A summary of the proceedings for the Morgantown City Council meeting on Oct. 6, 2020.
View the
Meeting Agenda and Packet.
Watch the
City Council Meeting.
NOTE: This meeting was held remotely by Cisco WebEx video-conference to prevent the spread of COVID-19.Correspondence:
- SWEARING IN NEW FIREFIGHTERS:
City Clerk Christine Wade swore-in four new firefighters to the Morgantown Fire Department.
- RAISING AWARENESS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
Mayor Ron Dulaney Jr.
proclaimed October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This proclamation is meant to raise awareness of domestic violence and the important work done by the
Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center which serves Monongalia, Preston and Taylor counties.
- ENCOURAGING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT:
Mayor Ron Dulaney Jr.
proclaimed the week of October 12-16, 2020 as Municipal Government Week. This proclamation, which corresponds with Gov. Justice's proclamation, is meant to encourage all citizens to become more informed about their government and the services which it provides.
Morgantown City Council Action Items:
- BOARD AND COMMISSION NOMINATIONS:
Jon Weems, Greg Dahle, and Dave Barnett were nominated and appointed as members of the Tree Board.
Gail Lipscomb was nominated and appointed as a member of the Morgantown Housing Advisory Commission.
- UTILITY SYSTEM REVENUE BOND RESOLUTION:
At the request of the Morgantown Utility Board, this
resolution provides the parameters for the purpose of refunding Series 2010 A Bonds and issuing Series 2020 A Bonds. The intent is to provide cost saving measures for MUB through the refund of old bonds and the issuance of new bonds at a lower rate.
Passed 6-0.
- AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE TO ESTABLISH PARKING VIOLATION FEES:
At the request of the Morgantown Parking Authority, this
ordinance would provide an additional penalty of $20 for not paying parking violations within 12 months. Currently, there is no increasing penalty for payments that are seriously delinquent. The additional amount would help to cover the cost of collecting delinquent payments.
First reading. Passed 6-0.
- AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 917 ENTITLED “COMMUNITY FORESTRY”:
At the recommendation of the Morgantown Tree Board, the
Community Forestry Ordinance is designed to set professional standards for planting and maintaining trees throughout the city. It is meant to help increase urban canopy and wildlife habitat, and reduce stormwater runoff. The ordinance would also decrease the number of tree board members by three, bringing the total number of members to seven.
First reading. Passed 6-0.
- APPROVAL OF THE REPORT FROM THE WARD BOUNDARY COMMISSION:
At the recommendation of the Ward and Boundary Commission, and per the city charter, this ordinance amends Article 103 and accepts
proposed changes to the boundaries of the city's wards. The proposed ward boundary map includes input from the public and would balance the wards, as much as possible, by counts of registered voters and population based on the most-recent American Community Survey (ACS) or decennial Census. The proposed map was approved by the Ward and Boundary Commission during its Sept. 10, 2020 public meeting.
Passed 6-0.
- A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GOVERNOR’S HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM GRANT:
At the recommendation of the Morgantown Police Department, this resolution authorizes the city to apply for a Governor's Highway Safety Program Grant. The annual grant is meant to nurture grassroots initiatives, programs and projects that promote occupant protection, supports law enforcement, and stop impaired drivers, thereby reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities on the highways of West Virginia.
Passed 6-0.
- A RESOLUTION REVISING THE RULES & REGULATIONS OF THE POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN:
The
resolution will revise the rules and regulations of the Police Civil Service Commission to include corrections to typos listed in the current document.
Passed 6-0.
City Manager's Report:- TRICK-OR-TREATING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
The City Manager recommended that council set times for trick or treating this year. Local health officials have provided some basic tips on how to trick or treat safely during COVID-19. The city asked residents for their input on whether or not they want council to set times for trick or treating and the answer was overwhelmingly yes. The times for trick-or-treating were set for 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Passed 6-0.
- BID AWARD - AIRPORT UNDERGROUND TANK REMOVAL:
The bid for the removal of an underground storage tank and soil excavation was awarded to Miller Environmental Inc. in the amount of $55,870.50. Scope of work includes excavation and removal of the tank, testing and removal of soil, backfill of the site, and pouring a new concrete top.
Passed 6-0. - BID AWARD - AIRPORT ADA DOOR REPLACEMENT:
The bid for the replacement of doors with handicap accessibility controls was awarded to Royal Glass, LLC in the amount of $60,130.
Passed 6-0.