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.

0469

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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