City Council Rescinds Blighted and Nuisance Ordinance

Fri, 10/10/2014 - 8:10am — Diane Dyer

The Morgantown City Council rescinded their approval of the Blighted and Nuisance ordinance at Thursday night’s regular meeting. The Council also heard from Mayor Keown about Trail Town designation and from the Butler County Little League about their upcoming intermediate league.

Council member Dionne Merritt told the Council she had heard from many constituents since last meeting’s approval of the 1st reading of the Blighted and Nuisance ordinance. Merritt said they had concerns about the ordinance as it was written, but she also said that they want any ordinance to be enforced. Mayor Linda Keown said that there was some vague language in the ordinance. Council member Russell Givens moved to rescind the approval of the 1st reading and to refer the ordinance to the city attorney; the Council approved the motion. Merritt later told WLBQ that constituents had concerns about the noise section of the ordinance, that it was too broad and could outlaw events such as parades and school celebrations.

John Hunt of the Butler County Little League addressed the Council on plans to have an intermediate league for 13 year olds. Hunt, who is safety and player advocate for the BCLL, said such a league would better transition players from Little League to high school. Hunt said that the BCLL would be coming to the Council later to discuss changes to the city park ballfields to move the pitcher’s mound, bases, and perhaps the fences for an intermediate league.

Mayor Linda Keown called on volunteers from the community for the Kentucky Trail Town Program. Keown read the requirements from the organization for any river town in Butler County to be certified as a Trail Town and be eligible for help in attracting tourists. She said that she is working with Rochester, Woodbury, and county government, but she called on community help in the effort.

City Treasurer Anita Gossett updated the Council on the city’s adoption of the Taxmaster program. Gossett said that while Taxmaster is a good program, there have been “hiccups” in its implementation. Training and data entry issues have not gone as originally stated to the city, and the website will not be up and running until December.

Keown told the council that Housing Authority Board member Josh Hampton has moved out of the city limits and is no longer eligible to serve. Keown recommended Pam Porter to replace Hampton, and the Council approved the recommendation.

The acquisition of three new vehicles was addressed. The Council gave Keown authority to lease a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado for the street department. In his monthly report, MPD Chief Charles Swiney said two new cruisers are being outfitted and should be ready by November.

Swiney also said the MPD had a very busy September with 455 calls for service. Swiney reported that Officer Embry made a drug arrest on a traffic stop that led to involvement by an area drug task force and two arrests in Muhlenberg County. Arrests by the MPD were down in September according to Swiney, but he added a lament that intoxicated driving arrests are being made at all hours of the day, not just at night.

Pam Porter of Community Action briefly addressed the Council, passing out a community needs questionnaire and telling the Council that she has replaced the retiring Debbie Proctor at Community Action. Kelly Hussung of the Butler County Arts Guild addressed the Council on the upcoming Greg Martin Group concert on October 14, a BCAG event. Hussung added she was wearing the same outfit she wore earlier in the day while appearing on WBKO-TV in Bowling Green to discuss the event. Hussung added that the concert is expected to give a boost to area business.