Facilities Committee  — Charleston, WV
Date: 2019-05-20
Time: 17:00

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia
 Council Member – AT LARGE

Jennifer Pharr Facilities Committee, Chair
PO BOX 1171 Charleston, WV 25324 Urban Renewal Committee
Telephone: 304‐615‐7574 Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee
jennifer.pharr@cityofcharleston.org




TO: Facilities Committee
FROM: Jennifer Pharr, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Facilities on May 20, 2019 – 5:00 PM
 in the A/V Conference Room, City Hall, Room 308.

The agenda will be as follows:

Previous Minutes

 1. 2‐19‐2019

Overview of the Charleston Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) ‐ Tim Brady

Adjournment




 *Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk.com

JF/ns




 City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330
 www.charlestonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax

CITY OF CHARLESTON
 West Virginia
 Council Member – AT LARGE

Jennifer Pharr Facilities Committee, Chair
PO BOX 1171 Charleston, WV 25324 Urban Renewal Committee
Telephone: 304‐615‐7574 Planning, Streets and Traffic Committee
jennifer.pharr@cityofcharleston.org




TO: Facilities Committee
FROM: Jennifer Pharr, Chair
RE: Committee Meeting


 There will be a Committee meeting of Facilities on May 20, 2019 – 5:00 PM
 in the A/V Conference Room, City Hall, Room 308.

The agenda will be as follows:

Previous Minutes

 1. 2‐19‐2019

Overview of the Charleston Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) ‐ Tim Brady

Adjournment




 *Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk.com

JF/ns




 City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330
 www.charlestonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax

 Page | 1 of
 MINUTES
 FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING

 4:00 P. M., FEBRUARY 19, 2019

 A/V CONFERENCE ROOM

Jennifer Pharr, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council
Committee on Facilities to order at 4:00p.m., FEBRUARY 19, 2019, in the Audio/Visual
Room in City Hall.

Committee Members Present: Others:
Jennifer Pharr, Chair Adam Knauff
Courtney Persinger, Vice Chair Kevin Baker
Ben Adams Brent Webster
Brady Campbell Naomi Bays
Adam Knauff Matt Sutton
Sam Minardi
Shannon Snodgrass



The Chairperson called the meeting to order.

Councilmember Pharr stated that the materials she had given to the committee,
information from Commercial Insurance/AssuredPartners, were property schedules of
City owned facilities as well an email from Janet Buckley containing current property
coverage comparison with South Charleston. The City’s total insurance coverage is just
under 300 million with half of that being for the Charleston Coliseum and Convention
Center. Also included in the packet were property schedules from 2013-2019. She
noted that the content values had remained the same.

Councilmember Knauff asked when the committee last met; the committee is believed
to have met once previously. Councilmember Snodgrass asked what the committee’s
charge is to be. Councilmember Pharr answered that they will be over 50+ facilities;
there are 70 some insurance premiums listed on the report. For example North
Charleston Community Center has coverage on the building and contents separately.

Councilmember Pharr suggested that perhaps the committee could break into groups
and conduct on-site visits of the listed facilities. Councilmember Campbell offered that
he works in the commercial insurance field. He stated that it is troubling that the policies
have not been seemingly updated since 2013. It was his opinion that having the
committee visits the facilities themselves would be a lot. He suggested that someone
working for the City, possibly Tim Campbell, would be qualified to visit these sites and
put together a list for maintenance etc.


 February 19, 2019

 Page | 2 of
Matt Sutton mentioned that someone from the insurance company will be presenting to
Finance Committee next month, and that would be a good opportunity for the committee
to ask questions. Councilmember Snodgrass asked if all the properties were listed on
the handout. Councilmember Pharr answered yes. Councilmember Snodgrass raised
the question if all the currently owned properties were needed (could they be sold,
donated, etc.). Councilmember Pharr said that is why they needed to have all these
properties visited. Councilmember Snodgrass stated that the first priority should be to
determine whether a property was needed and if it was being used to capacity.

