Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council met in regular session on Thursday evening, May 12, at the Eva J. Hawes Ag and Expo Center.  Among the actions taken were approving the 2016-17 fiscal year budget and approving a park ordinance that gives local law enforcement heightened authority to remove persons from Charles Black Park. 

“We need to keep our park family-friendly,” Mayor Billy Phelps said. “When it stops being a family-friendly atmosphere we need to be aggressive to stop it.” 

Persons who are removed or banned from the park can appeal the ban by submitting a written statement to Phelps. 

The desire to instate a park ordinance stems from an  April 28, 2015, stabbing incident that occurred at the park. 

Morgantown Police Department Captain Paul Burden reported that in the month of April the police department had 328 calls to service, opened 14 criminal cases, had 57 criminal arrests, wrote six traffic citations, investigated nine collisions, made one DUI arrest, wrote one courtesy notice and made 84 targeted patrols. 

There was a moment of silence during the meeting to honor former Morgantown City Council member Edra Hampton, who passed away Saturday, May 7.

“She was a valuable asset to this community for many years," Phelps said. 

Morgantown City Administrator Jerrod Barks said the city’s “Movie in the Park” series would begin May 21 with a showing of “Jurassic World” at Charles Black Park. 

“We’ve got a lot of positive feedback from that,” Barks said. “We are hoping to have it between the soccer field and the softball field. With the rain being as it is it may have to move somewhere else.” 

Pool admission will be free all day May 21 at the Morgantown City Pool prior to the “Movies in the Park” showing at dusk, around 7:30-8:00 p.m.

Barks said next month the city will start bench sponsorships. Local businesses can purchase a bench for $1,000. Five sponsors have already committed, Barks said. The benches will line Main Street. 

The 2016-17 fiscal year budget was approved.

“The budget is the same as 2015-16,” Phelps said. “We did not add a cent.” 

A request from Meals on Wheels for $1,700 was approved.