 4, 2014 meeting were approved as presented. CORRESPONDENCE:JamieSummerlin of the Wounded Warriors Project spoke in support of Operation Welcome Home. Mayor Selin then welcomed Dr. Burch and Political Science Class 220 to the meeting. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: By acclamation of Council, Julia Durham was appointed to fill the fifth ward vacancy on the Traffic Commission. PUBLIC PORTION: Will England of Post 9916 Veterans of Foreign Warsspoke to City Council seeking approval to fly the POW and MIA flags on City Government property. Mr. England said that Star City, Granville, Westover, and the Mon. County Sheriff’s Office have already agreed to do so. He told council that there are 2 servicemen from Morgantown still MIA. Mayor Selin asked Mr. England how the City could acquire the flags and Mr. England replied that the average cost would be approximately $35.00. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilor Shamberger announced the next meeting of the Woodburn School Redevelopment Commission. NEW BUSINESS: A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR AND ADMINISTER A COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM GRANT, FUNDS FOR USE FOR THE METROPOLITAN THEATRE. The above entitled Resolution was presented for approval. After explanation from the City Manager, motion by Shamberger, second by Ganz to approve the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0. A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR AND ADMINISTER A COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM GRANT, FUNDS FOR USE FOR THE WOUNDED WARRIORS – OPERATION WELCOME HOME.The above entitled Resolution was presented for approval. Motion by Bane, second by Nugent to approve the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0 A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR AND ADMINISTER A COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM GRANT, FUNDS FOR USE FOR THE EMPTY BOWLS MONONGALIA THROUGH YOUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.The above entitled Resolution was presented for approval. Motion by Shamberger, second by Ganz to approve the above entitled Resolution. After discussion, motion carried 7-0. 1 CITY MANAGERS REPORT: INFORMATION: 1. Update on the Col. Zackquill Morgan Statue Mr. Mikorski reported to Council the status of the statue project and related landscaping details that will occur in front of the Public Safety Building. 2. Proposed Budget Introduction Mr. Mikorski gave a brief explanation of the budget documents and received questions and comments from Council members. Mr. Mikorski noted that there will be further discussion at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting. The rules were suspended; and Mayor Selin asked Randy Jones of the WVU SGA to provide an update to council. REPORT FROM CITY CLERK: No report. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY: No report. REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane thanked Mr. England for coming out to speak about flying POW flag and hopes council members will support the request. Councilor Bane voiced concerns about the budget, but praised what had been presented. He also spoke about the West Virginia Municipal League Conference, noting he and Councilor Nugent met with delegates to learn about Senate Bill 600. They in turn gained knowledge on dilapidated houses. Councilor Kawecki: Councilor Kawecki spoke about the POW flag request and agreed that it should be discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilor Kawecki said that the West Virginia Municipal League Conference was encouraging and informative. He discussed Bill 600 and House Bill 4208 which contains information on bath salts. Councilor Nugent: Councilor Nugent announced the upcoming Wiles Hill–Highland Park neighborhood association meeting. He then encouraged the City Manager with the assistance of the City Clerkto ensure that the Boards and Commissions minutes are being turned in and also posted on the web on a more consistent basis. Councilor Nugent also encouraged the City Manager with the assistance of Public Works to make contact with the State with regards to cold patching roads as potholes are becoming numerous. He also encouraged the citizens of Morgantown to help the City identify potholes as well. Councilor Shamberger: Councilor Shamberger spoke about the West Virginia Municipal League conference. She also noted that Morgantown was listed as one of the top ten cities to retire to, with affordable healthcare. 2 Councilor Fike: Councilor Fike enjoyed the West Virginia Municipal League conference and came back to Morgantown with a fresh perspective. Councilor Fike expressed how happy he is with the city of Morgantown and that he is glad to be a Morgantonian. Councilor Ganz: Councilor Ganz complimented City employees for snow removal efforts and also reminded residential and commercial owners to keep their sidewalks cleared, and to help when a neighbor is in need.She suggested that the City should be reimbursed for State roads that are being cleared by City plows. Councilor Ganz thanked the City Manager and staff for the community grants, although she noted she would like to start seeing a revenue stream and/or reimbursements as the City is constantly augmenting stretching out services to the County and State. Councilor Ganz enjoyed E-day and was happy to see that Morgantonians were educating the legislature about the environment. Lastly, she announced the upcoming Suncrest Housing Association meeting. Mayor Selin: Mayor Selin emphasized and was impressed with all the leadership that camefrom Morgantown which was part of the West Virginia Municipal League Conference. Council members then discussed the Roberts Rules of Order presentation; briefly discussed the Safe Communities initiative. There was also discussion about items for the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Nugent, second by Bane, carried by unanimous consent, Council moved into Executive Session, pursuant to West Virginia Code Section 6-9A-4(2)(9) as it pertains to the sale, purchase or lease of realty. Time 8:21pm ADJOURNMENT: There being no further items of business or discussion, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:52pm. _____________________________ __________________________________ City Clerk Mayor *A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON DVD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY. 3