MCC Highlights - April 26, 2022

For the Committee of the Whole meeting on April 26, 2022

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Committee of the Whole Meeting Highlights:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Committee of the Whole meetings of the Morgantown City Council are intended to provide an opportunity for the Council to receive information, ask questions, and identify policy options in an informal setting. No official action is taken at these meetings.

Presentations:

CITY OF MORGANTOWN ARTS AND CULTURE UPDATE

Arts and Cultural Development Director Vincent Kitch will provide council with an update on the city's arts and culture initiatives. Kitch will discuss the departments current and upcoming capital projects, programming, and public art efforts. Kitch will also provide an update on the Metropolitan Theatre, Morgantown History Museum and Hazel Ruby McQuain Park.

WEST VIRGINIA GIS CONFERENCE UPDATE

Morgantown GIS Analyst Marvin Davis will provide council with an update on the status of the 2022 West Virginia GIS Conference.

THE HISTORIC MORGANTOWN POST OFFICE BUILDING

Dr. Jane Cardi will provide council with an update on the efforts to renovate the Historic Morgantown Post Office building in downtown Morgantown.

MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY MAINTENANCE SHOP AND BREAK AREA

Morgantown Parking Authority Director Dana McKenzie will discuss the MPA's need for a Maintenance Shop and Break Area. The location being explored for this would be the corner of the University Avenue Parking Garage.

MORGANTOWN AREA PARTNERSHIP UPDATE

Morgantown Area Partnership President Russ Rogerson will brief council on current initiatives of the Partnership.

Items for Discussion:

APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE MORGANTOWN HISTORY MUSEUM

Council will discuss adding an ordinance to its May 2 regular meeting agenda which would authorize a lease agreement between the Morgantown History Museum and the Historic Morgantown Post Office Building, Inc. for continued space for the museum.

MORGANTOWN PARKING AUTHORITY MAINTENANCE SHOP AND BREAK AREA

Council will discuss the MPA's need for a Maintenance Shop and Break Area. The location being explored for this would be the corner of the University Avenue Parking Garage.

UPDATING THE CITY OF MORGANTOWN PENSION FUND RULES AND REGULATIONS

Council will discuss adding a proposed update to the city's pension rules and regulations to its May 2 regular meeting agenda. The updates provide a structure to appoint pension fund board members and establish a quorum to do business and award retirement pensions. Pension fund board members are nominated by the city manager, as required by state law, and all fund members have the opportunity to object to the appointment or allow the nominee to be seated. The city finance and payroll staff are directed to process benefits awarded by the fund

REVIEWING THE CITY'S HOME RULE INITIATIVES

Council will discuss the city's current Home Rule initiatives. The city is considering a sixth amendment to its Home Rule Plan. It will review issues initiatives used in other cities, including spot citations for property maintenance issues, and any other issues raised by council members, and will consider requesting authority to establish Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas – areas where license establishments can serve alcohol and the public can have drinks while eating, attending events, shopping, or socializing outdoors – and authorities related to the timing of the budget process and authority to purchase property tax TIF bonds.