View past agendas and minutes for Morgantown City Council.
Watch live meetings and replays on Comcast Channel 15 or online here.
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NOTE: This meeting was held remotely by Cisco WebEx video-conference to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
CORRECTION: In the May 5 Council Connection, we incorrectly listed the 7-0 passing of the Focused Workweek Pilot Program. The Focused Workweek Pilot Program passed 6-1, with Councilor Dulaney's opposition.
Correspondence
- Proclamation: Mental Health Awareness Proclamation
- Mayor Kawecki presented the proclamation of Mental Health Awareness, and proclaimed May 2020 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Morgantown.
- Proclamation: Men's Health Month Proclamation
- Mayor Kawecki presented the proclamation of Men's Health Month, and proclaimed June 2020 as Men's Health Month in the City of Morgantown.
Public Hearings
- An ordinance amending Article 545 Regulating Weapons.
- No one chose to speak to this issue.
- An ordinance amending Article 747 establishing Fire Protection Service Charges.
- No one chose to speak to this issue.
Council Action
Unfinished Business
- Consideration of approval of (second reading) an ordinance amending Article 545 Regulating Weapons (First reading May 5, 2020).
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that approval of the ordinance would align city code with state code. This ordinance would authorize carry of deadly weapons within the city (Passed 5-2).
- Consideration of approval of (second reading) an ordinance amending Article 747 establishing Fire Protection Service Charges (First reading May 5, 2020).
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that approval of this ordinance would increase the Fire Protection Service Fees by 23 percent in order to help fund twelve Morgantown firefighters hired through the SAFER grant (Passed 7-0).
- Boards and Commissions
- Marian Hollinger was nominated and approved for reappointment to the Metropolitan Theatre Commission.
- Jennifer Hathaway was nominated and approved for reappointment to the Metropolitan Theatre Commission.
- Susan Klingensmith was nominated and approved as a member of the BOPARC Board.
Public Portion
- No one chose to speak during the public portion.
New Business
- Consideration of approval of (first reading) an ordinance amending the FY 2019-2020 Annual Budget of the City of Morgantown as shown in the revised budget attached hereto and made a part of this ordinance as the same applies to the General Fund.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that approval of the ordinance would amend updates to the FY 2019-2020 Annual Budget including an increase of $500,000 in B&O taxes, as well as a $275,000 increase in B&O construction in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Passed 6-1).
- Consideration of approval of (first reading) an ordinance amending the FY- 2019-2020 Annual Budget of the City of Morgantown as shown in the revised budget attached hereto and made a part of this ordinance as the same applies to the Coal Severance Fund.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that approval of this ordinance would allow a decreast of $2,500 to the Coal Severance Fund (Passed 7-0).
- Consideration of approval of an emergency ordinance continuing the State of Emergency and authorizing additional outdoor commercial uses to help prevent harm to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that approval of this ordinance would extend the effective date of the previous emergency ordinance put into place in March until the end of September, and would suspend parking restrictions for commercial uses to allow outdoor dining and merchandise sales as well as temporary signage (Passed 7-0).
City Manager's Report
Information
- Update on 2020 Census
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli updated council on the 2020 Census. She stated that Morgantown’s overall response rate (as of May 10, 2020) is only 44.6%, and that he city continues to promote the Census through social media and on Channel 15. The city has been working with WVU to make sure that students are counted in the 2020 Census.
- City's update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in West Virginia
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli updated council on the city's response to COVID-19. Interim City Manager Muzzarelli stated that the Monongalia County Health Department will offer free COVID-19 testing on Friday and Saturday. She also stated that beginning May 26, city buildings will reopen to the public on a limited basis.
- Temporary Outdoor Dining Program
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli updated council on the Temporary Outdoor Dining Program. She explained that to apply for a permit, businesses need to provide a simple drawing of where they intend to have tables and chairs outside. The city will work with Main Street Morgantown and the Morgantown Parking Authority to turn High Street parking spaces into outdoor seating for local restaurants.
New Business
- Award of contract for City Manager Recruitment Firm
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that the city has worked with Novak Consulting Group to develop a contract for recruitment services for the next City Manager. The cost of the contract is $24,300 plus direct expenses such as ads and background checks (Passed 7-0).
- Acceptance of Morgantown Grant from FAA
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that the city has received a CARES Act Grant Offer from the Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of $69,000 for the Airport Improvement Program. She requested approval from council to accept the grant (Passed 7-0).
- Bid award - 8th Street Trailhead Project
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that City Engineer, Damien Davis, and the Engineering Department recommends awarding the 8th Street Trailhead Project bid to MonCo Constructors in the amount of $92,333 (Passed 7-0).
Report From City Clerk
- Christine Wade expressed her appreciation to Morgantown Police for their dedication to keeping the city safe in lieu of Police Week that took place May 11-15.
- Christine Wade Christine Wade stated that the application deadline for entry-level police officer has been extended to June 19, and the test date has been rescheduled to June 27.
- Christine Wade stated that many applicants for the entry-level police officer position live within the hour-drive time residency requirements that was passed by council on Feb. 4.
- Christine Wade stated that the Fire Civil Service Commission will be meeting next week to discuss promotional books for Lieutenant, Captain and Chief.
Report From City Attorney
- City Attorney Ryan Simonton stated that he received a request to provide an update on the placement of sharps containers in the downtown area. He stated that he corresponded with Laura Jones, the Director of Milan Puskar Health Right, and that Health Right is still waiting on permitting from the Bureau of Public Health, and that the process has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandmic.
- City Attorney Ryan Simonton stated that over the weekend, the state release information about the distribution of the CARES Act Fund. The initial application deadline is June 15.
Executive Session
- Pursuant to West Virginia Code Section 6-9A-4 (2) (B) (12) to discuss potential or pending litigation.
- Pursuant to West Virginia Code Section 6-9a-4(b)(2)(a) to discuss personnel matters.
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May 21 - Library Board (Virtual Meeting)
May 21 - MPO Policy Board (Virtual Meeting)
May 26 - Committee of the Whole (Virtual Meeting)
Check out the calendar on the City of Morgantown website for specific information on public meeting times and locations.
Sign-up for our Community Newsletter
The City of Morgantown is now issuing a monthly community newsletter, The Morgantown Messenger. Stay updated on city news and events by signing up for the mailing list here.
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Jobs & Volunteer Opportunities
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There are currently openings on the following boards and commissions:
- Morgantown Green Team
- 1 vacant seat - General public
- Fire Code Board of Appeals
- 3 vacant seats - Legal Representative, General Contractor, and general public
- Sister Cities Commission
- 5 vacant general public seats
- Housing Advisory
- 1 vacant seat - WVU Government
- Traffic Commission
- 3 vacant seats - Ward 3, Ward 4, and Ward 5
- Woodburn School Redevelopment Commission
- 1 vacant general public seat
- BOPARC
- 1 vacant general public seat
- Ward and Boundary Commission
- 1 vacant seat - Fifth Ward
- Health and Wellness Commission
- 1 vacant general public seat
For more information, visit morgantownwv.gov/volunteer.
Current job openings:
- Police Officer. Deadline to apply is June 19.
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