WEIRTON CITY COUNCIL

COUNCIL MEETING - REGULAR

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 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, June 8, 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- Absent

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

Kevin Board Sanitary/Water

Bruce Marshall Police Chief

Rik Rekowski Library Director

Thomas Maher, Jr. Finance Director

Terry Weigel Parks and Recreation Director

John Serafini Inspections

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:

May 11, 2009 –Regular Council Meeting

The motion carried by majority, 5/0.

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

May 27, 2009-Special Council Meeting

The motion carried by majority, 4/0/1 with Councilmember Fijewski abstaining.

MAYOR’S AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor Harris stated that there were four awards. Four individuals from Weir High School were honored for winning the 4x4 relay at the West Virginia State track and field competition in Charleston, West Virginia.

COMMUNICATIONS

Councilman Fijewski stated that council has gotten together to form a task force to review the current committees, boards, or commissions. The last time we checked we had 24. The Mayor has appointed three of us to do that, and we are scheduled to meet this Thursday. I hope to bring to council some recommendations. Councilman Fijewski stated that he would like to express his thanks to Senator Bowman for the beautification project that has been completed coming from Pennsylvania in to Weirton on both of the exits. Councilman Fijewski stated that he would like to personally thank John Greco for adopting the park on Colliers Way.

Vince Guerra presented a check in the amount of $500 to the Chief of police.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Ms. Ila Ross

Re: Rental Property/Neighbor

Ms. Ross stated, “My concerns are landlords not keeping their rental properties clean. We have had a lot of problems with drugs in our neighborhood. Many of the elderly people are scared because of the drug problem. I looked up what I could do about noisy people in the neighborhood and it led me to hearing about landlords being held liable. I came to support that because it is just a shame of what’s going on. We want to sell our house, and I am never going to get the money out I want to get out of house because of the house next door to me. It’s been a problem for four years. I did call the City a while back about the mess and they came up and looked at it and nothing was ever done. I have pictures of how bad it looks. I discussed with the landlord my concerns and problems, and he basically blew me off. I went and investigated on the internet what my rights are.”

Ms. Sharon Shushok

RE: Rental Property

Ms. Shushok stated, “I am here as a property owner because we have lived at the property for 38 years. In the last five years we have noticed how bad our street has become. The police are coming and doing their job but it still continues. Things get stolen off of your porch at night. It is the houses at the other end of the street where we have had raids. Our neighborhood is an old neighborhood and it never used to be like this. I want to know what else we can do.”

Ms. Denise Troia

RE: Yellow Line Parking

Ms. Troia stated, “I am here today to protest the yellow line on South 24^th Street. We had no knowledge of any complaints of parked cars. The cars that were causing the problem belonged to the new home owner. No one of the city informed us that there was a problem with the parked cars. I asked the new home owners to move their vehicles and they did so. Since then no one has parked their cars there. I am here today to ask that the proposed area from where we park our truck to the alley be painted yellow. I have no problem with that. That gives people coming up from Helen Street a clear view. The area I am concerned about is a cement pad where we park our truck. Without that line there we will be unable to park our truck. I am asking that the proposed Ordinance be sent back to the traffic commission for consideration so that I can speak on my behalf to request an alternative solution. Both the mayor and the councilman knew about my request about meeting with the traffic commission and my requests were ignored.”

Ms. Jolynn Mark

RE: Neglected Property

Ms. Mark stated, “I am here regarding my neighbor who does not maintain his bushes between my house and his house. I have gone through several steps to try to get this resolved without having to come to the meeting. I have spoken with Mr. Green who is the property owner when he moved in. He had told me several times that he was going to maintain his property. I have spoken with Councilman Kondik several times as well as called the City Building and no one has done anything. I just don’t know where to go from here. I am thinking about selling my house over the summer and no one is going to buy my property with this guy’s bushes hanging over my property. The bushes come up over to the second story of my house.”

Mr. Joe Stankiewicz

RE: Good News

Mr. Stankiewicz stated, “I want to give you a little good news. In the three weeks we have had three things going on the city, starting with Max’s thing. The hall of fame was a super sell out. The luau was a huge success. The festival of nations was a big success. This is something that a couple of years ago you would have never thought would happen in this town. Now, none of these things were perfect because we just don’t have the facilities right now. That is something to think about. The town is starting to realize that Weirton Steel is dead. It is time for us to pick ourselves up off of the dirt.”

Mr. Dan Costello

RE: Landlords

Mr. Costello stated, “I come down here to discuss the Disruptive Ordinance. I would ask that you tell the exact changes that you have made to the Ordinance. I would ask that since this is considered reading and you made changes to it. I would ask that this be the first reading so that the constituents to be able to review it and that you table it at this moment and bring it up and do a second motion later on.”

Mr. Mike Guisto

RE: Landlords

Mr. Guisto stated, “I turned 3419 Elm Street in to inspections. I was mowing my grass the other day so I know how high it is. I was told that is was owned by the bank. The houses that the City tore down the lots have grown up. I addressed the councilman about the speed on Greenbrier. There are no speed signs on that street. It is getting carried away.”

Mr. Bobby Pendergrass

RE: Landlords

Mr. Pendergrass stated, “After the last council meeting, I did a little bit of thinking. I joined the landlord’s organization. When I started seeing these ordinances that you are putting up, don’t you think you should talk to the people before you did anything else? We are living in a recession. So we can put fees on people all we want. Nobody is going to get paid and you are not going to put them in jail. So maybe we need to do it a little kinder. We are losing people. We need to try to get together in this town. You need to get together with the landlords. All of the landlords should have been on board before the article came out. Sometimes you can talk it out. Everything does not need to be a battle.”

