Town of West Union

Town of West Union
REGULAR MEETING
Lions Club Building, Columbia St., West Union WV
August 14, 2023
Meeting was called to Order by Mayor Kortni Sandridge @ 5:00 PM.
Present: Mayor Kortni Sandridge. Council Members: James Brannam, Donnie Dotson, Jr. Theresa Knight, James Musgrave, Isaac Richards. City Clerk, Amberly Taylor, Office Assistant, Robin A. Valentine, Chief of Police, Chris Garner, Chief Operator, Douglas Cox, Maintenance Supv’r, Andrew Lowther, Maintenance Laborer, Austin Nicholson.
Guest: Ryan Haws – CEC, Jason Heflin – CEC, Sheena Hunt, Region VI, Rob Bolyard, Region VI, Rose Musgrave, Cindy Welch, Tony Hayhurst, Angela Hayhurst, Lloyd Brightwell, Landon Knight
Prayer: A moment of silence was observed.
Pledge: Led by Mayor Sandridge
Approval of Minutes: Donnie Dotson, Jr. made motion to approve Regular Meeting Minutes for July 10, 2023. Jim Musgrave seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Approval of Invoices: James Brannam made motion to approve. Theresa Knight seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Police Report: Chief Garner did not have a report but updated Mayor and Council that he had been released to return to work full duty.
Maintenance Supv’r Report/Water& Leak Log: Andrew Lowther reported that there had been around 300 feet of sewer line repaired, a few more leaks, they found a water line that should have been done away with, they disconnected it. Andrew presented the Mayor and Council with quotes of the parts that it costs the Town to do a Water and/or Sewer Tap. He advised that the cost was for parts only and did not include employee time or cost of use of Town equipment or cost of rental equipment if it was necessary to rent. The cost for installing the Water tap is significantly higher than what the Town charges. He also presented the Town with a copy of Elkins, WV Ordinance No. 302. He suggested that Council should look into adopting a new Ordinance addressing the Water and Sewer Tap rates. He also updated the Mayor and Council on a meter that Ferguson Waterworks has that will show flows as low as 1/10 of a gallon. Ferguson is willing to come and talk to the Town about the meter and possibly purchase one to try. Andrew explained that this would allow for better detection of leaks and decrease in unaccounted water loss. Jim Musgrave suggested it would be worth getting them to come to a Council meeting to hear what they had to say.
Public Comments: None
Delegations:
Region VI – Sheena Hunt
Doe Run – Sheena did not have anything to report. Ryan Haws – CEC – reported that he had the close out contract on his desk – the substantial completion certificate was ready to be signed – they were ready
for a walk through with the contractor – paperwork would be ready by next council meeting.
Army Corp of Engineers – Legal Document – Tabled – Needs feedback from Town’s Attorney.
CEC – Water Plant – Ryan Haws reported that they would continue to pursue additional Funding/Grants.
CEC – Sewer Plant – Ryan Haws gave an update that U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has announced funding for 16 different local infrastructure projects. This funding was through the US Army Corp of Engineers 571 program in the amount of $1,900,000.
Ryan also updated provided information that Senators Manchin and Capito through the Congressional Directed Spending had been awarded $10,022,000 for the wastewater project.
Sheena Hunt – Region VI presented to Mayor and Council Administrative Services for the Project in the amount of $400,000. Jim Musgrave made motion to approve. Theresa Knight seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
New Business:
Memorial Wall – Repair/Paint – James Brannam that the Memorial Wall was on Town property and was in need of concrete repair and painting. James had spoke to Zona Hutson at the DC Extension Office to inquire if the 4H group would be interested in painting the wall
as a project. It was suggested that pictures be taken of the wall before repairs or painting was done. Zona was busy with Doddridge Co. Fair planning and would get back to James at a later time. Jim Musgrave made motion to table until estimates could be obtained for concrete repair. James Brannam seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
o Tony and Angie Hayhurst – Possible Fall Festival – Tony and Angie presented to the Mayor and Council that they would like to organize a Fall Festival for October 14, 2023 that would take place on Main Street from 12:00 Noon to 7:00 p.m. The theme of the festival would be “Fall into West Union”. They indicated that there would be a Live Band, Vendors, Food and various activities. The requested a donation from the Town in the amount of $1500.00 to help with cost. Mayor Sandridge inquired of City Clerk, Amberly Taylor if the Town had funds for this type of activity. Amberly advised Mayor that the Myles Fund had been set up years ago by donation for the purpose of providing funds to help with activities that would benefit families and children and General Fund monies also could be used for Town Fairs/Festivals. Mayor Sandridge recommended that the Town donate $2000.00 for a starter fund for the Fall Festival and a checking account would be set up just for this fund with Mayor Sandridge, Amberly Taylor and Theresa Knight as authorized signers. James Brannam made motion to approve setting up checking account. Donnie Dotson, Jr. seconded the motion. Jim Musgrave made motion to approve Mayor Sandridge’s recommendation of $2000.00 donation for starter fund. James Brannam seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
 Old Business:
o 1% Sales Tax – Update was given by Mayor on the amount that had been received the Town from October 2022 through August 2023. 1% Sales Tax Revenue – $117,644.89 – Other Revenue – $182,649.80 Total Revenue $300,294.69 – Total Expenditures from October 2022 through August 2023 – $236,874.61 – Balance – $63,420.08
o Antero Agreement – Long Run Waterline Extension – This was the Gum Run Extension not the Long Run Extension. Jim Musgrave made motion to table for Agreement and Right of Way. Donnie Dotson, Jr. seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
 Employee:
Matthew Leggett – Sewer Plant Operator Certification Raise – Jim Musgrave made motion to enter Executive Session at 6:12 p.m. Donnie Dotson, Jr. seconded the motion. Unanimous approval. After returning from Executive Session – Jim Musgrave made motion to approve raise for Matthew Legget for his Sewer Plant Operator Certification Raise. James Brannam seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
 Executive Session – Entered Executive Session at 6:12 p.m. Jim Musgrave made motion to return from Executive Session at 6:15 p.m. Donnie Dotson, Jr. seconded the motion. Unanimous approval.
Adjournment:
Motion was made by Mayor Sandridge to adjournment meeting at 6:36 p.m. Jim Musgrave made motions to adjourn. Donnie Dotson, Jr. seconded the motion. Unanimous approval