Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council addressed several issues at a special called meeting Tuesday night, but it took action on just a portion of its agenda.
 
A large part of the meeting dealt with suggested amendments to the new sign ordinance.  Mayor Linda Keown suggested several possible options to the Council in light of criticisms of the sections on political signs and special event and yard sale signs.  Keown mentioned revoking both sections and leaving the rest of the sign ordinance intact.  Council members Terrell House and Allen Meredith spoke in favor of removing the permit fee for political signs but leaving other restrictions such as the 60 day limit for posting political signs and charging for sign collection if the city has to remove signs after the 60 days are up.  Community criticisms were touched on, such as the viewpoint that the permit fee was an impermissible restriction on free speech.  Council member Russell Givens spoke to those who say “It’s my yard” and the city doesn’t have a say, stating the city is not against signs but wants them posted and removed in a more timely manner.  After some debate, Council member Gary Southerland moved to revoke the political sign section and the yard sale and special events section of the sign ordinance, and the Council approved the motion.  Since the motion would change a standing ordinance, the Council will have to have two readings of the amended ordinance before the changes will take effect.
 
The Council appeared to be ready to recommend Yellowberri to build the new city website.  However, Council member House raised the issue that Josh Hampton of Yellowberri is a member of the Housing Authority board, and the paid position may represent a conflict of interest.  Other Council members were not in agreement that a conflict of interest would exist, but House said “I don’t see how we go any further until this is cleared up.”  The Council voted to postpone action until the issue of Hampton’s possible conflict is resolved.
 
The Council heard a presentation from Hocker Insurance on a new insurance policy for the coming year.  The past year was an “almost zero loss year” for the city, but the old insurer Trident decided not to offer another policy.  Hocker chose a plan from the insurer One Beacon at an annual premium of $45,702, slightly higher than the $44,310 from last year.  The new plan is close to the previous one, and it includes a zero deductible and a network security feature to protect against liability for damage done by hacking and other data theft.  The Council approved the new policy proposal.
 
The Butler County Ambulance Service lease had been renegotiated between Council member Terrell House and the Ambulance Service’s Mark Hood and was sent Tuesday to city attorney John King.  House went over the amended language that had been sought by Hood, but the Council postponed action until King finishes reviewing the lease.
 
Council member Givens and Mayor Keown told the Council that FEMA needed more than the communication sent after the last meeting that stated no change in the floodplain boundaries.  FEMA needed an ordinance amendment to establish a special flood area as a component of the flood insurance rate map.  The Council approved the amendment.

Story by Don Thomason, Beech Tree News/WLBQ1570