MEETING: Morgantown City Council

Sun, 11/17/2019 - 9:38am — Diane Dyer

Joe Plunk, KY Department of Transportation

Morgantown City Council held its monthly meeting on November 14th at the Eva J. Hawes Building. Members in attendance were Sharon Johnson, Russell Givens, Dionne Cannon Merritt, Jason Gaskey, and Sterling White.

Joe Plunk, of District 3 Transportation Department, spoke to the council concerning approximately one mile of roadway in the city limits that actually is considered part of the state highway system. The first is 2161, which is from the square to Morgantown Elementary and the second is about 300 feet of Old Logansport Road. The roads are scheduled to be paved by the state at a cost of $130,607. Plunk proposed that the state resurface the roads in 2020 then turn them over to the city. The council did not agree to accept the roads.

Plunk and city officials both praised state road department employees in Butler County.

Plunk did say Owl’s Head Alloys had applied for a permit to construct a 24-foot commercial entrance with a turning lane to their property on Rochester Road. The state granted the permit.

The council approved the following by a 5-0 vote:

-Reappointment of Patty Craig to the planning & zoning commission

-Beginning in December, meetings of the city council, planning and zoning, board of adjustment, code enforcement, and tourism will be moved to the Morgantown City Hall.

-Called city council meeting for December 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with the grand opening of city hall to follow.

-Approved changes to the wordage of the business license and tax exemptions for the manufacturing businesses.

-Current city office furniture was declared surplus property.

The following reports were given:

Mayor- Billy Phelps

-A white rail fence like the one in front of Butler County High School will be put in front of the new extension office before Christmas.

-Gateway signage to the city will be placed by the high school but due to the Natcher Parkway changing to 165 Interstate, federal signage laws must be followed.

City Administrator- Jerrod Barks

-City tax bills were added to the county tax bills and 91% have already been collected.

-All restaurants and businesses that will be impacted by the restaurant tax starting in January will receive a letter in the next few days concerning guidelines.

-Morgantown City Hall is fielding questions and concerns about sidewalks on Sawmill Road until November 19, 2019.

-The city has placed a lien on a property of which the owner owes $10,000 to the city.

The city audit will be December 15, 2019.

Housing Authority- James Dossey

-The board of commissioners met in regular session on Monday, October 28. Mayor Phelps and Officer Burden attended the meeting. A discussion was held on some proposed groundwork at one of the properties but no action was taken. Members received information on vandalism on the handrails going from Southside Community Building to the Huff Ingram playground. Surveillance will be installed to assist. -Approval of accounts to write off and submit to collection agency. The housing authority currently has three veteran families in their facilities. Veterans are given priority.

Maintenance- Harold Deweese

-Picking up leaves and limbs and winterizing bathrooms at the park and equipment.

Planning and Zoning- Danny Cardwell

-The Morgantown Planning and Zoning Commission has not met since the last city council meeting.

Utilities Commission- Jim Green

-The Mooretown Loop gas project is currently about halfway completed. Work continues to complete this project in December.

Chief of Police- Giles Taylor

Dispatched Call for service-289

Arrests-20

Criminal Cases-5

Worked 128 vehicle accidents

Other agency assists-30