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 JUNE 12, 2006.
Mayor Wilson led Council in Prayer. The meeting was called to
order by Mayor James H. Wilson who led Council in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Mayor Wilson welcomed new councilman, Dr. William E. Park,
who was sworn in at 6:30 p.m. June 12, 2006.
Councilman Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to appoint Harriett
Nibert to act as City Clerk and take minutes of the meeting. Councilwoman Carol L. Jones added the second, and the motion
passed unanimously.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
ACCEPT CITY CLERK/TREASURER RESIGNATION
Councilman Robert C. Doeffinger moved to accept the
resignation of Stanton D. Burdette as City Clerk/Treasurer effective
June 1, 2006. Ronald R.
Kapp added the second, and the motion passed unanimously.
As Council Members Hunt and Wallace had previously notified
they may arrive late for the meeting, the issue of appointing an interim
City Clerk/Treasurer was delayed until later in the meeting.
OUTSIDE DELEGATION
DARLENE HAER – RIVERFRONT PARK PROJECT
Darlene Haer appeared on behalf of the Riverfront Park
Committee. She presented Council with the Financial Report of Funds
Available as of June 13, 2006. Ms.Haer informed Council that Funding for the Riverfront Park
Project must be allocated by June 30, 2006, in order to avoid losing
funds. Robert C. Doeffinger
made the motion to enter into a contract with Alan Stone Co., Inc. for
the construction of the picnic shelter at the Riverfront Park. Ronald R. Kapp added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
JANE COLES – BLUE STAR MARK TO HONOR VETERANS
Jane Coles appeared on behalf of the Tu-Endie-Wei Garden Club
to obtain permission to place a Blue Star Marker in honor of all
veterans and asked the City to make a contribution toward the monument. Cost of the marker is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). Ms. Coles was informed the club should choose a spot for such
marker, determine whether it is affected by any state road
rights-of-way, present a drawing of the proposed location to Council,
solicit funding from other sources and request funding help from Council
if needed.
CEBRIDGE CABLE
Patrick Barclay appeared on behalf of Cebridge Cable to
advise that Charter Communications Cable System is being sold to
Cebridge Acquisitions, LLC, doing business as Cebridge Connections and
asked Council to approve assignment of the franchise by resolution. Brian L. Billings made the motion to pass, adopt and approve a
Resolution Approving the Assignment of the Cable Television Franchise. Elaine G. Hunt added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Prior to addressing the business matters of the meeting,
Mayor Wilson welcomed new councilman, Dr. William E. Park, who was sworn
in at 6:30 p.m. June 12, 2006.
Councilman Brian L. Billings stated that he would like to be
the next City Clerk. He
inquired if he would be required to resign as councilperson in order to
seek the position of interim City Clerk. He was informed he would be required to resign as councilman if
he was appointed as interim Clerk.
MONTHLY BUSINESS
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the
Regular Council meeting of May 8, 2006. Ronald R. Kapp moved to approve
with correction made to change a typographical error on first page of
the minutes (change name of Jacob Miller to Jacob Hill). Robert C. Doeffinger added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the Financial
Statements of the General, Coal Severance, Water and Sewer Funds for the
month of May 2006. Ronald
R. Kapp moved to approve and James W. Fetty added the second. It was
noted that such statements were not in the packets forwarded to Council. Councilman Kapp rescinded the motion to approve. The statements were copied and presented to Council, whereupon
Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to approve and Brian L. Billings added the
second. The motion was unanimously approved.
The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the Outstanding
Obligations for the month of May 2006. Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to
approve, Brian L. Billings added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
CITY ATTORNEY
DISTRESSED PROPERTY - YEAGER
Jeremy Vickers was present representing the City Attorney.
After discussion concerning the steps that have been taken to
date by City Council and the Enforcement Agency, Robert
D. Doeffinger made a motion that City hire an independent agency to
remove the personal property from the Yeager residence at 703 Main
Street, Point Pleasant, WV, place the same in storage for a period of
ninety (90) days, notify Howard L. Yeager Jr. of such action and that
Yeager will be responsible for storage fees. Brian L. Billings added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
CASTO PROPERTY
An Agreement has been prepared by property owner Casto and
presented to the City wherein
the City may enter upon property owned by Casto at 913 Viand Street,
Point Pleasant, WV, to raze, demolish, remove and dispose of the
structure situate thereon, and City may for the duration of the term of
office of the current administration use Casto property adjacent to and
abutting the real estate upon which the municipal building is located
for parking vehicles and equipment. Robert D. Doeffinger made the motion to enter into said Agreement
between the City of Point Pleasant and Casto. Ronald R. Kapp added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
FINANCE-HUMAN RESOURCES
PAY INCREASE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES FOR 2006-2007
Robert C. Doeffinger made a motion to grant a current
consumer price index cost of living raise of 3.4% to all regular
fulltime employees. Brian L. Billings added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
CITY CLERK
FORT RANDOLPH
Carol L. Jones made a motion to approve the outstanding
obligations of Fort Randolph for the month of May 2006. Brian L. Billings added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
MAIN STREET MURAL MONEY
The Main Street Program has requested the sum of $15,000.00
under a Riverfront Park Grant for murals (Total amount of grant was
$45,000.00 and $15,000.00 was previously paid to Main Street) Carol L.
