City Council

REGULAR MEETING March 3, 2015: The regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: City Manager Jeff Mikorski, Assistant City Manager Glen Kelly, City Clerk Linda Tucker, Mayor Selin, Deputy Mayor Marti Shamberger and Council Members: Ron Bane, Bill Kawecki, Wes Nugent, Mike Fike, Nancy Ganz and City Attorney Ryan Simonton. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Selin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the February 3, 2015 and February 17, 2015 Regular Meetings were approved. CORRESPONDENCE: Mayor Selin proclaimed March 2015 as Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets Month. PUBLIC HEARING-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2014-2015 ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN IN THE REVISED BUDGET ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND. There being no appearances, Mayor Selin declared the Public Hearing closed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2014-2015 ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for second reading. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FY 2014-2015 ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN IN THE REVISED BUDGET ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS THE SAME APPLIES TO THE GENERAL FUND. After City Manager explanation, discuss by council, Motion by Shamberger, second by Fike, to adopt the above entitled Ordinance. Motion carried 7-0 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: The City Clerk updated Council on vacancies of Boards and Commissions. PUBLIC PORTION: Craig Walker, 400, FCX Lane, stated that he is the president of FCX Systems and told council the history of the FCX Company. He stated his frustrations about not being chosen to proceed with providing the unit at the airport and that a New York State company was chosen. He firmly spoke about local business being the core of The City’s purchasing practice now and in the future. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS: No reports NEW BUSINESS: AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FY 2015-2016: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FOR THE FY 2015-2016. Motion by Shamberger, second by Kawecki, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading. After the City Manager explanation, Council Shamberger stated this Council faces an unprecedented challenge. She explained the budget has not increased for several years, while the demands on the city employees and services has increased as shown in the recent matrix results. She said The City’s Charter provides us options as a “tool box” that we can use. She said if implemented these tools will enhance our public safety and welfare of all our resident by providing fire and police protection, transportation, and recreations services that our citizens require. Councilor Shamberger stated our City Manager has pointed out that our service B&O is currently the lowest in the greater Morgantown area at .55 per $100. She said other municipalities in our area are at $1.00 per $100. She said if this was increase, these dollars could be used for enhancing police, transportation (including paving, traffic calming pedestrian safety), planning and code enforcement and recreation maintenance. She stated the Fire Service Fee has not increased for five years. Councilor Shamberger stated fire fees are set at a state limit of 80% cost of service-we are approximately at 50% of the total cost. She said increasing our fire service fee The City would be able to increase personnel for safety of our residents, invest in training and replace again fire equipment. She said it would also help us keep our insurance rates low. She stated I believe that we should also work with the County and state 1 partners to reimburse the City for the services supported by the taxpaying city residents. She said in the future we should update our application process for non-profits to encourage them to submit development plans rather than to rely on the City taxpayers for support. She then concluded stating she would like to ask the City Manager to make a plan to increase revenues with existing taxes and/or fees by $1.4 million dollars and bring ordinance to the COW for further discussion. Council members discussed budget line items and suggestions toward increasing revenue in the budget. Question was called, motion carried 7-0. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ZONING RECLASSIFICATION OF THE ONE (1) PARCEL OF REAL ESTATE IN THE FIRST WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN: FROM B-1, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT TO B-2, SERVICE BUSINESS DISTRICT BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1331 OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN ON THE EXHIBIT HERETO ATTACHED AND DECLARED TO BE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS IF THE SAME WAS FULLY SET FORTH HEREIN: The below entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ZONING RECLASSIFICATION OF THE ONE (1) PARCEL OF REAL ESTATE IN THE FIRST WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FROM B-1, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT TO B-2, SERVICE BUSINESS DISTRICT BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1331 OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN ON THE EXHIBIT HERETO ATTACHED AND DECLARED TO BE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS IF THE SAME WAS FULLY SET FORTH HEREIN. After the City Manager explanation, suspended the rules to discuss and have questions answered by Chris Fletcher. Motion by Shamberger, second by Fike, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading, motion carried 7-0. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ZONING RECLASSIFICATION OF EIGHTEEN (18) PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE IN THE THIRD WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FROM R-2, SINGLE- AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO R-3, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1331 OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN ON THE EXHIBIT HERETO ATTACHED AND DECLARED TO BE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS IF THE SAME WAS FULLY SET FORTH HEREIN: The above entitled Ordinance was presented for first reading. