Beech Tree News Network

It was a jam-packed agenda on tap Thursday night, October 13, as the Morgantown City Council passed several ordinances that in many respects were historic in nature.  

Following three months of intense work and research by Mayor Billy Phelps and City Administrator Jerrod Barks, council members unanimously approved the first reading of three ordinances aimed at totally revamping the city's building and housing codes, as well as new regulations pertaining to landlords and tenants.  Specifically approved by the council was the International Property and Maintenance Code, an ordinance creating a Code Enforcement Board, and the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.  Collectively, these ordinances will establish uniform building and housing standards, specific rules and responsibilities for landlords and tenants, and a thorough mechanism for enforcement that will include an enforcement officer, penalties for non-compliance, and an appeals process.  

According to Mr. Barks, who presented a lengthy PowerPoint presentation on the need for ordinances, suggested the city's current policies in this area are too limited in scope, general in description, and are very difficult to enforce.  

Mayor Phelps said the problems the city is facing in regarding to building, housing, etc. are getting worse.

"We have to get control of this problem and take politics out of it," said Phelps.  

Once fully implemented, an appointed code enforcement board and a hired code enforcement officer will be enforcing the laws - removing these determinations from overt political control.  

Councilman Russell Givens indicated that he's not necessarily a fan of more government but that sometimes it's necessary.  

"I'm reluctant to add government but we can't do this without code enforcement," said Givens.  

According to city documents, the International Property Maintenance Code  will regulate and govern "the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings, and structures; by providing safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use, and the demolition of such existing structures in the City of Morgantown; providing for the issuance of permits and collections of fees." 

The purpose of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act is to create clear guidelines for all landlords and tenants; require landlords to abide by the codes established; give clear guidelines for the eviction abilities of the landlords; and require tenants to maintain cleanliness in the property.  

A full description of the ordinances passed are included in the links below:

International Property Maintenance Code:

IPMC Ordinance Edits.docx

Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act:

URLTA Ordinance.docx

Code Enforcement Board: 

Code Enforcement Ordinance.docx

Mayor Phelps praised the work of Mr. Barks in the helping to research and develop these ordinances.

"We have done an unbelievable amount of work including three months of research.  This would have cost the city thousands if we had contracted it out," said Phelps.  "All the credit goes to Jerrod ... a job well done."  

 The other "historic" action taken by the city council involved passing an alcohol ordinance for the city.  Voters in Morgantown, along with those in Woodbury and Rochester, approved the legal sale of alcohol in a September 27 referendum.  Now, it's up to those communities to pass local regulations dealing with legal alcohol sales, which is required by state law.  

According to Mayor Phelps, cities under 3,000 are permitted to have up to two standing liquor stores where both beer, wine and spirits can be sold.  Convenient stores can serve beer and food establishments can serve beer, wine, and spirits by the drink if they seat at least 50 and derive 50 percent of their sales from food. Sunday sales are permitted and no sales may take place between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.  The city of Morgantown will get business and liquor license fees but no taxes on sales.  The state office of Alcohol Beverage Control, not local officials, will be determining who is awarded the licenses for the up to two liquor stores in Morgantown.  The first reading of the alcohol ordinance passed unanimously.  

All members of the Morgantown City Council were present at Thursday's meeting. They are Dionne Cannon Merritt, Sharon Johnson, Russell Givens, Gary Southerland, Ronald Givens, and Allen Meredith

A copy of the Alcohol Ordinance can be viewed at the link below:

Alcohol Ordinance:

Alcohol OrdinanceJSK.doc

Several other actions took place during Thursday's meeting of the Morgantown City Council.  Stay connected to Beech Tree News and WLBQ 101.5 for additional reporting from the meeting.