Jones made a motion to make second payment of $15,000.00 to Main Street. Robert C. Doeffinger added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Councilwoman Jones informed Council that she noticed some of
the Main Street Christmas decorations were still behind the metal
building at Krodel Park, the grass is grown up around the decorations,
some of the decorations are rusted and it is a snake pit. Mayor informed Council he has asked Charles Humphreys of Main
Street Program to determine which decorations can be thrown away and
which decorations should be stored.
WATER AND SEWER BUDGETS
Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to accept the proposed Water and
Sewer Budget Reports for the year ending June 30, 2007. Robert C. Doeffinger added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
INSURANCE BID
The insurance bid from Jim Lively Insurance/Village Insurance
Agency for property and liability insurance shows a premium decrease of
$6,056.00 with increases on property values and equipment values. Robert C. Doeffinger made a motion to accept the insurance bid
for property and liability insurance coverage from the St. Paul
Travelers (Jim Lively Insurance/Village Insurance Agency)for the annual
renewal premium of One Hundred Seventeen Thousand Eight Hundred Eleven
Dollars ($117,811.00). Carol
L. Jones added the second, and the motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR
RESOLUTIONS
Main Street Grant
Carol L. Jones made a motion to adopt a resolution to enter
into an agreement with the West Virginia Development Authority to accept
a Governor’s Community Partnership Grant in the amount of $1,333.00 to
enable Main Street Point Pleasant to promote and develop the City
through capital improvement projects. Ronald R. Kapp added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Statue Grant
Carol L. Jones made a motion to adopt a resolution to make
application for a West Virginia Local Economic Assistance Grant in the
amount of $10,000.00 for the Tourism Destination Program for extension
of tourist attractions, including the Point Pleasant Outdoor History
Museum. Brian L. Billings
seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Murals Grant
Robert C. Doeffinger made a motion to adopt a resolution to
authorize application for a Governor’s Community Partnership Grant in
the amount of $50,000.00 for the extension of tourist attractions,
including painting the mural of the “Battle of Point Pleasant”. Carol L. Jones added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Paving Grant
Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to adopt a resolution to
authorize application for a West Virginia Local Economic Assistance
Grant in the amount of $125,000.00 for street paving. Robert C. Doeffinger added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Krodel Cabin Grant
Brian L. Billings made a motion to adopt a resolution to
authorize application for a West Virginia Local Economic Assistance
Grant in the amount of $15,000.00 for a cabin and/or other improvements
at Krodel Park. Ronald R.
Kapp added the second, and the motion passed unanimously.
Brownfield Grant
The City has received a grant in the amount of $200,000.00 to
assess potential brownfield sites for cleanup and revitalization. Mayor Wilson and Heather Moore will be attending a meeting on
June 27, 2006, for instructions on how to proceed in obtaining the
funding for this project. The
City is one of three municipalities in the State which received such a
grant.
Cabin at Krodel
The $15,000.00 grant funds will probably be sufficient to
build a cabin shell. It
will probably take another $5,000 to $7,000 to complete plumbing,
electric, etc. The City is
looking at potential sites at Krodel for the cabin. A letter will be written to West Virginia Development Authority
to request an extension beyond June 30, 2006 for this project.
New Garbage Truck Bids
The City received two bids for garbage trucks: one from McNeilus for $124,852.00 and two from Cavalier for
$113,082.00 and $115,120.00 (different options on these two bids). Council tabled action on this matter and asked that it be re-bid
with specifications for heavier gauge steel and large hopper.
Rental of Stage to Town of Mason
The Town of Mason requested to rent the portable stage owned
by the City to use during their 150th Anniversary
Celebration. Ronald R. Kapp
made a motion to enter into an agreement to rent the stage for the sum
of $1,000.00 to the Town of Mason for a period of two days. Carol L. Jones added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Purchase New Lawn Mower for Floodwall
Brian L. Billings made a motion to purchase a new mower for
the floodwall for the sum of up to $18,000.00. Ronald R. Kapp added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Swimming Pool – New Pump
In order to open the swimming pool for the 2006 season, it
was necessary to purchase a new circulation pump. The cost of the pump was $5,000.00.
