Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council took up a busy agenda on Thursday night, with emphasis on economic development issues, new police officers, and vandalism in the city park.
 
Economic developer Maureen Carpenter updated the Council on her Morgantown marketing and consulting activities.  Answering a question from Council member Gary Southerland on local industry feedback, Carpenter said local industries tell her the primary issue for them is our work force pool.  The shortfalls in work ethic negatively affect expansion plans when positions continuously turn over.  Council member Dionne Merritt asked if the school system could do anything similar to the vocational school to help develop work ethic.  Carpenter replied that Superintendent Scott Howard was looking at a program similar to what Warren County schools use but more cost effective; she stressed that “it’s a national problem, it’s not a Butler County problem.”
 
Carpenter reported that marketing Morgantown to prospective industries focuses on those employing under 200 workers.  Some prospects, including larger ones, require existing buildings in the industrial park before considering a city.  Carpenter stated that the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is doing a virtual building to get an idea of the size of buildings that can be erected in Morgantown’s industrial park.

 
Police Chief Charles Swiney reported that the MPD hired James Embry and Ethan Vincent, both of whom Swiney said were “very eager” to serve on the MPD.  Embry and Vincent are patrolling with other officers until they go to and complete the police academy.  The Council decided to forego the planned closed session and express its interest in hiring Brian Ward as an officer subject to his interest and his release from his current police employer.  The MPD had 327 calls for service in April, a figure Swiney expects to increase as the weather improves.  Swiney told the Council that the MPD has started to transition to Glock service weapons, which he called a “better system” than currently used.
 
The Council discussed recent vandalism at the city park.  Mayor Linda Keown said vandals have lately strewn trash by overturning trash cans; Keown also said one of the playground structures had a part removed, exposing a sharp protrusion.  Keown asked the Council if the park should be closed after a certain time.  During the discussion, it was learned that a sign near the city pool has posted closing hours of 12:00 – 6:00 a.m., but the gate is never closed.  Council member Terrell House suggested closing the park at 11:00 p.m., but the consensus was to close the park gate at midnight as posted.  Council member Russell Givens suggested the city post more signs with the closing hours be posted through the park.
 
The Mediacom contract renewal was met with reluctance as it was last month, with several Council members voicing reservations on signing an exclusive contract and questions on the quality of Mediacom’s service.  Mayor Keown stated she was visited by a Mediacom representative since the last Council meeting.  Southerland suggested the city solicit public comment on Mediacom before the June meeting and have a Mediacom representative at that meeting along with the comments.  The Council tabled any action on renewing the contract.
 
Regarding the new four-way stop at Tyler and Morrison Streets, Council member Sharon Johnson said it was great but that motorists were running the stop sign whenever police are not present.  Council member Allen Meredith said he thinks the Council “went in the right direction” with the four-way stop instead of reducing the Tyler Street speed limit to 15 m.p.h.
 
The state Department of Transportation’s offer to give state highways within the city limit was reconsidered by the Council.  Meredith said he walked Main Street, Ward Street, and Cemetery Street and saw tile and pavement issues that would need to be addressed by the state prior to any takeover by the city.
 
The Council considered changing the $35 fee policy for holding run/walk races in the city.  Some were concerned that the fee was inadequate to compensate the MPD for blocking roads, particularly if officers worked overtime.  However, the Council voted to keep the policy as is, including the fee at $35.
 
Keown said she wanted to revive a Beautification Community Pride committee for community improvement.  House suggested advertising that citizens come to the June Council meeting if they are interested in serving on a committee.  Keown added that she has gotten good feedback on the new mural and has given an interview on it.  Also, Givens praised the “really successful City-County Cleanup Days” event, with 11 dumpsters filled.  He said maybe the city should consider a fall cleanup.   Givens reported that the house on the White property is being torn down with the same company handling demolition and asbestos removal; he said the demolition should be done within two days.
 
In other actions, the Council approved the new billboard/signage amendment created at the April meeting and since adopted by the Planning and Zoning Board.  The Council approved acceptance of state municipal road aid for FY 2013-14; the 2nd reading of the FY 2012-13 amended street budget; dues for BRADD for FY 2013-14 of $1,097; and the Comprehensive Plan developed by the Plan committee and approved by the Planning and Zoning Board.

Story by Don Thomason, Beech Tree News