WEIRTON CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING - REGULAR
MONDAY, MARCH 09, 2009 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, March 09, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers of the Weirton City Building.
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order.
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 David Lashhorn Fire Chief Nicole Davis City Clerk A. D. Mastrantoni Utilities Director Bruce Marshall Police Chief Rik Rekowski Library Director Thomas Maher, Jr. Finance Director Terry Weigel Parks and Recreation Director
Mayor Harris led everyone in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilmember Ash and second by Councilmember Marsh to approve the minutes of the: February 09, 2009 –Regular Council MeetingThe motion carried by majority, 6/0.
A motion was made by Councilmember Ash and second by Councilmember Fijewski to approve the minutes of the: February 20, 2009-Special Council Meeting The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
MAYOR’S AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Harris asked that Ms. Davis, City Clerk, to read the awards and proclamations read while he handed out the certificates. Ms. Davis called forth Matthew Salerno. Ms. Davis read, “In grateful recognition of your outstanding qualities of leadership and dedication by earning your Eagle Scout Award. Matthew organized volunteers to fill boxes of supplies to distribute to our troops overseas. Your accomplishment and achievement deserves special recognition and this award. I deem it an honor and privilege to present you with this Mayor’s Award.” Mr. Salerno stated that he had put together care packages to send over to local troops serving in Iraq. Mr. Salerno thanked Troop 36 as well as St. Joseph the Worker Parish for their assistance in compiling the packages. Ms. Davis called forth Brennan Wright to receive his award. Mr. Wright was absent from the proceedings. Ms. Davis read the proclamation declaring April 2009 Fair Housing Month.
COMMUNICATIONS
Councilman Kondik stated he would like to recognize Nancy Pew and Elisabeth Garrett for their work with Leadership Weirton. Councilman Fijewski stated that he would like to remind everybody that the Hall of Fame induction ceremony was scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 2:00 pm at the Serbian American Cultural Center. Councilman Fijewski stated that tickets could be purchased at the City Building, Tri-State Pharmacy, and the Chamber of Commerce. CITIZEN COMMENTSMr. Keith Fabianich Re: Resolution on Spending
Mr. Fabianich stated that he was the representative of the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and had left a copy of the 2009 Resolution on Spending on the Federal Economic Grants. He asked if the City of Weirton would be willing to sign a copy in attempt to show their solidarity in keeping the money local. Mayor Harris stated that the Council had already signed a copy of the document and sent said copy to Charlestown.
Mr. Ron Shaw Re: Feral Cat Project
Mr. Shaw stated that he was hoping to utilize Brooke County in the assistance of catching the feral cats. Mr. Shaw stated that they would need many live traps and he was hoping that bi-county project so that no harm would come to the cats. Mr. Shaw stated, “It will take two weeks to build up to the actual day of trapping, and we do that to ensure the success on the day of trapping. We want to make sure we are able to gather as many of these cats at the same time as possible. These cats came to this area for a reason, and that is because there were survival resources available to them way before caregivers came and started feeding the cats outside of the dumpsters. When we remove these cats it is very possible that they may migrate back, they actually call it a vacuum effect.” Councilman Dalrymple stated that the City of Weirton only has one animal control officer and wanted to know if the county officers were going to be involved in the project. Mr. Shaw responded by stating that the county officers were very interested in assisting with the project.
OLD BUSINESS
Ordinance No. 1631 to repeal Article 303 and Ordinance Number 62 (Approved and Passed July 9, 1951) in order to eliminate the Traffic Commission. (Second Reading) Motion was made by Councilmember Ash, second by Councilmember Jones.
