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WEIRTON CITY COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MARCH 7, 2005 Mayor Miller called the meeting to order COUNCILMEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Councilman DeMasis, Councilman Miller, Councilman Moore, Councilman Dorich, Councilman Dalrymple, Councilman Veltri, and Councilman Kondik Mayor Miller led in the Pledge of Allegiance MINUTES The minutes from Weirton City Council Regular Session on February 7, 2005 and Special Session on February 10, 2005 were moved to approve by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman Kondik. They were approved unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Miller announced that the Knights of Columbus will have their Tootsie Roll sale on April 8th and 9th, which is on Friday and Saturday. In appreciation of their services the Mayor thanks them, because they pass out the proceeds to individual entities within the Community that needs funding. The UDO Workshop will be held March 24, 2005 at 8:30 A.M. Mayor Miller asked if Councilmembers had any other comments. Councilman Moore said that the Thompson Hill Project is to open bids on March 14, 2005. Councilman Miller had contacted the Department of Highways for the State of West Virginia; they have plans for the slippage on Culler Road, which is a serious situation, is slated for sometime in June; maybe. He is concerned with the residents and traffic on Culler Road. Mayor Miller suggested that the citizens that live in that area call the State Senator, as well as, the individuals in the House of Delegates, because as Councilman Miller stated, "This is a very dangerous situation", and the Mayor is concerned that someone may get hurt. There is a need for a flag of "caution" to notify individuals using that road. They should reduce their speed. The Mayor says that at night it is very spooky going down that road. With that in mind, he asks the citizens to, please call you state representatives, so that they can put some pressure on the State Road Department. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Joe Pulice, 3173 Pennsylvania Avenue - He has a piece of property on Red Rider Road, it is a 3-acre parcel and he is requesting it to go from an R2 to an R3. He was asking for the City Council's opinion as he was voted down by the Planning Commission, and wanted everyone to know that. He doesn't know if the Council could reconsider over what they voted or not. Councilman Moore acknowledged Mr. Pulice calling him, but wasn't able to get back with him as he was confident that they would not get to it this evening. Councilman Moore commented that the Council was having a workshop on the 24th of this month and they all received his letter. Mr. Pulice gave the Council a letter with an attached map showing road-of-entries. Mayor Miller responded that based on his and Councilman Moore's comments, it will be discussed at the workshop later this month. Councilman Moore explained to Mr. Pulice that nothing would be actually done at the workshop. It would have to be brought to Council and voted on after they had discussion on what has been presented. NEW BUSINESS Resolution to approve 2005-06 Fiscal Year General Fund and Coal Severance Budgets. It moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to approved this Resolution. Mayor Miller asked if there were any comments on this action and Councilman Moore responded by commending Valerie Means, Financial Director and her and all the departments in the City working to keep within their budget limits. Speaking for the Council, he said that they do appreciate all the work that they do in putting together the budget and adhering to it. This motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize City Manager to enter into contract for purchase of Engineering Copier for Inspections Department. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to approve this Resolution. Councilman Moore requested an amendment, due to the change in the specifications; the amount has been changed to $6,962, and it was second by Councilman Dalrymple. The Amendment was approved unanimously. A motion to accept the original Resolution as amended was made by Councilman Veltri and second by Councilman DeMasis. This The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize City Manager to enter into contract for purchase of Radio Repeater for Weirton Fire Department utilizing Homeland Security Funding. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to accept this Resolution. No questions on the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize City Manager to enter into contract for purchase of Gas Detector Meters for Weirton Fire Department utilizing Homeland Security Funding. It was moved by Councilman DeMasis and second by Councilman Dorich to approved this Resolution. There were no questions on this motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to enter into contract for Purchase of Cruisers for the Weirton Police Department utilizing State Contract Procedures. