WEIRTON CITY COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEETING - REGULAR

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2010 7:00 P.M.

A regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Weirton, Hancock and Brooke Counties, West Virginia was held on Monday, January 11, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers of the Weirton City Building.

Councilmembers in Attendance:

George Ash Councilmember Ward 4

Ronnie Jones Councilmember Ward 1

Fred Marsh Councilmember Ward 3

Harold Miller Councilmember Ward 2- Absent

David Dalrymple Councilmember Ward 6

Max Fijewski Councilmember Ward 7

George Kondik Councilmember Ward 5

City Officials in Attendance:

John Brown Public Works Director

Gary DuFour City Manager

Vincent Gurrera City Attorney

Dave Lashhorn Fire Chief

Nicole Davis City Clerk

A.D. Mastrantoni Sanitary/Water

Bruce Marshall Police Chief

Thomas Maher, Jr. Finance Director

Terry Weigel Parks and Recreation Director

Rod Rosnick Inspections

Rik Rekowski Library

Mayor Harris led everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Councilmember Ash and second by Councilmember Jones to approve the minutes of the:

December 7, 2009 –Regular Council Meeting

The motion carried by majority, 6/0.

MAYOR’S AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS

CITIZEN’S REMARKS

Vince Oliver: Water

Mr. Oliver stated, “First I would like you to see what you’re drinking again. This came from approximately 6 to 7 gallons of water. It came out of a water tap in my house before it got into my house from an outside faucet. Just wanted to let you know that I’m building a case so that when it comes to head with the EPA, I’ll have something to notify you with. Also, I read the read the paper about a proposal you guys were making to put sidewalks and railing in Weirton Heights School, Weir Middle School proposed by Mr. Dalrymple. That’s probably ¾ of a mile. There are already sidewalks, except for maybe 150 feet. If you want to put a sidewalk anywhere, put it down 11^th Street. That’s the most ridiculous proposal I’ve ever heard. How are you going to do that? Why would you even think about doing that?”

Carole Scheerbaum: Energy Express

Ms. Scheerbaum stated, “I am the extension agent for WV extension unit of Hancock County, and I just came to say thank you. Last year the city was generous to give us a $1000 to help with our energy express program. The program was successful last year. We were fully enrolled with forty children. The results of the assessment we do for reading achievement through the program showed an average gain of the students over the course of the summer throughout West Virginia. In addition to that, they had breakfast and lunch served to them family style, and the city was gracious enough to give us access to a lot that the children could go out and do what I call rip and tear time which is what we call recreation and non-competitive games. So I just wanted to come and say thank you and let you know that our program was very successful last year. It was the first time ever for energy express in Hancock county and I was thrilled to be able to bring it in. The program has received a couple of national awards.”

Mike Chek:

Mr. Chek stated, “I too want to come and thank the city departments. Through the last year we did Phase 1 of our Collier’s Way development up there through several thousand feet of water and sewer line. Many times we worked with the Public Works Department, water department, and sewer department. We got nothing but cooperation, they came every time we needed them and that helped us a lot.”

Joe Stankowitz: Briefing

Mr. Stankowitz stated, “I have your monthly briefing. This is an article I found. What we need to understand is that people who volunteer don’t volunteer where they’re not needed, they don’t volunteer where they’re not appreciated, and they don’t volunteer unless there is an actual need for them to do it.”

Schiquita Cornwell: Play Space Needed

Ms Cornwell stated, “I am a resident of the downtown Weirton area. I am looking to open a day care facility in the downtown area in the old Magnone building. I’m working with Lou Stein to get open, but I have come across one obstacle and that is outdoor play space. I am aware that the old cove school committee is looking into doing something productive with that area. I would like to be able to address the committee and be allowed to use that area for play space. I am looking to be open from 6 am to midnight which is a huge thing for the downtown area. I will be close to a lot of people needing care, and I approximately 23 families awaiting us to open. So I’ve got the people and everything else situated. I’ve had the fire marshall come in, he’s done his inspections. The board of health has done their inspections as well, and the only thing lacking on both reports is that lack of outdoor play space. I have sent in my plans to the city manager and the mayor. I would really like to be able to talk to the committee in regards to that area.”

COMMUNICATIONS

Councilman Marsh stated to Mr. Brown that he had been getting calls about the scanners not operating correctly on Penco Road and that people were sitting through three or four light cycles.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Ordinance amending Article 9; Table 1 permitted land use table of the unified development ordinance as recommended by the Weirton Planning Commission in regards to assisted living facility in R-2 zoned districts.

Motion was made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Ash.

Councilman Fijewski stated, “I recommend that we change the ordinance as presented and change the ordinance as presented to read amended from a P designation to a C designation, C conditional. It was my understanding that the ordinance presented to us would change the current designation to an R-2 designation which would change all p designations throughout the city.”

Mr. Rosnick stated, “The property is already zoned R-2. Currently assisted living aren’t permitted in R-2 as a conditional or permitted use. The ordinance in front of you has it as a permitted use. There was a debate with the planning commission whether it should be permitted as a conditional. Conditional just adds another step in the process, and they’d have to go to the zoning board for review.”

Councilman Kondik asked Mr. Rosnick if this would apply to state facilities as well.

