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, July 7, 2008. Marshall Bonecutter led Council in prayer. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Leonard F. Riffle who led Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

OUTSIDE DELEGATION

Charles Heib / Roger Heib – Bellemead – Presented to council a petition signed by area residents on the street conditions in the Bellemead area.  Charles Heib spoke on the storm sewer on Lewis and Howard Ave that appears to be stopped up.  He asked that the city inspector check out the home on 3210 Howard Ave that is vacant and ready to fall down and expressed the need for more police patrol in the area.  Roger Heib – Spoke on the bad condition of the streets and that was the main issue facing the area. Larry Wright / Mason County Board of Education – Asked for help from council on opening the section of road that is blocked on English Road and 30^th Street.  He advised he was not here to create a “fire storm”.  Wright expressed the need to open the area due to the problem of not having enough room to turn the 50-foot bus around on 30^th Street.  Currently the bus is dropping the students off in front of Village Pizza Inn on Jackson Ave.  Several of the children go to the Early Education Station after school that is now open on 30th Street.  Wright stated that by opening the section of road that is blocked the children could be dropped off at the Early Education Station and would avoid traffic and the long walk.  Residents Janet Hartley and Mike Terry also expressed that they were not in favor of seeing that section of the street opened.  Jane Haddox owner of the Early Education Station stated that children come to the center after school and she would send a staff member to meet the children at the end of 30^th Street if nothing changed.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Lawrence Butler – Spoke on the recent heavy rains and that his home received some water damage.  Also shared his thoughts on the water draining from the doctors offices located on Jefferson Ave. 

MONTHLY BUSINESS

Marshall Bonecutter made the motion to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting on Monday, June 9, 2008, and a second was given by William Park and the motion passed. 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 June 2008, was approved by council. Marshall Bonecutter made a motion to approve the outstanding obligations for the month of June 2008, and Gary Cotton gave the second and the motion was approved.

CITY ATTORNEY   ACCOUNTANT   CITY CLERK

City Clerk Brian Billings shared with council that he and the mayor had met with Ellen Potter of Jim Lively Insurance who represents (Travelers Insurance).  Billings advised that the city would see a decrease in the (property, auto, liability etc.,) insurance premium.  The previous premium was $126,184.00 (plus tax) and the new premium will be $113,986.00 (plus tax) for 08/09.  The clerk then advised that Brickstreet (Worker’s Compensation) premium showed a decrease for the policy period of (07/01/08 – 07/01/09). The new premium will be $46,135.00.  Billings told council that the city would pay $11,533.75 per quarter.  The previous premium was $71,199.00 for the policy period. 

MAYOR

Mayor Leonard F. Riffle spoke to council on the Mason County School Board Lunch Program that was held at the pool last year and that they want to continue the program.  After discussion a motion was made by Elaine Hunt to allow the school system to serve the lunches outside the pool area.  Gary Cotton added the second and the motion passed.  Mayor Riffle presented council (4) pictures to look at on the English Road / 30^th Street area.  Riffle said he had the street commissioner to go and look at the area and provide a cost to have the work done to open the street.  Riffle advised the cost would be around $6000.00 to complete the opening.  Council took no action on the matter.  Council was made aware that Jackie Richardson was interested in renting the concession building at Krodel Park.  After discussion on how to handle the rental of the building a motion was made by Robert Doeffinger to have a lease drawn up for a month to month rental agreement for $200.00 and that insurance and utilities be paid by the renter.  Marshall Bonecutter gave the second to the motion and it passed unanimously.  The mayor advised council about the West Virginia Municipal League Conference to be held August 13 – 16 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, WV.  Mayor Riffle told council the he had received the Lakin – Camp Conley – Sandhill Road Wastewater Facility Plan that was prepared for the Mason County Public Service District by Cerrone Associates.         

