PROPOSED MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2008


Elkins City Council met in regular session in the council chamber of city hall at 7:06 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2008. Present were Mayor Judith A. Guye; Councilpersons: R. N. Beckwith, J. S. Bibey, H. K. Burford, T. Z. Hensil, R. J. Malcolm, C. L. Metheny, D. G. Satterfield, I. D. Talbott, Jr., K. L. Wilmoth and R. A. Woolwine; City Clerk P. J. Graziani, Jr., City Treasurer L. L. Crosston, City Attorney R. C. Chenoweth, Police Captain J. E. Batdorf and Fire Chief T. W. Meader. City Attorney R. T. Busch was absent.

The meeting commenced with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.


AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS

1. Recommendation that the landfill rate tariff be revised.
2. Authorization for Youth Empowered Solutions to utilize storage space at the 11th Street garage facility.
3. Removal from consideration of Proposed Resolution 107.


BUDGET CYCLE INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

1. Executive Director Elizabeth R. ‘Beth’ King presented information about the mission and activities of the Randolph County Arts Center. The stated mission of the Center is “To enhance the cultural and economic life of our region by providing facilities and arts programming that will entertain, educate, and inspire all of our citizens.” On the Center’s behalf, she asked for continued funding in the next fiscal year.

2. Ed Griesel discussed the various initiatives undertaken by the Depot Welcome Center. He said the Center’s purpose was to greet, welcome and guide visitors to our community. Brochures, maps and other informational materials were provided to enhance the visitor’s experience and induce a longer stay in the area. Currently staffed by volunteers 4 days per week, a 7-day operating schedule has been set as a goal. Many of the operating supplies and a computer have been donated, but there are hard dollar costs that must be met. Saying the Center was ideally situated to the excursion train, the music theater and the downtown area, Griesel asked for continued funding at a level of $9,200.

3. Harold Langevin appeared on behalf of The Helping Hand Clearinghouse, Inc. The organization has no funds of its own to distribute; instead, it attempts to assist those in need by referral to other organizations that do provide assistance (i.e., Catholic Community Services, Salvation Army, FEMA, United Way, etc.) Available funds do not go to needy individuals; instead, providers are paid directly (utility companies, landlords, etc.) The Clearinghouse does maintain a food pantry and stock of clothing. Langevin asked for any assistance that might be available.


WIND POWER INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION

Joel Martin, Barbour County resident and spokesman for the West Virginia Green Energy Alliance, spoke in support for the windmill farm proposed by AES Laurel Mountain, LLC. Martin’s comments were supported and elaborated upon by AES Development Manager Barry Sweitzer. Among the benefits to be realized from the project, they said, were temporary construction and permanent maintenance jobs; increased real estate and personal property tax revenues; an alternative energy source to lessen dependence on imported oil; new land lease and royalty revenues for affected property owners; and the potential for reduced pollution resulting from carbon-based fuel.


PUBLIC COMMENT

Speakers against the windmill project included Arthur and Pamela Dodds, on behalf of the Laurel Mountain Preservation Association, Joe Sabatino, Heather Biola, Norman Arbogast, Vicki Alfano, Sue Likens, and Larry Tampas. Among issues cited by opponents of the project were negative impact on the local viewshed, existing landforms and ridgelines; damage that could result from earthmoving, grading, clearing and access road installation; impact on aircraft flight patterns; decimation of bat and bird populations; noise pollution; rotating blade flicker; degradation of the quality of steam water that eventually feeds into the Mississippi and Potomac Rivers; that the environmental and ecological impact of the project’s footprint was too big; that energy revenues generated would be exported, they won’t stay in West Virginia; and the potential for diminished land values as a result of proximity to the windmills.

Justin Sandridge expressed the appreciation of Youth Empowered Solutions members for Council’s consideration of making space available for the temporary storage of skatepark-related fixtures and equipment.

Roy Teter, 119 South Gate Road, again said he was concerned that the Randolph County Development Authority would not cleanup the riverbank between the railroad bridge and swinging bridge on Wilson Street. He said it was an eyesore.

Vicki Aucremanne, 110 Henry Avenue, said consideration should now be given to regulation of dangerous, free-roaming dogs, so that she and her little dogs would be safe.


CONSENT CALENDAR

Cm Metheny, seconded by Cm Bibey, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2008 AS CORRECTED. The motion carried. [Cw Wilmoth did not attend the meeting of February 21; however, the minutes originally presented incorrectly indicated that she was involved with putting forth two different motions. The errors were corrected, before the approved minutes were made of public record.]


UNFINISHED BUSINESS

No action was taken on Proposed Ordinance 072, establishing regulation of city trees.

Cm Malcolm, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED THAT PROPOSED ORDINANCE 073, PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NOT MORE THAN $650,000 OF SEWER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2008A, BE BROUGHT FORTH, READ BY TITLE ONLY AND PASSED ON SECOND READING. The motion carried.


NEW BUSINESS

Cm Metheny, seconded by Cm Talbott, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 105, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ELKINS-RANDOLPH COUNTY YMCA. The motion carried. [$17,000 could be available for improvements to the exercise facility, pursuant to Project Number 08CPGP0137.]


Cm Beckwith, seconded by Cm Malcolm, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 106, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ELKINS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. The motion carried. [$5,000 could be available for parks improvements, pursuant to Project Number 08LEDA0400.]

Consideration of Proposed Resolution 107, expressing Council’s position concerning the proposed Laurel Mountain windmill farm project, was deferred to a later meeting.

