Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown City Council met at city hall on Thursday, February 13, with all council members in attendance: Dustin Embry, Sharon Johnson, Dionne Merritt, Russell Givens, Jason Gaskey, and Sterling White.

Ryan Emmick announced that the Farmers' Market had decided to move under the umbrella of the city of Morgantown. The Farmers' Market, which started last year, has been very successful, giving 35 to 40 local vendors the opportunity to showcase their products. According to Emmick, several local businesses have been created from the market. With the move to an entity under the city of Morgantown, insurance and expansion are possible for the Farmers' Market. The first market is scheduled for April 18, 2020, and the first and third Saturday of each month after that.

Steven Thronberry, of Hensley & Thronberry Certified Public Accountants, presented the 2018-2019 audit report. He reported that the city had the highest opinion with a clean and unmodified audit. The only finding noted was uninsured deposits. On June 30, 2019, the city's bank balance of $2,489,255 exceeded the FDIC Insurance coverage and pledged securities by $1,022,487. According to Mayor Billy Phelps, this problem has been corrected.

 CLICK HERE FOR

Statement of Net Position Statement of Net Position.pdf

Balance Sheet Balance Sheet.pdf

Morgantown Utility Morgantown Utility.pdf

Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances Budget to Actual Revenues Budget -Actual.pdf

In other business, the council appointed Tiffany Boone to the Housing Board, replacing rIris Moore who is now retired due to health reasons.  They also reappointed Mike Ansberry to the Code Enforcement Board. The council approved the second reading of the Personnel Policy amendment 2020-01 and the Municipal Road Aid Cooperative Program Agreement.

 The council approved budget amendments for the differences between two projects: Sidewalk Project $643,000 to the actual cost of $693,000 and city park $221,000 to $314,000.

 The following reports were given:

 Mayor- Billy Phelps

-MOGO Bus had 730 riders during the last month.

-Mayor Phelps has met with an architect concerning designing a Morgantown Fire Department building. The city is looking into a CDBG Grant for the project.

Housing Authority- James Dossey

-The board of commissioners had not met due to not receiving the new budget.

Maintenance- Harold Deweese

-They have been working cleaning tiles and ditches.

Planning and Zoning- Bryon Locke

-The Morgantown Planning and Zoning Commission met on February 4, 2020. They approved a permit for a porch at 205 Woodcock Street and a sign permit on G.L. Smith Street. They are working on a tiny house ordinance. The commission is also looking at any concerns with the city park being closed for 24 months for renovations and the River Park Grant.

Utilities Commission- Jim Green

-The Morgantown Utilities Commission met on Monday, February 10, 2020. They discussed the necessary maintenance needed on the Cone Tank at the water plant. The tank needs to be sandblasted and repainted both inside and out. This project will be done in two phases. Phase one will; be $17,635 and Phase Two $15,320 for a total cost of $32,955. The annual audit will be presented at the next board meeting on March 9, 2020.

Chief of Police- Giles Taylor

Dispatched Call for service-317

Arrests-24

Criminal Cases-5

Worked seven vehicle accidents

Traffic citations-49

Total calls for service-937

Morgantown Fire Department- Ronald Givens

Vehicle Accidents-City 1, County 2

Medical Assistants-City 0, County 1

Calls for Assistance-City 1, County 2

Brush, Woods or Rubbish Fires County 1

Total Calls -9

Code Enforcement- Bob McKee

-Alcohol Beverage Control training completed.

-Ten cases opened, and three have been closed. Two properties have been condemned, on North Tyler and Sunset Loop.

-Garbage not in a containers  is a concern.