|
|
|
By Richard Kerns
rkerns@ newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
KEYSER – Keyser Mayor Randy Amtower presided over his first City Council meeting Wednesday, ushering in a new era of city governance with a lengthy meeting that saw the Council move to breach the old Limestone Dam, establish a city Web site and approve the hiring of a new police officer and streets worker.
Elected in June, Amtower had promised a full, activist agenda in his first meeting, and delivered with a session that lasted nearly two hours.
The meeting also featured the appointment of Council-member commissioner posts, discussion about possible city-wide trash service and an announcement that a relatively quick solution may be available to address concerns about access to the North End of Keyser in the event of a train derailment.
The City Council agreed to breach Limestone Dam following a presentation by Delbert Shriver, an engineer with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, who delivered a report detailing the agency's long, fruitless history in working with the city to remove the impoundment, which dates to 1898.
The breaching of Limestone Dam has hovered over the city ever since the impoundment was taken off line in1995. Even though the dam no longer serves as a reservoir, and its drainage gates remain fully open, it can still back up in heavy rain events.
Shriver said he and other officials visited the site recently following a heavy rain, and found the dam full, with water flowing over the spillway. He said previous studies and the first-person visit confirmed that the dam has deteriorated significantly and poses a “high hazard” risk to lives and properties downstream.
Given the years of waiting for the city to address the matter, Shriver said Wednesday that DEP is ready to bring the hammer down on the city in the form of “enforcement” -- or major fines.
“This is not a new thing, it's something that's been going on for years...,” Shriver said. “If we don't get a response, we're getting to the point where we have to go to enforcement.”
Following Shriver's presentation, Keyser Water Distribution Supervisor Sonny Gank confirmed the dam's poor condition, and noted as well that it could never be used as a backup water supply for Keyser without millions of dollars in upgrades and treatment facilities.
“It's starting to fail, and I don't think the city fathers want the responsibility if it were to fail...,” Gank said. “We need to breach that dam and put it out of commission...Right now, all it is, it's a very big liability.”
The Council voted unanimously to begin the process of hiring an engineering firm to design the breaching. Amtower noted that the city has $94,000 available from an earlier state grant to “at least get a good start” on the project.
In his campaign Amtower had cited the absence of a city Web site as a major deficiency, and presented plans Wednesday night
to establish an Internet site similar to the city of Cumberland's. The new Web site, which is expected to come online within two months, will provide a variety of information, including budget data, meeting minutes and city contact information.
The city is developing the site through Willetts Systems in Cumberland, at a cost of $2,500, as well as a $30 monthly service fee. It will be maintained and updated by city staff to feature announcements, special events and other updates.
“It's a one-stop shop for the city,” the mayor said.
Following the approval of the Willetts contract, the Council voted to lower the threshold for obtaining bids for any goods or services bought by the city from $5,000 to $2,000, in order to obtain the best possible price through competitive pricing.
Addressing a question from Karol Ashenfelter, Amtower said emergency access to the North End could be provided through the Keymont crossing of the railroad tracks, near the site of the old Z Tower off of Route 46. Such a route would require improvement of a narrow, rutted service road that parallels the track, but the mayor said the option is attractive because it should be agreeable to CSX – which is reluctant to approve new crossings – and because it can be accomplished relatively quickly.
A former firefighter and EMT, Amtower said the route would allow emergency vehicle access, as well as an evacuation route in the event of a derailment with a toxic release.
In departmental reports, City Attorney John Athey reported that the city is not obligated to pay Dunn Engineering “anywhere near” the $750,000 which had been reported as a possible commitment as a result of a contract signed by former mayor William “Sonny” Rhodes for work on the proposed $11 million water system upgrade.
Speaking of the water project, Amtower noted that the funding package featured just under $4 million in grants, leaving the city to pay $8 million in long-term loans. “As it stands, we can' afford that, unless someone has a really big checkbook,” he said.
Amtower said he plans to convene a meeting of the various agencies involved in the project to determine how to proceed in addressing the city's water system needs.
In other business, the Council approved the hiring of a new police officer to make up for the loss of two part-time officers. The hire would leave the department one officer short of full staffing.
The Council also agreed to purchase a 2011 police cruiser for $23,500. Amtower noted that the sticker price for the vehicle is nearly $33,000.
Also approved was a new worker for the Street Department, which has been understaffed with a long-term absence and a pending retirement.
On the question of citywide trash service, Amtower received approval from the Council to contact the West Virginia Public Service Commission and gather other information to present to the public at a future meeting to discuss a citywide plan.
The mayor said citywide service provided by a private hauler that would contract with City Hall would both reduce residents' trash bills, and improve the city by discouraging the accumulation of large piles of trash outside some residences.
Council member appointments announced by Amtower and approved by the Council were: Ed Miller, finance; Bill Roy, streets and sewer; Herman Judy, wastewater treatment; Sonny Alt, parks & rec; and Clint Faulk, water.
On staffing, the mayor reappointed all current supervisors. However, no appointment was made to the Building Inspector position, and current inspector Earl Perrine was not in attendance at the meeting.
The Council also approved a change in the time of future meetings to 6 p.m., to allow residents who work through the day to attend. The next Council meeting will be Wednesday, July 27 at 6 p.m.
