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WEIRTON CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 9, 2003 A meeting of the Common Council of the City of Weirton, Hancock and Brooke Counties was held on June 9, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers of the Municipal Building. Councilmembers in attendance: George Ash, John Moore, Charlie Mitchell, Don Gianni, Jr., Dave Cline, D. J. Minella and George Kondik City Officials in attendance: Attorney Fahey, City Manager, Joe Cicchirillo, Finance Director Valerie Means, Brae Bryant, Rod Rosnick, Chief Gordon, Jerry Shumate, Chief Cole, Chief Gordon, Terry Weigel, A. D. Mastrantoni, and Millicent Zack Mayor Dean M. Harris led the Pledge of Allegiance. MINUTES A motion was made by Councilmember Moore and second by Councilmember Minella to approve the minutes of May 12, 2003 Regular Session, so passed. COMMUNICATIONS Councilmember Cline stated that he would like to thank Brooke-Hancock Master Gardners and the Young Marines, along with some of our staff have put mulch and flowers at Cove Commons. The Master Gardners took the city's contribution and Wal-Mart matched this by 100% and they did an excellent job. CITIZENS REMARKS Mike Podolak stated that he has some issues regarding his area on Marlamont and Rothrock. Stated there was an ordinance on a hidden driveway sign and when cars come around that turn the hidden driveway sign is no longer there and Mr. Podolak is afraid of being hit because of the blind spot. People speed coming around that corner. Councilmember Kondik asked if the sign was still there, Mr. Podolak stated no. Councilmember Kondik asked Brae to have another sign installed and asked Chief Gordon to have radar checks. Mayor Harris stated he is a little confused because Mr. Podoak's driveway empties out into an alley. Mayor Harris asked if that was not an alleyway and not his driveway. Mr. Podolak stated that he was asking for everyone on his block who uses the alley. Mike stated that they come around the turn so fast that he is afraid of someone getting hit. Councilmember Kondik stated that he has another issue which is a water line break and the grass was ruined by a water department truck. Councilmember Kondik asked Butch to look at this. Also, Mr. Podolak stated his cherry tree died. Joe Cicchirillo asked if the cherry tree died because of the water break or did he run it over. Council member Kondik stated that this would be taken care of and Council member Gianni that this should be taken to the Water Board also. Butch stated that this is just restoration work, Mayor Harris stated he understands this but feels that this should be taken to the Water Board because they are an autonomous board. FINANCE COMMITTEE Finance Committee met on Thursday, June 7, 2003 with Council members Moore and Minella present, Council member Kondik was absent. Item No. 3 we split, I am in favor Coucilmember Moore is against, on No. 4 we both agree. Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Second reading of Amendment No. 603 Ordinance No. 1377 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No. 214 of the City of Weirton to install a stop sign at the intersection of Elmer Avenue and Grant Street on the West Side. Motion made by Councilmember Ash to approve this ordinance, second by Councilmember Gianni, any question to the motion. Councilmember Ash stated he would like to make a comment this is in my Ward and I have talked to the residents of my ward and they have no complaints. All in favor signify by saying I, so passed. Second reading of Amendment No. 604 Ordinance No. 1378 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No 214 of the City of Weirton to install a stop sign at the intersection of Hudson and Grant Street on the west side. Motion made by Councilmember Ash to approve this ordinance, second by Councilmember Mitchell, so passed. Second reading of Amendment No. 605 Ordinance No. 1379 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No. 214 of the City of Weirton to install a stop sign north on Grant Street at the intersection of Hudson Avenue on the east side. Motion made by Councilmember Ash to approve this ordinance, second by Councilmember Mitchell, so passed. Second reading of Amendment No. 606 Ordinance No. 1380 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No. 1380 of the City of Weirton to rescind ordinance establishing stop sign at the intersection of Elmer Avenue and Grant Street on the north side. Motion made by Councilmember Ash, second by Councilmember Kondik, so passed. Second reading of Amendment No. 607 Ordinance No. 1381 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No. 1381 of the City of Weirton establishing Tell Street at intersection of Avenue J south to intersection of Avenue K and Crawford Avenue one way south. Motion made by Councilmember Mitchell, second by Councilmember Moore, so passed. Second reading of Amendment No. 608 Ordinance No. 1382 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No. 1382 of the City of Weirton establishing a stop sign at intersection of Tell