Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council showed more optimism Thursday night than they did in last month’s meeting, but they still acted with caution in passing spending measures.
 
Mayor Billy Phelps stated early in the meeting that Kentucky Copper had paid its back debt to the city.  The financial burden of the debt and monthly payments the city would make on the building hung over last month’s meeting and the budget for the next fiscal year.  Phelps said that BRADD would hold a public hearing June 18 on the closeout of the Kentucky Copper project grant, which was included in the payment received from Kentucky Copper.
 
Bruce White of the Boys and Girls Club said while addressing the Council that there was a “different aura in the room.”  White asked again for $12,500 in funding for the Boys and Girls Club, but he amended his request by making it on a provisional basis upon resolution of the city’s finances.  Mayor Phelps and Council member Gary Southerland said Kentucky Copper has a six month window to either buy the building or move out of it; Southerland said he would like to see what happens with Kentucky Copper first.  Council member Russell Givens said the $12,500 needs to be in the next budget; Phelps said the budget could always be amended.  White said he would like to see the funding in the budget but not spent unless city finances improve.  Council member Dionne Merritt expressed concern about the banks financing Kentucky Copper coming through.  Phelps called several times for a motion from the Council, but no action was taken.  The Council continued their caution on city finances by approving the second reading of what was called a bare bones budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which did not include funding for the Boys and Girls Club.
 
An update was given on the Morgantown Clean Up initiative, with City Clerk Jarrod Barks reporting that over 30 letters were sent by City Hall on cleaning up specific properties.  Phelps and Barks stated that letters had also gone out to collect delinquent city property taxes; Phelps said about one-third of the back taxes had already been collected.
 
Progress on the tennis courts at the city park was reported.  Last month frustration was voiced over Reynolds Sealing and Striping, and another company was being considered to take over.  However, Reynolds has been at the jobsite for the past three days, and the timeline for repairs could be a week to ten days.
 
MPD Chief Charles Swiney reported a busy May for the department with 469 calls for service and four cases presented to the Grand Jury.  Swiney said he is looking for a fairly busy summer.
 
In other business, the Council approved the first reading of the employee handbook, approved moving three vehicles to surplus, and approved a resolution for state Municipal Road Aid in the amount of $46,458 for the year.

Story by Don Thomason, Beech Tree News