| Town of Grantsville
Council Meeting,
December 1, 2003,
7:00 p.m.
Agenda:
Call to Order
Reading of Minutes
Guest Speakers
Comments/Request/Grievances of Citizens/Committees
Mayor's Report
Recorder's Report
Report from Council/Committees
Old Business:
Frank Venezia's proposal regarding the town hall;
Third & final reading of amended ordinance Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 1-7.
New Business:
Recorder Wease - Free parking in town for the month of December.
Payment of Bills
GRANTSVILLE COUNCIL MEETING: Minutes From Nov. 3, 2003:
Present:
Mayor: F. Neil Blankenship;
Recorder: Phelma J. Wease;
Council Members: Keith Smith, Loretta Stevens, Charles Whipkey, and Mike Wilson;
City Attorney: Kevin Postalwaite
Absent:
Council Member Bonnie Brown
Others Present:
JoAnn Shock - Thurman Brown - Gaylean Dusky - Nancy & J. J. Breamer - Helen Hamilton - Diane Ludwig of Little Kanawha Development Authority - Fred Radar of Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council - Marguerite Bassnet - Phyllis Maze - Joyce Underwood - Doug & Cheryl Davis - Kenny Whystell - Robert Marks - Leonard & Judy Powel - Jeanette Kyer - Helen Jordon - Peg Schmitz - Jim & Helen Morris - Rhonda Wilson, Darlene Wilkson - Jean Curry - Charles McCroskey - Warren Bassett - Frank Venezia - Bob Groves - Rick Postalwaite - Pam Davis, employee - Lisa Minney, Calhoun Chronicle Reporter - Bob Weaver, Hur Herald Editor/Reporter.
The Grantsville Town Council held their regular monthly meeting in the little courtroom of the Calhoun County Courthouse. Mayor Neil Blankenship called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Reading/Approval of the Minutes
Mayor Blankenship asked for a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Keith Smith made a motion to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by Loretta Stevens. Motion carried unanimously.
Guest Speakers:
Mayor Blankenship introduced Frank Venezia:
Mr. Venezia presented a proposal for an exploratory group to explore various options regarding the Town Hall; building a new one where the one presently stands. He stated the resolution presented to the council to explore all options and place the town hall on high priority was a brave idea that needed to be done, and he commended the council for taking that step. He would like the authority from the council to form a group that would do the following:
Explore sources of money. Obviously, if the new town hall is built where the present one stands, it will cost a lot of money. Based on conversations with Delegate Stemple and others, he thinks there is government money for this; federal, state, and private monies. He would offer in conjunction with the city attorney, the mayor, or whoever the town council selects to put his law office and his staff to use to the town for free. He would help write a grant or help Lynn Gilbert to write a grant. Any typing that needed done, he would do it to make it look professional. He stated Lynn Gilbert is a professional grant reviewer. Jim Morris has volunteer to make presentations to various foundations for monies; this would be the first prong. Then the second prong would be to work with Del. Stemple and Senators Edgel and Kessler to see what is available from the state for monies. Del. Stemple is willing to take Mayor Blankenship or anyone else to Charleston to meet with members of the legislature to put a human face on for Grantsville. The group will then report to the council on what funding is available, this is what the conditions will be, this is what they offer, this is what we can do with the money, and then the council can say yes or no. If council likes the plan and they say yes to it, Jim Morris has offer to provide office space for the town offices rent free for two (2) years. The council will also be provided copies of the surveys so they will be available to the council. If council agrees to go ahead with serious remodeling or the new construction of a town hall, the group would be willing to demolish, if that is the council's decision, the old town hall and erect a new one for free. This is basically the proposal and would like the council to give the authority to do this and provide those things to the council and see if something can be developed that will make sense for everyone. This would be a jump start to any effort that was necessary to provide a plan based on that option and to provide serious money to build quarters that are spacious enough, big enough, and high enough quality that the council and town can have something they can be proud of. What Mr. Venezia and his group is offering in exchange for the authority to form a exploratory group is: free research, free review of funding sources, free grant writing, free clerical staff, free quarters, free demolition, and authorization for the group to return to the council with a proposal to vote on.
Mr. Venezia asked if there were any questions.
