South Charleston Council has approved a resolution giving Mayor Frank Mullens the authority to execute a right-of-way agreement allowing Reserve Oil and Gas Inc. to build a pipeline on the edge of Jefferson Park.
The resolution approved by council Thursday evening says the agreement will allow Reserve Oil and Gas to construct a natural gas line transmission system on about 8.96 acres.
An accompanying map shows the pipeline will run parallel to Interstate 64 to a location across from the FMC fly ash pond, then through a wooded area of Jefferson Park to a location below the entrance to the West Virginia Regional Technology Park.
The agreement will benefit the city by permitting it to obtain free and discounted natural gas and will utilize the city's property to the fullest extent possible, the resolution says.
According to the proposed agreement, the pipeline will be installed three feet below the surface. There will be a 25-foot construction right-of-way and a 12-foot maintenance right-of-way. The city reserves the right to demand that the company relocate the pipeline if necessary.
The agreement declares the consideration involved is less than $100.
The agreement was approved by unanimous voice vote following a public hearing. No one spoke or asked questions during the hearing, but prior to the vote, Ward 6 Councilman Bob Lilly asked how close the pipeline will be to homes.
City Manager Rick Atkinson said the portion of the pipeline to be built on city property won't be near any homes, although a portion on state property will be about 200 feet from some homes.
This isn't the first deal the city has struck with the natural gas producer. In November 2014 the Spencer-based Reserve Oil & Gas was given permission to drill three conventional wells on city-owned property in return for free and discounted natural gas.
In other action, council approved a $99,000 bid by Johnson Controls of Nitro to replace the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, or HVAC, equipment at the Little Creek Golf Course Clubhouse.
Nitro Mechanical Inc. of Nitro bid $107,950 and Perfection Group Inc. of Dunbar bid $122,782.
During a Finance Committee meeting prior to the council meeting, Ward 4 Councilman Jeff Williamson said he promised when campaigning for a council seat that, if elected, he would try to learn why so much money is spent at Little Creek Park.
"I have a hard time seeing all of the money going up there and not going to our neighborhoods," he said.
Williamson also complained that the city doesn't advertise for bids in the newspaper, instead choosing to send bid packages to companies known to specialize in the needed work.
Atkinson said one good reason for sending bid packages to known companies is the firms are local and are known to do good work.
Finance Chairman Jamie Sibold said the city needs to finish investing in Little Creek Park so that it has a first-class facility.
Atkinson said Johnson Controls "can start soon and we need to have it done by Mother's Day."
Mullens said, "I prioritize the parks by highest use."
Mullens said Blackwell Park, which is in Williamson's district, is in need of an upgrade and it will be refurbished. Mullens also said the expenditure on the HVAC equipment will have no effect on the amount that will be spent on neighborhood parks.
A roll-call vote was taken during the council meeting on whether to award a contract to Johnson Controls. Williamson cast the only "no" vote.
Also Thursday evening, council gave final approval authorizing Mullens to receive a permanent easement over vacant property owned by Union Carbide Corp. near the city's wastewater treatment plant.
The property will be part of a beautification project along MacCorkle Avenue. The city is not paying Union Carbide for the easement.
Council agreed to close D Street on May 21 for the Armed Forces Day Parade.
Council gave preliminary approval to an ordinance correcting an error in one of the business and occupation tax rates for utilities. The maximum tax rate is $3 per each $100 of sales and that is the amount the city has been collecting. An ordinance passed in 2005 erroneously listed $4 as the top rate. Mullens described the correction as a housekeeping measure.
Public Works Director Gerald Burgy announced that spring cleanup will be April 30 from Jefferson Road west (the Spring Hill area) and May 7 from Jefferson Road east.
Sibold, who sits on the South Charleston library committee, announced that there has been a personnel change at the library. He said the new interim director will attend the next council meeting. Meanwhile, all is well at the library, he said.
Mullens announced that there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Saturday in the medical building at 428 Division St., across from Thomas Memorial Hospital, to mark the opening of a clinic for Teamsters Local 150's employees and dependents.
Council recognized Cecilia "Cecil" Thomas, who asked citizens to vote for her for magistrate in the May 10 election. Dave Tucker, who is running for sheriff, was in the gallery but did not speak.
All council members attended Thursday's meeting.
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. April 21 on the second floor of City Hall on D Street.