City of Point Pleasant, WV

December 12, 2005

          The Common Council of the City of Point Pleasant, a Municipal Corporation in Mason County, West Virginia, met in Regular Session at City Hall, 400 Viand Street at 7:00 p.m. on Monday December 12, 2005.

            M. Leota Sang led Council in Prayer. The meeting was called to order by City Clerk Stanton D. Burdette who led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

            The City Clerk recognized Cyndi Barker and Robin Jones of Main Street Baptist Church. Ms. Jones explained that in October of 2006, the church would be celebrating its one-hundredth anniversary. She added that as part of the celebration, the church would like to paint a mural on the floodwall near their parking lot at Eleventh Street. She added that she had talked to the nearest neighbor and he had no objection. Councilwoman Sang asked if the proposal had been presented to the Historic Commission. Ms. Jones stated that the Council presentation was the first step and they would approach the Historic Commission next. Ms. Jones thanked Council for their consideration and invited them to the Anniversary Celebration in October.

            The Clerk then recognized Lowell Wilks of the Great Kanawha Resource Conservation and Development Organization (RC&D). He informed Council that the City was a member of the RC&D. Mr. Wilks provided Council with information on a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant. He stated that this grant needed a local sponsor and the perfect fit seemed to be the City of Point Pleasant and the Main Street Committee. He stated that the purpose of the grant was to “support the creation or expansion of for profit businesses”. Mr. Wilks presented the prepared Application for Federal Assistance in the amount of $99,800.00 for the Mayor to sign. M. Leota Sang moved that the Mayor be allowed to sign the grant application for the City in cooperation with the Main Street Committee. J. Glenn Long added the second. In discussion, Mr. Wilks gave a full presentation of what the funds were to be used for and answered questions from Council. After all discussions, the motion to apply for assistance was approved unanimously.

The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council meeting of November 7, 2005. Ronald R. Kapp moved to approve and Kevin R. Nott added the second. The minutes were approved unanimously. The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the Financial Statements of the General, Coal Severance, Water and Sewer Funds for the month of November 2005. J. Glenn Long moved to approve the statements and Kevin R. Nott added the second. The Financial Statements were unanimously approved.   The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the Outstanding Obligations for the month of October 2005. Brian L. Billings made the motion and Kevin R. Nott added the second.  The motion was passed unanimously.

City Attorney James Casey was not present but was represented by Jeremy Vickers of Mr. Casey’s office. Mayor Wilson informed Council that Madison Coal Inc. had contacted him about the possibility of installing a Wildlife Mitigation Project along the Ohio River behind the floodwall. The project consultant explained to the Mayor that an area of wildlife habitat had been disturbed along the river and that the property owner had to install a mitigation area elsewhere. The Mayor stated that he gave the information to the City Attorney to review. He added that a letter was sent back to the project consultant stating that the City was not against providing the mitigation area but much more detailed information would need to be provided.

Mr. Vickers informed Council that a Quit-Claim Deed had been sent to Mr. Yeager in reference to acquiring a distressed property on Main Street. Mr. Yeager was to donate the property to the City for use as a Municipal Park. Mr. Vickers stated that the Attorney’s office had not received any response. M. Leota Sang suggested that Mr. Yeager be contacted to more expeditiously complete the transfer and clean-up of the property.

Mr. Vickers presented Council with the first reading of an Ordinance allowing the City to Authorize and Conduct a Municipal Traffic School. He stated that a person charged with a minor traffic violation would be able to pay the City $50.00 and attend the Municipal Traffic School. The fee would remain in the City and no points would be added to the individuals driving record. Ronald R. Kapp moved to approve the first reading of the Ordinance with right to amend. J. Glenn Long added the second and the first reading was unanimously approved.

Mr. Vickers stated that the attorney had reviewed the West Virginia Municipal League Fee Recovery Agreement. He stated that the agreement would allow a company in cooperation with the WVML to try to collect unpaid fee due the City. He added that the WVML would keep a substantial portion of any fees that would be collected. Mr. Vickers explained that this was a new program and the WVML wanted to use the City as a pilot project. He stated that the City Attorney did not suggest signing the agreement at the present time.

            Mr. Vickers stated that Mr. Casey had received a report from the property survey that was done in Kingtown. The property was surveyed because of a boundary dispute. Mr. Vickers stated that it appeared from the survey that the property owner had built a portion of a structure on City property. The Mayor asked the City Attorney to review the information and make a recommendation to Council at the next meeting.

City Clerk Stanton D. Burdette reported that he had attended the West Virginia Secretary of States First Annual Election Training Seminar. Clerk Burdette stated that highlights of the seminar included updating Municipal Charters to allow City elections to coincide with the State election dates. It was also noted that ward boundaries should mirror precinct boundaries within the City as much as possible.

Mr. Burdette stated that delinquent B & O Tax collections were ongoing and some businesses had been summoned to Municipal Court. Presently, he added, collections were up to date.

Next on the agenda was Mayor Wilson. Mayor Wilson stated that the last election cost the City approximately $30,000.00. He stated that if the election dates were the same as the County, the City could save some money. He stated that the election date for 2007 could not be changed but that the Charter could be changed now to make subsequent election dates coincide.

            Kevin R. Nott moved to approve the re-appointments and J. Glenn Long added the second. The motion received majority approval with M. Leota Sang and Ronald R. Kapp abstaining.

            The Mayor then asked that Council adopt the West Virginia Public Service Commission (WVPSC) Policy for utility deposits. The Mayor explained that the City loses a lot of money by customers leaving and not paying their bills. He added that the present deposit would not cover the minimum monthly bill. Kevin R. Nott moved to adopt the WVPSC Policy and J. Glenn Long added the second. In discussion, it was noted that the deposit would total $115.00 (Water $50.00, Sewer $50.00, Garbage $15.00). The Mayor added that the present deposit was $42.00. The Policy was unanimously adopted.

            The Mayor reported that many improvements had been made at Krodel Park with grant funds. Improvements include a new roof, columns and ceiling for the clubhouse. He added that a new handicap-accessible fishing pier had been constructed at the west end of the lake. The Mayor stated that the WVDNR suggested that the City add the second pier at the park. The Mayor reported that the paving at the Corps of Engineers Boat Launch Facility had been completed with the WVDNR funding the project.

The Mayor reported that two used golf carts had been purchased for $700.00 each with grant funds. He stated that the carts were electrically powered and they would be used by the Campground Director and workers at Krodel Park. He added that there may be additional carts purchased if they proved to be a good alternative transportation source for employees.

The Mayor reported that he had been in contact with the 911 Center with regards to Ms. Sang’s previous questions about an early warning system in the City for tornados or other impending emergencies. It was noted that the fire department had used a loud siren in years past to alert fireman to a fire in the City. In an open discussion, it was noted with radio, television and other new technology that residents could be well informed. It was pointed out that the siren could be used to alert residents to tune in for emergency information.

In Council concerns, Ronald R. Kapp mentioned there may be some seminars available to office staff to help them perform their jobs better.

M. Leota Sang asked the status of the Riverfront Park. The Mayor reported that the committee would meet soon and would need to look at re-bidding the next phase of the project.

There being no other business, J. Glenn Long moved to adjourn the meeting and Kevin R. Nott added the second. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. by unanimous vote.