Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council met on March 14, 2024  with all members present.

Under recognition, the Butler County High School boys basketall team was honored for their recent accoplishments on advancing to the KHSAA State Tournament.

The public works department reported they hauled 30 loads of leaves, cleaned out 2 tiles, began mowing the ball fields, and worked on getting the park ready by turning the water on for the ball fields, where practices are taking place about every night.  It has been reported that before the concessions can be used at the parks, they will need to remodel due to not being able to use wood frames (tables, countertops, etc.) as they need to be aluminum or stainless.  

The planning and zoning reported during their March meeting that they approved one residential permit, one signed permit was approved, received two commercial inquiries that will be present at their next meeting, and two industrial inquiries were received.  There is an inquiry regarding a residential property that will be commercial as they would be duplexes.  Planning and zoning also reviewed permit rates and will have a recommendation for the council next month.

The utilities reported they are caught up on water, sewer, and gas taps.  One grant that utilities received has allowed them to complete six valves and they have two more that need to be completed.  They began Phase 1 of the sewer plant project by gathering measurements to get the needed items ordered. 

The MOGO Bus had 1,133 passengers and delivered 459 meals in February. 

Code enforcement reported they had started two new cases and resolved four older cases.  They are working with some landowners now with the city and county cleanup days to allow them to resolve their issues.  Code enforcement and the eity police responded to their first complaint involving the new burn ordinance.

The Morgantown Police Department reported in the month of February officers answered 270 dispatch calls for service, worked 20 motor vehicle accidents, made 8 arrests, and opened 2 new criminal cases.  They made 32 traffic stops and wrote 21 traffic citations in addition to 11 courtesy notices.  There was a total of 11 alcohol-related calls, which brought the total calls for service to 831.

The city clerk, Allie Lee, reported that Kersie Sharp, Dana Phelps, Sharon Johnson, Amy Deweese, and herself had attended the Women in City Government Conference.  Lee also reported that they are waiting on approval from the state to waive the engineer requirement to have an engineer on site before moving forward with a project utilizing the TAP Grant.  

The mayor reported the city now owns another building on Main Street by the stoplight.  Triple A Mediations has done asbestos testing that has been sent off to the state labs.   

The Morgantown Summer Social has been planned for May 25th, which will be the opening of the city park.  There will be a beauty pageant, with the winners representing the city at each event planned.  After the opening of the park, many events will take place at the park throughout the remainder of the year.  There will also be summer socials on June 29th and August 31st, where the bands Creek Water and Disorderly Conduct will be performing.  On September 21st there will an event for Hispanic Heritage Month.  The Mayor’s Monster Mash will take place on October 26th.

Applications are now being accepted for summer help from  individuals 16 years of age and older still in the school system.  

In unfinished business, the second reading of Ordinance 2024-01, which establishes the Board of Adjustments pay rate and meeting dates, was accepted.  

In new business, the resolution for 2024-02 Accepting Cleaner Water Program Grant needed to be redone due to previous timeline and paperwork completion.  The city council had approved the resolution in February but needed a new date.  The resolution was accepted.