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, January 7, 2008.

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

OUTSIDE DELEGATION

Pat Sallaz – Spoke to council on the need for more lighting at the camp site at Krodel Park.  She explained the need for a light to be placed by the campers that are beside Fort Randolph and needs a light and pole replaced on lot 40.  Pat explained that items had been stolen from some of the campers within the past several weeks.

Joyce Bragg – Who camps at Krodel Park stressed the need for more lighting at the camp sites.  She asked council to have (3) more lights installed.  Currently there is one light per 14 campers.  She had Christmas items stolen from outside her camper.  Joyce also asked about fire wood being furnished again this year, if not can firewood be bought.

Public Comment

MONTHLY BUSINESS

Marshall Bonecutter made the motion to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting on Monday, December 10,2007 a second was given by Elaine Hunt and the motion passed (9-1) with Sam Juniper voting against.  A motion by Gary Cotton and seconded by Marshall Bonecutter to approve the financial statements of the General, Coal Severance, Water and Sewer Funds for the month of December 2007, was approved by council. Gary Cotton made a motion to approve the outstanding obligations for the month of December 2007, and Linda Smith gave the second and the motion was approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney R. F. Stein updated council on the Franklin property.  Stein advised that the law firm hired at the last council meeting (Huddleston & Bolen) had contacted him requesting information on the property.  Stein told council members he had gone to the courthouse and reviewed the Yeager property file.  Stein said he will contact City Inspector Bryant on this matter.  Council was advised the course of action is to pursue the matter through a hearing with the Municipal Judge.  City attorney Stein told council that after extensive research, there was no record found that the city actually owns the Hartley, Hartley & Hartley, Inc. (first street property) which is not used by the public.  Stein went on to explain that the city has claim to the property by reason of a portion of Viand Street being situated there, and the quit claim deed will allow the city to give up any future interest it might have in the property if ownership ever is proved. Stein said he had reviewed the information from the Hartley’s attorney as well as doing his own research.  Sam Juniper made a motion to abandon the Viand Street portion with the exception of the right–of-way.  Juniper’s motion was seconded by Joe Supple and the motion was defeated (8-2) with Juniper and Supple voting for the motion.  A motion by Robert Doeffinger to auction the property with no minimum bid, excluding the right-of-way, and give the high bidder a quit claim deed to the property was seconded by Linda Smith and the motion passed (9-1) with Sam Juniper casting the lone no vote.

CITY CLERK

City Clerk Billings advised council of the second reading of the Municipal Service Fee – Article 747 and the second reading of the Garbage Ordinance – Article 953.  A motion by Robert Doeffinger with the right to amend was given on the Municipal Service fee increase and seconded by Marshall Bonecutter.  The motion passed (7-3) with Sam Juniper, Leota Sang and Elaine Hunt voting against the increase.  Sam Juniper then made a motion to table the matter with Elaine Hunt adding the second.  A motion by Gary Cotton with the right to amend was given on the Garbage fee increase and seconded by Marshall Bonecutter.  The motion passed (7-3) with Sam Juniper, Leota Sang and Elaine Hunt voting against the increase.  Sam Juniper then made a motion to table the matter with Elaine Hunt adding the second.  Billings presented the 2008 City of Point Pleasant Calendar for review.  A motion by Gary Cotton to approve the calendar as presented was seconded by Marshall Bonecutter.  After discussion Sam Juniper then made a motion to amend the motion which was seconded by Robert Doeffinger to eliminate the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve working a half day.  Council will discuss the issue of these two days in December of this year if the city is financially able to give city employees these days as paid holidays.  The motion passed (7-3) with Gary Cotton, Joe Supple and Marshall Bonecutter voting against.  City Clerk Billings read the letter from City Inspector Bryant on the map issue discussion from the previous meeting.  The City Inspector wanted the letter read and entered in to the official minutes. Bryant’s letter stated that the zoning map in the council room and the zoning map in his office had been changed to reflect the ordinance of 1979 concerning the South Park Drive issue.  Sam Juniper made the motion to accept and Linda Smith added the second and the motion unanimously passed. 

MAYOR

Mayor McDaniel shared with council that the March of Dimes is seeking the city’s help.  The annual WalkAmerica event will be held on May 4^th.  They would like to use the Krodel Park area and the stage to hold the event.  Sam Juniper made the motion for the use of Krodel Park and the stage.  Leota Sang added the second and the motion passed.  McDaniel told council that the city is in need of a chairperson for the annual WV Make It Shine.  This event is to be held in April and council members were asked to contact the mayor on any names to be presented for the chairperson.  The mayor advised that the sewer department had to replace a pump in the sludge holding tank.  The cost to replace the pump was $13,434.00.  This was a have to case and needed to be done to aerate sludge to make it settle and to keep the odor down in and around the plant. Street Commissioner Willie Call advised the mayor about Krodel Park and the campground electrical issues and code compliance violations.  The mayor explained that Call recommended using bid procedures to have the contractor correct the safety violations and electrical work needed at Krodel Park and the campground.  This would bring the electrical system in compliance with state and national codes.  Robert Doeffinger made a motion to have the street commissioner bid out the electrical work to be done.  Gary Cotton provided the second and the motion passed. Mayor McDaniel also shared the street commissioners concern with Harmon Park pool.  The analysis by the pool contractor shows extensive underground problems of water loss and the cost for the purchase of a new chlorinator.  Toilet and shower areas and other areas of the pool building have not been included in this cost.  Also mentioned was the feasibility of building a new pool in another location.  The mayor was advised to have the street department to look at the repairs that need to be done, and see what we can fix to have use of the pool for the upcoming summer season. The Recreation Committee will be looking into grants and other means to find funding for a new pool, the mayor added.