City of Keyser Council Meeting
May 8, 2013
PRESENT WERE: Charlie Junkins, Karol Ashenfelter, Gerald Ickes, Elwood Junkins, Jennifer
Bennett, Brian Toye, Robin Vereen, Martie, Terry Liller, Isaac Alt, Mayor Randy Amtower,
Clinton Faulk, Ed Miller, Mrs. Miller, Herman Judy, Shannon Marsh, Richard Kerns, and Carol
Kiggins.
Mayor Randy Amtower called the meeting to order and we all stood for the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Councilman Clinton Faulk made a motion to accept the minutes from the previous meeting.
Councilman Herman Judy seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
Councilman Isaac Alt made a motion to accept the Check Distribution. Councilman Clinton
Faulk seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Randy wanted to thank everyone that helped out with the Installation of the new playground
equipment at the West End Playground. We will write up an article for the paper in order to
thank everyone publicly.
We did get the results from the Common Law Judge on the water and sewer rates public
hearing. The new rates will take effect on July 1st however the interim rate is already in place
so the additional amount of increase is .01% the interim rate was 3.77% the increase will take it
to 3.78%. The other rate increase is on the projects and they will not go into effect until the
major part of the projects are done and probably will not go into effect until late next fall.
CITIZENS REQUEST:
Karol Ashenfelter had a question concerning the third reading of the sewer system design she
wanted to know if that had been dropped. She thought that was the increase that would be
around 90%. Randy explained to Karol that this is on the Chestnut Street project and she was
fine. What Karol is asking about won’t come up until late next fall.
Jennifer Bennett wanted to present Randy with a poster that she made from all of the pictures
that she took at the Installation of the playground equipment at the West End Playground. One
was presented to Randy and then Jennifer will be bring in another one for the city to hang up at
City Hall.
NEW BUSINESS:
THIRD READING SEWER SYSTEM DESIGN REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2013 A (CHESAPEAKE BAY
DESIGN LOAN):
This ordinance authorizing the design of additions, betterments, improvements and extensions
to the existing sewerage system of the City of Keyser and the financing of the cost, not
otherwise provided, thereof through the issuance by the City of Keyser of not more than
$1,200,000 in aggregate revenue bonds, series 2013A; providing for the rights and remedies of
and security for the registered owners of such bonds; authorizing execution and delivery of all
documents relating to the issuance of such bonds; approving, ratifying and confirming a bond
purchase agreement relating to such bonds; authorizing the sale and providing for the terms
and provisions of such bonds and adopting other provisions relating thereto. The sewer design
bonds are paid solely through the revenues from the operation of the sewerage system of the
City. Mayor Randy Amtower opened the floor up for public comments and questions, no
concerns were voiced. Councilman Clinton Faulk made a motion to accept the Sewer Bond
Chesapeake Bay Design Loan as read by legal counsel. Councilman Ed Miller seconded this
motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
THIRD READING SEWER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2013 A (CHESTNUT STREET):
This ordinance authorizing the acquisition and construction of certain additions, betterments,
extensions and improvements to the existing public sewerage system of the City of Keyser, and
the financing of the cost, not otherwise provided thereof, through the issuance by the city of
not more than 3,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of sewer revenue bonds, series 2013 A
in one or more series; defining and prescribing the terms and provisions of the bonds; providing
generally for the holder of the bonds; and providing when this ordinance shall take effect. The
sewer bonds are paid solely through the revenues from the operation of the sewer system of
the City. Mayor Randy Amtower opened the floor up for public comments and questions, no
concerns were voiced. Councilman Terry Liller made a motion to accept the Sewer Bond for
Chestnut Street as read by legal counsel. Councilman Isaac Alt seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0
(YEA)
THIRD READING WATER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2013 A (PHASE I WATER BONDS):
This ordinance authorizing the payment of the waterworks design bond anticipation note,
series 2012 A; authorizing the acquisition and construction of certain additions, betterments
and improvements to the existing public waterworks facilities of the City of Keyser, and the
financing of the cost, not otherwise provided thereof, through the issuance by the City of
Keyser of not more than 5,200,000 in aggregate Series 2013 A in one of more series; defining
and prescribing the terms and provisions of the bonds; providing generally for the rights and
remedies of and security for the holder of the bonds; and providing when this ordinance shall
take effect. The water bonds are paid solely through the revenues from the operation of the
water system of the City. Mayor Randy Amtower opened the floor up for public comments and
questions, Gerald Ickes was concerned about the size of the water lines being replaced and
asked the council if they would check into that before they proceed, Randy and Clinton both
said that they would make sure that was done. Councilman Isaac Alt made a motion to accept
the Water Bond for Phase I Water as read by legal counsel. Councilman Terry Liller seconded
this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
THIRD READ WATER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2013 B (PHASE II WATER BONDS):
This ordinance authorizing the payment of the waterworks design bond anticipation note,
series 2012 B; authorizing the acquisition and construction of certain additions, betterments
and improvements to the existing public waterworks facilities of the City of Keyser, and the
financing of the cost, not otherwise provided thereof, through the issuance by the City of
Keyser of not more than 5,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of water revenue bonds,
series 2013 B in one or more series; defining and prescribing the terms and provisions of the
bonds; providing generally for the rights and remedies of and security for the holder of the
bonds; and providing when this ordinance shall take effect. The water bonds are paid solely
through the revenues from the operation of the water system of the City. Mayor Randy
Amtower opened the floor for public comments and questions, Karol Ashenfelter asked what
the total debit would be for the city, we already have an existing debit of 5 million and this
would be 7.6 million and we received a 3.1 million grant for the upgrade at the treatment plant.
