Meetings

Town of West Union REGULAR MEETING

August 10, 2020

Lions Club Building, West Union, WV 26456

   Meeting was called to order by Mayor James D. Friend @ 6:02 PM.  

   Present:  Mayor James Friend, Council Members:  E. John Barker, Mark Younkin, Myla Thorpe, and Colby Jett. Recorder:  Melody Gray.  Amberly Taylor, City Clerk, Robin Valentine, Office assistant, Douglas Cox,    Water & Sewer, Chris Garner, City Police Department

   Guests:  Sheena Hunt, David K., Eric Coberly, Delores Hinterer, Jennifer Wilt, Cathy Trent, David King, Patricia Harris, Sherry Harris, Jim and Rose Musgrave

   Prayer:  A moment of silence was observed.

   Pledge:  Led by Mayor Friend.  

   Approval of Minutes – July Regular Meeting: Mark Younkin made a motion to approve the July minutes.  Colby Jett seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.   

   Approval of Invoices:  Mark Younkin made a motion to approve the invoices.  Myla Thorpe seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.  

   Police Report:  Chris Garner gave the police report. 42 to 68 incidents.  There were 3 arrests.  The new Police Cruiser is on the road.  Officer Smith is at the Police Academy.  We received the Body Cams.    

   Public Comment:  Jim Musgrave – There are a lot of Fire Hydrants that are painted black.  The black Hydrants are non-working ones.  Mr. Musgrave asked if there is a schedule for getting fixed.  As they are fixed they will get them repainted.  There isn’t a schedule. 

   Patricia Harris – Community doing around the 3rd week of September a show of support for Police.  Purchased flag and asked Council to put them up on the Main Street.  Would like Council approval.  

   Delegations: 

   Region VI – Sheena Hunt:  Ms. Hunt has nothing to report on as of now. 

New Business:

   Robert Fetty – Paving:  Not present

   David King – Removing Cross St:  He was there representing the County Commission.  They would like Cross Street removed.  They are working with Thrashers to remove or relocate for the Parking lot at the New Court House annex. Mark Younkin made a motion to get with the Attorney to see if that is allowed to be done.  Colby Jett seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

   DCPSD – Phase 1 – Sunnyside:  Council has some concerns with this proposal.  A test was run and it is showing no problems in the Hughes River water.  They would like to know what they need to do.  Eric – Engineer – Talked about having 10000 feet of line that goes to the Jehovah Building.  Then wanting to connect to West Union to Oxford.  Doug Cox said the PSC has to approve this.  It cost the current customers around $500,000 to put that line in.  The Mayor said there is a landfill with radioactive material in it.  This can be absorbed in the water.  The Mayor is not in favor of this.  Doug Cox said we wouldn’t be able to get money to build bigger facilities for Water and Sewer.  We need to make sure we aren’t taking away from the customers.  Mark Younkin made a motion to table.  John Barker seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.  Myla said County Commission set the line to PSD.    

   Jail Water and/or Sewer – Engineering selection:  The CEC was the company that won the bid.  Myla made a motion to approve using CEC.  John Barker seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.  Sheen Hunt will go ahead and send the letter out to them tomorrow.  

   Sealed bid for Crown VIC:  After checking all the bids, Mark Younkin made a motion to refuse the bids.  John Barker seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

     Old Business:    

   B & O Tax – discussion:  The committee decided to adopt Salem, WV’s B&O Tax.  The Town must have an open meeting and post in newspapers.  Myla Thorpe made a motion to hold a Public Meeting August 24th @ 6:00 PM.  Mark Younkin seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

Employee:

   Robert Harris – 90 days end – full time/pay raise:  

   Myla Thorpe made a motion to go into Executive Session @ 6:49 PM.  John Barker seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.  

   Mark Younkin made a motion to come out of Executive Session @ 6:57 PM.  Colby Jett seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.  

   Robert Harris:  After a discussion Myla made a motion to give Robert Harris another 30 days before deciding to make him full time.  Mark Younkin seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

   John Barker made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Colby Jett seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.

Meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM.