A meeting of the Common Council of the City of Weirton, Hancock and Brooke Counties was held on March 12, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in Council's Chamber of the Municipal Building.

Councilmembers in attendance: Charlie Mitchell, D.J. Minella, George Kondik, David Cline and Christopher Fletcher.

City officials in attendance: Ric Rekowski, A. D. Mastrantoni, Dan Felton, Melissa Farley, Gene DelGreco, Joe Cicchirillo, Terry Weigel, Chief Ralph Fletcher, William Fahey, Dan Mastrantoni, Valerie Means, Brae Bryant and Chief Kessler Cole.

Mayor Dean M. Harris led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilmember Cline said that Councilmember Moore telephoned him prior to the meeting and said he had a family obligation. Cline said Moore apologized for not being able to attend. Harris said councilmember Ash and Moore both mentioned they wouldn't be able to attend.

A motion was made by councilmember Minella, second by councilmember Cline to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2001 Regular Session and the February 27, 2001 Special Session. Councilmember Fletcher asked the February 27^th minutes, last paragraph before adjournment, to state "Joe" DiBartolomeo. He asked for inclusion of a statement that DiBartolomeo was a private attorney for the residents; he didn't represent the city. The motions passed 5-0, so ordered.

Harris said the young man, Chad Galownia, from Boy Scout Group 334, completed his Eagle Scout. He read the recognition award and asked Chad to explain what he did for the community. Chad had built three picnic tables for Liberty Elementary School.

Harris recognized members of Leadership Weirton class.

councilmember Fletcher said he spoke with the Development Department about an economic development initiative, HUD funded program. He said for fiscal year 2000, there was $19.7 million for WV projects which didn't come north of Wheeling; the next funding was published. He asked attention be given here to identify projects they hope to fund.

Councilmember Kondik thanked the Hancock County Commissioners for the $350,000, saying $20,000 will go towards the Marland Heights access road. Harris said Senator Bowman also should be recognized for organizing the cities in Hancock County for lottery funds.

Martin Hudek, principal of Weir High said Oak Glen and Weir High has had the PRO program for two years; safety for students is the main, daily concern. He said Officer Mike Curtis from the PRO, promotes safety daily; Hancock County schools don't have metal detectors. He said the PRO is seen as a no nonsense person, approachable and a friend; he isn't there to make arrests but to teach. He said the officer gives a positive image of law enforcement, is seen as a member of the school community, respected, and receives constant praise. He said the PRO isn't seen as a disciplinarian; he counsels students. Hudek stated he has data to validate it and the number of incidences of potential violence has decreased. He urged funding for the program to continue.

Larry Fernandez thanked the mayor, council and police dept for considering an officer at the Middle School, saying the officer would educate the students and staff on juvenile crimes and issues; provide advice to at-risk students for juvenile crime; help increase awareness to at-risk youths about problems and consequences; act as a deterrent for juvenile crime at the school and community; become a positive role model and mentor at the school; and minimize negative stereotypes of police officers. Fernandez said these were just some of the goals.

Officer Mike Curtis distributed his curriculum to council, thanking them for the opportunity to speak. Its his second year at the high school. He discussed averaging 150 hours in the classroom and being involved in over 100 conflict-resolutions. He explained he, staff and the persons try to resolve the conflict. He's given over 800 surveys to students, saying less than 7% have given negative feedback. He said less than 6% gave negative feedback on their feelings about a PRO officer at the school. He explained officers in cruisers used to circle the school and a gap developed with the community--the police were feared, intimidate--but it wasn't their goal. He explained officers used to walk beats and knew the community situations, saying community relations is important. He explained receiving many calls over the years about kids. He said it's a feat for some of them to come to school. He explained students have a stereotype for police officers as corrupt, on drugs and eating donuts. He said adults have a stereotype of teens as rude, on drugs and disrespectful to authority. He said none of it is true. He said the program is worth it to everybody. He asked council to continue the program.

Harris thanked him. He also thanked the school's principals for being aggressive thinkers and looking out for the good of the community and kids.

Harris wished luck to Weir High and Madonna basketball teams who will be playing in the state championships.

Jerome Connell, 160 N. 24^th Street, said he addressed the Planning Commission and Zoning Board about his concerns with multi-family dwellings and impact study on the homes. He said he was told the code with multi-family dwellings and the impact study is vague. He was referring to the100 units being built at the top of Linton Lane. He discussed traffic will increase and impact neighbors, saying there should be a cut-off as to where an impact study should be required. He said the current residents live there to get away from all the congestion. He said the zoning and planning told they've never had to have an impact study. He didn't think it was fair. He explained the city is becoming a bedroom community and an impact study is right for the people who've lived here for 30 or 40 years. He said it would show the people that what they invested hasn't been lost and give the opportunity to know that what their investments won't be lost. He didn't think members of council would like a 100 apartment complex built at the end of their street with one way in and out. He said it's a matter of time before children and elderly will get hurt.

councilmember Minella reported he and Councilmembers Moore and Kondik met on Thursday along with City Manager Joe Cicchirillo, Valerie Means and Brae Bryant. The committee recommended these items under New Business: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 & 15.

Harris asked for suspension of Robert's Rules of Order to allow an executive session to be placed on the agenda to discuss financial and legal matters. councilmembers Minella and Kondik made the motions. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

A motion was made by councilmember Mitchell, second by councilmember Fletcher to convene into an executive session. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

Council reconvened at 7:40 p.m.

Harris said he failed to introduce Susan Smith, former principal at Oak Glen and is now in charge of curriculum at the Vocational Center.