Councilman Herman Judy made a motion to accept the Water Bond for Phase II Water as read
by legal counsel. Councilman Clinton Faulk seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
PROCLAMATION FOR FOSTER CARE MONTH:
Melissa Hines with Department of Health and Human Services, Sally Johnson with Children’s
Home Security and Courtney with the Burlington Children’s Home are here tonight to ask the
city to adopt the month of May as Foster Care Month. Randy read the written proclamation
that they wanted us to adopt talking about Foster Care in our area and how there are 2,930
youth in foster care being provided with a safe and secure home along with the compassion
and nurture of a foster family. Councilman Clinton Faulk made a motion to accept the
proclamation and adopt the month of May as Foster Care Month. Councilman Ed Miller
seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
MARTIE’S HOT DOG STAND RAMP FEED:
Martie is here tonight to ask the Mayor and Council for permission to close Main Street from
Center to Armstrong on June 1st from One to Seven for a ramp feed. There was some concern
since this is scheduled for the same time as the Strawberry Festival, but after a lengthy
discussion it was decided that they might end up bringing people in for both events and help
each other out. Councilman Clinton Faulk made a motion to approve closing off Main Street
from Center to Armstrong from one to seven for the ramp feed. Councilman Ed Miller
seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
UNITED WAY – ROBIN VEREEN:
Robin was here tonight to ask permission to talk to each department with the city to see if they
would be interested in doing and payroll deduct and donating to the United Way. United Way
gives to several areas in Mineral County and they are just trying to make it easier for people to
give. The employee if they decide to donate can specify exactly where they want their
donation to go if they choice to. Robin is to talking with Shannon Marsh to get everything set
up with the individual departments. Councilman Ed Miller made a motion to let Robin come in
and talk with the departments concerning the United Way and also approved the payroll
deductions as a way of donating. Councilman Clinton Faulk seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0
(YEA)
KEYSER LITTLE LEAGUE – BRIAN TOYE:
Brian was here tonight to get permission to paint the dugouts at West End Playground and
Isaac Alt told him that he had already talk with Doug and gave permission for the dugouts to be
painted. Also, Brian wanted to know what was going on with the old Tennis Courts at Mill
Meadow. Randy told him that everything is still in the works out their concerning that with the
County and as soon as we know something we will let them know.
BID ON FIRE HOUSE WATER REPAIRS:
We received two bids on the work needing to be done at Fire Station Two, Mineral Fabrication
turned in a bid for $28,700.00 and Custom Wood Works turned in a bid for $18,676.00. Randy
told the council that Custom Wood Works is really close to want the insurance company gave
us for the repairs. Councilman Isaac Alt made a motion to accept the bid from Custom Wood
Works in the amount of $18,676.00. Councilman Clinton Faulk seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0
(YEA)
REGION 8 BUDGET REQUEST:
Region 8 Planning and Development Council at their March 21st meeting, voted to continue to
request that local governments fund the Council. For the FY-2014 the Council voted to request
60 cents per capita based on the 2010 Census. The portion of the Council’s local funding
requested from the City of Keyser, for the period of July 2013 to June 2014 will be $3,263.40.
This budget request did not make it to us until after our 2013-2014 Budget needed to be in.
