Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council met Friday at the at the Eva J. Hawes Building at a called meeting.

Mayor Billy Phelps said the City is taking applications for summer employment until April 29.

Ellie Harbough and Debbie Hall of the United Way of Southern Kentucky was on hand to give a presentation on 2-1-1, a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources the need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  2-1-1 will allow residents of the ten county Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) to receive information and access to services dealing with mental and physical health, housing and homeless shelters, aging and disability, employment, and substance abuse. Callers will be able to dial 211 on their phone to talk to operators about their concerns. The service would also be available to assist callers with information during an emergency or natural disaster.

Harbaugh said the United Way hopes to have the service taking calls in July, and be fully operational by December 2017. 2-1-1 will be available 8am until 5pm Monday through Friday, with expanded hours in the future. She said they expect to answer between 6,000 and 7,200 calls the first year, with those numbers increasing to up to 24,000 calls by the end of the third year.

The budget for the service will be approximately $150,000.00 for the first year, and will likely increase to $250,000.00 by year 3. 2-1-1 is currently available in the Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky areas, and is 61% funded by local governments. The rest of the funding comes from grants, endowments, and donations.

Following the presentation, Harbaugh asked the the city council if they could commit to paying $7,500 to support the program. Mayor Phelps expressed interest in the benefits of the program, but the city’s budget can allot only $2,500 to such programs.

Jerrod Barks gave a brief update on the Morgantown Renaissance Plan. The City plans to plant 203 cherry blossom trees in the park and City on Arbor Day.  A 14-foot gazebo has been donated to the City and will be placed outside the Eva J. Hawes Building. A Downtown Development Committee has been established.  Members include Jerrod Barks, Melanie Hunt, Tommy Hines, Tristan Evans, Laurie Keen, and Jodi Chambers.

The Council approved Mayor Phelps’ recommendations for board appointments.  Jim Green, will replace his father Bobby Green, on the Utilities Commission and Billy Warren will replace Glendale Coleman on the Housing Board.

The Council went into closed session to review applicants for Morgantown Police officer position.  No action was taken by the council.

According to Mayor Phelps the auction at Kentucky Copper last Thursday netted somewhere around $1.2 million, with a lot of items still remaining.

“The City gets none of that money, it goes toward the $40 million owed to banks in India,” said the Mayor.