By Leigh C. Merrifield
Shinnston City Council’s most recent Work Session was held on June 29th and first heard offerings from two local residents. Chris Greaver of East Avenue in Shinnston noted for a second time that there is still chronic speeding on East Avenue and seldom police in the area who could be issuing warnings. He also asked how citizens could propose legislation for the Council to consider. Mayor Kovalck instructed him to contact the City Manager or any member of Council with suggestions to deliberate.
Joyce Miker also spoke about speeding, running stop signs, etc. not being addressed and rudeness shown by a police officer.
In his executive report, Mayor Kovalck thanked both Sonny Palmer and Amanda Sayers for their service on Council. The mayor added that the City Manager has been working on finding shuttle service to the park for the July 1st celebration at the park to cut down on complaints of concert attendees parking in residents’ yards and blocking driveways. Owners of vacant property near the cutoff to Landing Way have given the City permission to utilize their property for parking vehicles and awaiting shuttle pickup on July 1st.
City Manager Tori Drainer reported:
– The deed for the property that will become a children’s playground on West Side has been signed and recorded at the Courthouse.
– She has also been in discussions with the DOH regarding the right-of-way needed for the Boat Ramp under the old bridge and will meet with them soon, along with adjacent property owners to draw up user agreements, construction agreements, etc.
– Sewer line information has been submitted to the company that will be involved with the South Shinnston Bridge Project (near Gibby’s approaching the stoplight where Charles St. and Pike Street intersect.
– The lead and copper inventory has 0 unknowns and has been submitted to the state for the City’s three systems.
– Landing Way had a massive mine subsidence which caused problems but it was determined it was a spring. A contractor will come to divert lines. This will be handled by DEP and DOH.
Discussion items included:
The City Manager has had two property owners approach the office regarding alley abandonments; she informed them that this was something Council decided to hold off on and will be handled on a case-by-case basis but only after remarks are submitted in writing.
Phase 3 of the water project will proceed with its plans except for Matheny Hill which Public Works will handle themselves.
All PODA (Private Outdoor Designated Area) window clings, boundary signs, and cup stickers have been designed but not yet ordered. These will be used during street festivals and will determine whether open containers of alcoholic drinks will be allowed on the streets or in businesses.
Some errors were found in bank reconciliation dates as RFPs (Requests for Proposals) were looked at; a software consultant provided help and found that software was not operating correctly due to age. They will provide help. The office will be closed on July 7th and 8th to do updates and get corrections made and printed prior to submitting to qualified auditors.
A 15-passenger van has been rented to transport passengers to the park from the parking area near the Bethlehem turnoff for the July 1st Independence Day celebration at the park.
Councilperson Vance Sosinski suggested that when a vote is to be taken, Council members should have a clear written plan with no conflicting information prior to voting.
A letter from Finance Director Lesley Jaggie was addressed to Council requesting they consider that employee payroll for the library and museum be done in-house by the treasurer of those entities, and not by the City.