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to accept this Resolution. There were no questions on this motion The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to enter into contract with Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission for Project Management of Transportation Expansion Study. It was moved by Councilman DeMasis and second by Councilman Moore to approve this Resolution. Councilman Kondik commented that he was voting yes, but with reservations. Councilman Moore asked what reservations that he had? Councilman Kondik responded that it was with the $48.50 per hour rate. Councilman Moore asked the City Manager, Gary DuFour, if there was any other way to get this transit study done? Mr. DuFour said that there is, but they would need an entity that had standing with the Federal Transit Administration, and BHJ as a Metropolitan Planning Organization, is that entity. He fully understands from previous discussions with Councilman Kondik, his concern about cost. It will all be funded except for a very small part, which comes from local matched BHJ. When you look at the cost breakdown, the indirect cost allocations are not the real issue, but that is a Federally approved Cost Allocation Plan, which is subject to audit and acceptance by the Federal Agencies. Councilman Moore asked Mr. DuFour if The Weirton Transit Authority can stand or possibly become their own free-standing authority without this project? Mr. DuFour said, "That the intent was to work with Weirton Transit Corporation, C.H.A.N.G.E., Inc., and two senior citizen's organizations, one in Brooke County and one in Hancock County, that are now transit providers, to get together a coordinated plan for expansion." Mr. DuFour continued that the hope is of providing transit service in both Brooke and Hancock Counties to give the public more opportunities for transit services. Councilman Moore commented to Mr. DuFour that his understanding was that this was a 20/80 match through the Federal Transit Authority Grant? Mr. DuFour said that was correct. Councilman Moore continued that we don't have any input into how those fees are calculated, and we are only responsible for 20% of that $48.50 per hour. So for roughly under $10 per hour, we have a chance to get out from under a $50,000 subsidy and our responsibility for that transit grant, which is vastly approaching $200,000. In Councilman Moore's opinion, that is a steal. Councilman Kondik said that he agrees with Councilman Moore 100%, as they discussed earlier, his concern is whether it is our 20% or the states 80%, to him $48.50 an hour for a study like this. To him 175 hours was too much money no matter what percentage is paid. Councilman DeMasis commented that he has had some dealings with BHJ, and he will always vouch for them. They are a superfine organization. Good people! The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize City of Weirton to Match Funding for the Prevention Resource Officer (PRO) Program Grant for Weir Middle School for 2004-5. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to approve this Resolution. There were no questions or comments. The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize acceptance of Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Grant in the amount of $57, 825.00. It was moved by Councilman Moore and second by Councilman Veltri to approve this Resolution. Mr. DuFour made the comment that these funds were applied for by the Fire Department, and two vigorous national competitions. We were one of the fortunate communities to get funded in this round. Hats off to the people in the Fire Department. He thinks that is pretty ambitious to go after grant dollars. Just to let you know that the funds are going there and there will be a 10% local match, which will come from the City. The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize Purchase of Pre-Owned 4 x 4 Crew Cab for Public Works Department. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to approve this Resolution. There were no questions or comments. The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize Purchase of Pre-Owned Air compressor for Public Works Department. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to approve this Resolution. There were no questions or comments. The motion was carried unanimously. Resolution to authorize City Manager to submit Application for Funding for fiscal year 2006 through Economic Development Initiative (EDI). It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman Moore to approve this Resolution. Mr. DuFour commented that the City had an opportunity to work through Congressman Mollohan to request $100,000 from Economic Development Initiative Funding which to be used to work with higher education institutions to create a network, council, and assist entrepreneurs starting businesses within the community. Some of this is consensual. A great deal is hands on. EDC and Councilman Miller have worked on this, extensively. This is hopefully the next step in getting more assistance to those who want to open businesses and be entrepreneurs within the community. The motion has been made and second, and this motion carried unanimously. Resolution approving renewal of Legal Department's Contract for Westlaw Internet Research Services. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis. There were no questions or comments on the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. TRAFFIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS These are Amendments to Ordinance 214: Establish a No Parking Zone on the North side of Pennsylvania Avenue from N. 15th Street for a distance of 76 feet wet to 1429 Pennsylvania Avenue. