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City Council: Roadblocks, Golf Carts, Charitable Donations, and Restaurant Tax

The Morgantown City Council acted to change how they gave funding to local organizations and to stop allowing road blocks to raise money at Thursday night’s monthly meeting.  A restaurant tax proposal was also discussed.


 
Council member Allen Meredith read an ordinance which would establish an application procedure for local organizations to request funding from the city.  The new ordinance would establish standards for organizations to meet and would eliminate groups making funding requests at city council meetings.  Any funding decisions would be made by March 15 of each year; funding after that date would require a supermajority of five council members to approve.  On a roll call vote, the 1st reading of the ordinance passed 5-1 with Council member Dionne Merritt voting no.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORDINANCE:Charitable Donations.pdf

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION: Donation Request Application.pdf
 
Mayor Billy Phelps stated that with the completion of the US 231 project, more groups have asked to set up road blocks for fundraisers.  Discussion of the procedures for road block applications turned sharply toward liability concerns and endangering children.  Council member Gary Southerland moved to stop granting applications for all future road blocks.  The Council approved the motion.
 
Roger Southerland of the Tourism Commission addressed the Council to inform them that the Tourism Commission voted to suggest instituting a restaurant tax with proceeds going to projects for community growth.  By state law, Morgantown could levy a restaurant tax up to 3 percent of retail sales, and the revenue would go to the Tourism Commission.  Southerland outlined what surrounding communities are doing with their restaurant tax revenue, how their communities have benefitted, and how those communities have handled or mishandled what they call the tax.

 
Mayor Phelps asked the Council if it wanted to vote on a restaurant tax or get more information before a vote.  Council member Russell Givens said the tax would establish a pool of money to potentially improve the ability to draw tourists, with participation in Trail Towns being an “obvious” place for funds with three river towns in the county.  Council member Dionne Merritt said that she could not support a tax increase so soon after voting for a property tax increase.   Council member Sharon Johnson asked if anyone had asked restaurant owners their opinion, and Tourism Commission member Diane Dyer said she had heard from two restaurants who were both against the tax. Both Phelps and Russell Givens suggested a town hall meeting open to the public to get community input and a Council work session afterward if needed; Phelps said he would schedule a town hall meeting and make sure restaurant owners are invited.
 
The Council gave its 1st reading of a golf cart ordinance.  City Administrative Officer Jarrod Barks read the ordinance which defined a golf cart, where and when a cart can be operated, and the fines and penalties for violations.  Carts would be regulated to a 35 m.p.h. speed limit, operate from sunrise to sunset, not operate on sidewalks, and not operate on or cross streets with a speed limit above 35 m.p.h.  The Sheriff’s Department or a designated entity would be responsible for inspections.  The Council approved the 1st reading of the ordinance.

CLICK HERE FOR GOLF CART ORDINANCE:Golf Cart Ordinance.pdf


 
Randall Gaskey of the Utility Board reported that Morgantown Utilities will be moving out of City Hall into the building that was formerly the Morgan Manor branch of Morgantown Bank and Trust.  Mayor Phelps stated that no project has started on City Hall renovation, but with Morgantown Utilities moving out it was time to look at renovations.  He asked Melanie Hunt of DDS Engineering in Bowling Green to describe the condition of City Hall.  Hunt stated that the floor of the Council chamber has a sway in it, the floor’s condition could be merely aesthetic or it could pose a danger to use.  The rear doorways are crumbling, and as with the floor it is unknown whether the deterioration is merely aesthetic or structurally dangerous, according to Hunt.  The lobby is the only useable meeting space in City Hall, and Hunt pointed out that such use is not in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.  Hunt also said that City Hall has inefficiencies in heating and cooling, especially considering that Council chambers cannot be used.  Hunt stated that funding sources are available for renovation through grants.  Meredith said that the city cannot ask other building owners to upgrade their buildings with City Hall in its current condition.  No action was taken.
 
Charles Hutchinson addressed the Council for the second time to request a resolution by the city to pursue a change of the name of the Natcher Parkway.  Hutchinson handed materials to Council members and argued the highway name should revert to the Green River Parkway, its original name.  Hutchinson said more miles of Green River run through Butler County than any of the 16 counties the river passes through.  Southerland moved to adopt the resolution, and the Council approved the motion.  Phelps said he would contact the relevant state authority regarding the city’s resolution.
 
The Maintenance Department reported that it saved the city approximately $6,000 by erecting the tennis court fence themselves rather than having the contractor do the job.  The Housing Authority reported on recent housing renovation work and is reaching out to any homeless veterans who need housing to contact the Authority.  Mayor Phelps said the city was asked to put street lights up in the US 231 project area, but the poles cannot be put in the same holes as before and the cost would be $75,000 to erect and $13,000 annually for electricity.  Phelps also reported back to the Council that Municipal Road Aid money cannot be used for tile work, a subject discussed in last month’s meeting. 

Chief Charles Swiney reported that the MPD is still wrestling with school area traffic but that the patrols near the North Tyler and West Roberts intersection have made an impact and that the intersection is “fine the way it is” without the need for a four-way stop suggested at the last meeting. Officer Brian Ward will be taking on the duties of Ordinance Officer for the City.

City Police Activity Report

Calls for Service  372

Cases Opened  12

Criminal Arrests  36

Traffic Citations  16

Motorist Assists  9

Collisions  9

DUI   4

Courtesy Notice  1

Story by Don Thomason, Beech Tree News

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