City Council

REGULAR MEETING MARCH 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, March 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 Fike and Nancy Ganz. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Selin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the March 4, 2014 Regular Meeting were approved as presented. CORRESPONDENCE: The promotion of Firefighter Gary Freshour to the rank of Lieutenant was recognized, and the City Clerk administered his Oath of Office. Mayor Selin then presented the Year of the Tree certificates, to recognize the winners and participants in the “Biggest Baddest Tree” contest. A letter from Mr. Glenn Mullenax was presented by the Mayor, wherein he addressed the issue of a community recreation center. PUBLIC HEARING – AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015: There being no appearances, Mayor Selin declared the public hearing closed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015. Motion by Shamberger, second by Fike to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. After discussion, motion carried 7-0. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: City Clerk Linda Little reported that the Sister Cities Commission is currently reviewing the candidates who have applied so far. The deadline for applications is March 30, 2014. The Commission will report back with a recommendation to fill its vacancy at a later date. PUBLIC PORTION: Daniel McMullen, 486 Hite Street, President of First Ward Neighborhood Association, spoke on behalf of the citizens of First Ward in reference to a Recreational Facility possibly being placed on one of the green spaces in White Park. Mr. McMullen said that they would like to keep their green space and have the facility be placed elsewhere. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilor Kawecki announced that a meeting will be held with the History Museum Commission and the Historic Landmarks Commission on March 19, 2014 located at 175 Kirk Street from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. for people who are interested in History or Historic studies. 1  Councilor Ganz thanked the Monongalia County School Board for considering the Collins Ferry Road area as a possible location for the new Suncrest Primary School. NEW BUSINESS: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR OFFICE SPACE AT THE AIRPORT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN (LESSOR) AND HELICOPTER ANALYTICS, INC. (LESSEE) AS IT PERTAINS TO OFFICE SPACE AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. Motion by Bane, second by Nugent to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. After explanation from the City Manager and discussion, followed by further comments from the City Attorney, motion carried 7-0. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR A HELICOPTER CONCESSION AT THE AIRPORT: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading: FIRST READING of AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A LEASE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN, LESSOR, AND HELICOPTER ANALYTICS, INC., LESSEE, IN WHICH OFFICE SPACE, SPECIFICALLY SUITE 229 IS BEING LEASED AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING A HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION CONCESSION. Motion by Nugent, second by Bane to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. Motion carried 7-0. CITY MANAGERS REPORT: INFORMATION: 1. 2014 Urban Archery Hunt: Mr. Mikorski reported to Council that the 2014 Urban Archery Deer Hunt is currently in planning. Mr. Mikorski continued to explain that sign-up information for the hunt is on the Urban Archery Deer Hunt page on the City’s website, and the deadline is April 18, 2014. He then outlined the process which applicants will follow for the upcoming season. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Bid Results of Asphalt for 2014 Street Paving Project Mr. Mikorski informed Council that the City has accepted a Bid from Greer Asphalt in the amount of $145,311. After discussion, motion by Nugent, second by Bane, to approve the bid results as presented. Motion carried 7-0. REPORT FROM CITY CLERK: The City Clerk reported the following application to Council in accordance with State Law: Liquor License Application – Minsyr-Oxbridge, LLC, DBA: Waterfront Place Hotel. 2 REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY: No report. REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER: Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane announced the First Ward meeting to be held April 27, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. and will disclose the location at a later date. Councilor Bane noted that all Council Members should be made aware of, and be more involved in, any future meetings with Senators or Congressmen. He reminded Council that the Charter states Council should act as a body in all matters. He also noted that the Recreation Center mentioned during the Public Portion is only a concept and no action has been taken. Councilor Kawecki: Councilor Kawecki asked for clarification on what constitutes an item as correspondence, and how items get placed on meeting Agendas. After much discussion and insight from Mr. Fanok and Mr. Mikorski, Council Members better understood the processes of the meeting. Councilor Kawecki then asked for consensus of Council to allow a presentation from a group concerned with injection wells adjacent to Decker’s Creek on an upcoming Committee of the Whole agenda. Council so agreed to hear this presentation and left scheduling the matter up to the City Manager. Councilor Nugent: Councilor Nugent announced the next Wiles Hill Highland Park Neighborhood Association meeting and expressed that he appreciates the continuous effort in patching potholes. He noted the City should keep encouraging the Division of Highways to better address State Roads. Councilor Shamberger: Councilor Shamberger commended Rick Bebout, volunteer coordinator for the Urban Archery Deer Hunt program and recognized him for being named Bow Hunter of the year by the WV Bow Hunter’s Association. She congratulated the MHS Girls Basketball team for winning the State Championship and wished the MHS Boys Basketball Team good luck in their upcoming State Championship game. Councilor Shamberger encouraged the public to visit the Metropolitan Theatre to see the weekend events. She asked the Manager if a special pick-up with Republic Services could be arranged for residents of R-1A areas. Mr. Mikorski replied that Republic will be coming to the Committee of the Whole Meeting and that Council can inquire about a special pickup at that time. Lastly, Councilor Shamberger noted that she was pleased the Service Berry Trees on Ridgeway Avenue were nominated in the Year of the Tree contest. Councilor Fike: Councilor Fike was elated that he could hear the meeting better and wanted to thank the technical/audio crew for doing their part. He appreciated Councilor Kawecki’s comments as well as the ensuing discussion. Councilor Fike then read aloud a lengthy typed report, 3  which touched on such topics as the budget, comprehensive plan, Home Rule, the Rivertown program, Sunnyside Up improvements, WVU private partner projects, the new First Ward neighborhood association, airport development, Woodburn school and its commission, Community Leadership forum, collaboration with WVU and the prospect of developing community recreation facilities. He also asked for a more streamlined approach for Boards and Commissions to present proposals and advice to the Council. He asked that any previously approved proposals be put into effect. Councilor Ganz: Councilor Ganz appreciated Councilor Fike’s comments and hoped that Council can continue to work together to accomplish many goals. She thanked the Fire Marshalls for their work fighting street and dumpster fires. She also noted that the Urban Deer Hunt provides many pounds of meat for food banks and soup kitchens. She commented on Councilor Bane’s remarks and then spoke on the discussion of the proposed recreation center. She echoed assurances to the citizens that BOPARC will preserve the City’s green spaces in the planning of this facility. She then announced the upcoming Suncrest neighborhood association meeting. Councilor Ganz thanked the Manager for scheduling Republic services on the Committee of the Whole. Mayor Selin: Mayor Selin also discussed the potential recreation center, and like Councilors Bane and Ganz, stated that the proposal is still in the planning stages. Mr. Fanok commented on the planning process that took place the first time this topic was brought up, over a decade ago. Mayor Selin noted the opening of the new Panera Bread restaurant downtown, welcomed members of a WVU Journalism class, and reported that she attended a Black History Month art contest. She remarked that County Commissioner Eldon Callen wishes to speak with Council and Westover about paving state roads. She commented on Councilor Fike’s report and Councilor Bane’s report as well, stating that the meeting was purely informational about the Airport. She then announced a closure on Decker’s Creek trail, the Morgantown History event, Green Night at the library, and a performance of the Irish Tenors. ADJOURNMENT:There being no further items of business or discussion, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:30p.m. _____________________________ __________________________________ City Clerk Mayor *A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS IS AVAILABLE ON DVD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY. 4