MCC Highlights - Feb. 1, 2022

For the meeting on February 1, 2022 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Morgantown City Council Regular Meeting Highlights:

PROVIDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO CITY FACILITIES THROUGH LEASE REVENUE BONDS

At the recommendation of the City Manager, this ordinance would authorize the Morgantown Building Commission to issue lease revenue bonds not to exceed $7,000,000. The Series 2022 Lease Revenue Bonds would be used to provide for the design, purchase and construction of improvements to Morgantown City Hall, the Public Safety Building, Norwood Fire Station, and the City Garage. All of these facilities are aging and in desperate need of repair.

Second Reading.

ANNULLING A PORTION OF CAMPUS DRIVE IN PREPARATION FOR AN UPCOMING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

At the recommendation of the City Manager, this ordinance would annul a portion of Campus Drive in preparation for the WVDOH project to realign a section of Campus Drive to improve its intersection with Beechurst Avenue. The project is being coordinated between the City of Morgantown, WVU, and the WVDOH. The improvement project will be funded and completed by the WVDOH.

AUTHORIZING IMPROVEMENTS TO RUBY AMPHITHEATER AT HAZEL RUBY MCQUAIN PARK

At the recommendation of the Director of Arts and Cultural Development, this request would authorize the purchase of over 1,000 stadium style seating and related equipment to replace the aluminum bench seating at Ruby Amphitheater in Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. The total cost of the seating replacement is $216,207.68 and is funded through a recent grant from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust.

OFFERING SUPPORT FOR STATE APPROVAL OF A PUBLIC MURAL ON THE WESTOVER BRIDGE PIER

This resolution would formally show City Council's support for a public art mural on the Westover Bridge Pier to the West Virginia Department of Transportation. This resolution will be included in the city's application to the WVDOH to install the mural.

UPDATING THE CITY'S OUTDOOR DINING REQUIREMENTS TO ALIGN IT WITH STATE CODE

At the recommendation of the City Manager, this ordinance would update Article 906 of the City Code, switching from one outdoor dining permit type to three – consistent with WVABCA permitting rules. The three types are (1) sidewalk dining – extending your restaurant onto the sidewalk or street, (2) outdoor street dining – when the city closes a street and restaurants can place tables and chairs on the street and serve customers, and (3) outdoor dining – for extending restaurants’ service areas onto other properties (private or public) that aren’t in the sidewalk or street, this is only used if ABCA requires a permit and does not impose any additional city requirements on private property. The permit process is also simplified and a set of standards for furniture and equipment that restaurants can use on the street.

APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR HERTZ AT THE MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

At the recommendation of the Airport Director, this request would authorize a lease agreement with Hertz for space at the Morgantown Municipal Airport. The term of the lease is five years, with month to month renewal options and includes 6 parking spaces.

SUPPORTING THE BUILD BACK BETTER ACT

This resolution would show City Council's support for the federal Build Back Better Act. If approved the city would join other organizations urging Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito to vote for the Build Back Better Act.

DISCUSSING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

The City Manager will discuss the City of Morgantown's 2021 Year in Review which highlights city department achievements in 2021.