Cicchirillo requested items 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 16 be taken off the agenda, saying he wanted time to review the city's budget with the finance director and to make recommendations for capital expenditures. Harris said Cicchirillo and Means believe its important, saying he agreed and the items will be removed while the items not removed will stay on the agenda.

A motion was made by councilmember Minella, second by councilmember Cline to adopt a resolution to enter into contract with Air Excellence, Steubenville, OH in the amount of $2,990 for installation of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for fire department addition. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

A motion was made by councilmember Fletcher, second by councilmember Kondik to adopt a resolution to authorize application for $40,000 and acceptance for West Virginia Legislative Digest Funds to be used for construction of family resource center. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

A motion was made by councilmember Minella, second by councilmember Cline to adopt a resolution to place lien against Rosie Brewer, 153 Patterson Road for costs incurred in demolition of unsafe properties in the amount of $2400. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

A motion was made by councilmember Kondik, second by councilmember Minella to adopt a resolution to authorize the city manager to accept WV juvenile Accountability block grant competitive award through collaboration with Hancock County and provide the associated cash matches of $8,570. Councilmember Cline said it's a great program but the state has a county school system, saying the county commissioners met the match for other schools in other municipalities in the county. He said the county has a cash flow; the city's tax dollars are also derived from Brooke County residents and it will be spent protecting Hancock county schools. He expressed concerns, saying the Commission has concerns. He supported the program, saying he felt it could be best addressed by the Sheriff's dept or county commission.

Councilmember Fletcher said most municipalities receive almost an entitlement to fund this, explaining arrangements were made two years ago for the smaller communities to allow the county to assume control of their entitlement; Weirton had their entitlement. He said the arrangement was the county commissioners and county sheriffs dept. provided the program to schools outside of Weirton. He said because of the role with law enforcement in this jurisdiction, we assume some of the responsibilities. He said it's a 10% match on a 90% grant. He wished money can be found to extend the program to Weir Junior. He stated supporting it, saying its unfortunate it won't be a unanimous decision. Councilmember Minella said it would be good if the county paid for it but didn't want to see it stopped because of the lack of funding on the cities part. He said he would support it anyway he can; the city needs the program. This passed 4-1 with councilmember Cline dissenting, so ordered.

A motion was made by councilmember Minella, second by councilmember Mitchell to enter into contract with P.C. Doc, Cove Rd, Weirton in the amount of $1,525 for computer system for turbidity monitoring equipment for water dept. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

Harris said the funding would come from theWater Dept.'s R&R fund. A motion was made by councilmember Minella, second by councilmember Cline to enter into contract with C.I. Thornberg Company, Route 2, Bridgeport WV to purchase a four and six inch water meters in the amount of $4,269.42. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

A motion was made by councilmember Fletcher, second by councilmember Cline to adopt a resolution authorizing revisions to the 2000-2001 Fiscal Year General Fund Budget. A roll call vote was taken with a yes is in favor, a no is opposed:

Councilmember Minella Yes

Councilmember Kondik Yes

Councilmember Cline Yes

Councilmember Fletcher Yes

Councilmember Mitchell Yes

This passed 5-0, so ordered.

A motion was made by councilmember Minella, second by councilmember Kondik to purchase one canine container from American K-9 Container Corp., Safety Harbor, Fl for the police department in the amount of $1,000. Councilmember Cline asked if it was to replace a broken unit. Harris responded yes. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

Beautification Commission

A motion was made by councilmember Fletcher, second by councilmember Kondik to appoint Shelby Gianni, 104 Lisa Court to the Beautification Commission. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

A motion was made by Councilmember Minella, second by councilmember Mitchell to appoint Aimee Fletcher, 108 Lisa Court to the Beautification Commission. Councilmember Fletcher stated he would abstain. This passed 4-0-1, so ordered.

Harris said these are for a term of 3-12-01 to 7-31-2004 to replace others' whose terms have expired.

A motion was made by councilmember Fletcher, second by Councilmember Mitchell to appoint Tyna Fenske, 116 Glen Elm Drive to the Beautification Commission. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

Councilmember Fletcher said officer Curtis should be commended for an outstanding job. Chief Fletcher said Mrs. Klar came to the last meeting about a bus stop and problems walking to Pleasantview. Minella said he would hear the report later. Chief Fletcher had investigated it, saying a few thing have been done.

Harris said Rod Rosnick's mother passed away this weekend.

Harris asked how many fires were this weekend. Chief Cole said 5-6 structural fires over the last two weeks.

Harris asked how much money was raised by the Weirton Heights Rotary. Ric Rekowski said the final figures aren't in but it might be close to $10,000.

councilmember Fletcher said he discussed during a CDBG workshop if the monthly statements from the CDBG, if the line items can be corrected, saying some are listed that are no longer there and it makes it difficult to review. Means said Beth (Gaughn) is working on it; once she goes through her numbers, it can be cleaned up. She told Fletcher maybe it will be done next month.

A motion was made by councilmember Minella, second by Councilmember Kondik to approve the treasurer's report and to pay the water dept and general fund bills. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

Harris asked for the status of the two firefighters injured during the fires. Cole said it happened on Greenbrier Road, a large structure had a back draft--rush of oxygen--causing an explosion. He said Lt. Irwin had second degree burns on his neck, was checked and released. He said the other was picking up a chainsaw and the helmet fell off; he was checked and released. Harris said to send council's regards to them.

Councilmember Cline made a motion for the city manage to negotiate an extension for legal services. Harris said the contract for city attorney will cease March 14^th and the city attorney's stay in Bosnia has been extended. councilmember Kondik second the motion. This passed 5-0, so ordered.

With no further business before this the March 12, 2001 Regular Session of the Common Council of the City of Weirton, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

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