MINUTES

MON RIVER DEBRIS COMMITTEE

SEPTEMBER 9, 2005, 10:00 a.m.

MORGANTOWN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD ROOM

Robert Bell, Chair Anthony Giambrone Tim Terman

Wallace Venable Jessie Reckart Matt Cybulski

Joe Duperre Brad Allamong

I. Reading and approval of minutes from the meeting of August 26, 2005.

Commissioner Bell called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. He asked for corrections, revisions, additions to the submitted minutes for the meeting of August 26, 2005.

Anthony Giambrone corrected the revision to Bullet 4 of the Draft Action Plan, stating the correct name of the public education program in which he is involved is "Keep America Beautiful." Additionally, he added that the program is targeted to middle and high school age youth.

Commissioner Bell motioned the minutes be approved as amended. Matt Cybulski seconded the motion. All members present approved the minutes as amended.

II. Old business

A. Review Action Plan

Anthony Giambrone reported that he and Chuck Joseph reached an agreement that the Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protections would cooperate in removal of debris from the Morgantown Lock and Dam. Mr. Giambrone reported that the DEP committed to payment for the disposal of river debris once removed from the water and river banks.

Mr. Giambrone and Commissioner Bell discussed the possibility of utilizing the Pruntytown Regional Jail inmate work crew for future river sweeps. Mr. Giambrone commented that in his discussions with Mr. Joseph, inmate work crews were also discussed. Mr. Giambrone reported that the DEP is willing to pay for the actual inmate labor if the Monongalia County Commission will pay for an inmate supervisor.

Tim Terman asked for alternative strategies to staff the projected river sweeps. Jessie Reckart suggested the Committee consider contacting West Virginia University Department honorary societies to access students in need of community service opportunities. Mr. Giambrone remarked that there is also the possibility of using individuals assigned community services for offences within Morgantown city limits. Mr. Terman commented that the committee could connect its commitment to public education with the river sweeps by contacting local high schools to solicit students to volunteer. Commissioner Bell voiced liability concerns with volunteers under the age of eighteen.

Brad Allamong suggested the Committee momentarily leave the issue of labor sources for the projected river sweeps and focus on preparing the Draft Action Plan to be presented to the Army Corps of Engineers. Wally Venable reported that the meeting with the Corps had been cancelled. He is in contact with the Corps and attempting to re-schedule.

Mr. Allamong repeated his request for continued fine-tuning of the Action Plan. He suggested the Committee add dollar and man-hour amounts beside each bullet point to stress to the Corp the community’s commitment to maintaining a litter-free lock, dam, and river. Discussion turned to past Monongalia County expenditures on litter clean-up. Commissioner Bell suggested these figures be included in any written representations to the Corps. Mr. Terman was concerned that these figures may obscure the Committee’s primary objective of cleaning the Monongehela River. Joe Duperre responded to Mr. Terman, suggested that those dollar amounts may further evidence the community commitment to a clean Monongehela River. Mr. Allamong suggested that for the sake of expediency, the Committee focus on attaching dollar amounts to the activities identified in the Action Plan.

B. Discuss possible future committee members from Marion and Harrison Counties

The Committee was unable to identify any individuals form Marion and Harrison Counties to serve. This issue will be taken up at a later date.

III. New Business

IV. Other

Mr. Venable asked for guidance as to appropriate content for the Committee’s page on the Mon River Summit website. Mr. Allamong responded, saying that the Action Plan, clearly designated as a draft document, with dollar amounts, would be appropriate for posting.

V. Next Meeting

Mr. Allamong suggested that the next Mon River Debris Committee meeting coincide with a meeting of Army Corps of Engineer representatives. Mr. Allamong committed to coordinating this meeting. Commissioner Bell suggested that City of Morgantown elected officials be notified of this meeting, as well as community members with interest in the issue of debris on the Mon River. Mr. Allamong requested Commissioner Bell’s input when issuing notices to this meeting. Notice of the next Mon River Debris Committee meeting will be available as soon as possible.

VI. Meeting adjourned, 11:00 am.