Beech Tree News Network

Council will use CARES Act funds to construct new police station as well. 

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On Thursday July 13, the Morgantown City Council met in regular session. All council members were in attendance. Most notable in the meeting was the announcement that the City of Morgantown has received a grant for the construction of a new fire station. The grant of $750,000 was received through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This is the second CDB Grant in a row awarded to the City of Morgantown, which is an unusual but ideal occurrence, the first of which allowed for the renovation of city hall.  Although the grant covers only the building of a fire station, the City of Morgantown will add $600,000, which came from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) funds, to allow the structure to house both a fire and a police station. 

In other news, the council heard reports from planning and zoning, utilities, the fire department, the housing authority, code enforcement, public works, and the city police. 

Pam Staples, from the housing authority, shared that Executive Director, Anita Jenkins has retired. Mayor Billy Phelps praised Jenkins for her many years of exemplarly service. 

Brad Johnson, from public works, introduced Brett Shain, newly hired to head of maintenance for all of the city’s parks, including the Charles Black City Park and the future pocket park on Main Street and the proposed riverfront park. Shain has spent the last 17 years in grounds maintenance at Western Kentucky University. His extensive knowledge and skills will allow some things that had, prior to now, been outsourced to be done by Shain and other public works employees.  

In further discussion of the Charles Black City Park, Mayor Phelps said that he hopes to have a grand opening in the spring of next year.

Plans for the riverfront park located at the Morgantown Boat Ramp continue. The city has applied for a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant to pay for a walking trail, bathrooms and other amenities at the park. In compliance with a requirement for the grant, a public hearing was held following the regular council meeting, Mayor Phelps opened the floor for discussion but there was none. The request for the grant was approved.