REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2006
Elkins City Council met in regular session in the council chamber of city hall at 7:04 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2006. Present were: Mayor Judith Ann Guye; Councilpersons: R. N. Beckwith, J. S. Bibey, V. T. Broughton, T. P. Ditty, H. R. Elbon, T. Z. Hensil, R. J. Malcolm, C. L. Metheny, K. L. Wilmoth and R. A. Woolwine; City Clerk P. J. Graziani, Jr., City Treasurer L. L. Crosston, Police Captain J. E. Batdorf and Fire Chief T. W. Meader. City Attorneys J. E. Busch and R. T. Busch were absent.
RECOGNITION
Robert ‘Bob’ Collett was recognized upon his retirement from active employment. Accompanied by his wife, granddaughter and wastewater treatment plant supervisor Mike Wolfe, Collett was awarded a certificate commemorating his 24 years with City of Elkins. Having begun his tenure in 1982 as a temporary sewer worker, funded by the federal CETA Program, he eventually transferred to the treatment plant, attained a Class II operator’s license, and in 1992 was certified as manager of the treatment plant’s testing laboratory.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
There were none.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Laura Heuchan, 209 Central Street, requested a copy of the Florio Report.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Cm Metheny, seconded by Cm Ditty, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING OF FEBRUARY 6, 2006 AS PRESENTED. The motion carried.
Cm Beckwith, seconded by Cm Woolwine, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 6, 2006 AS PRESENTED. The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was none.
NEW BUSINESS
Cw Wilmoth, seconded by Cm Metheny, MOVED THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THE EMPLOYEE TRAVEL REFLECTED ON THE AGENDA. The motion carried.
Cm Broughton, seconded by Cm Elbon, MOVED COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 058, AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A SURPLUS GARBAGE TRUCK TO TOWN OF MILL CREEK FOR TWO THOUSAND ($2,000.00) DOLLARS. The motion carried.
Cm Elbon, seconded by Cm Malcolm, MOVED COUNCIL GRANT THE REQUEST OF THE MOUNTAIN STATE FOREST FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION AND ENDORSE ITS APPLICATION FOR A LIMITED ABC LICENSE TO ALLOW THE CONSUMPTION OF WINE AT THE DISTINGUISHED GUEST DINNER ON OCTOBER 5 AND PERMIT LEGAL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON THE PREMISES OF THE OCTOBER 7 CABARET. The motion carried.
Cm Metheny, seconded by Cm Elbon, MOVED COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH THE USDA ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE FOR CONTROL OF THE FERAL PIGEON POPULATION. The motion carried. [In response to Cm Beckwith’s inquiry as to how the Service accomplished the control program, Councilmen Elbon and Metheny inferred multiple solutions. Presence of the pigeons could be discouraged, or, if trapped, attempt could be made to relocate the pigeons geographically; otherwise, more decisive options would be pursued.]
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BUILDING
The Committee received 5 building permit applications since the last meeting of council, 2888 to 2892. Acting upon recommendation of the building inspector, the Committee approved all applications.
Cm Malcolm, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED THAT COUNCIL GRANT THE 5 PERMIT APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE. The motion carried.
PARKS
Cm Beckwith reported the engineering firm of Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP had submitted design proposals for the footbridge to connect Riverbend Park with Lower Glendale Bottom. The proposals were threefold: prefabricated steel structure, rolled steel beam superstructure with timber deck and railing, and precast, prestressed concrete beam superstructure with timber deck and railing. Consideration was being given as to how the overall appearance of the various options could be made more aesthetically pleasing.
MUNICIPAL PROPERTY
Cm Metheny said internet service had been made available to the councilmanic office on the 3rd floor of city hall.
PERSONNEL
Cw Wilmoth announced the Committee had made two recent determinations: council should implement an ongoing process of objective performance evaluations for all employees, and a request for proposals should be published to initiate the process of appointing a city attorney for a one-year term to commence April 1, 2006.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Cm Bibey expressed concern with software problems being experienced by the E-911 Communications Center. After a period on nonuse, the communications/dispatch computer software ‘times out’ and goes into a powered down mode from which it is not possible to immediately establish communications to call out and direct emergency response. Police Captain Batdorf corresponded with the Randolph County Commission to express the Department’s concern arising from the delay in the provision of emergency service response caused by the time lag.
The process to name a new entry-level police officer nears completion. A candidate should be in place in time to attend the State Police Training Academy’s May 2006 class.
A newer model rescue truck has been purchased by the Elkins Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Inc. The vehicle will be put in service as soon as a new engine is installed.
Fire Chief Meader said planning should soon commence to replace a pumper truck within the next several years.
Interviews will soon be conducted to fill an entry-level position in the fire department.
WATER
The absorption and integration of 51 customers and related infrastructure of the former Laurel Mountain Water Association, Inc. into the city of Elkins water utility has been completed.
Century Supply requested that City of Elkins extend a water mainline through the territory of Leadsville Public Service District to its concrete plant on US 219 North, in the vicinity of Polino Enterprises. While Leadsville PSD has no objection, the Committee has not yet reached a decision.
The Pall Pilot plant is in operation at the water treatment plant.
OTHER BUSINESS
Cm Ditty thanked members of both the fire and police departments for assistance the annexation initiative.
Mayor Guye made reference to a letter received from the State Revolving Fund committing to the provision of long-term financing of $7,018,000 at 2% interest and a 1% annual fee for a term of 20 years to finance the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant. She noted the commitment expired February 1, 2007.
A Welcome Center has commenced operations at the railroad depot.
Leadsville Public Service District formally protested to the Public Service Commission the sewer rate increase passed by Council at the meeting of February 6, 2006.
A local emergency planning committee intends to develop plans to respond to the effects of a bird flu pandemic.
Cm Broughton was informed that the Circuit Court hearing on Mary’s Greenhouse vs. City of Elkins had been continued.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
