Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown City Council met in regular session at the Eva J. Hawes Building on March 14th.  Council members Dustin Embry, Dionne Merritt, Sharon Johnson, Jason Gaskey, and Sterling White were in attendance. 
Ron Bunch , President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, addressed the council, at their request, concerning their work in Morgantown.   The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is recognized as one of the nation's top areas that is attracting corporate facility investment. For the first time, Bowling Green ranked first in Site Selection magazine's Top Metros annual report of high-performing metros among communities with populations less than 200,000 based on total economic development projects for the year.
 "The Chamber's six consecutive years of nationally ranked success in economic development is unprecedented in Kentucky," said Bunch.
“We meet with your existing companies at least once a year and more if needed.  Approximately 80-85% of economic growth comes from existing companies,” added Bunch. We have worked with Corvac on an expansion and are currently working with two other existing companies in Morgantown.”
When asked about new businesses Bunch reminded the council, “Statewide there are only about 30 new projects each year. The competition is tough. We market Southcentral Kentucky, not just Warren County; new clients tell us what they want, and we show them everything that meets their requests.  

In other business, Council member Dustin Embry made a motion to amend the operating hours of bars in Morgantown to delay hours of operation till noon on Sundays.  Council member Sharon Johnson seconded the motion with all voting in favor of Sunday hours of operation from noon to 2:00 a.m.  This was the first reading of the amended motion.

The council approved the reappointment of the following individual per Mayor Billy Phelps’s recommendations: Bryan Locke- Planning & Zoning; Doug Weathers -Utilities; Code Enforcement- Richie Ellis and Kenny Cox.

The following reports were given:

Planning & Zoning- The P & Z Commission met on March 5th.  They updated several ordinances and worked on the comprehensive plan.  They held a Public Hearing on March 14th to address a zoning change request from R-1 Residential to COM Commercial pertaining to property at 90 Old River Road, also known as the former Carlton and Lennie Drake property.  Denny Drake petitioned for the change to build a Fertilizer Blending Operation on the property as a part of the expansion of Drake’s Farm Service.  There was no opposition to the request.  The change was approved.

Morgantown Utilities Commission- They will start the Mooretown Loop project as soon as the weather breaks.

City Police
Dispatched Calls for Service- 297
Arrests - 29
Criminal Cases - 17
Vehicle Accidents - 15
Other Agency Assists – 45
Special details- 13
Total Calls for Service - 1296
Started purchases pf last years pre planned capital outlay expenditures
Reinstated monthly training/meetings
Still operating at 50% of patrol staff
Ran a full month of application advertising received 7- four showed up for POPS test

Morgantown Fire Department
Structural Fires - City -0, County - 2
Calls for Assistant - City -3, County - 3
Medical Assistant - City - 2, County - 2
Vehicle Accidents - City 0, County - 9
Car Fires  -  City - 2, County- 1
Total Calls -  24
The department has received all new turn-out gear. 

Housing Authority- The Housing Authority of Morgantown Board of Commissioners did not meet in February.

Maintenance -  The crew has been cleaning and getting the park ready for spring.

Code Enforcement – According to Bob McKee there are 12 open cases and one citation has been written.  He is learning the new software for the job. 

Mayor's Report
-The council will start having budget work sessions. 
-The sidewalks on Dave Gaskey Lane will begin soon.
-The city has received one bid for the demolition of Reeta’s Building. 
-On April 25th the city will host the Chamber luncheon at noon at the Eva J. Hawes Building.
-March 28-30 are the scheduled "Clean Up Days" for the community.
-Bids will be open Tuesday morning at City Hall for the concrete work on Industrial Drive.
-On April 11th at 5:00 p.m. there will be a River Park meeting.

The entire meeting can be viewed on the Beech Tree News Facebook page.