COUNCIL CONCERNS

Marshall Bonecutter – Advised council the hand rails need to be painted at the Riverfront Park.  He also suggested to council about building a stage and fixing up the area around the old ferry landing along the Kanawha River. 

M. Leota Sang – Thanked the mayor, street commissioner, and city employees who worked diligently on the American In Bloom project.  Sang commented on the great clean up job that the city employees did during and after the Regatta. 

Elaine Hunt – Asked about the length of dog leashes.  She has had some complaints about dog owners walking their dogs and letting them walk in yards. 
Sam Juniper – Presented the mayor with a list of items that need looked into.  Juniper also asked about the price we are charging to mow lots for area businesses and landowners.  He asked the mayor about a request he made (2) months ago on the names of the company’s involved in the building of the 911 Center and paving.  This request was in reference to securing a building permit and paying B&O taxes.  Juniper asked if the mayor was aware of the city being cited by the DEP.  Mayor Riffle told Juniper that he was not aware of this.  Councilman Juniper told the mayor that he would provide him with the information. 
Joe Supple -   Wanted to go on record and apologize to councilperson Linda Smith for not attending a recreation meeting that was held a month ago.  Supple told council that no one showed up and that Smith had an out of town guest to speak.  Supple asked that Smith reschedule the meeting. 
Robert Doeffinger – Asked if the city attorney was still moving in the direction of getting the Yeager property matter resolved.  City attorney Stein advised that he is still proceeding with the Yeager issue.  Doeffinger spoke on the Ohio Street property that was brought up in a recent council meeting.  Joe Supple told council that a lawsuit was filed in Federal Court (3) weeks ago (Ref. the Ohio Street property). 
William Park - Asked about camper on Ohio Street and if any anyone was staying in it.  Mayor Riffle advised that it is being watched and at this time no one was staying in it. 
Linda Smith - Spoke on the great job that Pat Sallaz is doing at Krodel Park.  She shared with council on the super job Joe Doeffinger is doing as the pool manager.  Smith asked that Doeffinger be paid mileage for his trips that he makes while working.  She advised that letters have been sent out to businesses and others in seeking donations for the skateboard park.  Smith expressed her concern and the concerns of residents in her ward about the video lottery establishment going in the former Hockenberry building on the corner of 26^th Street and Jackson Ave.  Councilman Gary Cotton advised that he only owns the building and has nothing to do with the proposed video lottery establishment. Cotton does not know if a license to operate the video lottery has been granted by the state.  Finally Smith asked if everyone had looked over the proposed “curfew” ordinance that the city attorney passed out at a previous meeting.  After a brief discussion Smith made a motion to accept the proposed “curfew” ordinance presented with the right to amend.  M. Leota Sang secured the second to the motion and the first reading passed (9 – 1) with Gary Cotton voting against.  Sam Juniper then made a motion for council to go into executive session at 8:49 p.m. for legal matters, personnel and pay.  Gary Cotton added the second and the motion passed.  Council came out of the executive session at 9:06 p.m. with a motion made by Sam Juniper and the second given by Linda Smith and the motion passed unanimously.  M. Leota Sang then asked where the city was on the video lottery changes.  Following a discussion on the matter Sang then made a motion to make it illegal to operate a video lottery establishment within 600 feet of an existing religious institution, daycare center, school, public park or residential area.  The motion was seconded by Linda Smith.  By a show of hands the motion failed on a (3-5-2) vote.  Sang along with Smith and Barbara Ann Brown voted for the changes, with Joe Supple, Sam Juniper, Robert Doeffinger, Marshall Bonecutter and Bill Park voting against and Gary Cotton and Elaine Hunt abstained. The changes included increasing the distance from 300 feet to 600 feet and adding the restrictions of a public park and residential area.       

ADJOURNMENT

Being no other business, Gary Cotton made a motion to adjourn.  Barbara Ann Brown added the second and being unanimously approved, the meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.

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Leonard F. Riffle, Mayor

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Brian Billings, City Clerk