Woodburn Commission

Woodburn Redevelopment Commission Meeting Minutes January 19, 2017 Meeting was called to order by Chris Haddox at 5:05 PM. PRESENT: Chair Chris Haddox, Vice Chair Kerry Lilly, Mayor Marti Shamberger, Commission member Mary Angel Blount, and Emily Vasile, future commissioner. CORRESPONDENCE/ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: There was neither correspondence nor minutes from the previous meeting. Chris introduced Emily Vasile who is interested in becoming a commissioner. Marti will find out when Emily can be interviewed by City Council. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Projects Discussion - Building. Chris has spoken to March Westin who has offered to donate person power and equipment to repair the flashing over a ledge on the second floor of the old schoolhouse which is causing water damage. It’s possible that MPE would donate necessary equipment. Chris will give Marti the breakdown on the bid he received from March Westin tomorrow (1/20). Chris says that until we sit down with the city, we can’t go forward. Marti said that the city has money in a contingency fund for just such a purpose. The commission agreed that this is a priority. Chris offered to contact Eric at March Westin and get a number for leverage to begin this work. - Playground. Last Thursday (1/12/17) Chris, Mary Angel, and Kerry [Chris, was there anyone else?] met with Denny Poluga of Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club. Denny said he would arrange a meeting between WSRC and the Board of Education for early February in order to ask them to donate roughly the amount of our next payment to the playground renovation. We agreed that the most pressing item is to get our schematic of the playground before the Board of Education. - Marti suggested that Ron Liddle’s children went to Woodburn. Marti also suggested that we speak with Steve Farmer of the Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust since that trust paid for all the gyms in the public schools in town. Contact is Catherine Straface(?) - Another suggestion: Should we ask Mon General to work with us on the walking trail around the playground? Chris asked if the WV Land Trust could be a source of a loan for public access? - Chris suggests we pay a Landscape Architecture student to draw up a plan for the meandering path and construction drawings for it. - Chris also suggested we get Morgantown Green Space Coalition to help with the trail by providing people power and tools. Perhaps Boparc could contribute? 1  - Discussion of forming a non-profit organization called “Friends of Woodburn” or something like because, although the city is allowed to apply for grants, the WSRC cannot. Lory Tanner has expressed interest in trying to start one(?) - Charles Avenue: It was suggested the Charles Avenue area could be beautified. Marti, Mary Angel, and Emily all agreed to come up with a plan for the area. It was suggested that Tom Laurita could work with us. Marti offered to donate plants and suggested enlisting the help of Marchita Maupin from the Urban Landscaping Commission. - Paving. The upper parking lot needs to be paved. Marti suggested the city’s contingency fund. - Appropriate handoff from current to new city manager. Marti said a unanimous offer had been made to a new city manager candidate. Although negotiations were still ongoing, there should be a new city manager soon. - Mural. Marti asked if we need to get the mural out of the Multipurpose building since MT Pockets is occupying that space. Chris suggested we put it in what was the old gymnasium in the old schoolhouse. NEW BUSINESS and DISCUSSION: Discussion- New WSRC Members. All members expressed gratitude for Emily Vasile’s interest in joining the commission. Emily offered to “make some noise” on our Facebook page and our website, both of which need to be updated. Because Nikki will be leaving, we will need 3 more people in addition to Emily. We all agreed to talk to others about being on the WSRC. Kerry said he would speak to Glen Larew, who is in construction and could be very helpful. Emily suggested Harrison Case. Mary Angel suggested Beth Nardella who lives in the Woodburn neighborhood. The next meeting was set for February 23 at 5:00 p.m. at Crosley’s. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. 2