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.
OUTSIDE
DELEGATION
HARRISON
ROE-STOP SIGN
The
Mayor recognized Harrison Roe who was present representing the Church of
God located at 2401 Jefferson Avenue. Mr. Roe stated that the Church was
asking that the intersection of the 2400 Block of Jefferson Avenue be
changed from a two-way to a four-way stop. He explained that the church
had recently opened a parking lot across the street from the church and
members of the congregation had to cross the street to attend services.
He noted that several members of the church had witnessed speeders in
that area and had safety concerns. The Mayor explained that there had to
be two readings and a public hearing before a stop sign could be put in
place. M. Leota Sang moved that the intersection at 24th and
Jefferson be made a four-way stop with the right to amend at second
reading. Carol L. Jones added the second and the motion was unanimously
approved.
FORT
RANDOLPH COMM.
CRAIG
HESSON
The
Mayor then introduced Craig Hesson of the Fort Randolph Committee. Mr.
Hesson thanked the Mayor and Council for making the fort an integral
part of the tourism movement in Point Pleasant. Mr. Hesson explained
that there had been many changes at the fort and with the committee over
the years. He stated that the committee had met and unanimously voted to
become a restructured organization in order to qualify for additional
grants and funding. He
added that it was discovered that the committee had no by-laws. He asked
that Council make interim committee appointments to write the by-laws
and help restructure the committee. J. Glenn Long moved to approve the
committees’ recommendation to appoint Craig Hesson, Lowell Cook,
Barbara Kemper and Denny Bellamy to the interim committee. Ronald R.
Kapp added the second and the motion was unanimously approved. J. Glenn
Long thanked Mr. Hesson and the committee for the work they do
supporting the City through their volunteerism at the fort.
MASON
COUNTY PSD
RANDY
GRINSTEAD
Mayor
Wilson recognized Randy Grinstead of the Mason County Public Service
District (MSPSD). Mr. Grinstead stated that the MCPSD had approached the
City approximately two years ago asking that the City take over the Camp
Conley Sewer System. He noted that the City already sells water to the
Camp Conley area and the City presently does contractual sewer technical
services. He added that the time was right to look at the possibility of
the City taking over the sewer system. When questioned, Mr. Grinstead
stated that he was coming before Council on behalf of the Board of the
MCPSD to ask that the City look into the possibility assuming the sewer
system. Robert C.
Doeffinger added that it appeared as if the MCPSD had done a substantial
amount of work to the system and moved that the City investigate the
possibility of taking over the Camp Conley Sewer System. Ronald R. Kapp
added the second and the motion was unanimously approved.
Main
Street Baptist Church
Floodwall
Murals
Mayor
Wilson introduced Robin Jones of Main Street Baptist Church. Ms. Jones
explained that she had appeared at a previous Council meeting and
requested permission to paint a mural on the floodwall in honor of the
church’s one-hundredth year anniversary celebration. She stated that
she was present to answer any questions that Council may have. Mayor
Wilson stated that he had received information from the church pastor
and he turned the matter over to the City Attorney James M. Casey. Mr.
Casey stated that he felt letting the church paint a mural on the
floodwall may leave the City vulnerable to a lawsuit. Ms. Jones asked
that the Council make a decision soon so the project could go forward in
a timely fashion or be dropped. She also asked to be provided with a map
of the historic district. Pastor Sargent recommended that Council
develop a policy regarding painting on the floodwall. He added that the
separation of church and state was confusing as the Supreme Court was
not consistent in their rulings. The Mayor suggested the street
committee research the request and develop a policy regarding floodwall
usage and report back to Council at the next meeting to answer the
Church’s request.
MONTHLY
BUSINESS
The
Mayor asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Council
meeting of January 9, 2006. J. Glenn Long moved to approve and Robert C.
Doeffinger 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 January
2006. Brian L. Billings moved to approve the statements and Ronald R.
Kapp 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 January 2006. William H. Wallace made the motion and J. Glenn
Long added the second. The
motion passed unanimously. M. Leota Sang abstained.
CITY
ATTORNEY
REAFFIRM
STREET CLOSING
City
Attorney James Casey informed Council that a business wanted to purchase
property and locate within the City. He stated that the property in
question had originally been mapped with a street right-of–way.
Current deeds show that no right-of-way presently exists but City
records can not be found of the street closing. Mr. Casey recommended
that Council have two readings of an Ordinance reaffirming the action
taken by previous a Council to close the right-of-way of Windsor Court
(street) between Jackson Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. Robert C.
Doeffinger moved to approve the first reading and Ronald R. Kapp added
the second. The reading was unanimously approved.
DISTRESSED
PROPERTY
Mr.
Casey informed Council that his office had spoken with Howard Yeager
about the distressed property on Main Street. Mr. Casey stated that Mr.
Yeager did not agree to the terms in the Quit-Claim deed that the City
had sent to him. Mr. Casey felt that the terms were reasonable and
suggested Council pursue other means of dealing with Mr. Yeager and the
distressed property.
MUNICIPAL
TRAFFIC SCHOOL
The
second reading of the Traffic School Ordinance was not prepared with all
amendments. The 2nd reading will be held in March.
KINGTOWN
PROPERTY DISPUTE
Mr.
Casey stated that the property owners had built part of a structure
(church) on City property and the simplest solution to the situation
would be to lease the property to the church. Mayor Wilson added that
the church had made a proposal to lease the property from the City for
$500.00 per year. Robert C. Doeffinger moved to lease the property to
the church for $500.00 for the remainder of the term of the present
Council. Ronald R. Kapp added the second and the motion was unanimously
approved.
CITY
CHARTER CHANGES
Mr.
