Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council met for over two hours Thursday night in its regular meeting for March. The Mayor and all council members were present.

Greg Meredith, from the Kentucky Department of Transportation, District 3, came to report on the state of the Highway 231 expansion project between the Natcher Parkway and G.L. Smith Street. Meredith reported that 37 of 51 parcels of land have been purchased and that he expects none of the remaining parcels to be settled in court. He also reported that he had met with local utilities on Thursday concerning the project and said that by summer activity should be seen on the beginning phases, which would be utility relocation. Meredith said that the project should be ready to be bid by October and should take about a year to complete once the bid is settled.

Some concerns were voiced by citizens and Councilman Russell Givens concerning drainage issues and the final height of the roadway between McDonald’s and Sonic. Givens and Rick Scott pointed out that a 100-yr. flood of 419 feet completely closes off the area around the Ashley Plaza to Butler County High School. Meredith answered that the lowest point in the road would be 416.6 feet. While that raises the road more than four feet it still doesn’t keep it dry during the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimate of a 100-yr. flood. Councilman Scott said of the redesign, “That will take care of most situations. That will still be a big improvement.”

Givens, along with Councilman Gary Southerland, and landowner Phillip Rose questioned Meredith about possible drainage problems brought about by the redesign. Specifically they were worried that present ditches which carry storm runoff wouldn’t be able to handle redirected loads. A lengthy examination of the plans furnished by Meredith ensued. Meredith assured Rose and Givens that the designs factored in the increased drainage demands.

The Mayor reported that improvements to the pool house aren’t yet complete, and that they will cost more than the $20,000 that was estimated. She said that the lift chair for the pool has not been installed and that it will cost around $5,000. She also reported that fencing has been purchased for the Little League Baseball fields and will be installed when the weather dries up. Councilman Terrell House reported that Bob Chism has pledged to do the dozer work for the ball fields for the price of fuel. House said that the clay will be dug out and replaced with river sand which will help solve drainage problems.

Councilman Rick Scott reported meeting with Chris Lowry about a possible Community Development Block Grant to help repair or remodel low income and senior homes. Some discussion was held as to whether the city would be eligible to apply for the grants presently because of other CDBG obligations.

The need for storm shelters and/or a storm warning system was mentioned by Sharon Phelps. Both Phelps and the Mayor reported that citizens had asked where they could seek shelter during last week’s storms. Russell Givens said that grant monies must be available for such projects, because surrounding counties have shelters and warning systems. They all agreed that the issue might be best served in a joint capacity with the County Government.

Terrell House reported that sidewalk improvements are progressing. Some discussion was held about what would be the next phase of the project, and it was debated whether it should continue up Tyler Street toward the park, and between Wan’s Clinic and Smith Funeral Home. No action was taken.

Sergeant Andy Gidcumb gave the council the monthly police report. Gidcumb said that in February police issued 20 citations, made 14 arrests, worked 12 wrecks, and answered 186 calls. Gidcumb said that that was an extremely high number of calls. The sergeant also expressed his concerns about the new 911 addressing system. He said that the new numbers aren’t being used by lots of homeowners. Tyler and Taylor Streets in Morgantown were areas that were of particular concern. No action was taken on the matter.

Gregg Drake gave a one-year progress report about the Economic Incubation Program in Morgantown. Drake said that Charlie Biggs Chicken will soon be open in the old Jr. Food Store building. Monies from the Incubation Program helped the owners of the business, James and Jean Beatie, get started. Drake said that the program needs some tweaking, but thanked the council for their help and proclaimed the money they pledged to be doing what it’s supposed to do.

Mayor Keown said that the budget process would be starting soon. Toward that end a motion was made and passed 6-0 to have a hearing at 5 p.m. on April 12, before the regular council meeting, to discuss salaries for elected officials. The council asked that members of the media present at the meeting help inform the public about the hearing. Terrell House said of the matter, “We just want to do what’s right about this.”

Casey Turci spoke to the council concerning two issues. First, Turci asked Rick Scott and the council if they had made any progress toward a right of way issue that he brought to them at the February meeting. The right of way in front of Turci’s house on G.L. Smith Street extends well into his yard. Turci alleges that runoff from the courthouse cuts through the area and he had wanted to build a wall and make other improvements, at his expense, to alleviate the problem. Turci asked the council for permission to improve the right of way in front of his property, and wanted assurances that any work he performed wouldn’t be arbitrarily removed by city action.

Terrell House and Mayor Keown explained that upkeep of right of way is the responsibility of the adjoining property owner. House moved to give Turci permission to perform the improvements to the edge of the road, and possible installation of a sidewalk if Turci would agree to have the sidewalk work approved by the sidewalk committee. The measure passed 6-0.

Turci’s second issue involves his proposal to have an 18 hole disc-golf course installed at the City Park. Turci brought an estimate of approximately $5,000.00 to the council. He said that covered the cost of 18 baskets and poles, railroad ties, and concrete for the course. Nine of the holes would be in the present park and nine more would be built in the woods between the back of the soccer fields and Gardner Camp Lane.

The Mayor and Councilman House agreed that the course could be a tourist attraction for Morgantown. A committee consisting of Turci, Mayor Keown, and Councilmen Rick Scott, Terrell House, and Gary Southerland was formed by a 6-0 vote of the council.

In old business the council voted 6-0 not to fund the Wireless Emergency Notification System proposed at the February meeting by Police Chief Billy Phelps. Council members Edra Dean Hampton and Terrell House both said that citizens had expressed concerns over the program. Councilman Rick Scott said he had talked to persons in cities that had the system and they were not satisfied with it.

In other old business the council approved second readings of ordinance 2012-03, Amendment of Occupational License, and ordinance 2012-04, Amendment of the Annual Budget for contribution of expense to IHC. The budget amendment covers the city’s portion of the down payment on property purchased jointly with the county for industrial development.

In new business the council voted 6-0 to rename Ballpark Street in the city park to Lewis Evans Drive in acknowledgement of the contributions made by Evans to the park over the years. The council also voted to get a plaque to give to Evans and his family as a keepsake.

Clean Our City week dates were set for Friday, April 20th through Monday April 23rd. Mayor Keown said that more plans will be formalized for Clean Our City week in upcoming work sessions.

Mayor Keown reported that the Barren River Area Development District had bid $8,000.00 to come up with the city’s new Comprehensive Plan. Rick Scott moved to let BRADD do the plan and the measure passed 6-0.

The meeting was then adjourned.

The next meeting of the council will be on Thursday, April 12th at the Eva J. Hawes Community Building in the City Park at 6 p.m. There will be a public hearing that night at 5 p.m. in the Community Building to discuss the salaries of elected officials. The Mayor and City Council strongly urge anyone that has questions or concerns about salaries to attend the meeting.

Story by Joe K. Morris, BTN

Photos by Jeremy Hack, BTN