PROPOSED MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2008
Elkins City Council met in regular session in the council chamber of city hall at 7:08 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 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 Attorney R. T. Busch, Police Captain J. E. Batdorf and Fire Chief T. W. Meader. City Treasurer L. L. Crosston was absent.
The meeting commenced with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS
1. Authorization to execute a contract for installation of a new streetlight on Pole No. A2-933, on the 1700 block of S. Davis Avenue.
PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to legal advertisement published in the Inter-Mountain, the public was afforded opportunity to comment upon Proposed Ordinance 073, providing for the issuance of not more than $650,000 of Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2008 A for the replacement of Lift Station No. 11. The public hearing was convened at 7:10 p.m., but no person sought to comment upon the proposed measure. The mayor adjourned the public hearing and entered into the regular meeting at 7:10 p.m.
BUDGET CYCLE INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION
Ellen Spears spoke on behalf of the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce. As its executive director, she explained the business leadership role the organization seeks to fill. The Chamber’s mission, she said, was to educate and inform its 270 members. Funding received from City of Elkins partially underwrites the costs of the 4th of July fireworks exhibition, the Children’s Christmas Parade and general operating expenses.
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION
THE WEES NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
Jennifer Giovannitti narrated a PowerPoint presentation explaining the Plan. Explanation was provided as to what constituted the District, the planning process that resulted in the Neighbor Plan, the purpose of the Plan, what the Plan was not and the contents of the Plan. An executive summary was provided to each member and a full copy of the plan was provided for reference.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was none.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Cm Beckwith, seconded by Cw Wilmoth, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2008 AS PRESENTED. The motion carried.
Cm Hensil, seconded by Cw Wilmoth, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2008 AS PRESENTED. The motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No action was taken on Proposed Ordinance 072, establishing regulation of city trees.
Cm Malcolm, seconded by Cw Burford, 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 THIRD AND FINAL READING. The motion carried.
Cw Burford, seconded by Cm Talbott, 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 SECOND READING. The motion carried. No further action on the measure will be taken unless and until the Randolph County Commission adopts a similar measure.
NEW BUSINESS
Cm Satterfield, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 110, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE RANDOLPH COUNTY HOMELESS SHELTER. The motion carried. [$30,000 will be requested for the maintenance, upkeep and operation of the Shelter.]
Cm Satterfield, seconded by Cm Talbott, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 111, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR STATE DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUNDS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF CITY HALL. The motion carried. [Funds will be requested to replace the roof, pay the cost of professional termite extermination services and to repair and refurbish windows on the western side of the building.]
Cm Bibey, seconded by Cm Metheny, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 112, AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR ENFORCING UNDERAGE DRINKING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS TO UNDERWRITE THE COST OF POLICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVES. The motion carried. Upon being informed that misdemeanor arrests of youthful offenders could result from enforcement initiatives, Cm Talbott said he felt the funds should instead be used for education as opposed to enforcement.
Cm Talbott, seconded by Cw Wilmoth, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 113, SUPPORTING ADOPTION OF THE WEES NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN. The motion carried.
Cm Hensil, seconded by Cm Talbott, MOVED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION 114, APPROVING INVOICES RELATING TO THE PROPOSED WATER PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING DRAWDOWN NUMBER 6 THEREOF FROM FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM THE WATERWORKS SYSTEM DESIGN BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES, SERIES 2007. The motion carried. [Elkins Water Fund will be reimbursed for $158,000.00 of operating funds disbursed to Chapman Technical Group for completion of a December 2006 Comprehensive Report of the Water Treatment and Distribution System.]
Cm Woolwine, seconded by Cm Malcolm, MOVED COUNCIL SET THE LEVY RATES INDICATED ON THE LEVY ORDER AND RATE SHEET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008/2009, REGULAR CURRENT EXPENSE LEVY.
Cm Woolwine, seconded by Cm Bibey, MOVED COUNCIL APPROVE OF AND ADOPT THE LEVY ESTIMATE, OFFICIAL BUDGET DOCUMENT, FOR THE GENERAL AND COAL SEVERANCE FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008/2009. The motion carried.
Cw Wilmoth, seconded by Cm Hensil, MOVED THAT COUNCIL APPOINT RICHARD T. BUSCH AND THE FIRM OF BUSCH, ZURBACH AND THOMPSON AS CITY ATTORNEY FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM TO COMMENCE APRIL 1, 2008. The motion carried.
Cm Talbott, seconded by Cw Wilmoth, MOVED THAT COUNCIL RETAIN THE SERVICES OF VAN NORSTRAND ARCHITECTS TO UNDERTAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CITY HALL BUILDING. The motion carried. Among areas of concern are water damage from the defective roof membrane and roof drains, deterioration of window casements, handicapped accessibility, compliance with current fire regulations and formulation of a long-range plan for the maintenance, upkeep and preservation of the structure.
Cm Metheny, seconded by Cm Woolwine, MOVED THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WIT ALLEGHENY POWER FOR INSTALLATION OF A NEW STREET LIGHT ON POLE #A2-933, ON THE 1700 BLOCK OF S. DAVIS AVENUE. The motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BUILDING
The Committee received 2 building permit applications since the last meeting of council, 3564 and 3565. Application 3566 was void. Acting upon recommendation of the building inspector, the Committee approved all applications.
Cm Malcolm, seconded by Cm Bibey, MOVED THAT COUNCIL GRANT BUILDING PERMITS FOR THE 2 APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE. The motion carried.
| PERMIT |
APPLICANT |
LOCATION |
DESCRIPTION |
VALUE |
| 3564 |
Tribble, Christy |
329 Davis Av |
Signage |
$ 500 |
| 3565 |
Barton, Glen |
1006 S Davis Av |
Re-roof |
$ 5,100 |
| 3566 |
Void |
|
|
$ - |
FINANCE
Cm Woolwine thanked the members for accepting the Committee’s budget recommendations, and he thanked all those involved in formulation of the spending plan.
PARKS
Plans were being laid to build new bathroom facilities in Glendale Park, Cm Beckwith announced. Additionally, the walking trail will be improved by the addition of benches for the use of pedestrians, and trees will be planted to provide shade.
RULES AND ORDINANCE
Cw Wilmoth said three applicants for the operations manager position would be interviewed on March 26.
PUBLIC SAFETY
A new police officer will commence training at the State Police Academy beginning in September, Cm Bibey announced.
RULES AND ORDINANCE
Cw Burford, referring to the latest revisions made to the tree ordinance, recommended consideration of the revised measure at the next meeting.
The Committee would schedule a meeting with the Landfill members to begin revision of the landfill’s rate tariff.
STREETS
The city’s Spring Cleanup will take place April 14-25.
Department of Highways will begin its cleanup of state roads on April 8.
Cm Hensil reported no further contact from state officials concerning the replacement of three Davis Avenue stoplights.
WATER
The city applied to USDA, Rural Development for federal assistance to construct a new membrane filtration water treatment plant and make major improvements to the water storage and distribution system. A notice will be published to inform the public of a meeting to be held on Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the overflow cafeteria seating area on the ground floor of Davis Memorial Hospital. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide an opportunity to the public to become acquainted with the proposed water project and to comment on economic and environmental impacts, service area, or alternatives to the project.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was none.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
/s/ Judith A. Guye, Mayor
/s/ Philip J. Graziani, City Clerk
