Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council met for its regularly-scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 9th.  After approval of minutes and the meeting agenda, the council went to work listening to various board reports:

Planning & Zoning
Board member Jody Forgy discussed the need for the zoning map to be updated.  By law this is required to be done every five years.  The council is in the process of getting large working maps to use as reference in updating the  zoning process.

Housing Board
James Dossey informed the council that the bathroom project was still on schedule.  Their audit also went “perfect” according to Dossey.  Currently they have had very little kick-back in reference to the smoking ban scheduled to go into effect in all housing authority units on April 1.

Utility Board
Mr. Dale Adcock advised there was no new business.

Fire Department
Total calls for service: 20
Structure Fires
•    City – 0
•    County – 2
Vehicle Accidents:
•    City – 1
•    County – 9
Medical Assist:
•    City – 0
•    County - 5
Brush/Vehicle/Rubbish:
•    City – 0
•    County -0
Service Call:
•    City – 0
•    County -1

Chief of Police
Total calls for service: 248
Case Opened – 3
Criminal arrests (charges) – 5
Citations issued – 5
Vehicle Accidents – 1

Completed NCIC LINK audit.
Completed DRMO military audit.
All in-service training for department personnel for 2017 has been scheduled and approved through DOJTC.
The 2017 highway safety grant has been submitted.

Maintenance
The trailer has been removed from the city park and potholes are being filled.  They are now working on the tiles.

Gina Tynes of Hocker Insurance was on the agenda or the night to discuss adding coverage to the city.  She recommended adding professional liability which would protect all firefighter personnel the same.  This would equal out to $50,000 worth of coverage with a $1,500 premium.

At this time the grant that was applied for to renovate Morgantown City Hall was discussed.  Mayor Billy Phelps informed the council that due to a encrypted file sent to the local newspaper, The Banner, the grant was not advertised correctly, thus the qualification for the grant was dismissed because it was not completed properly. 

Mayor Phelps discussed briefly the drop in the unemployment rate in Butler County.  The unemployment rate has dropped an entire percentage point since last year from 5.9% to 4.9%.

The City Park Renovation project will be having an architectural company coming to review the project and place bids to determine the potential cost of the renovation.  In reference to the back exit at the city park, the deed is currently under review of the surveyors and attorneys.
The city will also be meeting with industrial recruiter Maureen Carpenter for training in order to better understand the Kentucky Copper building’s worth and to assist in the selling of the industrial building.

Currently, the Harlan Dockery building on Main Street is becoming increasingly unstable and before it can be torn down, by law the asbestos must be removed.  Currently the estimate to rid the building of asbestos is $18,000. The council hopes to have this in the budget to be torn down by the upcoming budget year.

Mayor Phelps voiced concerns from the city that had been presented to himself and City Administrator Jerrod Barks for the need of a van to help transport elderly residents about town.  Currently he advised the council and citizens to brainstorm on how this could be accomplished.

The Kentucky League of Cities appointed Mayor Billy Phelps to the Federal Regulations Committee of the 2nd District of Kentucky.

Councilman Sterling White was added to the discussions to showcase a grant he found via the USDA for public safety in rural communities.  However, this grant has already been in review from Councilman Russell Givens.  Councilman White also discussed a sidewalk grant that is available from the State Transportation Department.  Mayor Phelps commented that he would like to see the information on this grant.  This lead into discussion on the sidewalks being built alongside Thomas Street.  Currently they are coming along well. 

Mayor Phelps stated Woody Martin advised he would not be able to serve any longer on the Board of Adjustments and suggested finding a replacement.

In unfinished business the following motions were passed unanimously:

•    Incentive Program for City Officials
•    International Property Maintenance Code
•    To make a Code Enforcement Board

Once returned from closed session it was recommended by Mayor Phelps that Robbie Phelps be appointed to the Opening Board of Adjustments. This recommendation was passed in motion.  Also passed was the appointment of the code enforcement board.  The following individuals were appointed to the Code Enforcement Board:

Rich Ellis
Adam Williams
Mike Ansberry
Jamie Chaney
Kenny Cox