Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown City Council met on Thursday, March 13th at city hall. Mayor Billy Phelps swore in Michael Gary as the newest member of the council. Upon Gary becoming a council member, a seat on the utility board would need to be filled - one previously occupied by Gary. Mayor Phelps recommended promoting from within boards and suggested Pam Staples, senior member of the housing board. The motion was approved.  It was then recommended that Robbie Phelps, senior member of board of adjustments be moved onto the housing board. The motion was approved.  Trent Shain was then recommended for the board of ddjustments, moving him from the tourism board. That motion was approved as well..  The mayor then appointed Olivia Williams to the tourism board and Janine Taylor to represent Morgantown and Butler County on the BRADD Senior Citizen Council.  

Along with unfinished business, several monthly reports were given.

Planning and Zoning

-The department has received 3 inquiries this month and also issued 2 permits. 

Utilities

-There was a letter sent to city hall stating that Morgantown Utilities failed to meet the requirements of and/or make public or initial service line inventory.  Due to this citation, they had to go to customers' homes and inspect their water meters.  This was to see what pipeline was coming into the water meter and what type went to the home. It was explained that there was no lead contamination but homes that had galvanized pipes running from the meter to the house could be getting contaminated.  There were 900 customers and 15 were corrected.  

Housing

-Housing reported that they are currently at 95 percent occupancy and have 35 people on the waiting list. 

Tourism

-Applications for grants were due on the 15th for nonprofits in the community.  The scheduled meeting is set for the last Thursday of March.  There will be updates on those receiving grants at the next city council meeting.

MOGO Transit 

-There were 1,230 riders and 484 meals delivered.

Code Enforcement

-Bobby McKee reported that Dustin Embry was going through training on the program they use, which included identifying issues. They were also able to go through town and discuss what would be considered a violation.  They also went over planning and zoning permit items and the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) portion of the job.  Dustin then reported they have opened 5 new cases, while also closing 5 older cases.  They have placed 1 lien on property for non-compliance and scanned in paper copies of old cases that had yet to be put into the system.  

Fire Department

-The fire department reported last month there was 1 structure fire, 1 call canceled en route, and 2 calls for assistance in the county.  There was 1 vehicle fire in the city, making 5 total runs.  

Public Works

-There were a couple snow days in the month of February, of which 20 hours were worked each time to clear roadways.  They also patched potholes throughout town and cut back limbs hanging in roadways.  There were 15 loads of brush hauled off.

Police Department

-For the month of February there were 198 dispatch calls for service.  They made 4 arrests, worked 5 vehicle accidents, made 53 traffic stops, wrote 24 traffic citations, and 40 courtesy notices.  There were 827 total calls for service. 

City Clerk

-It was reported that Dana Phelps, tax clerk, has been taking on the workload of Kersie Sharp, assistant clerk, while she is out.  Dana attended the first clerk’s legislative night in Frankfort.  There is work being completed on the M Magazine.  The city has submitted the tap grant amendment with all the paperwork approved by the state.  As this is sent in, they may begin the next steps with the engineer.  The Farmers' Market Grant is near completion and reimbursement has been received for the generator grant, with closeout paperwork beginning.  The city is working on contractor documents and billing requirements that CDBG at the state requires for the fire station before that can be put out for bid. They have also begun planning for the walking trail Ggrant, but nothing can be done until the boat dock money has been issued to the city. 

Mayor’s Report

-The city is now taking name recommendations for the new farmers' market.  The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce luncheon for April will be hosted by the city on April 24th.  On April 26th, the chamber will be hosting their "Spring Fling" at the city park.  The city has facilitated the process of acquiring a carnival for the festival.  The "Summer Social" date has been changed to May 31st, as to not interfere with prom.  Mayor Phelps and Dustin Embry recently went to Frankfort to show and give support to different legislative bills.  Dana Phelps, who is the opioid representative, attended meetings at BRADD.  On April 1st, the city will start taking reservations for the pool.  Summer hours at the park have started and are 8:oo a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  The city has decided this year to put a bid out for cemetery mowing.  This will include mowing, weed eating, blowing off stones, trash pickup, etc.

Unfinished Business

 -Ordinance 2025-01: Amending Ordinance 2021-04 Section 22: Regulatory License Fee, Subsection A 2nd reading.  This is to lower the regulatory license fee from 5% t0 1.5% effective July 1, 2025.  Motion made and accepted.