Charles McCroskey stated this was a good idea, however, before you see how much money you can get, a study should be made on what you want and how much it will cost so you know how much money is needed to see if it is available. A plan is needed for the demolition, filling in, and the construction of the type of building that is wanted so the cost will be available when the request for funding is presented. Mr. Venezia agreed with Mr. McCroskey, and stated before any commitment is made, a hypothetical model should be made based on the least amount of office space now with a midrange type of structure then go to the legislature, and if they say it's too much, then it can be scaled back. Mr. McCroskey stated office space was needed, and knowing the street department, sewer department, water department, and police department, a one car stall garage was needed as well. Mr. Venezia said he would like to have
have someone like Mr. McCroskey on the committee who knows what is going on and this is what is needed, and go for the best, then if they have back off a bit, they can. Mr. McCroskey wondered how someone would volunteer to do the demolition and the rest, but he reiterated before they go after the money, they should know how much money is needed. Mr. Venezia agreed with that.
Recorder Wease stated in the demolition process, besides the office building, there are two above ground holding tanks, one underground tank, and a concrete pond that holds water as well, an idea was needed on the cost on the removal of the tanks as well. When the water plant was in the office building, the tanks were used then. Mr. Venezia agreed that this was a suggestion and all this will be included in the cost as well. Ms. Wease further stated with sewer and water lines running through the property, the employees of the sewer and water departments should be talked to as well. She also stated that the council, city employees, and the residents of the town should have input on what the office building should look like. Mr. Venezia agreed and added that this is the general idea and ask for funding, and if the funding is there, then the employees, residents, and council will decide on what they need.
Gaylean Dusky stated when demolition is started, the possibility of asbestos in the building should be checked into due to liability.
Fred Rader stated several years ago A & E Associates did a preliminary plan for a town hall that is available. It is a very basic structure and was proposed to be placed on the town's parking lot, because at that time it was believed the town would have to pay for this themselves. A & E were the engineers for the new water plant and were ask to do this, which they did at no cost to the town. This is a starting place. Mr. Venezia asked where they were and for their address. Mr. Rader and Recorder Wease both have the address. Mr. Rader stated the second thing that should be done is to decide to go with that plan or look at other options and hire an architect engineer according to state code provisions and write the contract so that they provide the preliminary services at no cost. The third thing Mr. Rader suggested was to set up a committee of public, public officials, and employees to work with the firm in developing a plan the way everyone would want it. Mr. Rader remarked the only other two public building in recent years he knew about were Ripley's new town hall and Spencer's new town hall. Both are extensive structures, more than what Grantsville will need, but in both cases they had to borrow substantial amount of money for the buildings. Spencer was able to get some grant money and build their building to receive rent revenue from Dept. of Motor Vehicles to help pay the loan and Ripley has a large loan payment. Mr. Radar said his experience over the years is that most funding agencies (state, federal, foundations) do not place a high priority on town hall buildings because they believe it is the local community responsibility. The other side is, if they fund one, they will have to fund all. The Legislative Digest is the one place where we can get funding, and this is what Spencer did, they received $200,000 toward a $2 million construction.
Diane Ludwig stated when the council was discussing a new town hall in earlier meetings, she contacted both Ripley and Spencer to see what the dollar figures were. Spencer's new town hall cost $1.3 million, and Senator Craigo was able to obtain $200,000 which is only 15% of the money, and the rest comes from the rent income and other town's revenues. The one in Ripley that will be finished next summer will cost $1.8 million, they borrowed money from a bonded company that deals with municipalities and this company is building the structure, and Ripley makes the payments to this company. Their monthly payments are $10,000 a month for 25 years, which equals to $3.8 million. There is no grant money or income. When there were two resignations, they eliminated those positions because they felt the salaries and benefits contributed certain amount of money towards the payments as well as their garbage fees, sewer, water and general fund. Discussion followed concerning the city buildings in Ripley and Spencer.
Charles McCroskey stated to let the public know what is being done so they will understand. Gaylean Duskey feels the present administration is open minded about the open meeting laws, and feels the public will receive all their information from the local media.
Judy Powell asked if the committee that will be set up be able to discuss things with open minds. Mr. Venezia replied it would be people who are interested in communicating with Charleston and with the federal level and working for public grants, then maybe more people can be added. Mrs. Powell asked who would decide this committee. Mr. Venezia state it would be up to the council, he is only offering his services. Mrs. Powell then asked how many people are now on the committee. Mr. Venezia replied that at this moment it is the mayor and Lynn Gilbert, then more people who are interested can be added. Mrs. Powell asked if this committee doesn't agree on everything then what. Mr. Venezia said this committee would be exploratory only, and will report to the council about available funding, then go from there. Mrs. Powell reminded him that in his proposal everything will be free, she said nothing is free. Mr. Venezia stated that the people he has talked to are willing to do this for free. Charles McCroskey stated the word should have been "donated".
