Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown City Council met on Thursday, April 8, via Zoom. All council members were in attendance.

Mayor Billy Phelps announced that he did go ahead and borrow the $3.5 million for the city park renovations. After consulting with Arnold Engineering, who estimated renovation cost at $3.5 million, the city is cutting $3 million out with a redesign. The lowest bid received by the city was $6.7 million. The redesign will break the renovations down to multiple smaller projects, allowing local businesses to possibly bid on the projects. The city hopes to release the new plans by June 1.

According to Mayor Phelps, due to the engineering firm's recommendation overseeing the Charles Black City Park renovation, the electrical service to the city park is down until adequate renovations are complete to facilitate a safe environment. Until that time, the city park's new hours will be from dawn to dusk. Additionally, the Eva Hawes Community Center will be closed until further notice. Once renovations begin, the park will be closed to the public.

The city also announced that the Morgantown City Pool will be open Memorial Day weekend.

In other business, various departments and boards gave monthly reports.

Housing - Pam Staples:

The Housing Board met on March 22. Billy Warren resigned, and Staples thanked him for his service. The board accepted a bid from Complete Comfort Heating and Cooling for repairs and replacements at Kent Manor. They received their capital fund amount of $430,000.

Code Enforcement- Bob McKee:

Mr. McKee has opened 15 new cases since January 1, 2021. Six have already been closed and nine citations issued. Code enforcement currently has 27 open cases, some of which are from last year. McKee reported that the Saw Mill Road project subflooring and waste has been removed. Some cases are being sent for legal action.

Maintenance-Brad Johnson:

The city has hired Ryan Cardwell, bringing the number of full-time employees to three. Workers have fixed potholes, picked up 37 loads of brush and leaves, trimmed right of ways, and mowed the city park. They have placed new benches and turned on the water at the Bark Park.

Morgantown Police Department- Chief Giles Taylor:

Dispatched Calls 298

25 Citations

10 Arrest

8 Cases Opened

4 Accidents

Officer Paul Evans is in Hawaii, testifying in a criminal case involving a Marine in USMJ Court.

City Administrator- Jerrod Barks:

Ninety-three percent of city taxes have been collected, and there is still one quarter left. The insurance tax has increased $20,000 over the previous year and the total revenue is up $120,000. The TVA grant is closed and the pad at the industrial park is complete. The TAP grant, lighting for US 231, is being handled by Warren RECC, and the Kentucky Transportation Department. The land and water grant is in the final stage for work on the dock on River Road. They are working with the Corps of Engineers due to access to the Green River.

Mr. Barks is working with City Attorney John King and Morgantown Bank & Trust to get funds from the Cemetery Trust Fund.

Work has begun on the budget for 2022 and a complete inventory for the city.

Mayor Billy Phelps:

"Next month's meeting will be face-to-face as long as the council members are fully vaccinated," said Phelps.  “It will be closed to the public but will be Facebooked by the City.”

"We have advertised for police officers and have only received one application in three weeks. We have also had a former part-time officer to be reinstated," added Phelps.

The city has only received one application for the MOGO bus driver position.

The mayor has received calls from interested businesses concerning the Industrial Park. He referred them to the Industrial Recruiter.

In other business, the Council approved the first reading of the Budget Ordinance, which includes $35,000 to remove chemicals from the Stratus Plastics Company, $8,000 for City Cemetery Steps, and $3.5 million for the City Park Renovations.

The Council appointed Trent Shain to the Tourism Board and Jeff Chaney to the Housing Board.

They approved the opening of a checking account for the Park Renovations.

The Council approved Resolution 2021-03 opposing the Owl's Head Landfill. According to Mayor Phelps, the entrance to the proposed landfill is within the city limits.

They also approved Resolution 2021-02 for the KYME Grant, which will provide generators at the Morgantown Police Department and the Eva J. Hawes Building, and will also provide a storm shelter in the future.