Morgantown Council Connection - For the meeting on March 2, 2021

This is a summary of the recent Morgantown City Council meeting.

A summary of the proceedings for the Morgantown City Council meeting on March 2, 2021.

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.

Action Items:

REPAIRING PARKING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CITY:

At the request of the Morgantown Parking Authority, this ordinance and accompanying resolution would authorize general repairs and an elevator replacement in the existing multilevel parking building located between University Avenue and Chestnut Street and replacement of a retaining wall in the existing surface parking lot located adjacent to 300 Spruce Street. The ordinance would authorize the issuance by the city of not more than $3.25 million in aggregate principal amount of Parking System Revenue Bonds, Series 2021 for the purpose of financing the design, acquisition, construction and equipping of this project.

Second reading. Passed 7-0.

CREATING A CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION:

At the recommendation of the Director for Arts & Cultural Development, this ordinance would create a Cultural Arts Commission which would assist, advise, promote, and make recommendations to the Director of Arts & Cultural Development, City Manager, and City Council on all arts and culture related matters. This would involve sunsetting the city's Metropolitan Theatre Commission and the History Museum Commission, and combining them into the Cultural Arts Commission.

First reading. Passed 7-0.

INCREASING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TREE BOARD:

At the recommendation of the Morgantown Tree Board, this ordinance would add an additional member for the Morgantown Tree Board. Specifically, it would require that a council member be appointed to the board.

First reading. Passed 7-0.

CHANGING MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION:

At the recommendation of the Morgantown Housing Advisory Commission, this ordinance would allow for a college student living in Morgantown to a member of the board. Previously, the student representative had to be from the WVU Student Government. The ordinance would also allow for a member nominated from an organization promoting fair housing and a member who is a licensed residential home builder.

First reading. Passed 7-0.

DISCUSSING THE FY 2021-2022 PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET:

The City Manager presented city council with the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Budget and 2021-2026 Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Morgantown. The total spending proposed in the 2021-2022 Budget is $38 million. This represents a 3.3 percent decrease in comparison to last year's budget and a 2.8 percent reduction from the previous year.

First reading. Passed 7-0.

APPLYING FOR STATE CDBG-CARES FUNDS TO SUPPORT LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME AND SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS:

The City Manager requested authorization from city council to apply for a state CDBG-CARES grant for $500,000. These funds will cover rent and utility assistance as well as food pantry assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic for low- and moderate-income persons and special needs populations.

First reading. Passed 7-0.

SUPPORTING NON-DISCRIMINATION IN THE CITY:

At the recommendation of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission, this resolution would show support for the adoption of Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) standards. The standards would specifically link discrimination on hair texture and protective hair styles which include braids, locks, twists as well as dreadlocks and Afros to non-discrimination provisions to Section 153 of the city code.

First reading. Passed 7-0.

Referendum on the Ballot this April

Did you know that voters will decide this April whether or not to extend city council term limits from two year concurrent terms to four year staggered terms? Do you want to vote, but are concerned about COVID-19? Applications are currently being accepted for absentee ballots. For more info visit morgantownwv.gov/elections or contact the Morgantown City Clerk's office at 304-284-7434.

Important Election Dates to Remember:

Jan. 4 to Apr. 20 - Absentee Voting Applications Accepted
Mar. 2 - Drawing for Ballot Positions
Apr. 6 - Voter Registration Deadline
Apr. 13 - Write-In Candidate Filing Deadline
Apr. 14 to 24 - Early Voting
Apr. 27 - Election Day

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