Gaylen Dusky mentioned that people had donated their labor on the Athletic Complex at the new middle/high school was probably worth about $1 million, and people are good hearted and willing to put their shoulder to the wheel do that kind of work, it can be free.
Mr. Venezia stated that he has secretaries and computers in his office, and he is willing to donate his time and staff to write grants, Lynn Gilbert feels the same way about reviewing, and Jim Morris feels the same way about donating certain things that he has access to. This is a start to start the project rolling.
Mayor Blankenship asked if there were any more questions. There were none.
Comments/Request/Grievances of Citizens/Committees
Mayor Blankenship stated he made a mistake concerning the employees pay raise. He stated the raises were to take effect the first of July according to the ordinances and will be placed it on December agenda if it is legal. He stated anyone who would like to be place on the agenda to let him know by the Monday prior to the council meeting, that way it will be put in the paper so everyone will know what it going on.
Mayor Blankenship asked people to raise their hands and state their name if he doesn't know who they are. He reminded them if they want action, they will be placed on the December agenda. The mayor then opened the floor to the citizens .
Gaylen Duskey was recognized. He reported the street light on Elizabeth Street, behind First Baptist Church was out. Pam Davis stated she needed the number that is on the pole, then she can call the electric company to have the light replace.
The floor was turn over to Jeanette Kyer. She asked about her water bill at the house she is moving into. She stated she paid $112 deposit and today received a bill for $28.00 which she feels she does not owe since she has not moved into the house yet. Mayor Blankenship asked Pam Davis to explain. Pam stated this was for the minimum charge. Ms. Kyer stated she has not moved in the house. Pam understood that she was moving into the house in October, but if Ms. Kyer has not moved in, the bill can be taken care of.
Mayor Blankenship recognized Cheryl Davis. Mrs. Davis asked if the mayor had heard from the State Road about the storm drain on Mill Street. Mayor Blankenship stated he talks to them once a week about it, and to bear with them. Mrs. Davis asked if he has learned who owns the gas line running through the drain. The mayor replied he has not been able to find out who owns it, and was told it is a dead line. Mrs. Davis brought up about the water flowing into their yard. Council Member Wilson suggested the mayor speak to Eric Webb concerning that. Mike said Eric has an idea that might alleviate the Davis' problem.
Joyce Underwood was recognized and asked about fixing Calhoun Street. She stated there are deep pot holes and cars are being torn up. She said she and her neighbors feel the street should be passable and would like to donate money and time to repair it. Mayor Blankenship stated when the next load of asphalt comes in, it will be used to repair Calhoun Street in about two weeks. He stated he has received donations for street repair, and reminded those present, if they would like to donate money, please make out a check.
Council Member Stevens stated Pell Street needed to work on as well and pointed out the problems. The mayor stated he would check into it and see what needs to be done.
Robert Marks was recognized. He stated someone had thrown a Jack-o-Lantern over the river bank on a neighbor's property. This will be taken care of.
Mayor's Report
Mayor Blankenship reported that Halloween night was good.
Billy Houchin donated a backhoe for work to be done, and Eddie Cain also donated a backhoe and dump truck as well.
Recorder's Report
Recorder Wease presented the financial reports to the council prior to the meeting. The checking account reports are attached herewith the minutes. She reported the State Auditor's office authorized and approved the budget revision (council received copy of the approval).
Report from Council/Committees
Diane Ludwig asked when the next work Saturday would be. She is willing to volunteer her time. After discussion it was decided the work day would be held Saturday, November 8 from 8 am to 12 noon.
JoAnn Shock asked about the Shaffer house at the end of Main Street. Mayor Blankenship stated he spoke to owner of the house, and a neighbor is wanting to buy it. The mayor is hoping to get them together so a price can be worked out.
Old Business
The mayor then read Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 2-1 Time and Place of Regular Meetings; Notice Thereof.
After the reading, Keith Smith made a motion to accept the final reading of the ordinance; seconded by Charles Whipkey. Motion carried unanimously. (copy is attached herewith the minutes)
Mayor Blankenship then read Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 1-7 General penalty; continuing violations for the second amended reading.
After the reading, Loretta Stevens made a motion to accept the second amended reading of the ordinance; seconded by Keith Smith. Motion carried unanimously. (copy is attached herewith the minutes)
Payment of Bills
The mayor asked for a motion to pay bills. Mike Wilson made a motion to pay bills; seconded by Charles Whipkey. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
The mayor asked for adjournment. Keith Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Loretta Stevens. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
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