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 June 30 Council Connection, we incorrectly stated the description of the ordinance amending Section 1329.02 and Chapter 1331 and establishing Article 1358 the Wiles Hill Gateway Overlay District as given by Director of Development Services Chris Fletcher. The proposed ordinance will create an overlay district, not reclassify parcels.
Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
- Ron Dulaney, Fifth Ward, was elected as Mayor for the 2020-2021 term.
- Rachel Fetty, Third Ward, was elected as Deputy Mayor for the 2020-2021 term.
Public Hearings
- An ordinance authorizing a Planning and Zoning Code text amendment for Sections 1329.02 and 1331.05 as they relate to public and private EV charging stations.
- No one chose to speak to this issue.
- An ordinance authorizing a Zoning Map amendment for West Virginia Hospitals (445 Van Voorhis Road).
- Seth Wilson spoke in favor of approval of the amendment.
- An ordinance authorizing an easement to Zayo at the Morgantown Municipal Airport.
- No one chose to speak to this issue.
Council Action
Unfinished Business
- Boards and Commissions
- Kristen Cooper was reappointed as a member of the Human Rights Commission.
- Jan Derry was reappointed as a member of the Human Rights Commission.
- Ash Cutright was nominated and appointed as a member of the Human Rights Commission.
- Amy Chandler was nominated and appointed as a member of the Human Rights Commission.
Public Portion
- Dr. Jerry Carr reminded individuals that there will be free COVID-19 testing at the Farmers Market this Friday and at Mountainview Elementary School on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dr. Carr also expressed concern for the lack of free testing in the future and the sudden rise in positive cases.
- City Clerk Christine Wade read a written comment submitted by Colleen Harshbarger. The comment expressed appreciation for the newly renovated Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park, and expressed frustration with individuals littering and loitering at the new park.
- City Clerk Christine Wade read a written comment submitted by Christina Green. The comment expressed concern for individuals disregarding the mask order given by the Governor.
Consent Agenda
- An ordinance authorizing a Planning and Zoning Code text amendment for Sections 1329.02 and 1331.05 as they relate to public and private TV charging stations (First reading June 2, 2020).
- An ordinance authorizing a Zoning Map amendment for West Virginia Hospitals (445 Van Voorhis Road) (First Reading June 2, 2020).
- An ordinance authorizing an easement to Zayo at the Morgantown Municipal Airport (First reading June 16, 2020).
- All items were unanimously approved.
New Business
- Consideration of approval of (first reading) an ordinance amending section 1329.02 and Chapter 1331 and establishing Article 1358 The Wiles Hill Gateway Overlay district of the City of Morgantown Planning and Zoning Code.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that approval of this ordinance would create an 3-block overlay district to serve as a demonstration of land use for any new construction in Wiles Hill (Passed 7-0).
- Consideration of approval of (first reading) an ordinance amending Article 919 governing addressing and mapping standards.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that approval of this ordinance would allow updates to the current addressing and mapping standards to coincide with the counties current ordinance (Passed 7-0).
- Consideration of approval of (first reading) an ordinance authorizing a deed to RDR Properties transferring property at the Morgantown Municipal Airport.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that approval of this ordinance would allow transfer of property at the Morgantown Municipal Airport to RDR Properties (Passed 7-0).
- Consideration of approval of a resolution approving the 2020-2021 budget for the Morgantown Capital Escrow Fund.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that this resolution would approve the 2020-2021 budget for the Capital Escrow Fund. The fund includes a revision to expend funds for the Woodburn School building, the 8th Street sidewalk project, and to the United Way for an emergency feeding program. This item was tabled until additional information can be provided.
- Consideration of approval of a resolution authorizing application for the West Virginia Justice Assistance Grant.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that approval of this resolution would allow the City Manager to submit the application for the Fiscal Year 2020 West Virginia Assistance Grant Program requesting funding in the amount of $40,000. The grant funds would allow for continuation of a Prevention Resource Officer presence in Mountaineer Middle and Suncrest Middle School (Passed 5-2).
- Consideration of adoption of Vacant Structure Exemption Procedure.
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that adoption of this procedure would allow property owners to apply to be exempt from the Vacant Structure Code if applicable. This item was tabled until the July 21 meeting.
City Manager's Report
Information
- Sales and Use Tax
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that the city is working to correct why the state tax office notified a small group of businesses located outside of city limits to collect the city's additional 1% sales tax, which started on July 1.
- Health Insurance & Employee Clinic
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that the city is planning to switch health discount providers, which will result in significant cost savings for the city and employees.
- Update on LGBTQ+ Liaison Positions and Minority Liaison Coordinating Council
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that she has been working with the MPD to identify interested police officers to serve as the LGBTQ+ Liaison Position in the police department, and that she has reached out to multiple organizations including the NAACP, Islamic Centers of Morgantown, Fairness WV, and the Northern WV Center for Independent Living to form the Minority Liaison Coordination Council.
- Strategic Plan Update
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that Novak Consulting Group has provided information from the session and that city staff will be working to form objectives from the information provided.
- Focus Workweek Pilot Program Update
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that the focuesed workweek began on Monday, July 6, and that city staff will be monitoring and assessing the program throughout the pilot length.
New Business
- Agency Allocation Request to United Way to Support Feeding Programs
- Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli stated that the $100,000 allocation to the United Way would be used to repair and purchase commercial kitchen equipment for use at the former Ramada Inn building. The building will be used in the short term for a community food box program. This item was tabled until additional information can be provided.
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July 8 - BOPARC
July 9 - Monongalia County Development Board
July 9 - Ward and Boundary Commission (Virtual Meeting)
July 9 - Planning Commission (Virtual Meeting)
July 9 - Norwood Neighborhood Association
July 13 - Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) (Virtual Meeting)
July 13 - Pedestrian Safety Board
July 13 - Metropolitan Theatre Commission
July 13 - Neighborhood Coordinating Council
July 14 - Sister Cities Committee
July 15 - Main Street Morgantown
July 15 - Board of Zoning Appeals (Virtual Meeting)
July 15 - Wiles Hill Highland Park
July 15 - Historic Landmarks Commission
July 16 - Library Board
July 16 - Museum Commission
July 16 - Human Rights commission
July 21 - City Council Meeting (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
- 4 vacant general public seats
- Housing Advisory
- 1 vacant seat - WVU Government
- Traffic Commission
- 2 vacant seats - Ward 3 and Ward 5
- Woodburn School Redevelopment Commission
- 2 vacant general public seats
- BOPARC
- 1 vacant general public seat
- Ward and Boundary Commission
- 1 vacant seat - Fifth Ward
For more information, visit morgantownwv.gov/volunteer.
Current job openings:
- Police Officer. Deadline to apply is mid-October.
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