Councilmember Pharr said that to make the best, complete decision would be for
members to actually see the facilities in person, particularly ones that had never been
seen before. Councilmember Snodgrass suggested to also have someone from the City
accompany them.

Councilmember Pharr stated it was concerning that the listed replacement value for the
Coliseum and Convention Center was low. Councilmember Campbell said that fixtures
and personal property could be listed separately. Matt Sutton said that they had just
started evaluating the art recently added to the building which was not included in the
reports.

Councilmember Adams offered that the lists could be sorted more efficiently (structures,
parking lots, pump stations). Councilmember Knauff added they could also be sorted
by value. Councilmember Campbell added that a goal of the committee over the course
of the year could be to compile a list with pictures etc that could be adjusted as needed
and sent out periodically as an update. Councilmember Persinger asked if this was a
service that could be hired out. Matt Sutton said that the insurance company has that
service, which has been declined in the past. Councilmember Snodgrass posited that
this service should be done independently of the insurance company. Councilmember
Jenkins said it would be helpful if the list could be categorized. Councilmember Adams
said that if the lists were in a excel spreadsheet, the committee could categorize them to
their needs.

Brent Webster asked how Public Works is listed, because some City property lies
underneath the Department of Highways’ property. Councilmember Persinger
questioned whether the City should invest a large amount of money on property that
they could be told to vacate at any time. Councilmember Adams suggested first getting
a better knowledge on the information that the committee has and to get the information
sorted as needed.

Councilmember Snodgrass stated that after that, they could look into getting an
independent source to examine the property values. Matt Sutton added that the
property values listed were supplied from the administration. Councilmember Jenkins
commented that the committee would be looking for a survey as opposed to an
appraisal. Councilmember Campbell suggested to keep in mind that the listed values
were replacement not cash value. Webster added that the City Engineer’s Office would
be a good resource for the committee.



 February 19, 2019

 Page | 3 of
Councilmember Pharr summarized that a goal for the next meeting is to have the
information divided into categories with the pump stations listed separately, to check on
the leases of the properties and what the City owns. Councilmember Persinger
wondered if perhaps some of the properties listed could be donated to CURA (empty
lots, etc). Councilmember Snodgrass asked for a seperate list of what properties were
owned versus what were bonded.

The committee decided to set a recurring meeting for the 3rd Monday of every month at
5:00 pm.

Matt Sutton added that the administration would like the committee to also focus on the
Convention Center, specifically, the organization of it. Councilmember Snodgrass
offered that that may take priority. Councilmember Pharr stated she wanted to take a
tour with Tim Campbell or Engineering to personally see the facilities, especially ones
that have recently changed. Councilmember Snodgrass asked for clarification of the
committee’s role regarding the organization of the Convention Center. Matt Sutton
answered that it would consists of leadership, operation, board make up, language in
the Code, etc. He further stated that the purpose of the building has changed.
Councilmember Snodgrass asked if there was currently a strategic plan for the
Convention Center. Matt Sutton answered said, yes, one was coming together.
Councilmember Campbell asked to schedule a tour of the Convention Center.
Councilmember Snodgrass stated that is important for the Convention Center to find a
niche.

Councilmember Pharr expressed interested in inviting the CVB to give the committee an
overview presentation. Councilmember Snodgrass added they could also invite a
representative from the Convention Center.

Councilmember Knauff asked about acquisitions. Councilmember Persinger said that
seemed more like a Finance subject and was of the opinion that the City needed to own
less property. Councilmember Jenkins mentioned the committee might want to examine
in the future the numerous, unused right-of-ways in the City. Councilmember Knauff
asked if the committee wanted to concerns themselves with the mall. Councilmember
Persinger added that the mall is not a City owned facility. Councilmember Knauff
agreed, and added that the City did have interest in the facility.




Councilmember Minardi motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Campbell
seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm.