Councilman Fijewski stated that he would like Council to table the Ordinance until there was time for an amendment to be made Councilman Fijewski stated, “We have over 24 commissions and committees, and the City has undertaken a total restructuring over the past couple of months. The City has been trying to operate efficiently and effectively, and Council has been trying to restructure City government. In that spirit I would like to make this motion to table this business at this time. It is my understanding that the Mayor is going to appoint a steady group of Councilmembers to look at all of our commissions. If we’re going to restructure things let’s do it in its entirety.” Motion was made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Ash. The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
Ordinance establishing and fixing rates, fees, and charges of the Municipal Water Works System of the City of Weirton, West Virginia. (Tabled at the February 20, 2009 Special Council Meeting)
Motion was made by Councilman Ash to take the item off of the table. A second motion was called for by the Mayor. The motion died for lack of a second motion.
Ordinance establishing and fixing rates, fees, and charges of the Municipal Sanitary Board of the City of Weirton, West Virginia. (Tabled at the February 20, 2009 Special Council Meeting)
Motion was made by Councilman Ash to take the item off of the table. A second motion was called for by the Mayor. The motion died for lack of a second motion.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance adding provisions to Appendix C, Rule IV, Section 2 of the rules and regulations of the Fire Department.
Motion was made to table the item by Councilman Ash, second by Councilman Kondik. Councilman Kondik stated, “I did not know that this was an on-going registration and they were changing the format.” The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
Resolution to authorize update to the City of Weirton’s Codified Ordinances.
Motion was made by Councilman Marsh, second by Councilman Kondik. Mr. Dufour stated, “On a regular basis Council usually contracts with a firm to codify ordinances which it has passed. Those go in to a book for, on our web-site, and in the public library. We do this to incorporate the state laws that have changed as well as the actions of City Council. It’s a year to a year and a half when we do these codifications.” The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
Resolution to authorize the City Manager to support the Hancock County Animal Shelter Foundation regarding feral cats.
Motion was made by Councilman Kondik, second by Councilman Dalrymple. Councilman Marsh asked Police Chief Marshall to speak on this issue. Chief Marshall stated that the Animal Control Officer could better answer questions relating to the issue. Mr. Hinerman stated, “There is a city ordinance related to the abandoning of animals. I believe you can be fined and prosecuted for abandoning animals in the city.” The Mayor stated, “This is something that needs to be enforced because we have a problem on our hands with the abandonment of animals. I wanted to put this forward. This is something I would ask for your support to put in to our City. We have a lot of feral cats running loose. We have two options. Option one being to catch the feral cats and take them to the animal shelter, which most of these cats are un-adoptable, and the cats would have to be euthanized. Option two being to catch the cats and do a catch and release program. The cats would be relocated to a piece of donated property.”
The motion carried by majority, 6/0,
Resolution to authorize the use of the property located at the City of Weirton Municipal Plaza parking lot. Motion was made by Councilman Marsh, second by Councilman Dalrymple. The Mayor stated, “We are working with Skate-land project on different designs that they have. We are looking to spend about $40,000 out of our budget.”
The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
Ordinance to rescind Ordinance No. 1304, Amendment No. 575 of the Traffic Control map which established a handicapped parking space at 3224 Orchard Street. Motion was made by Councilman Ash, second by Councilman Jones. Councilman Ash stated, “The individual either moved or was deceased. I am not asking for an emergency reading of this ordinance. I spoke with Mr. Brown who stated that he would not remove the sign until after the second reading.”
The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
Ordinance to rescind Ordinance No. 1402, Amendment No. 615 of the traffic Control Map which established a residential disability parking space at 3308 Orchard Street. Motion was made by Councilman Ash, second by Councilman Jones.
The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
Sex offender Registration Ordinance. Motion was made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Dalrymple. Mr. Guerra stated, “My investigation showed that this was completely Constitutional. Basically what we did was we took Megan’s Law which states you have ten days after you move in to a neighborhood to register with the state. The Ordinance states that for any reason you know 15 days ahead of time, we have to give the police department notification. We are not asking for any additional information that you would not have to give to the state. All we are saying is give us 15 days before you give here. This Ordinance adds the fact that if an individual chooses to lie to the police about where the sex offender is residing is also a violation.” Councilman Fijewski stated, “This ordinance was initiated and really supported by Councilman Miller, and I think he should be congratulated for his efforts.”
