June 14, 2021
Lions Club Building, West Union, WV 26456
Meeting was called to order by Mayor James D. Friend @ 6:03 PM.
Present: Mayor James Friend, Council Members: E. John Barker, Myla Thorpe, and Colby Jett. Recorder: Melody Gray. Amberly Taylor, City Clerk; Douglas Cox, Water & Sewer; Chris Garner, City Police Chief; Robin A. Valentine, City Office Assistant.
Guests: Sheena Hunt, Jason Heflin, Ryan Haws, Theresa Knight, Tim Phillips, Jim Brannam, Kortni Sandridge, Donny Dotson, Rose Musgrave, Gene Marks, and Jim Musgrave
Prayer: A moment of silence was observed.
Pledge: Led by Mayor Friend.
Approval of Minutes: John Barker made a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes. Colby seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Myla Thorpe made a motion to approve the special meeting minutes. Colby seconded the motion. 2 voted for approval and John Barker abstained. Motion approved.
Approval of Invoices: After a couple of questions, Colby Jett made a motion to approve the invoices. Myla Thorpe seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Police Report: Christ Garner, City Police Chief reported there were 23 calls. Police Chief Garner has changed the schedule up to cover different times of day and night. Brandon works mostly days. Chris comes in at various times of evenings and weekends. Chris also told the council that Officer Brandon Smith has been hired by the Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department. His last day will be June 29 or 30. Starts as deputy sheriff on July 1. Jim Musgrave asked about the cost of putting Brandon through the police academy. Brandon or the Sheriff’s Department will pay restitution for the amount it cost the Town. Chris said they are seeing a decline in the walkers at night also. There were other questions on response times if City Police needs back-up, which varies due to where in the county the Deputies are or if they are home. The two City Police are rarely on the same shift. It would be better to have another officer. The City needs somebody to be a full-time officer.
Election Canvassing: We had provisional ballots. They were looked up and they are in the City Limits.
Precinct 20: There is 1 vote that cannot be counted.
All ballots counted and with leftover ballots, all were accounted for.
Mayor:
Jim Friend – 34
Ralph Washington – 33
Kortni Sandridge – 53
Council:
Mark Younkin – 35
Myla Thorpe – 35
John Barker – 44
James Brannam – 65
Theresa Knight – 71
Michael Todd – 30
Donnie Dotson – 93
Jim Musgrave – 84
Colby Jett made a motion to approve the election results. Myla Thorpe seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Public Comments: Myla Thorpe wanted to let all know that she enjoyed her time on the City Council. Wanted to let new Council and Mayor know to keep an open mind and that they are there for the people of the Town of West Union.
Delegations:
* Region VI – Sheena Hunt: She doesn’t have a lot to report. Sheena had a meeting, and they can use some of the funds left over from the Wabash project for some of the things the Town needs done.
* CEC – Doe Run: Updates on how bad the lines are. Manholes are really bad also. Jim Musgrave asked what is holding up the project. Mostly red tape, the CEC said.
* CEC – Plant Upgrades and line upgrades: The water lines are 80 plus years old. Town has had a major amount of leaks the past winter and spring. The plant has been running at least 16 hours per day. CEC presented the Water proposals and the Sewer proposals to the Council. They need a motion and then signed to go forward. After a discussion on all: On the water – John Barker made a motion to approve. Colby Jett seconded the motion. Two voted for. Myla Thorpe abstained. Motion carried. On the Sewer – John Barker made a motion to approve. Colby Jett seconded the motion. Myla Thorpe abstained. Motion carried.
New Business:
* Gene Marks – retaining wall damaged by contractors during the Wabash project: Mr. Marks has a 5 to 6 ft retaining wall. It got damaged when they were working on the Wabash project. The Contractor did the damage. He turned it over to the contractors and sent Mike a copy of pictures of damages. The supervisor on the job said that is why we have insurance. The Mayor said he would speak with the Engineers the next day to see what we can do about this.
* Tim Phillips – Sidewalk: He asked about when the sidewalks would or could be fixed. All busted up in front of his gate. Also, would like to park in front of his gate. Said he received a warning that there was no parking where he parks in front of his gate. Mayor told him that there has never been any parking allowed there because it is a narrow street. There was a discussion and Officer Garner tried to explain the law with the parking. Not allowed to park on yellow lines. Also, Mayor said hopefully the sidewalks will be able to get fixed with the new 1% tax the Town will be receiving.
* Bank Account for the American Rescue Plan: Myla Thorpe made a motion to approve the bank account. Colby Jett seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. Doug explained this is part of the Covid Relief funds. County and Town gets around $300,000 for it. It is only used on the water and sewer. The Mayor said maybe we can use it for a meter for the fire suppressors at the jail.
* Nominate – 2 signers for checking account form – new council to take effect July 1, 2021: James D. Friend and Colby Jett to be removed from all checking accounts at West Union Bank and Summit Community Bank. Adding Mayor Kortni Sandridge, James Musgrave with Amberly D. Taylor remaining on the account. These changes shall occur July 1, 2021. Amberly will contact the banks. Motion made to change signers on checking accounts by Myla Thorpe, 2nd by Colby Jett, unanimous approval.
* Brush Hog – for Excavator: It will be around $5800 on the high end. Myla Thorpe made a motion to table this for the new Council to consider. Colby Jett seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
* Riding Lawnmower – for water plant: Doug said for now there are no riders out there. Jim Musgrave asked if one could be rented. The Mayor said in his opinion renting equipment is a waste of money that could be used to buy one. Myla Thorpe made a motion to put a limit of $5,000 on buying a riding lawnmower. Colby seconded the motion. When voting, John voted against because he would like it to be $6,000. Myla asked to amend her amount to $6,000. Three voted for $6,000. Motion carried.
* Dump Truck – Authorize financing or an allotted amount to purchase: The dump truck we have is in really bad shape. Can’t be fixed. It is not suitable for the highway. Myla Thorpe made a motion to table this discussion for the new Council. Colby Jett seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
* Cameras – City Park/police parking: There was a piece of equipment from the City Park stolen and destroyed. Need cameras in that area. Also need cameras where the Police Cruiser parks. A rough estimate is around $5,000. For both, about $8,000 altogether on everything they need. This will come out of the General Fund. Global said they would donate the tower needed. John Barker made a motion to approve getting the cameras. Colby Jett seconded the motion. Two voted to approve. Myla Thorpe abstained. Motion carried.
* Jail pump – Repair or replace: Doug said it would take around $20,000 to repair the pump. Myla Thorpe made the motion to approve repairing. John Barker seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Old Business: None
Colby Jett made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Myla Thorpe seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.