 February 19, 2019

 Page | 4 of

MINUTES
 FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING

 5:00 P. M., MAY 20, 2019

 A/V CONFERENCE ROOM

Jennifer Pharr, Chairperson, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council
Committee on Facilities to order at 5:00p.m., MAY 20, 2019, in the Audio/Visual Room
in City Hall.

Committee Members Present: Others:
Jennifer Pharr, Chair Lexie Kessel
Courtney Persinger, Vice Chair Tim Brady
Ben Adams Mackenzie Spencer
Brady Campbell Kevin Baker
Sam Minardi (arrived 5:28 – 5:49) Joseph Jenkins
 Matt Sutton
 Mayor Goodwin
 Larry Malone
 Will Laird


The Chairperson called the meeting to order.

 1. Approval of Previous Minutes – Councilmember Campbell moved to approve the
minutes of the previous meeting on 5-6-2019. Councilmember Adams seconded. There
was no objection and the minutes were approved.

 2. Overview of CVB – Councilmember Pharr introduced Tim Brady. Highlights of the
presentation included:
 - Roughly 80% of their time and budget goes to actively recruiting for
 events/sports/conventions.
 - The Process – getting leads, are the desired dates available, what does the
 group require, what “we” offer, site visits and negotiation.
 - Upcoming Events – US Trampoline and Tumbling, US Soccer East Regional
 President’s Cup, URA Spring Leadership Conference, Delta Special Forces,
 American Baptist Association, WVSSAC for basketball, volleyball, tennis,
 baseball and track.
 - Recent Events – USA Boxing Junior Olympics (3 out of 4 years), NJCAA
 Volleyball, International Masons Convention AND Firearm and Toolmark
 Examiners Conference.
 - For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, 30,512 future room nights were booked
 (their goal for the current year is 32,000),



 May 20, 2019
Councilmember Persinger asked how much of this would happen without the
CVB. Tim Brady answered that it is tough to calculate, but probably not much.
Councilmember Persinger also asked if more hotels were needed, and Brady answered
at least 2 more. Councilmember Pharr asked about their current staff numbers. Brady
answered they currently have 8 full time and 2 part time employees.

Councilmember Pharr asked about losing the cheerleading competition. Brady
answered that they lost the low bid to Huntington. Councilmember Minardi asked what
needed to happen to get the football events back. Brady answered he didn’t want it,
because the return on investment most likely wouldn’t be worth it. Also Wheeling does a
great job with the event.

Councilmember Pharr asked how closely they work with the Convention Center staff/
other organizations. Brady answered they contact them when looking for space
availability. They also work with the Area Alliance, CVB and Charleston Main Streets,
among others, to help promote their events. Additionally, the Convention Center and
CVB’s staff are meeting to help develop a sales and marketing plan for the Convention
Center. Councilmember Minardi asked if Brady found the rates for the Convention
Center to be competitive. Brady answered that they are still learning about the new rate
structure. Councilmembers Persinger and Campbell stated that it made sense to have a
priority system in place to ensure that the entities that would have the most economic
impact were given priority.

Councilmember Pharr asked what the committee could do to help the CVB attract more
business. Brady answered that they should let them know of any organizations the
committee is involved with or knows about that they think would succeed in Charleston;
making connections is essential. Councilmember Jenkins asked if they had any
connections with WVU. Jenkins answered that WVU already has existing relationships
with the hotels and venues, so they do not necessarily need anything from the CVB, but
they frequently assist with promoting.

Councilmember Pharr asked him to update the Committee concerning travel basketball
and trying to attract wrestling. Brady answered that flooring was an economic
consideration that they are currently working through. Councilmember Pharr asked him
to explain the flash badge program. Brady answered that it is a year-long program
where an event participant will get a discount from a list of businesses.

  3. Discussion – The Committee made a plan to meet with John Robinson at the
Convention Center for their next meeting in 2 weeks.



Councilmember Minardi motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Campbell
seconded.

Meeting adjourned.



 May 20, 2019