By Richard Kerns
rkerns@ newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
KEYSER – Keyser Mayor Randy Amtower presided over his first City Council meeting Wednesday, ushering in a new era of city governance with a lengthy meeting that saw the Council move to breach the old Limestone Dam, establish a city Web site and approve the hiring of a new police officer and streets worker.
Elected in June, Amtower had promised a full, activist agenda in his first meeting, and delivered with a session that lasted nearly two hours.
The meeting also featured the appointment of Council-member commissioner posts, discussion about possible city-wide trash service and an announcement that a relatively quick solution may be available to address concerns about access to the North End of Keyser in the event of a train derailment.
The City Council agreed to breach Limestone Dam following a presentation by Delbert Shriver, an engineer with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, who delivered a report detailing the agency's long, fruitless history in working with the city to remove the impoundment, which dates to 1898.
The breaching of Limestone Dam has hovered over the city ever since the impoundment was taken off line in1995. Even though the dam no longer serves as a reservoir, and its drainage gates remain fully open, it can still back up in heavy rain events.
Shriver said he and other officials visited the site recently following a heavy rain, and found the dam full, with water flowing over the spillway. He said previous studies and the first-person visit confirmed that the dam has deteriorated significantly and poses a “high hazard” risk to lives and properties downstream.
Given the years of waiting for the city to address the matter, Shriver said Wednesday that DEP is ready to bring the hammer down on the city in the form of “enforcement” -- or major fines.
“This is not a new thing, it's something that's been going on for years...,” Shriver said. “If we don't get a response, we're getting to the point where we have to go to enforcement.”
Following Shriver's presentation, Keyser Water Distribution Supervisor Sonny Gank confirmed the dam's poor condition, and noted as well that it could never be used as a backup water supply for Keyser without millions of dollars in upgrades and treatment facilities.
“It's starting to fail, and I don't think the city fathers want the responsibility if it were to fail...,” Gank said. “We need to breach that dam and put it out of commission...Right now, all it is, it's a very big liability.”
The Council voted unanimously to begin the process of hiring an engineering firm to design the breaching. Amtower noted that the city has $94,000 available from an earlier state grant to “at least get a good start” on the project.
In his campaign Amtower had cited the absence of a city Web site as a major deficiency, and presented plans Wednesday night
to establish an Internet site similar to the city of Cumberland's. The new Web site, which is expected to come online within two months, will provide a variety of information, including budget data, meeting minutes and city contact information.
The city is developing the site through Willetts Systems in Cumberland, at a cost of $2,500, as well as a $30 monthly service fee. It will be maintained and updated by city staff to feature announcements, special events and other updates.
“It's a one-stop shop for the city,” the mayor said.
Following the approval of the Willetts contract, the Council voted to lower the threshold for obtaining bids for any goods or services bought by the city from $5,000 to $2,000, in order to obtain the best possible price through competitive pricing.
Addressing a question from Karol Ashenfelter, Amtower said emergency access to the North End could be provided through the Keymont crossing of the railroad tracks, near the site of the old Z Tower off of Route 46. Such a route would require improvement of a narrow, rutted service road that parallels the track, but the mayor said the option is attractive because it should be agreeable to CSX – which is reluctant to approve new crossings – and because it can be accomplished relatively quickly.
A former firefighter and EMT, Amtower said the route would allow emergency vehicle access, as well as an evacuation route in the event of a derailment with a toxic release.
In departmental reports, City Attorney John Athey reported that the city is not obligated to pay Dunn Engineering “anywhere near” the $750,000 which had been reported as a possible commitment as a result of a contract signed by former mayor William “Sonny” Rhodes for work on the proposed $11 million water system upgrade.
Speaking of the water project, Amtower noted that the funding package featured just under $4 million in grants, leaving the city to pay $8 million in long-term loans. “As it stands, we can' afford that, unless someone has a really big checkbook,” he said.
Amtower said he plans to convene a meeting of the various agencies involved in the project to determine how to proceed in addressing the city's water system needs.
In other business, the Council approved the hiring of a new police officer to make up for the loss of two part-time officers. The hire would leave the department one officer short of full staffing.
The Council also agreed to purchase a 2011 police cruiser for $23,500. Amtower noted that the sticker price for the vehicle is nearly $33,000.
Also approved was a new worker for the Street Department, which has been understaffed with a long-term absence and a pending retirement.
On the question of citywide trash service, Amtower received approval from the Council to contact the West Virginia Public Service Commission and gather other information to present to the public at a future meeting to discuss a citywide plan.
The mayor said citywide service provided by a private hauler that would contract with City Hall would both reduce residents' trash bills, and improve the city by discouraging the accumulation of large piles of trash outside some residences.
Council member appointments announced by Amtower and approved by the Council were: Ed Miller, finance; Bill Roy, streets and sewer; Herman Judy, wastewater treatment; Sonny Alt, parks & rec; and Clint Faulk, water.
On staffing, the mayor reappointed all current supervisors. However, no appointment was made to the Building Inspector position, and current inspector Earl Perrine was not in attendance at the meeting.
The Council also approved a change in the time of future meetings to 6 p.m., to allow residents who work through the day to attend. The next Council meeting will be Wednesday, July 27 at 6 p.m.