Cm Talbott, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 108, APPROVING INVOICES RELATING TO THE PROPOSED WATER PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING DRAWDOWN NUMBER 5 THEREOF FROM FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM THE WATERWORKS SYSTEM DESIGN BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES, SERIES 2007. The motion carried. [Chapman Technical Group will be paid $36,875.00.]

Cm Hensil, seconded by Cm Talbott, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 109, APPROVING INVOICES RELATING TO THE ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE WATER FUND AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT DRAWDOWN NO. 3 THEREOF FROM FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH A HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK LINE OF CREDIT. The motion carried. [City of Elkins Water Fund will be reimbursed for payments made from its operating revenues to vendors effecting emergency repairs to water treatment plant Filter No. 4. FIMCO, LLC was paid $15,589.00 for filter media-related services and product; Concrete Preservation Systems, Inc. was paid $162,278.00 for repair of the filter.]

Cw Wilmoth, seconded by Cm Metheny, MOVED THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THE EMPLOYEE TRAVEL REFLECTED ON THE AGENDA. The motion carried. [Various operational employees will make a day trip to Charleston for the WV Construction and Design Exposition; four water employees will also attend the Exposition; however, they will stay over one night to attend instructional seminars; the street department assistant supervisor will travel to Wheeling for the 16th Annual Roadway Management Conference, a 3-day event.]

Cw Wilmoth, seconded by Cm Talbott, MOVED COUNCIL GRANT THE REQUEST OF GIRLS ON THE RUN TO PERFORM A 5K WALK/RUN. The motion carried. [A police escort will be provided, Captain Batdorf said.]

Cw Burford, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED THAT PROPOSED ORDINANCE 074, ESTABLISHING A MANDATORY MUNICIPAL COURT FEE ASSESSMENT FOR PURPOSES OF FUNDING THE RANDOLPH COUNTY TEEN COURT PROGRAM BE BROUGHT FORTH, READ BY TITLE ONLY, AND PASSED ON FIRST READING. The motion carried.

Cm Satterfield, seconded by Cm Beckwith, MOVED COUNCIL AUTHORIZE YOUTH EMPOWERED SOLUTIONS TO TEMPORARILY USE THE 11TH STREET GARAGE FOR THE STORAGE OF SKATEPARK-RELATED EQUIPMENT AND FIXTURES SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS TO BE DEFINED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. The motion carried.


COMMITTEE REPORTS

BUILDING

The Committee received 7 building permit applications since the last meeting of council, 3557 thru 3563. Acting upon recommendation of the building inspector, the Committee approved all applications.

Cm Malcolm, seconded by Cm Metheny, MOVED THAT COUNCIL GRANT BUILDING PERMITS FOR THE 7 APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE. The motion carried.

PERMIT	APPLICANT	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION	VALUE
3557	Schleer Builders	875 Industrial Park Rd	Storage shed	$2,900
3558	A & M Properties	Henry Av	Re-roof	$1,782
3559	Hackman, Thomas	201 Center St	Bathroom addition	$2,500
3560	Huntington Bank	Davis Av & Fifth St	Replace gas furnace and condensers	$12,450
3561	M & J Enterprises	Old Brick Playhouse	Repair 1/2 of roof (wind damage)	$21,923
3562	Anderson, Hope	115 Third St	Roof replacement	$6,090
3563	LeMasters, Kim	117 Riverview Dr	Replace windows and doors	$5,000

FINANCE

Members were provided with detailed financial information intended to help them better understand the General Fund budget preparation process for Fiscal Year 2008/2009. Historical revenue and expenditure information was provided to demonstrate the reasonableness of revenue and expenditures projections for the next fiscal year. Real estate valuations provided by the Randolph County Assessor underlay calculations of real estate and personal property tax revenue assumptions. A comprehensive compensation package was included, but it reflected no pay increase for the next fiscal year. Instead, it was recommended that raises be considered after receipt of the pay classification and compensation study currently under development. It was announced that the Committee would continue crafting a budget proposal at meetings to be held at 6 p.m. on March 11 and 18. Interested members were invited to attend. The Committee recommended that Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB’s) be funded over a period of 4 years. Funds would be appropriated at 25% of the estimated liability in FY 08/09. One hundred percent funding was projected for FY 11/12. All appropriated funds would be disbursed monthly and escrowed with the WV State Treasurer until payment of the outstanding liability was mandated by the State.


RULES AND ORDINANCE

The tree ordinance was being revised.

Cw Burford said money was spent on the Vision 2010 initiative, and one of its aims was increased tourism. Every excursion train rider, she said, crosses the river and sees the trash in the river and on its banks. It needs to be cleaned up. Attractive green space areas along the river could be an asset. Cm Talbott said the area could be used for kayak launching.


LANDFILL

Cm Metheny said a membrane pilot plant would be tested for treatment of leachate.

The Committee asked that an ordinance be prepared to modify certain aspects of the landfill rate tariff.


WATER

Current financing assumptions indicate the possibility of a grant of $1 million and zero percent interest loan of $4 million for the water upgrade project.


PUBLIC SAFETY

Regional Jail fees for February were $3,637.50.

Captain Batdorf said an emergency staffing situation existed. He had only 1 part-time and 5 full-time officers to fill the duty roster. Patrolman Judy had been called up for military training.

Randolph County Circuit Court mandated that arresting departments be responsible for transportation of offenders to holding facilities.


MUNICIPAL PROPERTY

Cm Satterfield said the warranty on the city hall roof membrane might be void. Damage to the membrane appears to have been caused by termites; therefore, not eligible for warranty coverage.


OTHER BUSINESS


The meeting adjourned at 10:14 p.m.


/s/ Judith A. Guye, Mayor
/s/ Philip J. Graziani, City Clerk