Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown City Council met on Thursday night, July 13th, at the Eva J. Hawes Building.  All council members were present. A short public hearing was held before the meeting in support of funding for renovations for city hall. The City of Morgantown is in the process of applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to secure the funds to remodel Morgantown City Hall.  The project would include an addition of an elevator and handicap accessibility. Amy Scott, of Barren River Area Development District, answered questions and is assisting with the grant-writing process.

The council recognized Justin Hudnall, son of LeeAnn and Jeremy Hudnall, who designed and installed landscaping in front of the Eva J. Hawes Building.  Hudnall is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout.
To become an Eagle Scout, a boy scout candidate must have earned the rank of Life Scout, be active in their troop, serve in a troop leadership position, and earn a total of 21 merit badges, including all of the Eagle Scout required badges.   Finally, a service project benefitting a religious organization or the community, in general, must be proposed, approved and completed.

Deneatra Henderson, a Civil Engineer with the Kentucky Department of Transportation, explained the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to the council. The city is applying for the 80/20 grant. The selected project will install lighting on the Main Street corridor between the high school and downtown, allowing lighting of the sidewalks with heavy pedestrian traffic.  It will also add some sidewalks and landscaping in this region.

The council approved the first reading of an amendment to the 2016-17 budget.  According to Mayor Phelps, $40,000 will be transferred to the Morgantown Police Department and $10,000 to the park fund to cover summer employees.
They also amended the appointed official's ordinances and approved the Kentucky Residential and Building Code.

Reports were given by the following boards:

Fire Department- Ronald Givens presented the report.
Calls for Service- 17
Structure Fires- City-0, County-3
Vehicle Accidents- County 5, City- 2
Service Calls - County 7, City-0

Police Department
Opened 10 criminal cases
Worked 7 non-injury accidents
855 calls for service
According to Chief Giles Taylor, the department is down two officers and have posted the positions.

Housing Board- James Dossey presented the report.
The Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Morgantown met in regular session on Monday, June 26, 2017, at the Kent Manor Community Room with all members present.   Discussion concerning patrol and visibility of police at the Housing Authority properties was held with Chief Giles Taylor and Officer Paul Burden of the Morgantown Police Department.  Members received renewal information for their employee health insurance benefit from Gina Hocker of Hocker Insurance Agency.  The board approved the same coverage renewal.  Changes were approved to require employees to pay $25 per month for a single plan and $50 per month for employee and spouse through payroll deduction. The board expressed its appreciate for having summer youth workers provided by the City of Morgantown and have also partnered with an agency who is providing a senior worker for 20 hours a week at no cost. Property signs are being refurbished and will be reinstalled soon. The Boys & Girls Club, which is located on the Tyler Street property, has provided a safe, positive place for approximately 110 kids per day this summer.

Planning and Zoning-Danny Cardwell presented the report.
They continue to work on the Zoning Map and have the Subdivision Ordinance completed and ready for the first reading.  They are also reviewing the Comprehensive Plan.

Utilities Commission-Jim Green presented the report. The Commission received the highest audit rating possible by Gilbert and Gilbert, CPAs. They approved an upgrade of the United System Technology Management Platform.  Workers are currently replacing galvanized water lines behind Huff Ingram. Hillcrest Credit Collection Agency was approved to collect past due bills. Currently, 112 customers owe approximately $20,000.

Maintenance- According to Harold Deweese, they have been busy mowing, picking up brush, replacing signs and tiles.
Code Enforcement- Charlie Tomes reported that he had issued approximately 30 complaints/violations and over half have already been corrected.  The others are in progress.

City Administrator- Mr. Barks stated that he had been working on the grants, compiling information from over 500 surveys, and meeting with the Downtown Development Committee.   

Mayor's Report-Billy Phelps
"I have been talking daily with Stratus, the new company buying the Kentucky Copper building.  Everything is still moving forward just waiting on all the paperwork to come together," said Mayor Phelps.
Mayor Phelps said he plans to ask the council to decrease the insurance premium tax by two percent yearly once the Kentucky Copper Building is sold.
"The city spent $21,400 on the Green River Catfish Festival, not including the electric bill," said Mayor Phelps.

Councilman Jason Gaskey reported that Vice-President Mike Pence maybe coming to Morgantown in the near future.