Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council gave final approval of both the non-profit donations ordinance and the golf cart ordinance and moved forward on funding to repair Boat Factory Road at Thursday’s monthly meeting.
 
During discussion of the non-profit donations ordinance which would require organizations to apply for funding instead of request funds at Council meetings, Council members expressed reluctance to fund any organization at this time.  Council member Dionne Merritt suggested that the city should not contribute to any non-profit organization for the next two fiscal years and then revisit charitable giving afterward.  Council member Gary Southerland said that the donations issue could be addressed at budget time by not allocating any funds for charitable giving, or the Council could set a cap on such funds.  The Council went on to pass the 2nd reading of the non-profit donations ordinance.
 
In taking up the 2nd reading of the golf cart ordinance, discussion centered on whether carts should be allowed to cross KY 70 at the intersection with Logansport Road.  Council members voiced safety concerns regarding traffic coming downhill off KY 70.  The Council approved the 2nd reading of the ordinance, and Mayor Billy Phelps said he and MPD Chief Charles Swiney would look at the intersection and consider a possible amendment to the map in the ordinance.
 
Council member Sharon Johnson reported that she had talked with the state regarding the need for funding to repair Boat Factory Road.  Johnson said her talks secured $86,000 for the project, and Mayor Phelps said the money would be used to repave Boat Factory Road starting in early spring.  Phelps said the Memorandum of Understanding would be sent the next day to the Department of Highways to finalize before the next administration takes over.  The Council approved a resolution to accept the $86,000 in funding.
 
Mayor Phelps asked Randall Gaskey of the Utilities Board for clarification on responsibilities regarding the Rochester Dam.  Phelps asked hypothetically if the dam collapsed, who would be responsible to repair or replace the dam.  Gaskey replied the Corps of Engineers would be responsible, not the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission.
 
Phelps reported that Morgantown Utilities has moved into their new facility in the former Morgan Manor branch of Morgantown Bank and Trust.  The building has a handicapped accessible meeting room, and the Council approved an ordinance to move Utilities meetings from the Eva J. Hawes Ag Expo and Community Center to the new Morgantown Utilities building.
 
In other business, Phelps reported that the Maintenance Department had to repair their yellow maintenance truck which is their only snow vehicle.  The Council passed a resolution to designate the City Administrator as the representative to work on FEMA aid.  Phelps said some Christmas lights had to be replaced which no longer worked.  The MPD reported 436 calls for service in October including 26 criminal arrests.  Chief Swiney stated he had presented an elementary school program and will talk to the BCMS 8th grade during their Career Day.  The Housing Authority presented a report of their most recent meeting to the Council.

By Don Thomason, Beech Tree News