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ZONING RECLASSIFICATION OF EIGHTEEN (18) PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE IN THE THIRD WARD OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN FROM R-2, SINGLE- AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO R-3, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BY AMENDING ARTICLE 1331 OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING CODE OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN AS SHOWN ON THE EXHIBIT HERETO ATTACHED AND DECLARED TO BE A PART OF THIS ORDINANCE AS IF THE SAME WAS FULLY SET FORTH HEREIN. Council suspended the rules for the explanation by Chris Fletcher and discussion. Motion by Shamberger, second by Kawecki, to pass the above entitled Ordinance to second reading, motion carried 6-1. A RESOLUTION TO OBTAIN $3,000.00 TO HELP EMPTY BOWLS MONONGALIA PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES THROUGH THE GOVERNS PARTICIPATION GRANT PROGRAM: The above Resolution was presented for approval. A RESOLUTION TO OBTAIN $3,000.00 TO HELP EMPTY BOWLS MONONGALIA PURCHASE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES THROUGH THE GOVERNORS PARTICIPATION GRANT PROGRAM. Motion by Kawecki, second by Bane to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0. A RESOLUTION FOR SUPPORT OF MONONGALIA COUNTY COMMISSIONS REQUEST OF WVDOT TO DECREASE THE SPEED LIMIT AND ADD A FLASHING YELLOW “CAUTION” LIGHT IN THE AREA OF THE INTERSECTION OF RT. 119 AND RT. 73: The above Resolution was presented for approval. A RESOLUTION FOR SUPPORT OF MONONGALIA COUNTY COMMISSIONS REQUEST OF WVDOT TO DECREASE THE SPEED LIMIT AND ADD A FLASHING YELLOW “ CAUTION” LIGHT IN THE AREA OF THE INTERSECTION OF RT. 119 AND RT. 73. Motion by Bane, second by Ganz, to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0. A RESOLUTION TO OBTAIN $5,000.00 TO HELP CONSTRUCT AND INSTALL IN DOWNTOWN MORGANTOWN A COLONIAL ZACKQUILL MORGAN STATUE: A RESOLUTION TO OBTAIN $5,000.00 TO HELP CONSTRUCT AND INSTALL IN DOWNTOWN MORGANTOWN A COLONIAL ZACKQUILL MORGAN STATUE. 2  Motion by Nugent, second by Ganz, to adopt the above entitled Resolution. Motion carried 7-0. CITY MANAGERS REPORT: New Business: 1. Fire Civil Service Revised Rules and Regulations Mr. Mikorski recommended City Council approve the revisions to the rules and regulations attached that are endorsed by the Morgantown Fire Civil Service Commission. After City Manager and Fire Chief explanation’s, motion by Nugent, second by Shamberger. Question was called, motion carried 7-0. 2. Budget discussion for Committee of the Whole. Mr. Mikorski repeated the budget items requested by Councilor Shamberger and asked for consensuses to discuss further at the next Committee of the Whole Meeting. Motion by Bane and second by Kawecki. Motion carried 7-0. REPORT FROM CITY CLERK: Mrs. Tucker updated Council about the 2015 City Election. REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY: No Report REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Councilor Bane: Councilor Bane acknowledges that the public is frustrated by the garbage service and the billing. He stated questions are being asked by residents about the house on Madison and asked if their questions could be addressed. He recommended we write a letter to the Department of Highway that Beechurst Avenue be one of the first on the paving list for 2015. Councilor Kawecki: Councilor Kawecki asked City Manager if the Bad Building Meeting was still scheduled and if volunteers from the public could be considered. He then announced Saturday is the Blue Jean Ball. Councilor Nugent: Councilor Nugent had no report. Councilor Shamberger Councilor Shamberger announced Woodburn First Friday is from 6 to 8 and Joyce Noise band is performing. She asked the City Manager about rental signs on properties in R1 and R1A neighborhoods and the relation to any ordinance. She then stated she appreciated what FCX expressed, but that the City Manager and Airport Director followed the rules. Councilor Fike: Councilor Fike had no report. Councilor Ganz: Councilor Ganz thanked everyone that was involved in the Empty Bowl Program. She expressed concerns brought up at the neighborhood association meeting about the lights being distracting to the residents from the housing construction sites and the WVU Medical Center PRT building. She appreciated everyone’s involvement in budget discussion. She mentioned discussing at the next meeting about BOPARC having huge capital needs and suggested BOPARC having discounts for City resident’s participation. She 3  announced Officer Matt Poremba is moving and she wanted to thank him for all his service within the community. Mayor Selin: Mayor Selin suggested Council meeting with the student government at one of the Committee of the Whole Meetings. She stated she supported issuing a letter about the garbage service and having the garbage company among others attend a Committee of the Whole Meeting for further discussion about the concerns from residents. Mayor Selin announced the overhead lights in front of the Arboretum and other side that are consistently out. She then stated she appreciates the discussion and further discussion on the budget. She announced Compost 101 is on March 26 at the Morgantown Library, Morgantown Farmers Market is 11 to 1, Mohigan Idol at Morgantown High School March 20, at 7:30 PM, Harry Manx in concert at the MET on March 10, Holly Spears in concert at MET on March 14, and the Woodburn meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further items of business or discussion, the meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:40 p.m. _____________________________ __________________________________ City Clerk Mayor *A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ALL COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON DVD AT THE MORGANTOWN CITY LIBRARY. 4