That is why it was never brought up earlier when we were working on the budget. However, a
budget revision can be done at a later time to include this in. Councilman Ed Miller made a
motion to accept the budget request from Region 8 Planning and Development Council in the
amount of $3,263.40. Councilman Clinton Faulk seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
FIRE FEES:
We currently have a Fire Fee Ordinance #224 it is provided for under Chapter 8 -13 state codes
to allow the city to collect Municipal Fees. This ordinance was last amended in 2005 and we are
in need of amending this ordinance, residential is now billed $1.70 per month and commercial
is $4.22 per month. Last year the Fire Department closed with a deficit of $20,103.00. The
proposal for tonight is that we restructure the commercial fire fees into 5 classes based on the
buildings square footage. Square footage is to be calculated by base footprint times number of
stories or any part there of above or below ground level. Commercial classification is denoted
by any property that has any of the following, more than one meter in structure under one roof
or property that is not owner occupied as residence. The five square footage class guides as
following, class one up to 2,499; class two 2,500 to 9,999; class three 10,000 to 29,999; class
four 30,000 to 49,999; and class five 50,000 and up. Any structure having a state certified
sprinkler system will receive a 25% discount off the rate for said class. Any commercial
property where the water bill is sent to the owner or manager will have the fire fees accessed
monthly by class and billed monthly to property owner or manager, where the owner is not the
person responsible for the water service the charges will be billed annually to registered owner
by current tax assessment. The discussion for residential increase was between 60 cents to one
dollar after the discussion was over the increase was decided on 70 cents taking the residential
fire fee from $1.70 to $2.40 a month. Commercial option 1 was as follows: Class 1 $4.50, Class
2 $6.00, Class 3 $18.00, Class 4 $26.00 and Class 5 $32.00. Commercial option 2 was as follows:
Class 1 $4.50, Class 2 $6.75, Class 3 $19.00, Class 4 $29.00 and Class 4 $35.00. After a lengthy
discussion it was decided to go with an Increase of 70 cents on residential and option 2 for
commercial properties. Randy will get the amendment for ordinance #224 drafted and then it
will be brought back to the council at the next meeting on May 22, 2013.
WATER DESIGN LOAN RESOLUTION:
This is our monthly allocations on the Ohio Valley Bank. On phase I we have one distribution
for Spilman, Thomas & Battle in the amount of $1,026.94 and on phase II we have four
distributions for Spilman, Thomas & Battle, John Athey, Griffith and Associates and Region 8 in
the amount of $11,092.58 making a total distribution of $12,119.52. Councilman Clinton Faulk
made a motion to accept the Water Design Loan Resolution. Councilman Isaac Alt seconded
this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
IN HOUSE BUDGET REVISION:
In order to bring the 2012-2013 budgets to balance we needed to do an in house budget
revision on the following:
001-700-6300
001-700-7440
001-700-6160
Public Safety – Contracted
Services
Public Safety – Equipment
Public Safety – M&R
Equipment
6,000.00
750.00
3,000.00
TOTALS
001-753-5040
001-753-5060
001-753-6261
001-753-6262
001-753-5080
Snow Removal – FICA
Snow Removal – Retirement
Snow Removal – Workers
Comp.
Snow Removal –
Unemployment
Snow Removal – Overtime
001-904-6150
Swimming Pool – Professional
Services
Swimming Pool – M&R
Buildings & Grounds
001-908-6150
Playgrounds - Other Taxes &
Fees
Playgrounds – M&R Buildings
& Grounds
TOTALS
650.00
1,400.00
1,250.00
1,750.00
459.00
840.00
408.00
196.25
371.52
125.82
655.25
1,211.52
533.82
135.00
38.07
173.07
3,000.00
731.66
731.66
0.00
1,000.00
TOTALS
001-908-6370
7,100.00
1,750.00
1,750.00
TOTALS
001-904-6230
1,100.00
731.66
100.00
100.00
100.00
0.00
3,390.00
2,268.34
900.00
100.00
521.78
521.78
521.78
100.00
521.78
2,868.22
521.78
Councilman Isaac Alt made a motion to accept the in house budget revision. Councilman
Clinton Faulk seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
BENNETT & DOBBINS – PSC REPORT QUOTE:
Bennett and Dobbins help us do the PSC Reports for the water and sewer departments. This
year they sent us a quote for $5,500.00 to come in for one day get all the information they
need, due any journal entries needed and then go back to their office and finish the reports.