Street and Avenue K on the north side. Motion made by Councilmember Mitchell, second by Councilmember Ash, so passed. Second reading of Amendment No. 609 Ordinance No. 1383 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No. 1383 of the City of Weirton establishing a stop sign south on Vermont and Engle Street intersection on the west side. Motion made by Councilmember Mitchell, second by Councilmember Cline, so passed. Second reading of Amendment No. 610 Ordinance No. 1384 to the Traffic Control Map Ordinance No. 1384 of the City of Weirton establishing a stop sign north on Vermont and Engle Street intersection on the east side. Motion made by Councilmember Mitchell, second by Councilmember Minella, so passed. NEW BUSINESS First reading of an ordinance to establish handicapped parking space at 3308 Orchard Street. Motion made by Councilmember Ash, second by Councilmember Gianni, so passed. First reading of an ordinance to establish handicapped parking space at 540 Garden Way. Motion made by Councilmember Mitchell, second by Councilmember Moore, so Page 3 passed. Resolution to enter into agreement for Professional Planning Services for the City of Weirton Completion of Unified Development Ordinance with Benatec Associates in the amount of $40,750.00. Motion made by Councilmember Minella, second by Councilmember Cline. Roll Call Vote - Councilmember Ash, no - Councilmember Moore no - Councilmember Gianni - yes, Councilmember Mitchell - yes, Councilmember Cline yes, Councilmember Minella yes, Councilmember Kondik - yes. Passed 5-2. Councilmember Cline stated that this is a contract, the original budget called for a staff member to be hired, the Development Director found out that he could get the job done in a more timely and competitive price if contracted out. Councilmember Moore stated that he does not know where we are going with all the planning services we have hired in the past and every few years we are spending a lot of money on someone telling us how to run the city and feels we are still behind the 8 ball. For this reason I voted against this and people on staff could do the same thing. Mayor Harris stated we have spent a lot of money on the comprehensive plan and this is just a part of that plan and what we know is important to have a comprehensive plan and to have all these things in place. Mr. Riccelli thought that this would be in the best interest of the city to contract out. Councilmember Kondik stated that this is not just a 30 or 60 day thing it is a nine month project. This will not happen overnight and there is a lot of things involved with this. Resolution to authorize revision to the City of Weirton 2002-2003 Fiscal Year General Fund Budget. Valerie stated this is a budget revision for the Transit Grant which is a flow through grant and it is good news because the grant came in higher than was originally budgeted. If we did not do this revision it would look like you overspent that line item it is a $50,000.00 increase. Motion made by Councilmember Minella, second by Councilmember Kondik, Roll Call Vote - Councilmember Moore no Councilmember Gianni yes, Councilmember Mitchell yes, Councilmember Cline yes, Councilmember Kondik yes, Councilmember Ash yes. passed 6-1. No appointments to any boards or commissions this evening. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Police Department - Councilmember Moore asked Chief Gordon how they did on the Click it or Ticket program. Chief Gordon stated that 98 seat belt violations on child safety seats, we had a total of 5,214 manpower hours. Will have a review of the seat belt percentage use to see how much effect our efforts had. Fire Department - Councilmember Cline asked Chief Cole that the volunteer report total hours is not calculated as of yet and while visiting there last week I had a chance to view the new computer software and would like to encourage everyone if they have the time to look at this software and see how these reports are done, it is very impressive. Chief Cole stated he would like council to know that all this work was done in-house. Mayor Harris asked Chief Cole about the control burn behind the Mary H. Weir Library and if Chief would like to make an announcement. Chief stated that this house belonged to the Library and we went through all the clearances and starting today at 1:00 we will be Page 4 doing interior burns through Friday. Friday we will have an overall burn to take the structure completely down. On behalf of the Fireman and the Volunteer division of the City of Weirton we would like to thank the Inspections department because this is a great training tool for our department. Also there are people from Wheeling and Bridgeport, West Virginia for a certified training session and this house was stripped by the firemen. Most people do not realize all the clearances you have to get before burning a structure and Chief Cole stated he would like to thank everyone involved. Mayor Harris complimented everyone involved in this project. Chief stated that he forgot to mention A. G. Lucas who supplied us with an ambulance during