July 13, 2020
Lions Club Building, West Union, WV 26456
Meeting was called to order by Mayor James D. Friend @ 6:06PM.
Present: Mayor James Friend, Council Members: E. John Barker, Mark Younkin, Myla Thorpe, Recorder: Amberly Taylor, City Clerk, Robin Valentine, City part-time assistant, Douglas Cox, Water and Sewer, Chris Garner, City Police Department.
Guests: Sheena Hunt, Lindsey Ferguson, Jason Heflin, Ryan Harris, Dale Michels, Robert Tayler
Prayer: A moment pf Silence was observed.
Pledge: Led by Mayor Friend.
Approval of Minutes: June Regular Minutes: Myla Thorpe said she voted against the motion to approve the first reading of the Nuisance Ordinance. Mark Younkin made the motion to approve the minutes with the correction on the minutes. Myla Thorpe seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. June Special Meeting: Mark Younkin approved the minutes. Myla Thorpe seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Approval of Invoices: Mark Younkin made a motion to approve the in voices. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Police Report: Chris Garner gave a report from the 911 Center. There were 20 incidents. 137 Sheriff calls. 36 State Police. City Police issued 33 citations between 6/8/20 and 7/13/20.
Public Comment: Dale Michels was there to thank the Town for all the work they have been doing fixing the problems around Town.
Robert Tayler was there to ask the Town to rebill his water and turn it back on. He read the letter he had written to the Town about a leak and turning his water off. There was a discussion on the water leak and the responsibility.
Delegations: Region VI – Sheena Hunt : Requisition # 38. The total payment for Requisition # 38 is $118.56. Burgess and Nipple: $512.00. Region VI: $606.56. Mark Younkin made the motion to approve paying Requisition #38 John Barker second the motion. Unanimous approval. Sheena said the have so far six firms that have applied for Engineer for the Water and Sewer projects. Have a couple of more that they have spoken too that may apply.
New Business: Police Cruiser – Harrisville: Chris Garner and Brandon
Smith went to Harrisville to look at Harrisville’s City’s police cruiser. It is a 2015 Ford Taurus. The old cruiser is costing the Town a lot in repairs. Harrisville’s cruiser is in good shape. It I already painted and detailed. Would only have to put West Union on the outside. Mark Younkin asked about selling the Crown Vic we have. Said the Crown Vic could be sold. Myla Thorpe asked about if we had the money to pay for the new cruiser. Amberly said yes. Selling the Crown Vic will help in offsetting the cost. The Mayor suggested we add a note in the ad for bidding that the Town has the right to refuse the bid. Mark Younkin made a motion to proceed in the purchase of the 2015 cruiser. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Boot Allowance $100.00—for all water and waste water employees: Myla Thorpe asked to put this on the agenda. The Town would like to reimburse the employee up to $100 on their boots. This would help the employee to maybe want to stay an employee with the Town. Myla Thorpe made the motion to approve the Boot Allowance. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Dental and Vision insurance for all employees: This would cost the Town $1200 a month. Only full-time employees would receive this benefit. This would be at no cost to the employees. Mark Younkin made the motion to approve the dental and vision insurance for all full-time employees. Myla Thorpe seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Old Business — Lindsey Ferguson — WVU Community Development Program: Ms. Ferguson was here in February to talk about the WVU Community Development Program. They would need the City’s approval for them to work on this. Council thinks this is a good idea. Myla Thorpe made the motion to approve working with the Development Program. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Nuisance Ordinance – Review/2nd reading – Has been posted for the Town residents to see. Yes it has. Mark Younkin made the motion to approve the reading. John seconded the motion. Mark and John voted yes. Myla voted no. Motion carried.
B & O Tax Ordinance – Set Public Hearing: The Council needs to set a public hearing on the B & O Tax. After discussion on this, Myla made a motion to set a date for a Public Hearing. Mark Younkin seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Employee:
Mark Younkin made a motion to go into Executive Session @ 6:45PM. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Myla Thorpe made the motion to come out of Executive Session @ 7:10PM. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Chief of Police Pay Raise: Mark Younkin made the motion to table the pay raise. John seconded the motion. Mark and John voted for. Myla voted against, Motion carried.
Chief of Police P Card: Myla Thorpe made a motion to approving giving Chris Garner a P-Card. Mark Younkin seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Ricky Leggett Pay Raise: Myla Thorpe made the motion to raise Ricky Leggett pay to $12.75/hr. Mark Younkin seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Robin Valentine—Full Time: Mark Younkin made a motion to make Robin a full-time employee. Myla Thorpe seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Mark Younkin made a motion to adjourn the meeting. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.