Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown City Council met in regular session on Thursday, October 11th at the Eva J. Hawes Agriculture and Expo Center.  All council members - Dustin Embry, Sharon Johnson, Russell Givens, Gary Southerland, Jason  Gaskey, and Sterling White were in attendance.
The council approved the reappointment of Pam Porter to the Housing Authority Board. 
Don Lindsey, of Rebecca's On Main, addressed the council concerning a possible restaurant tax and the number of food trucks in the city.  Lindsey stated that he just wanted to make sure the local restaurants and the out-of-town food trucks are treated the same.
The council approved changes in the Code Enforcement Ordinance.  Repeat offenders will receive a 7-day warning and then issued a citation if the property is not brought up to code.  The wording in the ordinance was changed to include junk lawn mowers and appliances as unacceptable items for the lawn.

The following reports were given:

Mayor

• The engineers working on the renovation of the Charles T. Black Park will reveal their plans at the November meeting. 
• Speakers have been installed on Main Street with a PA system.
• The bed race is canceled due to lack of participation. 
• The city website is being updated.
• The city has purchased three AEDs for the fire department, police department, and City Hall.  After discussion, the council agreed to buy three additional units for the city pool, ball park, and Eva J. Hawes Building.
• The mayor has received some complaints about the speed limit change in the school area. 

• Code Enforcement recently met and increased property taxes according to code on six properties. One house on Main Street has been condemned.
• Still waiting to hear from TAP grant for lighting on Hwy 231.
• The Downtown Development Committee decorated the city for fall.
• Property taxes have been mailed.
• Started working on audit with Embry & Watts

Planning and Zoning
The Planning and Zoning Commission is working on the updated zoning map.  They denied requested zoning changes for property on Tyler Street and Main Street. 

• Vehicle Accidents - City -0, County-8
• Grass, Woods, or Rubbish Fires- City-1, County-1
• Vehicle Fires- City-0, County-1
• Call For Assistants- City- 2, County-4
• Total Calls 17

• Dispatched calls for service 341
• Worked 11 accidents
• 14 arrests
• Issued 23 citations
• Opened ten criminal cases and one death investigation
• Officer Burden returned from the academy and started field training program
• Worked four special events
• Total calls for service 919