Carol and I feel that the amount of work needed for the reports and the accuracy that is needed
for future rate cases, these reports should be completed by someone who does them all the
time and that knows what is needed on each report to accuracy, the council should accept this
offer and have our reports completed by Bennett and Dobbins. Councilman Ed Miller made a
motion to accept the quote from Bennett and Dobbins to repair our 2013 PSC Reports.
Councilman Clinton Faulk seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
BOOT/CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES:
Randy wanted to do something nice for the employees, so he came up with the idea of a
$100.00 boot or clothing allowance for the city employees. Randy has spoken with the State
Auditor’s office concerning this matter to see how this could be done. We just need to do a
payroll check and take out the appropriate taxes then each employee needs to sign a form
stating that this is a boot and clothing allowance from the city and that they understand that.
Councilman Terry Liller made a motion to give the employees a $100.00 boot and clothing
allowance. Councilman Isaac Alt seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
APPROVAL TO PURCHASE USED LADDER TRUCK FOR FIRE DEPT PENDING LEASE OPTIONS:
A used 1999 Ladder Truck with 105 foot ladder with 104,000 miles that has 296 hours on the
pump and 866 hours on the ladder has been found in South Carolina at a purchase price of
$225,000.00. Randy and three of the guys from the fire station would like to travel down and
look at this truck up close and if it is as good as it looks have permission to put a $5,000.00
dollar down payment on it until the leasing can be approved. Randy has already checked on
some possible leases one was for 7 years and 3.10% with a payment less then what we were
paying on the fire truck that was totaled. They are also going to try and negotiate on the price
before giving a down payment. Councilman Clinton Faulk made a motion to approve Randy and
three firemen going down negotiate on a used truck not exceed the $300.000 amount with the
payment not to exceed $35,927.00. Councilman Isaac Alt seconded this motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
APPROVAL TO PURCHASE 1 POLICE CRUISER AND ORDER SECOND ON NEW BUDGET LEASE:
We had talked last year about leasing one or two police cruisers this year. Randy is
recommending that we purchase one straight out and leasing the other one. This is part of the
swapping out of the old police cruiser that was talked about last year. If we can implement this
two more times we will completely have the fleet swapped out. The discussion of the council is
that this is something that needs to be done, because the old vehicles are nickel and diming us.
Councilman Ed Miller made a motion that we purchase 1 cruiser by the end of June and lease
another one to work on swapping the fleet out. Councilman Clinton Faulk seconded this
motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
APPROVAL TO ADVERTISE FOR BID ON NEW 4X4 DUMP TRUCK WITH PLOW FOR STREET DEPT.
The one truck out at the street department with the easy dumper on it is really starting to
deteriorate rapidly and we have scrapped a couple pickups and some that are getting some age
on them. We are trying to get some of these replaced before everything needs it. We would
like to replace the truck with the easy dumper on it with a 1 ton gas Ford Dump Truck with a 9
foot snow plow on it. Randy wanted permission to advertise for bids, we know that New Creek
just ordered one for $42,500.00. Looking for a 1 ton dull wheels, gas motor Dump Truck with a
9 foot dump bed and a 9 foot snow plow. Councilman Herman Judy made a motion that we go
ahead and advertise for bids that need to be in by May 22nd at 4:30pm, and then bring it to the
next council meeting on May 22nd at 6:00pm. Councilman Terry Liller seconded this motion.
VOTE 5-0 (YEA)
FINANCE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:
General Fund
$215,486.00
Fire Protection Fund
93,553.00
Operating General
309,039.00
Water Account
8,367.00
Sewer Account
33,665.00
Coal Severance Account
33,015.00
Rainy Day Account
100,911.00
Water Sec. Dep Account 69,885.00
Water Depr. Res. Account 16,655.00
Sewer Sec. Dep. Account 27,071.00
Sewer Dept. Res. Account 18,280.00
Street Excess Account
227,087.00
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Next Council Meeting – Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 6:00pm
Water Board Meeting – Monday, June 10, 2013 at 4:00pm
Sanitary Board Meeting – Monday, June 10, 2013 at 4:30pm
Recreation Board Meeting – Monday, June 10, 2013 at 7:00pm
Next Compliance Milestone – July 31, 2013 Need to obtain approval of the final plans and
specifications for the treatment upgrades and shall also submit a major permit modification
application to the WV DEP for the necessary treatment upgrades.
Councilman Clinton Faulk made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Ed Miller seconded this
motion. VOTE 5-0 (YEA)