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to approve this amendment. This is no parking on the left side by the novelty shop going toward the state line. When pulling out from N. 15th Street, whenever anyone occupies that building on Pennsylvania Avenue, they park right up to the corner and it makes it very difficult to pull out and turn either way. The motion was carried unanimously. Establish Residential Disability Parking Space at 181 St. John's Road. It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to approve this amendment. The motion was carried unanimously. Appointments to various Boards and Commissions Mayor Miller commented that Tim Varner, who passed away, has left his position open for the remainder of his term on the Weirton Water Board. Mayor Miller is recommending: Mike Zaltani 118 Ridgeway Street Weirton, WV 26062 It was moved by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman Kondik to approve Mr. Zaltani to this position. There were no comments or questions. The motion was carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS Police Department -- Police Chief, Lance Scott Nothing to report Fire Department - Fire Chief, Bud Cole To make the Council aware that Tower 1 is fully in service, and the new ladder truck that they purchased, Truck 24 has been relocated and is now running out of Gilson Avenue. Now we have ladder trucks in District 1 and District 2. Mr. DuFour asked what the sizes of Ladder 1 and Truck 24? Chief Cole responded that 24 is a few years old, but it is a 75 foot ladder truck, Tower 1, that they refer to, is a 100 foot ladder truck. This last truck was purchased to bring them up to an ISO Standard. Public Works - Brae Bryant Nothing to report in addition to his report Councilman Kondik commended Public Works in the great job they did with snow removal. Inspection - Rod Rosnick The only thing he has to add is that they still have several businesses that have not responded to delinquent notices on renewal of business licenses. They have received two (2) notices, and no more letters will be going out. They will begin visiting the sites, during the next couple of weeks, and doing what needs to be done to bring them into compliance with this. Park Board - Absent Library Absent Utilities - Butch Mastrantoni They are doing very well with water line breaks, and hopes that the weather will moderate. EDA - Bob Riccelli Mayor Miller is calling upon him to explain the grant that the City has received, and has been passed through. Bid documents are being prepared for advertisement. He is not sure what the dates are yet, but will get them to the City Manager sometime Tuesday afternoon. He wants the Council to know that all the actions have been taken. It is likely that in 30-days they will have bids available, and will review the bids. We will look at those in relation to the budget. If we have bids within that budget, we will proceed with what contracting work is appropriate. Once we do that, we can start the reimbursement process. The action that the EDA requests is that construction begins before the reimbursement process starts. Until that time we can continue to accumulate our invoices. We are confident that you are going to pay most of the cost incurred with the previous council and this one. As that happens it will followed through with the finance department. They look forward to bringing this project on line with the State Office Building. Mayor Miller asked when the projected date would be? Mr. Riccelli said that the State Office Building would be fully occupied sometime in October, if they meet their schedule. Obviously the infrastructure project associated with it should come on line at the same time. They will have 100 new full time employees in the office. Mayor Miller, for clarification, commented that he didn't say "new" full time employees! Mr. Riccelli responded that it was full time employees, not new. Mayor Miller was clarifying where these employees were coming from, which would be various portions in the City of Weirton, as well as, those from the upper part of Hancock County and Brooke County? Mr. Riccelli said that these are current positions that will be transferred into this facility. Some of them are new positions. The State has not given a definitive number. Most of the people within DMV are transferable, but there may be some new positions here. Obviously, there will be some maintenance and security. Mayor asked if there would be a total of six (6) or seven (7) departments in various entities of the State, in the building? Mr. Riccelli commented that it would be DHHR, Workforce Investment, DMV, Lottery, Workmen's Comp, Employment Services, so there will be six (6). Finance - Valerie Means, Financial Director Cash Report- General Fund, February 2005 - Beginning Balance $656,575.34; Interest $367.30; Deposits $958,789.17; Disbursements $1,163,222.59; Cash Balance $452,509.22; Investment Balance $1,907,366.60; with the total cash investments available $2,360,575.82. The motion was made by Councilman Dorich and second by Councilman DeMasis to accept the report. The motion was unanimous. Mayor Miller asked for a motion to pay the bills. It was moved by Councilman Kondik and second by Councilman Dalrymple. There were no questions or comments. The motion to approve was unanimous. PRAYER ADJOURNMENT
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