City of Point Pleasant, WV

The Common Council of the City of Point Pleasant, a Municipal Corporation in Mason County, West Virginia, met in Regular Session at the City Building, 400 Viand Street at 7:00 p.m. on Monday April 11, 2005. J. Glenn Long led Council in Prayer.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor James H. Wilson who led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting of March 7, 2005 and Special Council meeting of March 17, 2005. Robert C. Doeffinger moved to approve and J. Glenn Long added the second. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-0-1 with Brian L. Billings abstaining.

The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the Consolidated Income (Financial) Statement of the General, Water and Sewer and Coal Severance Funds for the month of March 2005. J. Glenn Long made a motion to approve and Ronald R. Kapp added the second. Being no discussion, the motion passed unanimously. The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the Outstanding Obligations for the month of March 2005. Ronald R. Kapp made the motion and Brian L. Billings added the second. Being no discussion, the motion was unanimously approved.

Finance Director Ron Siders reported that the State Auditor had approved the 2005-2006 Levy Estimate (budget) and Council would have to meet on April 19, 2005 for the Laying of the Levy.

Next on the agenda was City attorney James Casey. Jeremy Vickers was present to represent Mr. Casey. Mr. Vickers stated that the Riverfront Park Arbitration had been rescheduled and would take place May 31^st thru June 2^nd in the City Council Chambers.  He stated that he had reviewed the procedure as to how to change the traffic flow on 3^rd street from one-way to two-way. He stated that the Ordinance making it a one-way street could be amended to make it a two-way street or a Resolution could be passed making it a two-street. Mr. Vickers suggested that the Ordinance be amended. The Mayor stated that residents in the area of the proposed Farmers Bank location wanted to close an alley in order that the facility could be set back away from the street. Mr. Vickers stated if Council chose to close an alley, it could be done by passing a Resolution.

Next on the agenda was City Clerk Stanton D. Burdette. Clerk Burdette presented an invoice for a Walker Display System that the River Museum purchased to display exhibits. Clerk Burdette explained that funds from the Jackson Foundation would be used to pay the invoice. J. Glenn Long made a motion to pay the $3,044.70 invoice and Ronald R. Kapp added the second. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Burdette then asked for a motion to allow him to open a Sewer Depreciation Fund Account. He explained that it was the same type of account as the Water Depreciation Fund and the Accountant suggested that it be set up. Elaine G. Hunt made a motion to open the account and Brian L. Billings added the second. The motion was unanimously approved. Finance Director Ron Siders stated that the fund would be used for purchases in the sewer department. He added that any money taken from the account would have to be paid back.

Clerk Burdette presented the 1^st reading of Article 747: Municipal Service Fee increase. Mr. Burdette stated that the increase was one dollar ($1.00) for fire protection, fifty cents ($0.50) for parks and fifty cents ($0.50) for cemeteries. Kevin R. Nott made a motion to adopt the first reading with right to amend. J. Glenn Long added the second. In discussion, Jim Blake of the fire department was present to answer questions from Council. He explained that his figures were based on billing all water customers including all those outside the City boundary. The first reading was adopted by a vote of 7-1. M. Leota Sang opposed. Mr. Burdette then presented the first reading of Article 953: Garbage Fee increase. Mr. Burdette stated that the increase was two dollars ($2.00) for residential customers only. The total garbage fee would then be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per month. J. Glenn Long made a motion to adopt the first reading with right to amend. Kevin R. Nott added the second and the first reading was adopted 5-3 with Brian L. Billings, Elaine G. Hunt and M. Leota Sang opposed. Lastly, Clerk Burdette presented the first reading of Article 731: Business and Occupation Tax rate increase. Mr. Burdette explained that all categories that could be raised would be increased fifteen percent (15%). J. Glenn Long made the motion to adopt the first reading with right to amend. William H. Wallace added the second and the first reading was adopted 6-2 with Elaine G. Hunt and M. Leota Sang voting in opposition. Next on the agenda was Mayor Wilson. Mayor Wilson informed Council that he had several proclamations to present.

The Mayor presented a Proclamation declaring the month of April as National Organ Donation Month. Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to adopt the Proclamation and J. Glenn Long added the second. The proclamation was adopted unanimously. The Mayor then presented a Proclamation declaring the week of May 6^th as National Nurses Week. Brian L. Billings made the motion to adopt the Proclamation. William H. Wallace added the second and the proclamation was adopted unanimously. The Mayor presented a proclamation naming the week of May 1-6 as the Week of Prayer. Brian L. Billings made a motion to adopt the proclamation and M. Leota Sang added the second. The proclamation was adopted unanimously. The Mayor was then asked to sign a proclamation recognizing the month of May as National Bone Marrow Transplant Month. J. Glenn Long made the motion to adopt the proclamation and Brian L. Billings added the second. The proclamation was adopted unanimously.

The Mayor then presented Council with a contract from Waste Management Services for industrial waste services (dump fees). The contract was for three years with an option to extend. The Mayor explained that the fees would increase approximately one dollar ($1.00) per ton per month. Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to approve the contract with the recommendation of Council and J. Glenn Long added the second. The motion was approved unanimously. Lastly, the Mayor stated that the City-Wide Clean-Up would take place on Saturday April 16, 2005 at 9:00 AM at the Youth Center. In Council Concerns, Ronald R. Kapp complimented Denny Bellamy and anyone else that helped with the Boy Scout Jamboree at Krodel Park. Mr. Kapp stated that he would also like to recognize the Haer Bears Girl Scout Troop for the work they have done in the Medal of Honor Park. William H. Wallace asked what the status was on the North Point Pleasant Drainage Project. The Mayor stated that the engineering firm would be meeting with him soon to discuss some financing options. M. Leota Sang said she would like to commend the Happy Hustler 4-H group for the work they have done in cleaning up Pioneer Cemetery. She also stated that there was a temporary lighted sign in the City that was in violation of the Sign Ordinance. J. Glenn Long stated that he wanted to commend Point Pleasant River Museum Director Jack Fowler for the outstanding work he has done at the museum especially with the special events. Mr. Long also commended those associated with Boy Scout Jamboree at Krodel Park. There being no other business, Kevin R. Nott moved to recess the meeting until April 19, 2005 at 7:00 PM and J. Glenn Long added the second. The meeting was recessed at 8:15 P.M. by unanimous vote.

_______________________________ James H. Wilson, Mayor

______________________________Stanton D. Burdette, City Clerk