By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
Finance Director Danielle Sponaugle presented the council with two invoice payments needing approved, the first being for $121,464.67 and the second for $716.26. Due to her absence at the last meeting, there were no invoices to be approved at that time; therefore, those expenses are reflected on these invoices. After a brief discussion, Councilmember Tim Auvil moved to pay invoice list one with a second by Recorder Bruce Kolsun, motion carried. It was also agreed upon unanimously to approve invoice list two. A quote from In-Synch systems was presented for a computer system needed for the police department in the amount of $1,995.00 which also approved.
Parsons City Police Chief T.D. Roberts gave his report to the council members, stating, “We’ve been pretty busy lately with different calls and traffic accidents,” he began. They have been addressing speeding concerns in areas such as on Quality Hill. “Citations are up considerably,” he added as they are also working diligently on town cleanup efforts.
Auvil reported next on the recent Parks and Recreation Commission meeting touching on some of the highlight from that gathering. “Of all the splash parks in the state of West Virginia, Parsons Splash Park ranks number two,” he proudly announced. Judy commented on the need to push the ice skating rink because when it was built, it was made big enough to play ice hockey and she noted how wonderful it would be to have local teams get together. The River City Park lighting project was discussed and the possibility of another form of lighting proposal by MUSCO Lighting, LLC. Auvil also commented an updated master plan is being addressed for the city parks which will help with grant applications in the future. Mill Race Park lighting project is still in the works as well as the needed construction at the Community Center. “Hopefully maybe by October because right now we don’t have the bathrooms completed for ADA compliance,” he explained. Other projects at the Community Center include the ramp that needs to be finished to open for public use. Auvil also noted Wellness 24 currently has 226 active members and all is running smoothly there.
Unfinished business followed with updates on the Kingsford Sewer Extension Project and the Parsons Industrial Park property has been closed on. The city has given Judy authority for the signage of paperwork to move forward on the Kingsford Project. “The surveyor has been working on that,” informed Sponaugle, however it could take around six weeks to complete. There were also no further developments on the Wastewater Collection and treatment System Upgrades Project.
This brought the council to new business with the first two items being tabled due to Council members Samuel Blosser and Amy Wagner, and City Administrator Jason Myers being absent from the meeting. Auvil made a motion to install a “No parking here to corner” sign on Quality Hill near Second and Spruce Street with Councilwoman Missy Jones making a second. All agreed, especially Chief T.D. Roberts. Kolsun updated on the situation with the Walter Drane Company being bought out by American Legal Publishing who will be taking over on the city coding project. This new company representative informed Kolsun and Myers he felt he could have the project completed in approximately six weeks.
The City of Parsons was asked to assist in sponsorship of the Neil Gutshall Memorial Golf Tournament to be held on August 31 and September1. The city agreed to provide $100 as they have in years past. They also agreed unanimously to sponsor a Fall Cleanup Event to be held Monday, October 21 through Friday, October 25, 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. The next item on the agenda was to discuss and agree upon a date and time for the 2019 Halloween Trick or Treating. Brief discussion commenced before a motion was made by Councilman Kenneth Morrison to hold Trick or Treating on Saturday, October 26 from 6 until 8 p.m. with the candy walk tentatively scheduled at Mill Race Park from 4 until 6 p.m. the same night, with Councilman David Greenlief making a second.
The next line item was to consider partnering with the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office to implement the OpenGov Program. Sponaugle explained, “This is transparency to put online everything that we do so that every customer, every individual can go and see how we spend our money.” “This just gives more opportunity for people to see what we’re doing,” added Judy. Auvil made the motion with a second by Kolsun with all in favor. Up for discussion was to consider changing the city’s payment processing service from EVO Merchant Services to GovCard. “This is a cheaper option for us,” said Sponaugle. This will allow customers to pay their bill online, but it puts the processing fee on the customer versus the city. The motion carried unanimously though they requested Myers to look into the bylaws of the charter.
Next order of business was to consider approving the terms set forth by The Rodeheaver Group to provide annual reports for year ending June 30, 2019 to the Public Service Commission of W. Va. This is an annual item that must be done therefore the motion passed unanimously. The final item to address in new business was to consider the adoption of City of Fairmont’s Vacation Procedures Ordinance. The council members agreed they needed more time to review the ordinance before coming to a decision, therefore Morrison made a motion to table this item with Jones making a second.
Under correspondence it was made known there is an Ethics Act Training to be held in Elkins on Wednesday, September 11 at 1 p.m. for anyone interested in attending. A thank you letter was also received from Kelly Stadleman, Tucker Community Foundation Development Director, for the City of Parsons donations to the Uncle Sam’s Birthday Celebration.
This concluded the meeting for the City of Parsons. The next meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, September 3 at 6 p.m. As always, all are welcome to attend.
