City Council: Police, Billboards, and Clean-Up Days

Sat, 04/13/2013 - 10:40pm — Diane Dyer

The Morgantown City Council discussed a MPD officer’s failure to pass the police academy and a new zoning ordinance on signs and billboards at Thursday’s regular monthly meeting.

MPD Chief Charles Swiney discussed the news he got on Tuesday that Officer Justin Williams had left the police academy 3 ½ weeks short of completion due to academic problems. Swiney told the Council that he has two candidates under consideration to take Williams’ position, one of whom resides in Butler County and is already certified; Swiney said the MPD is only waiting for that individual to say yes to the job. Council member Dionne Merritt asked if the city was out the money to send Williams to the academy, and the response was yes. Swiney suggested that had the MPD used a written exam as part of their application process, the situation with Williams might have been avoided.

Danny Cardwell of the Planning and Zoning Board reported his group’s work on a new ordinance covering signs and billboards. Cardwell told the Council the new ordinance would require billboards to be constructed of steel, cast iron, or aluminum; after a discussion with Council members, he agreed to add explicit language that billboards “shall not consist of wood.” Cardwell said one current billboard would not meet the new ordinance requirement but the Board would grandfather it in by taking out the seven year requirement in the current ordinance to comply. Council member Gary Southerland said the “big thing” is that no new billboards will be constructed that do not meet the new standard. Regarding signs, Cardwell said that all signs eight square feet or larger would require a permit. Yard sale signs and special event signs would be exempt but would be required to be removed four days after the end of the event. Election signs will require a deposit which will be returned if the signs are removed seven days after the election. Permit fees will be $25 for signs and $50 for billboards.

In response to a question from Council member Terrell House, Cardwell said moveable billboards are not addressed in the new ordinance, relying on traffic laws to regulate. Mayor Linda Keown asked about abandoned signs, and Cardwell said the ordinance requires signs of businesses no longer in operation shall be taken down by the owner of the property; if the owner does not comply, the city will remove the sign at the property owner’s expense. The Council decided to meet May 2 to take up the new ordinance.

Council member House reported the dumpsters are ready for the City/County Cleanup Days on April 18-20 at the county barn. Signs are planned to be posted at the intersection of G. L. Smith Street and Boat Factory Road to direct people with trash to the site and to promote the event.

Council member Russell Givens reported that he made industrial visits to Casco and Certified Flux since the last Council meeting. Casco is getting ready to add another line to their operation soon, while Certified Flux is looking to double its hiring.

The Council updated the situation on the White property. Since there is asbestos in the house on the property, the Council is waiting on two proposals from a company to remove the asbestos and to demolish the building once the asbestos is removed.

Renewal of the Mediacom contract was on the agenda, but the exclusive rights Mediacom claims in the area via the contract made Council members cautious. Council member Givens did not favor going forward, saying “I’m ready for an attorney to read [the contract] right now.” The Council voted to send John King the contract to review before they act on renewal.

MPD Chief Swiney gave his March activity report to the Council. The MPD had 307 calls for service, made 26 arrests, opened 3 cases and closed 1, handled 6 accidents and 4 DUIs, and had 9 motorist assists. Swiney added the MPD performed 61 extra patrols, many of which dealt with the construction area of the US 231 project.

An update was given on action on closing the alleyways beside and behind the Coleman property at Tyler and US 231. Keown said the matter was in the hands of attorney Randall Short to split the alley among the adjacent property owners.

In other business, the Council approved the 2nd reading of an ordinance to install a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Morrison and Tyler Streets and the 2nd reading of an ordinance to reduce the speed limit of Thomas Street between Tyler and Main Streets to 15 m.p.h. The Council reappointed Brenda Longhoffer, Terrell House, and Doug Odle to the Tourism Commission. The Council added Dionne Merritt to the Morgantown Recreational Facility Corporation, the body that handles bonds used to construct the Morgantown City Park; Merritt joins Terrell House and Gary Southerland on the MRFC. The Council approved the 1st reading of an ordinance to amend the current Street Department budget to reflect increased costs in blacktopping, gas, and oil; revenue was increased to $71,000 and expenses to $77,000.