PROPOSED MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2006
Elkins City Council met in regular session in the council chamber of city hall at 7:04 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 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, City Attorney R. T. Busch and Police Captain J. E. Batdorf. Fire Chief T. W. Meader was absent.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
There were none.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ed Griesel reported on the activity of the Elkins Depot Welcome Center, Inc. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, volunteers have provided information and displays of local interest to passersby visiting the area and riders of the excursion train. In operation for approximately 21 weekends, in excess of 25 volunteers have greeted and assisted over 4,100 visitors representing 40 states and 11 foreign countries. [By a September 18 letter addressed to the mayor, Mr. Griesel noted the Center’s need for telephone service, maps to be given to visitors illustrating the city and surrounding area, and signage directing travelers to the depot building. In the absence of a revenue stream of its own, the Center requested a city contribution of “…$2,500 to help defray these and other operating expenses.”]
Three board members and the executive director of the Randolph County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau presented a copy of the Reviewed Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2006. The representatives also commented on the preceding year’s operations. Subject matter touched upon included the fact that the preceding year had been a good one, even though tourism had experienced a slight decline; the board created a 3-year strategic plan; the office was staffed by full-time personnel 6 days per week; approximately 11,000 travelers signed the visitor’s log at the Bureau between September 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006; several events of local interest had been sponsored or participated in; the 17th Annual Ramp Festival had been a resounding success; the website had experienced 39,000 hits since June 2; economic benefit accruing to Elkins and environs from visiting tourists was estimated to exceed $1.35 million; a new promotional flyer under design; and the organization is nonpartisan in affiliation.
Dave Rao, 909_ S. Henry Avenue, expressed his appreciation of Councilman Woolwine and City Attorney Busch for the recently enacted revision of election law.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Cm Woolwine, seconded by Cm Beckwith, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 AS PRESENTED. The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Cm Woolwine, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED THAT PROPOSED ORDINANCE 043, AMENDING AND REENACTING CHAPTER 7, ELECTIONS, OF ELKINS CITY CODE, BE BROUGHT FORTH, READ BY TITLE ONLY, AND PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING. A roll call being requested, the clerk read the roll:
Beckwith - Yes Hensil - Yes
Bibey - Yes Malcolm - Yes
Broughton - No Metheny - Yes
Ditty - Yes Wilmoth - Yes
Elbon - Yes Woolwine - Yes
The motion carried.
Cm Elbon, seconded by Cm Metheny, MOVED TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE THE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A TOWER LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE DIGITAL SOUP, LLC. The motion to take from the table carried. Discussion of the measure resulted in Cm Elbon, seconded by Cw Wilmoth, MOVING THAT THE MAYOR APPOINT AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO APPROVE THE FINAL FORM OF AN AGREEMENT TO BE EXECUTED BY THE MAYOR. The motion carried. The ad hoc committee appointed consisted of the mayor; Councilmen Elbon, Ditty, Hensil and Metheny; the city clerk and the city attorney.
Due to low contractor bid received being nearly one million dollars in excess of the estimated cost of construction of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade, it will be necessary to revise Phase II of the sewer tariff that will become effective upon certification of substantial completion of the upgrade project. To accomplish the necessary sewer tariff revision within the 90-day bid hold period, it will necessary to act with all due dispatch to enact necessary legislation. Cm Hensil, seconded by Cm Malcolm, MOVED COUNCIL RESCHEDULE ITS REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 5 TO 7 P.M. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3. The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Cm Bibey, seconded by Cm Woolwine, MOVED COUNCIL AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY’S COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS. The motion carried. [Funding will be sought for single tube night vision style goggles.]
Cm Beckwith, seconded by Cw Wilmoth, MOVED COUNCIL GRANT THE REQUEST OF THE TYGART VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BAND AUXILIARY FOR THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF DESIGNATED STREETS DURING ITS TOURNAMENT OF BANDS. The motion carried.
Cm Hensil, seconded by Cm Woolwine, MOVED THAT COUNCIL GRANT THE REQUEST OF THE MOUNTAIN STATE FOREST FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION FOR PARADES, BARRICADES AND SECURITY. The motion carried.
Cw Wilmoth, seconded by Cm Ditty, MOVED THAT EMPLOYEE TRAVEL BE APPROVED, AS REFLECTED ON THE AGENDA. The motion carried. [Two sewer fund employees will travel to Sutton for the CSO Workshop for Small Communities.]
Cm Beckwith, seconded by Cm Metheny, MOVED THAT COUNCIL APPOINT LISA HARRIS TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF RESIGNING MEMBER WILLIAM T. JOHNSON, JR. ON THE BOARD OF THE ELKINS HOUSING AUTHORITY, SUCH APPOINTMENT TO EXPIRE MARCH 31, 2009. The motion carried.
Cm Ditty, seconded by Cm Malcolm, MOVED THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A WATER SERVICE TERMINATION AGREEMENT WITH MIDLAND PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT. The motion carried. [An executed agreement would pertain to water customers of Midland that have sewer service with Elkins. Collection of delinquent sewer bills would be facilitated by having Midland terminate water service of the city’s delinquent sewer customers.]
Cm Metheny, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED COUNCIL GRANT THE REQUEST OF AUCTIONEER DOUG CONRAD TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE A PORTION OF JOHN STREET ON SEPTEMBER 21 AND 23. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BUILDING
The Committee received 9 building permit applications since the last meeting of council, 3102 thru 3111, Application 3105 being void.
Acting upon recommendation of the building inspector, the Committee approved all applications.