Mr. Rosnick stated, “It would affect stated facilities but keep in mind that the definition of an assisted living facility is 7 or more occupants.”

Councilman Fijewski requested that the city clerk change appendix c of the ordinance to read conditional instead of permitted.

Motion to amend the ordinance was made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Kondik.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

The City of Weirton Addressing Ordinance. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Marsh, second by Councilman Ash.

Councilman Fijewski stated, “Within the last four days I have received some calls in regards to address numbers and problems we are trying to get resolved. As I understand, this is going to incorporate some of the city issues but more of the rural numbering.”

Mr. Rosnick stated that this was accurate.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution to place liens against real properties for costs incurred in demolition of unsafe properties pursuant to Ordinance 250. (County Road)

Motion was made by Councilman Jones, second by Councilman Ash.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution to place liens against real properties for costs incurred in demolition of unsafe properties pursuant to Ordinance 250. (Raleigh Ave.)

Motion was made by Councilman Dalrymple, second by Councilman Ash.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution authorizing application and acceptance for West Virginia Community Participation Grant Program for the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Marsh, second by Councilman Ash.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution authorizing application and acceptance for West Virginia Community Participation Grant Program for the Weirton Area Museum ($10,000). (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Ash, second by Councilman Marsh.

The Mayor thanked Senators Bowman and Yost for getting the funds as well as Delegate Pat Magean.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0

Resolution authorizing application and acceptance for West Virginia Community Participation Grant Program for the Weirton Area Museum ($8,000). (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Ash, second by Councilman Jones.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution authorizing application and acceptance for West Virginia Community Participation Grant Program for the Weirton Hall of Fame. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Ash.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution authorizing application and acceptance for West Virginia Community Participation Grant Program for the Weirton Area Downtown Business and Civic Association. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Jones, second by Councilman Kondik.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution authorizing application and acceptance for West Virginia Community Participation Grant Program for the City of Weirton Beautification Project. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Ash, second by Councilman Jones.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution authorizing application and acceptance for West Virginia Community Participation Grant Program for the Weirton Thomas E. Millsop Community Center. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Jones, second by Councilman Fijewski.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution to amend the contract for the replacement of the Greenbrier Bridge. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Marsh, second by Councilman Dalrymple.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

Resolution to enter into contract for the purchase of rescue strut sets for Engine 4 utilizing Brooke County levy funding. (City Manager)

Motion was made by Councilman Ash, second by Councilman Marsh.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

PARKS AND RECREATION-

Mr. Weigel stated, “We are continuing with renovations. They are primarily out in the old lobby, most of the work is in there.”

PUBLIC WORKS-

Mr. Brown stated, “I handed out a time table for the paving so I need that in by the 22^nd. If we get it in we’ll be on time.”

Councilman Fijewski complemented public works for their job of street cleaning the snow.

INSPECTIONS-

Mr. Rosnick stated that, “We sent in the reports about business license renewals that are due, and that letters would be going out sometime next week.”

LIBRARY –

Mr. Rekowski stated that, “Because of the new year, we are putting the activities on the library web page calendar. The activity room is increasing and booking. The film for the last Wednesday of the month is Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.”

FIRE-

Chief Lashhorn stated that he had nothing further to add.

Councilman Marsh stated that he had sent a letter stating how impressed he was with the handling of the car that backed into the garbage truck.

POLICE-

Chief Marshall stated that he had nothing further to add,

Councilman Ash stated that he wanted to thank him for the drug bust on the 3700 block and that once again the street crime unit came through.

WATER-

Mr. Mastrantoni stated that he had nothing further to add.

Councilman Fijewski stated, “Thank you for the monthly report. I was wondering if we could take a second look at page 4 of this for future reports. It shows total water department revenue and total water department expenses for the period. It was my understanding that the figure shown here does not include all expenses. Could we have that? When you look at it, it makes it look like we had a net income of significant amounts of money, and I know that’s not accurate. It would help me to get a clearer picture of where your department stands in regards to net revenue for the month.”

Mr. Mastrantoni stated that they could never get it all into one report. That’s the administrative report for the water department part of it, the finance department part of it. I’m sure it can be put together into 1 report.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT-

Mr. Maher stated:

General Fund cash report for December 2009:

Beginning Cash Balance: $505,001.97

Interest on Checking: $194.69

Deposits: $493,100.02

Draw-downs on Investment: N/A

Disbursements: $(1,125,680.10)

Cash Balance: $272,616.58

Beginning Investment $2,783,748.12

Balance:

Interest on Investments: N/A

Withdraws: N/A

Ending Investment $2,383,748.12

Balance:

Petty Cash: $800.00

Total Cash and Investments $2,657,164.70

Available:

There were invoices for council to approve totaling $8,188.38.

The Mayor called for a motion to pay any bills and accept administrative reports from all of the departments.

Motion was made by Councilman Marsh, second by Councilman Kondik.

The motion carried by majority, 6/0.

Councilman Fijewski stated that he hoped by next month there could be a resolution to our investment of the cash that we have.

ADJOURNMENT

The mayor called for a motion to adjourn.

Motion was made by Councilman Dalrymple, second by Councilman Ash.

The motion passed by majority, 6/0.

With no further business before this January 11, 2010 regular session of the Weirton City Council the meeting was adjourned after the closing prayer.