the training session and will be there when we do burn. Councilman Moore asked how close are they to the Library. Chief responded that Lt. Shumate did the measurements and Shumate responded approximately 75 feet. Councilmember Moore asked if all the sewers were sealed up before doing this burn. Lt. Shumate responded that they have met all the DEP regulations. Councilmember Cline asked Terry Weigel if summer was going to show up. Terry responded that he sure hopes that it does start to get nicer, pool passes are down due to the weather condition. With all the state changes and regulations anytime the pool is open you have to have a three (3) lifeguard minimum, so you have your supervisor, three lifeguards, cashier, maintenance worker, office worker there and many of these days we have been open like that and have had attendance of approximately ten (10) people. It is a tough start and just keep hoping for the weather to change. Mayor Harris stated that City Manager Joe Cicchirillo will be speaking for Bob Riccelli who is not here at the present time. Joe Cicchirillo stated that he traveled to Charleston on Friday and took this opportunity to meet with the Department of Administration and met with Tammy King and at this particular time it is on schedule for groundbreaking in December. They have a tentative sketch of the building that should be released soon, this building will be approximately 39,000 square feet, it will be a stand alone building. The city will not occupy any space there, our contribution to this project is the property it sits on and the development of the parking area which used to be Cove Valley Lumber. Councilmember Kondik asked Brae Bryant if the paving schedule was on schedule. Brae stated unfortunately due to the weather we have been held up a little, but we are on schedule according to the deadline. TREASURER'S REPORT Ms. Means gave the treasurer's report. It was moved by Councilmember Kondik, second by Councilmember Minella to accept the administrative report, the treasurer's report, and to pay the general fund bills, this passed unanimously. Councilmember Cline reminded everyone that tomorrow is election day and all of us who have helped to decorate the public right-of-ways of our city with election signs I would like to ask the City Manager if he would make available some space at the old lumber yard that we can throw them in the lumber yard of anyone else who picks up our signs. Mayor Harris stated tomorrow is election day and every election faces change positions change and Mayor Harris stated he wanted to say to all the people here that we have had a Page 5 good solid four years, enjoyed working with you, have some tough issues, have dealt with the tough issues, and I know some of you have chosen not to run, Councilmember Minella choose to run to Las Vegas, Mayor Harris stated he wanted to let the staff know from his position he is up for re-election and there is no clear cut winner until the end and does not want to lose the opportunity to thank the staff and all who have gathered around here to make my job as easy as possible, we take care of things before people even know that they are really problems, and we address all problems as soon as we can. Feel good with the cooperation with this council and this administration, hopefully I will be back but want everyone to know that I appreciate all you have done for me in the past 12 years with this administration. You have done a great job for this community and one thing I will say to you is that we find ways to do more with less. I have talked to a lot of people throughout the state of West Virginia and they still scratch their heads and can't figure out how they do the things they do with the revenue we have and this is because of the staff and I appreciate everything you have done. We are a better community because of all of you. Councilmember Cline asked Councilmember Ash how many years of service did he have and he responded 12, Councilmember Moore stated he would like to say publicly that his wife has been very understanding and his family and it has been a few years that walking the sidewalks and streets and I should say I have enjoyed it, have had our ups and downs on council and I think it will all be behind us and hope that the city will progress in the future, I will be around if anyone wants to ask for any help, but will not do any laboring. Councilmember Minella stated he wanted to thank the Mayor, City Manager, fellow councilmembers, and we all have had our ups and downs, think it is great that we can argue and I really don't think the public realizes the staff that the city has, and I think we should tell our Department Heads that they do not get the credit that they deserve and this city would not be this city, our council would not be our council, if it wasn't for our department heads and staff. Thank you very much. ADJOURNMENT With no further business before this June 9, 2003 regular session of the Weirton City Council the meeting was adjourned after the closing prayer.
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