Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council convened on September14, 2023, for a regular meeting.  The meeting was attended by all council members. 

Mayor Billy Phelps opened the meeting by recognizing Andy Fuller for his 20 years of service with the Morgantown City Pool.  Fuller was presented a plaque for his service with the city.

In Resolution 2023-07, Mayor Phelps and the City Council have designated September 2023 as “City Government Month” in Morgantown.  Mayor Phelps attended 5^th grade classes at North Butler and Morgantown Elementary Schools, speaking to students about the importance of city government and civic engagement. 

During the meeting, the council members reviewed unfished business and received monthly reports. 

Ordinances 2023-08, 2023-09, 2023-10, and 2023-11 pertained to increasing pay for the Utility Board, Housing Authority Board, Planning and Zoning Board, and Code Enforcement Board.  All ordinances were accepted by the council.  The Burn Ordinance presented by Planning and Zoning that established burn regulations within the city was also accepted. 

Planning and Zoning also requested to amend Ordinance 2023-05 Article 7 General Provisions for Sober Living Facilities.  This was the first reading and the changes requested to be made are concerning insurance and mortgage notification and adding a severability clause.  The insurance and mortgage notification states owner/operator of any group home may be required to maintain and provide proof to the city of liability insurance coverage in the amount of $300,000 per person and 1 million dollars per occurrence for personal injury to persons or property damage.  The severability clause is to help in the event of litigation or court proceedings.  This clause ensures that if a portion of a document is found to be unconstitutional, the remainder of the document will remain in force as the terms are independent of one another.   After questions and discussion was had, council members did accept Ordinance 2023-05. 

The Fire Department reported 2 vehicle accidents in the county and 2 calls for assistance, one in the county and one in the city.  They also reported to having 2 days of state training.  The Police Department reported that officers answered 284 dispatch calls for service, worked 7 motor vehicle accidents, made 22 arrests, opened 5 new criminal cases, made 64 traffic stops, wrote 31 traffic citations, in addition to the 8 courtesy notices for parking violations, and a total of 11 alcohol related calls.  Their total calls for service were 1,127.

 In housing updates, the Housing Authority is now at 95% occupancy.  They are working to install new stoves in all units and continue transferring tenants and filling current vacancies.  The MOGO Shuttle has added another hour to the schedule and will begin at 9:00 a.m.  The monthly report shows there were 1,416 riders.  The MOGO Shuttle has also began helping deliver meals from The Kitchen and have delivered 541 meals.