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 City Hall, 400 Viand Street at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2007.

Marilyn L. McDaniel led Council in prayer. 

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Marilyn L. McDaniel who led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

OUTSIDE DELEGATION

LT. SHAWN ROSS – Spoke to council on a pay raise for each officer of the Point Pleasant Police Department.  He asked for a $5,000.00 increase and that it pay out in increments of $2,500.00 this year and $2,500.00 in 2008. A motion by Robert C. Doeffinger and seconded by Elaine G. Hunt to send the request to the Police Committee and Finance Committee passed.  Mayor McDaniel will set up a day and time for the committees to meet. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

AMY KAMMER – Advised council that the Harmon Park Pool has had a super summer.  A food can drive for the Homeless Shelter is scheduled and she reminded council that the pool will close on Sunday, August 19, 2007.   

MONTHLY BUSINESS

Linda W. Smith made the motion to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting on Monday, July 9, 2007 a second was given by Barbara Ann Brown and the motion passed.  A motion by Robert C. Doeffinger and seconded by Linda W. Smith to approve the financial statements of the General, Coal Severance, Water and Sewer Funds for the month of July 2007, was approved by council. Sam Juniper made a motion to approve the outstanding obligations for the month of July 2007, and Marshall Bonecutter gave the second and the motion was approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

 (No Report)

Jo Vaughan of Vaughan Consulting spoke with council on ward changes (new alignment) for the city.  Vaughan expressed that the current wards do not represent equal population.  She also shared with council that this should have been done after the 2000 census report.  Vaughan left council with information and maps on the proposed alignment of the city wards.  The second reading of the Quitclaim Deed with the City of Point Pleasant and Hartley, Hartley & Hartley, Inc. was discussed in detail on whether the city does own the 0.18 acre and can allow the abandonment of the portion of Viand Street to Hartley, Hartley & Hartley, Inc. Upon passage this abandoned lot shall be conveyed to the adjacent landowner by deed.  A motion by M. Leota Sang and seconded by Linda W. Smith passed to allow the second reading with Sam Juniper voting against.  Upon passage councilman Juniper under chapter 12 of the city charter made a motion to table the reading with Councilman Gary Cotton giving the second. City attorney R.F. Stein will discuss and review all legal matters on this issue with Richard Rowe the attorney representing the Hartley’s and will advise council at the next meeting.       

Mayor McDaniel asked council to approve the appointment of new members to the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. 

Planning Commission – Kip Hartenbach, term expires (10/2009), Jack Coles, term expires (10/2009), Jack Sturgeon, term expires (10/2009), Sam Juniper, council representative, term expires (6/2012).  Board of Zoning Appeals – Leonard “Buster” Riffle, term expires (10/2009), and Tim Scarberry term expires (12/2008).  Robert C. Doeffinger made the motion to approve and M. Leota Sang added the second and the motion passed (Sam Juniper) abstained.  McDaniel shared with council that she along with City Clerk Billings, Teka McCauley and Shannon Johnson will meet with representatives on the Brownfield grant on Wednesday, morning (8/15/07) in the council chambers.  The mayor informed council that she would like for all members to attend a 2:00 P.M. meeting on the same date with representatives of Burgess & Niple on the Brownfield Assessment Grant. This meeting will be a learning seminar which will give a better understanding of the Brownfield grant process.  City attorney Stein updated council on the seized property (1994 Camaro) and told council that he had received a letter from Gayla Wallace’s attorney Matt Clark.  Stein said we have 30 days from July 19, 2007, to respond.  A motion by Sam Juniper to allow the city attorney to negotiate up to $5,000.00 on the vehicle and reach a settlement was seconded by Robert C. Doeffinger and passed unanimously.  Mayor McDaniel then introduced Steve Gardner to give an update on the road slippage.  Gardner shared that the project had been completed and the approximate cost would be $40,000.00 to $45,000.00.  Council was told that the road was 12 foot wide prior to the work and that it is now 21 foot wide. A discussion was held on other businesses that use the road for various reasons.  City attorney Stein will check with those who use the road to see if they could help defray some of the cost for the repair of the slippage.  McDaniel asked Marshall (Butch) Bonecutter Jr., to speak on behalf of the House of Praise and Worship.  Bonecutter told council that the church sits on 20 foot of city property in Kingtown.  The lease agreement with the City of Point Pleasant has expired.  The church wants to renegotiate the lease.  Bonecutter was told that the finance committee will look into the lease agreement and will report back.  Mayor McDaniel asked council for a $300.00 donation for the Rodders Car Club, for their annual car show to be held this month.  Robert C. Doeffinger made the motion and Barbara Ann Brown gave the second and the motion passed.      

• Gary Cotton asked about the electrical needs at Krodel Park now and for the upcoming holiday light show.  

• Joe Supple advised that he would like to meet with Jeff Feamster to gain a better understanding of the city finances.  Supple also asked that council allow city attorney Stein to contact Nextel and demand help towards the payment of the repair of the road slippage. Nextel has heavy trucks that travel the road to their tower site.  

• Marshall Bonecutter asked that we have a city crew to take care of and clean the parks (Krodel and Harmon) in the city.  

• M. Leota Sang said she still sees many signs (yard sale etc.,) hanging from poles and stated we have an ordinance against signage being placed on poles in the city limits. Sang, also asked about the Yeager property, commented on the good job the street department did on the guardrail on Shore Street, and replacing the sidewalk by the Primary School.  She asked Chief of Police Watterson about the next neighborhood watch meeting.  Chief Watterson advised he is still working on the next meeting for the neighborhood program and will get back with council as soon as possible.  

• Sam Juniper shared his concern about the bush at 6^th and Viand Street by McDonald’s.  Juniper submitted a list of streets throughout the city that are in need of repair to the mayor and city clerk. He advised council he regrets his vote to dismiss Richard Smith a former employee, when the city still had summer employees working.

Being no other business, Linda W. Smith made a motion to adjourn. Sam Juniper added the second and being unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m.