The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Appointment to Weirton Traffic Commission:
Donald Menzter: Removed name from re-appointment
Douglas Branham: 1/1/09-12/31/2012 Motion to approve made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Jones. Councilman Ash stated, “Since we have tabled the actual traffic commission ordinance, I am going to vote against all of them until we make a decision as to what we are going to do with the traffic Commission. I don’t see a need to put people on the Traffic Commission. If we are not going to eliminate it, then the people you have on here, four out of the five are already on the commission.”
The motion carried by majority, 5/1.
Mike Zaltani: 1/1/09-12/31/2012 Motion to approve made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Jones.
The motion carried by majority, 5/1.
Romie Castelli: 1/1/09-12/31/2012 Motion to approve made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Jones.
The motion carried by majority, 5/1.
George Redish: 1/1/09-12/31/2012 Motion to approve made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Marsh.
The motion carried by majority, 5/1.
Shirley Gaudreau: 1/1/09-12/31/2012 Motion to approve made by Councilman Fijewski, second by Councilman Kondik.
The motion carried by majority, 5/1.
Appointment to Planning Commission
John Porco: 1/1/09-12/31/2012 Motion to approve made by Councilman Marsh, second by Councilman Jones.
The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
FIRE DEPARTMENT-
Chief Lashhorn stated he had nothing additional to report.
POLICE DEPARTMENT-
Chief Marshall stated he had nothing additional to report.
WATER DEPARTMENT –
Mr. Mastrantoni stated he had nothing additional to report.
INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT-
Mr. Rosnick stated he had nothing additional to report.
PARKS AND RECREATION-
Mr. Weigel stated that he had spent Thursday and Friday in Morgantown conducting training for certified pool operators, and he was waiting for the results to come back. Mr. Dufour questioned Mr. Weigel about the new federal standards on child safety with regard to drains in pools, asking if the City was in compliance with the standards. Mr. Weigel responded that the City was in compliance. They are still working on the waiting pool at the outdoor pool, and they have until it opens to complete that. Mr. Weigel stated that the renovation work to the exterior of the Millsop Center includes sealing of the stamp concrete, cocking, and sun-shade and all of those items are weather sensitive. Mr. Weigel stated that the weather would need to be in the 50 degree range for a couple of days straight to complete those projects.
LIBRARY-
Mr. Rekowski stated the he had information the library is putting on the web site regarding events they are having for the month of March, and issued a print out for Council outlining the events.
PUBLIC WORKS-
Mr. Brown stated he would be removing all of the snow pile equipment and getting ready for the clean-up. He stated that he has not started the sweeping of the streets. Mr. Brown stated that he had a tentative date set for Spring clean-up but did not want to release that date to the public as of yet.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT-
Mr. Maher stated: General Fund cash report for February 2009:
Beginning Cash Balance: $625,376.52 Interest on Checking: $255.75 Deposits: $1,071,816.91
Draw-downs on Investment: $1,100,000.00 Disbursements: $2,449,350.21 Cash Balance: $348,098.97
Beginning Investment $1,882,653.04 Balance: Interest on Investments: N/A Withdraws: $1.1 million Ending Investment $782,653.04 Balance: Petty Cash: $800.00
Total Cash and Investments $1,131,552.01 Available:
The Mayor called for a motion to approve administrative reports of various departments, and pay any unpaid bills. Motion was made by Councilmember Jones, second by Councilmember Dalrymple.
The motion carried by majority, 6/0.
ADJOURNMENT
The mayor called for a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Councilmember Dalrymple, second by Councilmember Marsh.
With no further business before this March 09, 2009 regular session of the Weirton City Council the meeting was adjourned after the closing prayer.
|