City Council

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 29, 2016: The committee of the whole meeting of the Common Council of the City of Morgantown was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Interim City Manager Glen Kelly, City Attorney Ryan Simonton, Mayor Marti Shamberger, Deputy Mayor Kawecki, Ron Bane, Wes Nugent, Jenny Selin, Jay Redmond, and Nancy Ganz. Deputy Mayor Kawecki called the meeting to order. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Downtown Lights Damien Davis, City Engineer updated Council on downtown lighting issues and solutions on High Street before the bidding is done. Travis Henline, Main Street Director, requested Council’s support in any funding that has already been approved for the Downtown Light project. After discussion from Council, Interim City Manager Glen Kelly noted that $72,000 was approved by Council for this project, and adding additional streets and lighting would be more appropriate for the 2017 Budget year. 2. Bond Documents for the Dam/Reservoir Project 3. Pipeline rights of way for Raw Water Pipeline & Poponoe Run Tim Ball, MUB Director updated Council that the signing of the Municipal Bond will be on December 1, 2016 and the SRF portion will take place between December 12th – 16th, 2016 he noted that contractors will begin working after SRF is complete. Mr. Ball requested Council’s approval of a Supplemental Resolution for the existing Ordinance; new draft bond Ordinance and a draft Bond Ordinance where the City can apply for funding. Mr. Ball requested Council’s consideration of the 6 city right-of ways as part of the project. After questions from Council to Mr. Ball, Council thanked Mr. Ball for his presentation and answering their questions. 4. Airport Hangars & Development Brad Homan, Michael Baker International, presented a power-point on the construction of three hangars that can house larger air-crafts. Mr. Homan noted the timeline: meeting with Air Force November 28-29, 2016; acquisition of materials January 3, 2017; final planning with Airforce Reserve March 17, 2017; start of construction April 10, 2017; completion of construction July 29, 2017; completion of hanger ramp and taxi lane parking August 2017. Mr. Hammond asked if there were any questions from Council. After questions by Council and comments from Interim City Manager Glen Kelly, Council thanked Mr. Hammond for his presentation and answering their questions. 5. Falling Run TIF John Martys Executive Director, Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority and Brian Helmick, Attorney, Spillman, Thomas & Battle updated Council with a power point presentation on the progress of the TIF. They noted the project was approved by the State and that construction is estimated to begin in the summer of 2017 with completion following in the summer of 2018. John Martys asked if there were any 1 questions from Council. After questions from Council with Mr. Martys & Attorney Brian Helmick, Council thanked them for their presentation. 6. Ward & Boundary Report Roy Nutter, Chair of the Ward & Boundary Commission introduced Roger Banks, Commission member, to present the report. Damien Davis City Engineer gave an update on the voter registration data that he received from the County verses the City. Jo Vaughn discussed415 what the County can do versus what the City can do. Mayor Marti Shamberger mentions that the Ward & Boundary Commission should look into how Huntington does their voting for the college students. Councilor Selin mentions that she would like to see the pros and cons before possibly a City Charter change. Councilor Nugent asked Jo Vaughn what familiarity she has with cross referencing data sets and if so has she done that in the past? Jo Vaughn did state that she has done cross referencing in the past. Councilor Ganz states that there is a big problem with the polling places for County versus for the City. 7. Brownfields Petroleum Grant Dave Bott, Community Developer Administrator, Lafe Kinkel, and Patrick Kirby talk about the Brownfield Assessment Grant and how it is time to pursue a new grant and wanted to let Council know. Patrick Kirby hands out a draft resolution to Council authorizing the submission of an application to the EPA Brownfield Assessment Program. 8. Habitat for Humanity Glen Kelly made the statement that he asked Habitat for Humanity to come back to the COW Meeting due to Council having questions. Shawnda Cook, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, stated that she has looked into the past when they paid the permit fees. Shawnda stated that they are going to be getting 5 more Occupancy Permits within 30 days and 4 more Building Permits within 60 days to complete the 5 remaining homes in the Decker’s Creek Project. Shawnda is asking Council to consider a budget line item to help cover some of the expenses approximately $2,500.00 so that they can finish the developments they are building. They have come up with a strategic plan and determined to build 5 new constructions and 10 repairs by 2018. PUBLIC PORTION: James Giuliani, 256 Prairie Drive, comments on the TIF projects in how he tries to support them but never hears anymore about them. James mentions to council that it states in the Housing Inspection Ordinance that you have to reapply every 3 years. He states that the Fire Department should go with the Code Enforcement when an inspection is being done. Roger Banks, 444 Overhill Street, mentions that there will be a rally for change at the Mon County Courthouse on November 30th between 5:30- 6:00 pm and he is inviting the public to come out and support them. There will be several Social Justices attending to talk about how to educate the people to become more involved with Economic Policy Development on the Community State and National levels. Holly Childs, 56 Westminster Drive, states that she is here on behalf of the MCDA in which she is the Director of the organization. She reads a letter from the MCDA supporting and highly recommending Glen Kelly to be the next City Manager for the City of Morgantown. 2  Guy Panrell, 757 South Hills Drive, stated that during the Ward & Boundary Commission Meeting Don Spencer and Councilor from the 7th Ward interrupted their meeting trying to tell them how to run the commission. Guy then proceeds to mention how this councilor treats the City Clerk and that it is appalling and feels that the councilor should resign her position. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. Downtown Lights After discussion, Council suspended the rules by consensus to have the President of Main Street Morgantown Charles McEwuen discuss what the priorities are. Council by consensus referred to the regular meeting agenda. 2. Sidewalk Marketing & Dining Interim City Manager Glen Kelly updated council on the Sidewalk Marketing & Dining concept and then City Attorney Ryan Simonton explained further. After discussion, council referred item to regular agenda. 3. Bond Documents for the Dam/Reservoir Project Council by consensus referred item to regular agenda. 4. Pipeline rights of way for the Raw Water Pipeline and Popenoe Council by consensus referred item to regular agenda. 5. Airport Hangars & Development Council by consensus referred item to regular agenda. 6. Falling Run TIF Council by consensus referred item to regular agenda. 7. Ward & Boundary Report Council by consensus referred item to regular agenda. 8. Brownfields Petroleum Grant After discussion, Council by consensus referred item to regular agenda. 9. Habitat for Humanity After discussion, Council by consensus referred item to regular agenda. ADJOURNMENT: 3  There being no further business, Council adjourned the committee of the whole meeting at 10:45 pm. ___________________________ ______________________________ City Clerk Mayor 4