0468 June 16, 2014
Transcript of 0468 June 16, 2014
0468 June 16, 2014
The Common Council of the City of Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia, met
in regular session pursuant to the rules of said Common Council in the Council Chambers at City
Hall in said city on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. The following members of Council were
present: Rich Bringewatt, Wayne Clark, Chet Hines, Sandra McDonald, Ann Paonessa, and
Jonathan Wertman. Mayor Peggy Smith presided and Kiya Tabb, City Clerk, took the minutes of
the meeting. Also present were Dave Mills, City Manager, Tara Hostler, Accounting Manager,
and Lieutenant George Manning of the Charles Town Police Department.
A motion was made by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Hines, and the
Council unanimously voted to dispense with reading of the minutes dated June 2, 2014. A
motion was made by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Hines, and the Council
unanimously voted to approve the minutes dated June 2, 2014, as presented.
Mayor Smith opened the floor for public comment. Bob Shefner of Jefferson County
Community Ministries appeared before the Council to thank the Council for their partnership and
support of the organization. He encouraged Council members to visit Jefferson County
Community Ministries.
Cindy Emmans of Revere Drive appeared before the Council to voice concerns regarding
speed bumps in the Norborne Glebe subdivision. She would like additional information on the
status of the project.
William Byxbee of Revere Drive appeared before the Council to voice concerns
regarding the redistricting of ward lines. Mr. Byxbee would like answers to specific election
questions, including how to file for office.
Keith Veler of Featherstone Drive appeared before the Council to voice concerns
regarding speed bumps in the Norborne Glebe subdivision. He stated that Chief Kutcher stopped
to speak with him and that police presence has been increased in the area. He appreciates that
there is a plan in place to deal with speeders in the subdivision. Mr. Veler is also upset with
comments made by Council members in the last Ordinance Committee meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Smith opened the floor for a presentation by the Discover Downtown Charles
Town Design Committee. Kelly Edwards, Discover Downtown Board Liaison to the Design
Committee, made a presentation to the Council that included short term goals (2014), long term
goals (2015 and beyond), and plans for coordinating efforts between Discover Downtown
Charles Town and the City of Charles Town.
Mayor Smith opened the floor for a Charles Town Tourism update from Ann Fern. Ms.
Fern informed the Council that she has worked on several events to promote the City, to include
the Charles Town Ghost Tours, the Heritage Festival, and the 150111 Birthday of West Virginia.
Ms. Fern is a Certified Tourism Ambassador and has concerns regarding the lack of
communication regarding events and opportunities to promote tourism in Charles Town. Ms.
Fern would like Charles Town to be a feature in the Journey Through Hallowed Ground
program.
Mayor Smith opened the floor for the Windmill Crossing Bond Release Request. The
City Engineer on this project has recommended against a full release of the bond and
recommended a retainage of $15,000 until all required improvements are inspected and
approved. A motion was made by Councilwoman Paonessa, seconded by Councilwoman
McDonald, and the Council unanimously voted to recommend releasing the bond but retaining
$15,000 until all required improvements are inspected and approved by the City Engineer.
Mayor Smith opened the floor for Special Activity Permit 1418: 4111 of July 5K Race.
Asbury United Methodist Church has requested approval of this event to benefit Meals on
Wheels. A motion was made by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilman Wertman, and
upon discussion, the Council unanimously voted to deny Special Activity Permit unless
volunteers for the event or the Sheriff's Deputy Reserves are able to assist with street closures.
The Council asked Lieutenant Manning to contact the Deputy Reserves and Asbury United
Methodist Church.
APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Smith opened the floor for an appointment of a representative to the Partnership
for Affordable Housing. This item was tabled until after the next Partnership for Affordable
Housing meeting, in order to better determine the needs of the Partnership as they relate to a
Charles Town Council representative.
A motion was made by Councilman Clark, seconded by Councilwoman
McDonald, and the Council unanimously voted to approve the bills as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Smith opened the floor for the Village at Samuel Station Bond Reduction Request.
The property owner has requested that the current bond of $235,891.96 be reduced to
$108,154.80. The City Engineer has reviewed the request and visited the site. The Planning
Commission has recommended that the request be approved contingent upon a valid DEP permit
being obtained. A motion was made by Councilwoman Paonessa, seconded by Councilman
Clark, and the Council unanimously voted to approve the Village at Samuel Station Bond
Reduction Request to $108,154.80, contingent upon a valid DEP permit being obtained.
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Q 4 7 Q MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS
Mayor Smith informed the Council that she has participated in the Mayor' s Maker
Challenge by the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities and that she received an
invitation from the White House to attend the White House Makers Faire. She will be
going to Washington, DC on June 18 to participate with 20 other mayors from around the
country. Mayor Smith will also be attending a luncheon on June 19 at American Public
University where Senator Manchin will be speaking.
Councilman Clark, Ward II, informed the board that one of the burned houses in
Huntfield has been demolished, but no action has been taken on the second house to date.
Councilman Clark also informed the Council that the Ordinance Committee met on June
4 and that he will be attending the next Finance Committee meeting to address any
outstanding questions regarding the Fayade Improvement Program. The Charles Town
event policy and the redistricting project have been tabled until the next Ordinance
Committee meeting in order to gather further information.
Councilman Bringewatt, Ward IV, informed the Council that Saturday, June 7
was the Electric Sociability Run - the 100th anniversary of a gathering of electric car
drivers. The group gathered at American Public University. They enjoyed visiting
Charles Town and this may be an annual event for the group. Councilman Bringewatt
also informed the Council that he took the John Brown history tour and that the Park
Service is doing a great job with the tour.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Mr. Mills informed the Council that he has been attending lots of meetings and is
still assessing the City 's progress in major areas. Three key areas that he and staff will be
working on are personnel issues, maintenance, and communication. There are several
vacant positions on City staff. Accounts Management will be relocating, but job sharing
remotely to maintain some continuity. The Planner I and Building Inspector/Code
Enforcement Official positions will be rehired. Applications are currently being received
for the full-time maintenance position and there has been a good response to the on-call
position posting. Interconnectivity, reporting to Council, and website communication will
all improve and there will be a better streamlining of meetings and meeting notifications.
The City staff will also be putting a system in place to help Committees to track item
progress.
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT
Lieutenant Manning distributed statistics for the month of May and informed the Council
that patrols have been increased in subdivisions in response to complaints regarding speeding.
Chief Kutcher has provided the Council with a memo regarding the CAD system and technology
upgrades.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT
Councilwoman Paonessa informed the Council that the Personnel Committee met to
discuss personnel and staffing issues and the current hiring process. Meritorious pay was
awarded to employees Tara Hostler, Valerie Campbell, and Danielle Slusher.
With no further business pending, a motion was made by Councilman Clark, seconded by
Councilwoman Paonessa, and the Council unanimously voted to adjourn at 8:53 p.m.
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