Meetings

Town Of West Union

REGULAR MEETING

September 14, 2020

Lions Club Building, West Union, WV 26456

 Meeting was called to order by Mayor James D. Friend @ 6:00 PM.  

   Present:  Mayor James Friend, Council Members:  Glenn Stout, Myla Thorpe, and Colby Jett. Recorder:  Melody Gray.  Amberly Taylor, City Clerk, Douglas Cox, Water & Sewer, Chris Garner, City Police Chief

   Guests:  Sheena Hunt, Patricia Harris, Christian Marsh, United Way, Brad Riffee, United Way, Jim and Rose Musgrave, William Trent II

    Prayer:  A moment of silence was observed.

   Pledge:  Led by Mayor Friend.  

   Approval of Minutes: Myla Thorpe made a motion to approve the August minutes.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.   

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

   Police Report:  Chris Garner gave the police report. 71 calls and 51 were traffic stops. On September 4th they made the biggest Meth house in West Union.  There were 3 arrests.  Myla Thorpe had a question on the speeding tickets and who was writing them.  Chris explained that Brandon is allowed to write them as long as one of the others are there with him.  Brandon is in week 4 of his training.     

   Public Comment:  Jim Musgrave – Asked if there was any progress on repairing the fire hydrants that are nonworking. Mayor explained that the repairs and replacing is very expensive.  $2500 for replacing the hydrant. Financially the Town can’t do that as of now.  There is a Zoom class on repairing the hydrants.  The Town hopes to have a few of the workers take the class.  Mr. Musgrave asked if there was a way to get contractors in to fix them. Mayor again said to being able to financially do that.  His second question was about the Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade and fair.  We will have to wait to see what we will be allowed or not allowed to do by that time. Patricia Harris asked if there is a grant out there available to help with the repairs of hydrants.  Mayor and Ms. Harris discussed the mowing/ditch on Blockhouse.  

Delegations: 

Region VI – Sheena Hunt:  Had draw down # 39 to be approved.  Myla Thorpe made a motion to approve Requisition #39.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

New Business:

Robert Fetty – Paving:  Not present

Business License – Slicks Car Wash/Laundry Mat:  He has been in business since 2009.  He sent in his business license paperwork.  The Town wouldn’t except his check for the business license.  They Mayor said a lot of things we excepted in the past on the good old buddy concept.  It was accepted last year but not this year.  Mr. Trent said he operates 16 Washing machines and 4 Dryers and has 4 washing bays. This are coin operated but he doesn’t think that it is the same as Slots/Music/and so on.  The Mayor said he would check on this with the Lawyer.  Myla made a motion to have the Mayor check with the lawyer.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.

Slick Trent – Pumps burnt up @ car wash 8/11/2020 water leak:  On August 11th he noticed the Town employees trying to locate the water value to shut off the water.  He asked them to make sure that they told him if the water gets shut off so he can turn his car wash motors off so the wouldn’t burn up.  2 ½ hours later he lost a pump and a pop off valve.  It burned up both.  He went to the Town Hall to ask why he wasn’t called.  If he had been called he would not have had this problem.  City Clerk called who she thought was going to be affected by the water being shut off.  Mr. Trent is asking if something can be done to reimburse him.  The PSC suggested we pay half of the cost and then we will not be responsible for any other damages.  Amberly said she wasn’t aware of how far down the shutting of the valve would affect.  PSC also requires he put in low pressure shut off valves.  Mr. Trent said he doesn’t use that kind of pumps.  The Mayor said we maybe just need to make sure we give him a phone call and to make sure our workers inform the City Hall what is going on and where.  Myla asked about the heads up app and agrees the Town workers need to inform office what is going on.  Myla Thorpe made a motion to pay Slicks Car Wash $1320.39.  Glenn Stout seconded that motion.  Unanimous approval. 

United Way – Brad Riffe – Absorbing Doddridge Co: They Brad Riffe/Christian Marsh were there to tell us that the United Way are expanding into Doddridge County.  Money will stay in Doddridge County that they collect in Doddridge.  He explained what the United Way takes care of.  They will have a new panty to provide for children and family’s needs.  

Lindsey Ferguson:  Banners on Main St:  Teen Leaders Grant:  Lindsey wasn’t there.  Amberly explained what she wanted to do.  Mayer said as long as they weren’t political banners he is fine with it.  Myla made a motion to approve the banners.  Glenn Stout seconded it.   

Trick or Treat:  Myla Thorpe made a motion that if school was in session to have trick or treat between the hours of 6 and 7:30. Colby Seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

     Old Business:    

B & O Tax – discussion:  They received a letter from Lawyer.     Town needs to have a public meeting.  Myla made a motion to approve a public meeting to discuss the B&O Tax.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  

Removing Cross St – Lawyer update:  Question was asked if we had water and sewer lines under that street.  Has to be a survey and permission to do it.  Needs presented to the County Commission.  Myla made a motion to table this.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.  

Patty Harris – Historical Society – Thin Blue Line/Flags on Main St:  Ms. Harris was there to get approval to put up the signs on Main Street.  They want to put the American Flags in between.  Myla Thorpe made a motion to approve the putting up the flags on Main Street.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

Employee:

   Colby made a motion to go into Executive Session @ 7:25 PM.  Myla Thorpe seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.

Myla made a motion to come out of Executive Session @ 7:38. Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

   Billy Doak – 90 days end – full time/pay raise:  Myla Thorpe made a motion to make him full time and give him a $1.00/hr pay raise.  Colby seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval. 

   Bobby Harris – end of Extension/Full time hire:  Myla Thorpe made a motion to approve hiring full time with a 1.50/hr pay raise.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.

   Ryan Dennis – Waste Water Test/Pay raise:  Myla Thorpe made a motion to approve a $2.00/hr pay raise.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. 

   Colby Jett made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Glenn Stout seconded the motion.  Unanimous approval.

Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.