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 March 13, 2006.
J. Glenn Long led Council in Prayer. The meeting was called
to order by Mayor James H. Wilson who led Council in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
MONTHLY BUSINESS
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the
Regular Council meeting of February 13, 2006. J. Glenn Long moved to
approve and Brian L. Billings added the second. The minutes were
approved 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 February 2006. Ronald R. Kapp moved to approve
the statements and William H. Wallace added the second. The Financial
Statements were unanimously approved. The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the Outstanding
Obligations for the month of February 2006. Kevin R. Nott made the
motion and Brian L. Billings added the second. The motion passed unanimously. M. Leota Sang abstained.
CITY ATTORNEY
RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING STREET CLOSING
City Attorney James Casey presented the second reading of a
Resolution reaffirming the action taken by a previous Council to close
the right-of-way of Windsor Court (street) between Jackson Avenue and
Jefferson Avenue that once divided parcels 74 and 75 on sheet 10 of the Mason County Assessor’s map. He reminded
Council that the property in question had originally been mapped with a
street right-of–way but current deeds show that no right-of-way
presently exists. City
records can not be found of the street closing. Robert C. Doeffinger
moved to approve the second reading and Ronald R. Kapp added the second.
The second reading was unanimously approved.
MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC SCHOOL ORDINANCE
CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 303.09
Mr. Casey presented the second reading of the Traffic School
Ordinance. Mr. Casey explained that the Ordinance would authorize the
City to conduct a traffic school to allow first time offenders of minor
traffic violations to attend the school and become better educated in
traffic safety in lieu of facing prosecution. The mayor added that the
money derived from the school would stay in the City and that no points
would be charged to the offenders driving record. Ronald R. Kapp moved
to adopt the second reading and J. Glenn Long added the second. In discussion, questions were raised concerning the costs of the
school and the instructor’s fee. Ronald R. Kapp restated his motion to
adopt the second reading of the Ordinance and include the amendment that
the instructors fee would be paid in an amount approved by Council. J.
Glenn Long added the second and the Ordinance was unanimously adopted.
INSTRUCTOR FEE SET
M. Leota Sang moved to set the instructors fee for the
Municipal Traffic School at $10.00 per student. J. Glenn Long added the
second and the fee was unanimously approved.
DISTRESSED PROPERTY
Mr. Casey informed Council that the Enforcement Agency had
sent Howard Yeager a letter about the distressed property on Main
Street. He explained that because Mr. Yeager did not transfer the
property to the City that it would be in the City’s best interest to
resume the process of condemnation by sending the letter and posting the
property. Mayor Wilson added that he, Mr. Casey and the City Inspector
were proceeding cautiously to prevent any unnecessary delays.
FOUR WAY STOP
24TH & JEFFERSON
Mr. Casey stated that a public hearing would need to be held
before voting on the second reading of changes in traffic flow. Kevin R.
Nott moved to table the second reading of the four-way stop until the
next regular Council meeting with a public hearing to be held 30 minutes
prior to Council. J. Glenn Long added the second and motion was
unanimously approved.
CITY WATERWELLS
Mayor Wilson stated that Gencorp will be in the City next
week to discuss the situation of the City’s water wells with respect
to cleaning or possibly relocating to another wellfield.
LANDFILL
The Mayor reported that the City had received a request for
information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the
old City Landfill located near the County Fairgrounds. He added that he
wanted Council to remain informed of the situation.
FLOODWALL MURALS
POLICY ESTABLISHED
Mr. Casey stated that he had grave reservations about the
City being involved with this type of activity. Mayor Wilson recognized
William H. Wallace of the Street Committee. Mr. Wallace explained that
the Committee met previously to develop a policy regarding the painting
of murals on the floodwall in response to a request from Main Street
Baptist Church. The Committee recommended the following policy:
It is the policy of the
City of Point Pleasant that no images or signs be painted, drawn or
otherwise portrayed on the city side of the floodwall opposite the Ohio
and Kanawha Rivers. The City will allow, in conjunction with our
Riverfront Park, on the floodwall facing the Ohio River within the
boundaries of the Park, depictions of our revolutionary and river
heritage. The images shall be produced and otherwise applied to the
floodwall by professional artist. The work shall be approved by a
committee appointed by City Council. It will be further the obligation
of the City to maintain the floodwall images in good visual order and
free of graffiti.
Robert C. Doeffinger moved to adopt the policy and Ronald R.
Kapp added the second. In discussion, several differing views were
presented. Some Council members stated that they opposed the murals
because it would set precedent and the City could possibly lose control
of who could paint on the floodwall. Attorney Casey added that the
proposed mural was religious in nature and therefore every religion may
want to paint on the floodwall. Pastor Richard Sargent and Parishioner
Robin Jones stated that they would not be upset with the City but that
they just wanted everyone to abide by a policy. After a long discussion,
Council voted 6-1 to adopt the Policy and restrict the painting of
murals on the floodwall. Kevin R. Nott voted in opposition to the
policy.
FINANCE / HUMAN RESOURCES
WATER BILL DELINQUENCIES
Finance / Human Resources Director Heather Moore informed
Council that prior to adopting the WV Public Service Commission
Standards for delinquent water bills, a typical month of delinquents was
approximately $45,000.00. She stated that since the new policy took
affect, the most recent delinquent list totaled approximately $6,500.00.
TRUCK PURCHASES
Ms. Moore then presented bids for trucks for the Sewer and
Water Departments. Ronald R. Kapp moved to accept the low bids from
Smith Superstore in the amounts of $25,995.50 for the Water Department
truck and $20,771.90 for the Sewer Department truck. J. Glenn Long added
the second and the purchases were unanimously approved with M. Leota
Sang abstaining. Ms. Moore explained that the funds would come from an
excess in the Water Reserve account and the Sewer Depreciation Account.
2006-2007 BUDGET
Ms. Moore then presented the 2006-2007 Levy Estimate (Budget
Document) for the General and Coal Severance Funds. She stated that
there was an error in the calculation that would bring in approximately
$7,000.00 in Ad Valorem Taxes. Council reviewed the entire Budget
Document and Ms. Moore, Mayor Wilson and Clerk Burdette answered
questions. The Mayor stated that the only fee increase was the inclusion
of a proposed Hotel / Motel Tax. After a lengthy work session, Ronald R.
Kapp moved to approve the 2006-2007 General Fund Budget as written with
the amendment of the additional $7,000.00 in Ad Valorem taxes being used
to pay for increases in employee health insurance. J. Glenn Long added
the second and the document was unanimously approved. Ronald R. Kapp
then moved to approve the 2006-2007 Coal Severance Fund Budget. J. Glenn
Long added the second and the Coal Severance Budget was unanimously
approved.
CITY CLERK
AUDIT
City Clerk Stanton D. Burdette reported that the Accounting
Firm of Bassett & Lowe had been working on the audit and that it
would be completed soon.
FORT RANDOLPH INVOICES
Stanton D. Burdette presented Fort Randolph Invoices totaling
$47.05 from Thomas Do-It Center for materials used in fireplace construction at the Fort. The funds would be paid from grant
money. Ronald R. Kapp moved to pay the invoices and Kevin R. Nott added
the second. The invoices were approved unanimously.
MAYOR WILSON
HOMELAND SECURITY
Mayor Wilson stated there was an upcoming Homeland Security
meeting to be held at Stonewall Jackson Resort. He added that he and
Police Chief Ronald Spencer would be attending
BIRD FLU SUMMIT
Mayor Wilson stated that there was also an upcoming Regional
– County Bird Flu Summit at Cabell Midland High School. He added that
he and Police Chief Ronald Spencer would be attending that meeting.
FIREWORKS
The Mayor then asked for Council to approve the down payment
of $5,000.00 to Zambelli Fireworks. Robert C. Doeffinger moved to
approve the payment and Ronald R. Kapp added the second. The payment was
unanimously approved.
ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
The Mayor then asked for a motion to approve the following
yearly budgeted contributions:
HOMELESS SHELTER----------$500.00
SENIOR CITIZENS---------$1,000.00
LITTLE LEAGUE-----------$1,000.00
GIRLS SOFTBALL----------$1,000.00
HEALTH DEPARTMENT-------$1,000.00
ECONOMIC DEVELPOMENT----$3,000.00
COUNTY LIBRARY----------$4,000.00
Ronald R. Kapp moved to approve the contributions and M.
Leota Sang added the second. The contributions were unanimously
approved.
RESOLUTION-FAIR HOUSING MONTH
The Mayor then presented a Resolution declaring the month of
April as Fair Housing Month in Point Pleasant. Brian L. Billings moved
to adopt the Resolution and Kevin R. Nott added the Second. The
Resolution was unanimously adopted.
COUNCIL CONCERNS
Kevin R. Nott asked if any progress had been made regarding
finding the true average income of the City residents that was used in
calculations for sewer grant proposals. The Mayor stated that so far the
numbers were matching up with internet information but the City could do
a door to door survey.
Brian L. Billings asked about a letter from resident
concerning a distressed property on Shore Street. The Mayor stated that
the resident had been sent a letter notifying them of the need to clean
up the property and they were in the process of doing so.
Robert C. Doeffinger stated that sewer bills would have to be
increased approximately $13.00 per month to do the North Point Drainage
Project and correct some other sewer problems in the City. He added that
the next step in the process would be to raise rates in order to be able
to qualify grants or low interest loans. He continued that once rates
were raised, then an engineering firm could put together a presentation
to apply for funding.
M. Leota Sang asked where the City was regarding the Mason
County Public Service Commissions (MCPSC) request that the City take
over the Camp Conley Water and Sewer Systems. Mayor Wilson reminded
Council that the City had met with all parties last year but that the
MCPSC had not turned over any financial information for review.
Mayor Wilson stated that this was J. Glenn Longs last Council
Meeting and he was grateful for the work he had done on Council in
serving the City.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business, William H. Wallace moved to
adjourn the meeting and Kevin R. Nott added the second. The meeting was
adjourned at 9:55 P.M. by unanimous vote.
_______________________________ James
H.
Wilson,
Mayor
______________________________Stanton
D.
Burdette,
City
Clerk
|
|