Hotel/Motel Tax
Councilman Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to establish a
hotel/motel tax of 6% and to hold a first reading of an ordinance with
right to amend at the Council Meeting on July 10, 2006. William H. Wallace added the second, and the motion
passed unanimously.
Municipal Court Fines, Costs, Fees
Councilman Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to adopt the
Municipal Courts ASSESSMENT OF FINES, COST, FEES set by the West
Virginia Legislature. Dr.
William E. Park added the second, and the motion passed unanimously.
Storm Drain on Kathnor Lane
At some time in the past the City put in place a storm drain
on Kathnor Lane, which crosses under the driveway at property currently
owned by Charles E. Adkins, 512 Kathnor Lane. Councilman Robert C. Doeffinger made a motion to enter into an
appropriate easement agreement to assess the problem and make the
necessary repairs to the storm drain that crosses the property at 512
Kathnor Lane in Point Pleasant. Dr.
William E. Park added the second, and the motion passed unanimously.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CITY CLERK
Robert C. Doeffinger made a motion to go into Executive
Session to discuss applicants for City Clerk vacancy. Ronald R. Kapp added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to reopen the meeting after
Executive Session. William
H. Wallace seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Councilman Ronald R. Kapp made a motion to hold a Special
Council Meeting on Monday, June 19, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. to interview the
individuals who are interested in the City Clerk vacancy and to conduct
any other business determined necessary at that time. Robert C. Doeffinger added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
COUNCIL CONCERNS
Carol L. Jones:
Jones suggested that the City add additional lots at Krodel
Park with all the construction that is coming into the county. Mayor Wilson said there is grant funding available through the
USDA which could be used to hire an expert to lay out plans for
expansion at Krodel Park. If
the grant application is unsuccessful, then perhaps the Council could
designate up to $5,000.00 to hire such an expert if city funds are
available in the future. Jones
stated the City could make some extra dollars from construction workers
coming to the county to work and needing a place to stay. Jones also noticed that the Watterson fellow was doing a
fantastic job on the cemetery mowing. Jones also said several trees at Krodel are bad and need removed. A lot of the trees need trimmed back. Councilwoman Hunt commented about the dead fish in the lake. Mayor informed Council he had talked with a representative from
DNR. DNR took samples for analysis and believe one species of fish is
affected. DNR will
advise us when they have an answer to the problem.
Brian L. Billings:
Sidewalk in front of cemetery right beside new construction
site of Jackson Avenue Baptist Church needs repaired.
Ronald R. Kapp:
Noticed two concrete slabs had fallen on Kathnor Lane.
1400 Block of Ohio Street needs mowed. Mayor indicated that street department has a schedule for mowing,
some lots are mowed once a week, and some are mowed every two weeks.
Elaine G. Hunt:
Roads are in need of repair: Ohio Street between 14th and 15th Streets. Big trucks still
traveling on that street. Need
patrolled for speeding. Would
like to see a curfew activated because kids are running around town
after midnight. Asked about
setting a meeting with the Fifth Ward on the sewer project. Mayor informed we are waiting for the EPA to meet with us on the
combined sewer project and actually see the site locations. Residents are expressing concern with the water problem and
mosquitoes. Mayor informed
that City had been spraying for the mosquitoes.
William H. Wallace:
Informed Council members of the scheduled events for Regatta
weekend, July 7 and July 8, including parade on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.,
a Kid’s Day with entertainment and games, live entertainment, a
Regatta Queen Pageant, sternwheeler cruises, events at the River Museum
and fireworks on Saturday. The
Regatta Committee has received funding from Culture & History Grant
with assistance of Senator Lanham.
Robert C. Doeffinger:
The park benches that have been put in place at the
Riverfront Park need to be framed in and dressed up a bit – might use
stainless steel bolts.
Mr. Doeffinger read an article in the Charleston Gazette on
water rates showing the highest and lowest rates in the state. Point Pleasant’s rates are inexpensive compared to other
municipalities. Our city is
probably at 30% of the cost of some other municipalities.
Mr. Doeffinger referred to a letter Councilwoman Sang had
written with her concerns for Council, including amending the employee
handbook. Robert C. Doeffinger made a motion to change references to
“Director” in the employee handbook to “Department Head”, to
change references to “City Manager” to “Mayor”, and vacation
carryover days will remain the same at fifteen days. Brian L. Billings added the second, and the motion passed
unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Ronald R. Kapp moved to adjourn the meeting and William H.
Wallace added the second. The meeting was recessed at 9:47 P.M. by
unanimous vote.
_______________________ _______________________
Harriett Nibert Acting City Clerk
James H. Wilson, Mayor
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