Casey stated that there had been some discussion about changing the City
Election day to coincide with State’s Election Day. He stated that
this could save the City approximately $30,000.00 every election. He
stated that the City’s ward boundaries would have to match the County
precinct boundaries in order for this to be possible. He stated that
changing the Ward boundaries and extending the next office holders term
to 5 years would have to be voted on in the 2007 City election. He added
that no office holders’ term could be shortened. Extending the term to
5 years would put the City and County in the same election cycle in
2012.
FINANCE
/ HUMAN RESOURCES
EMPLOYEE
HANDBOOK-RETIREMENT
As
a follow-up to the previous meeting regarding joining the State pension
plan, Finance / Human Resource Director Heather Thabet-Moore explained
that she had gotten answers from the West Virginia Public Employee
Retirement System (PERS) regarding the pension plan. Ms. Moore explained that the State guaranteed the defined benefit
to the retirees. The City would contribute 10.5% of full-time employee
payroll. The employees would have to contribute 4.5% of their gross
earnings and PERS would require all employees participate. She added
that employees could buy time with the plan but that it would be very
expensive to the employee. It was noted that the plan was presently 70%
funded. In discussion, several items were discussed at length including
vacation leave, sick time leave and accrual and a sick leave bank. After
all discussions, Ronald R. Kapp moved to approve the Employee Handbook
amendments and Benefit Package including joining the WVPERS effective
July 1, 2006 with right to amend. William H. Wallace added the second
and the motion was passed unanimously. Ronald R. Kapp then made a motion
to adopt a Resolution allowing the City to become a member of the WVPERS.
J. Glenn Long added the second and the Resolution was unanimously
adopted.
CITY
CLERK
AUDIT
City
Clerk Stanton D. Burdette was not present but Mayor Wilson reported that
the Accounting Firm of Bassett & Lowe had been working on the audit
and that it would be completed soon.
FORT
RANDOLPH INVOICES
Mayor
Wilson presented Fort Randolph Invoices totaling $935.40 from Thomas
Do-It Center for materials used in fireplace construction at the Fort.
The funds would be paid from grant money. Ronald R. Kapp moved to pay
the invoices and Brian L. Billings added the second. the invoices were
approved unanimously.
MAYOR
WILSON
KRODEL
CAMPGROUND
Next
on the agenda was Mayor Wilson. Mayor Wilson stated that Campground
Director Pat Sallaz had presented a request to raise camping fees. Carol
L. Jones stated that the campground needed a lot of clean up and thought
it would be a good idea to have a specific person to be in charge of
mowing, maintenance and clean-up of the campground. The Mayor asked for
a motion to approve the rate increase with the exception of leaving the
winter rates the same. J. Glenn Long moved to adopt the new rates and
Brian L. Billings added the second. The rate increase was unanimously
approved.
BUDGET
WORKSHOP
The
Mayor stated that he, Heather Moore and Stanton D. Burdette had been to
the State Auditors Budget Workshop Seminar. He added that City
Accountant Jeff Feamster would be in the City next week to help prepare
for the budget workshop. He said a workshop would be scheduled for March
6th.
FIREWORKS
The
Mayor asked William H. Wallace of the Regatta Committee to report on the
status of the Regatta and any fireworks recommendations. William H.
Wallace moved that the fireworks display be held on Saturday July 8th to coincide with Regatta activities. Carol L. Jones added the second.
The Motion was approved by a majority vote.
INSPECTOR
REPORT
The
Mayor presented a report from City Inspector Greg Walker on properties
that have been renovated or demolished within the City. The Mayor stated
that not all the properties in the report were properties that were
targeted by the City for action.
MEADOWBROOK
MAIL DELIVERY
The
Mayor presented a letter from a resident in the Meadowbrook area asking
the City to send a letter to the Post Office supporting mail delivery to
each residence. The letter stated that presently mail is delivered to
cluster postal boxes and it is difficult for some residents to get to
those locations. J. Glenn Long moved to send a letter to the Post Office
supporting the home delivery and Ronald R. Kapp added the second. The
motion passed unanimously.
COUNCIL
CONCERNS
Brian
L. Billings asked that as soon as funds are available that the road
around the Krodel Park be repaired.
Ronald
R. Kapp asked when the City would be purchasing vehicles. The Mayor
stated that the City was presently receiving bids.
William
H. Wallace stated that the Regatta Parade could be held on the Fourth of
July. He stated that the parade might boost the July 4th Celebration. He added that Denise Scarberry had joined the Regatta
Committee and that she would be an asset to the Committee because of her
experience with the Halloween Celebration.
Robert
C. Doeffinger asked about the status of paving on Main Street. He also
questioned about a burned out home on Ohio Street. The Mayor stated that
the Fire Marshall had been investigating the fire. In closing, Mr.
Doeffinger asked if the City was caulking the joints in the floodwall.
The Mayor stated that the City reacted to whatever recommendations the
Army Corps. Of Engineers had in their inspection report.
M.
Leota Sang asked the City Attorney if there were any developments in the
Legislature that the City should be made aware of. She also asked about
a Video Lottery Bill presently in the Senate.
RESIGNATION
J.
GLENN LONG
J.
Glenn Long stated that he had moved from the Fourth Ward to another part
of the City. Mr. Long submitted his resignation effective the end of
March. He stated that he would like to remain on Council during the
budget process as he was a member of the Finance Committee. Robert C.
Doeffinger moved to accept the resignation effective the end of March
2006. Ronald R. Kapp added the second and the resignation was
unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no other business, Kevin R. Nott moved to adjourn the meeting and
J. Glenn Long added the second. The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 P.M.
by unanimous vote.
_______________________________ James
H.
Wilson,
Mayor______________________________Stanton
D.
Burdette,
City
Clerk
|