Mr. David Obeldobel

RE: Disruptive Activity Ordinance

Mr. Obeldobel stated, “This ordinance that you are passing, I would like to read the amendments. The park on Marland Heights is dark. There is vandalism. You paved the tennis courts and never paved the lines over it.”

Mr. Ralph Barone

RE: Landlords

Mr. Barone stated, “I am here on the disruptive ordinance. I have not seen the changes. I want to comment on Vince Guerra’s comments saying whoever gets the citation is responsible. Again I tried to straighten it out where if you read the ordinance it says that the landlord is at fault and you say owner. The tenant lives in a house owned by somebody so how are we actually defining owner. I’d like to have a clearance on how you’re going to say owners or tenants or occupants. I think the ordinance is to vague for that.”

Mr. John Brancazio

RE: Landlords

Mr. Brancazio stated, “We are as landlords forming a chapter of the West Virginia landlord association. It’s good to see we are pulling together as a group. As you can see there are other problems in the City other than the fourth ward. I have some drug activity that I know of that I have called about and had no response on Weirton Heights. Should I call the police or 911 every time?”

The Mayor stated that you should call 911 for any issue that he may have.

OLD BUSINESS

Second reading of Ordinance No. 1639 the Disruptive Activity Ordinance. (Councilman Dalrymple)

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Second reading of Ordinance No. 1640 Amendment No. 723 to rescind Ordinance No. 1584, Amendment No. 686 of the Traffic Control Map which established a handicapped parking space at 3120 Orchard Street. (Councilman Ash)

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Second reading of Ordinance No. 1643 Amendment No. 724 to amend Ordinance No. 1588, Amendment No. 688 of the Traffic Control Map which established one-sided street parking on the 3700 block of Marlamont Way for a three-month trial basis and enforce permanent one-sided street parking. (Councilman Kondik)

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Second reading of Ordinance No. 1644 Criminal Conspiracy Ordinance.

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

NEW BUSINESS

Ordinance to establish one-sided street parking on the 3800 block of Marlamont Way on a trial basis only for a three month duration on the east side of the street on Tuesday mornings between the hours of 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. (Councilman Kondik)

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Ordinance to establish a yellow no parking zone on South 24^th Street on the left (East) side going south beginning at the alley in the 500 block and extending 47 feet beyond the alley in the 700 block. (Traffic Commission Recommendation. Based upon a request by Councilman Dalrymple)

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

Motion was made to table request by Councilman Dalrymple, second by Councilman Ash.

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Resolution to enter into contract for the purchase of uniforms for the City of Weirton Public Works Department employees. (City Manager)

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Resolution to place liens against real properties for costs incurred in demolition of unsafe properties pursuant to Ordinance 250

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Resolution to mandate water board and appointed members of committee to investigate and report to Council on the viability of forming and participating in a regional water authority. (Councilman Marsh)

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

Councilman Marsh stated that the Mayor makes one appointment, the City manager, as well as the water board members will make up the regional water authority.

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Resolution to authorize revisions to the 2008-2009 fiscal year general fund budget.

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

Councilman Ash Yes

Councilman Marsh Yes

Councilman Dalrymple Yes

Councilman Fijewski Yes

Councilman Kondik Yes

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Ordinance to extend yellow no parking on Owings Street on the right (East) side going north an additional 52 feet. (Councilman Jones)

Motion was made by Councilman Fijewski for an emergency reading, second by Councilman Dalrymple.

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Resolution to authorize contribution to the Weirton Area Community Foundation to support Wheeling symphony live concert. (City Manager)

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

Resolution to authorize renewal of dental insurance benefits for eligible City employees. (City Manager)

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

The motion passed by majority, 5/0.

APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

FIRE DEPARTMENT-

Chief Lashhorn stated that he had nothing further to add.

POLICE DEPARTMENT-

Chief Marshall stated that he had nothing further to add.

UTILITIES –

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

LIBRARY-

Mr. Rekowski stated that he had nothing further to report.

INSPECTIONS-

Mr. Serafini stated that he had nothing further to report.

PARKS AND RECREATION-

Mr. Weigel stated that it was very busy for the month of May. They did get a video camera installed at Marland Heights park. They do have plans to inspect the tennis courts and burned out lights at the park.

PUBLIC WORKS-

Mr. Brown stated that he would like to thank council and that they were able to get three streets done today and three streets done this week. Mr. Brown stated that there were stress fractures on Putnam Lane. He is waiting for quotes regarding Lee Avenue bridge.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT-

Mr. Maher stated:

General Fund cash report for May 2009:

Beginning Cash Balance: $844,807.34

Interest on Checking: $522.28

Deposits: $1,156,023.27

Draw-downs on Investment: N/A

Disbursements: $1,092,817.23

Cash Balance: $908,535.66

Beginning Investment $782,692.83

Balance: N/A

Interest on Investments: $20.51

Withdraws: $1.1 million

Ending Investment $782,713.34

Balance:

Petty Cash: $800.00

Total Cash and Investments $1,692.49

Available:

The Mayor called for a motion to approve administrative reports of various departments, and pay any unpaid bills.

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

The motion carried by majority, 5/0.

ADJOURNMENT

The mayor called for a motion to adjourn.

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

With no further business before this June 8, 2009 regular session of the Weirton City Council the meeting was adjourned after the closing prayer.