Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council spent its Thursday night meeting at the Butler County Education Complex on the State of the City, an update on the city website, and the running of concession stands at the city park.  The meeting was a special called meeting due to the water damage at the Eva J. Hawes Ag Expo and Community Building which changed both the meeting date and location.
 
In her State of the City address, Mayor Linda Keown stated that the city’s elected officials “have been in a planning mode.”  The Council and Mayor met 30 times in 2013; of the results, Keown said “Citizens have noticed.  Others have noticed.  They like what they see.”  Keown talked of positive developments such as the US 231 road expansion project and the construction of the new Dollar General location, of community events such as last year’s championship swim meet and Singing on the Square.  Keown acknowledged that “There’s needs all over the city” but added “We’ve met a lot of those.”  Keown stated that city officials will be meeting soon to plan projects for the coming year.
 
Josh Hampton of Yellowberri gave an update on the construction of the new city website.  Hampton discussed the timeline for the website and that Yellowberri had met their December 30 goals.  Logo options are scheduled to be ready for presentation to the city by January 27.  Council member Gary Southerland asked if Yellowberri would copyright the logo chosen; Hampton replied that Yellowberri would leave copyrighting to the Council but stressed it would not intentionally duplicate any existing design.  Hampton said the timeline calls for a working prototype of the website by February 12 and an official launch between mid March and early April.  Some of the content needs Hampton listed were photos of the Mayor and Council members, historic photos, and city park photos.  Hampton also suggested using Jeremy Hack as a contributor for video content, citing a large amount of community footage he has made.
 
Kim Cunningham of Butler County Girls Softball asked the Council about her group taking over the concession stands during games at the city park.  She and the Council discussed the issues of BCGS running the concessions.  Council member Terrell House stressed the need for rules and structure, while Council member Allen Meredith said BCGS may have to go through the Health Department for a permit.  Cunningham said she would want figures on the money to be made to know if it would be worth the effort.  Discussions continued on the volume of product needed, what contracts are involved since the scoreboard has a soft drink sponsor, and getting volunteers to work concessions.  Council member Russell Givens suggested that BCGS talk with Sara Cannon, who has run concessions at the park for years.

MPD Chief Swiney gave both his December report and the end of year report for the department.  Swiney highlighted some significant events for the MPD in 2013, in particular the hiring of new officers Ethan Vincent and James Embry and their graduation from the Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy.
 
Keown told the Council that Morgantown has a sewer main infrastructure project in the #2 spot on the BRADD Regional Wastewater Rankings priority list; while stressing it is not a guarantee for action this year, Keown said the project has a high priority.  Keown also told the Council that the county government got a grant for six recycle bins and the city would get three of them; the locations of the bins are to be decided.
 
In other actions, Mayor Keown recommended Josh Hampton for reappointment to the Housing Authority Board.  The Council approved Hampton for a new term on the Board.  The Council also approved the 1st reading of a pretreatment ordinance amendment.

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Story by Don Thomason, Beech Tree News