City Council - Regular Meeting

The pledge of allegiance for anyone wishing to participate. [clears throat] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, we'll call this meeting to order. This is the Mortontown City Council regular meeting for Tuesday, February 3rd at 7:05 p.m. We will ask Clerk Wade to first call the role. Yes. Joe Bugan, present. Jody Hollings, here. Lazy Michael

here. Jenny Seline here. Mark DS here. Deputy Mayor Butcher. Mayor Trumbull here. started to say that passes 6. Yep. That's not what we do here. [laughter] Um the first item, we made it to attendance. So, let's see how we can do after that.

I've taken some cold medicine today. Um [laughter] first item on the agenda is approval of minutes. We have January 20th, 2026 special meeting minutes. January 20th, 2026 regular meeting minutes. January 27th, 2026 special meeting minutes. And January 27th, 2026 committee of the whole meeting minutes. Were there any additions, corrections? Seeing none, approved by consensus. Yes. Fantastic. At this time, uh, we will move into correspondence and we have the Black History Month proclamation. It is my understanding that there are members of the Morgantown Human Rights Commission, the Morgantown Kingwood branch of the NAACP, and representatives of the West Virginia University Center for Black Culture and Research.

[laughter]

Get up there everybody. He told me that he had it ready for us this way. So whereas 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of formally celebrating the black diaspora for its contributions to the culture, economy, education, and history of the United States. Celebrating Black History Month reminds us of our ongoing struggle against racism and our commitment to be a society that genuinely lives by its democratic principles. And whereas what started in 1926 as Negro History Week, a time of learning and recognition, has grown into an annual month-long observance of Black History throughout February, the change began in 1970 with a student-led proclamation at Kent State University. President Ford first recognized Black History Month in 1976. In 1986, an act of Congress made National Afroamerican Black History Month a part of federal law. And whereas the celebration of Black History Month has spread globally, for decades, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland have formally acknowledged and honored the annual commemoration. And whereas West Virginia has a unique connection to the Black History Recognition Movement due to the efforts of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, widely known as the father of black history, Woodson was the son of newly freed slaves who relocated to West Virginia after the Civil War. He attended Douglas High School in Huntington, worked in the coal mines near the New River, taught school in Fyet County, and eventually returned to Douglas High School as its principal. He was the second negro to earn a PhD from Harvard, and the only child of formerly enslaved parents to ever do so. Later in life, he served as the academic dean at West Virginia Collegiia Institute, now West Virginia State University. And whereas Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week to coincide with the February birthdays of two prominent advocates for Negro Freedom, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. Woodson held that denying people their history deprivives them of

their humanity. His goal was to integrate black history into all educational curricula, libraries, churches, and communities. Negro History Week was not a symbolic gesture. It sought to ignite a profound and enduring transformation in America's perception and understanding of itself. West Virginia was one of the original three states to observe Negro History Week in 1926. And whereas Morgantown strives for inclusivity by recognizing and appreciating the inherent value of every citizen. Throughout February, we honor our community members of black descent, both past and present, for their profound contributions to our cultural, spiritual, economic, and political growth. We emphasize that black history is not a mere footnote in American history. It is an integral and essential part of it. Now, therefore, I, Danielle Trumbull, mayor of the city of Morgantown, on behalf of the Morgantown City Council, do hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in the city of Morgantown. We encourage all citizens to honor the often neglected accomplishments of black Americans throughout the year as we celebrate our diverse culture and heritage and continue building a more just and peaceful world with liberty and justice for all. And we thank Annie Cronin York, chair of the HRC, for writing that proclamation. if we'd like to. [laughter]

I am happy to read whatever. Everyone scooch in a little. We'll make it look like we're like we like each other.

Thank you so much. [applause] The next item on our agenda this evening is public hearings. We have two. First, I will open the a public hearing on an ordinance authorizing a lease agreement with Intune Counseling LLC for office space at the Morgantown Municipal Airport. Is there anyone wishing to speak on this specific item? Seeing none, we will close that public hearing. And now an ordinance providing for annual reporting by boards and commissions will open this public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak on this item, Annie Cronin and York, Human Rights Commission. My only concern with this piece of ordinancing is that it requires generally speaking volunteer lay persons to go find a city charter and figure out what it says on that given day. On the other hand, it makes a great deal of sense to have it centralized and same day for everybody. So, I'm glad they're consolidating it. I just wish that it were more explicit in each commission's chart. Yeah. ordinance as to when the report is due. Guess some people write them. [snorts] Thank you. Is there anyone else wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, we will close that public hearing. We will move into unfinished business. Our only item of unfinished business is boards [cough and clears throat] and commissions. Are there any appointments for boards and commissions this evening?

I have uh one, mayor. Um, I'd like to nominate for health and wellness Isabelle Van not a not a second. Thank you. All in favor? I. Yes. I may I nominate Sarah Barnes to the planning commission uh on behalf of the first w second. Representative W and boundary commission. W and boundary commission. Thank [laughter] you. Sorry. I'll second. Thank you. All in favor? Yes. May I nominate Amanda Dodie to the human rights commission? Second. Second. Second down there. All in favor? Yes. Yes. Great. I'd like to nominate Judith Wasserman um to the Urban Landscapes Commission. Second.

Yes. All in favor. [cough and clears throat] And I will nominate Brian Cole to the Morgantown Parking Authority. Second. Thank you. All in favor?

That was the list of board and commission nominations that I had. Did we miss any? Seeing none, we will move on to our public portion subject to rules established by council adopted by resolution. Generally, that would be you please approach the podium, state your name and address for the record. You have four minutes to speak. Please no personal comments. Um, our first person signed up this evening is Isabelle Vanada. You don't have to do anything. Hello. Is this thing on? [laughter] It is on. You are good to go.

Okay. Hello. I'm Isabella Christopher Banana, owner of Northstar Nature Club and a resident of 400 Willie Street, Morgantown, West Virginia, 2650 Par 901. Um, for the past for the past three years, I've noticed a decline in the pavement street near on Spruce Avenue, mostly between um mostly between the the city public library up to the corner of First Presbyterian Church. I've noticed that there's like big divots in the road. Um, I got splashed with dirty water from a puddle a couple of times already. I'm just curious about what can you guys do to at least just temporarily repair them. I know the repair isn't permanent, but um and maybe find maybe I know you guys probably can't do this, but maybe redirect the water instead of from puddling up in those potholes. Maybe install drains in the road. Also, um I also noticed that Willie Street is very good. It used to be very rough. I want to thank the board for I want to thank the board for making a lot safer. Also, I have one small suggestion. Um I would like the sidewalk to be continue to continue above beyond Willie Street up to the the um um the mile ground area that be that will not only provide safety and community for the citizens of Morgan West Virginia, but it will provide bicyclers a little bit safer passage. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. The next person signed up is Javier McCoy.

Welcome.

Good evening, everyone. Good evening, Mayor Trumbull, elected officials, and the greater Morgantown community. On behalf of the West Virginia University Center for Black Culture, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this sincere proclamation of this auspicious occasion. While I do serve as the interim director of the Center for Black Culture at West Virginia University, I'm a proud graduate of West Virginia State University. Dr. Carter G. Woodson was the dean from 1920 to 1922. Black history runs deep in the state of West Virginia and I am proud that we are standing on the legacy of those who have come before us. And so before I take my seat, I think that this poem I learned in undergrad would really be fitting for this particular occasion. It's entitled It Couldn't Be Done. And the author is unknown. But the poem simply says, "Somebody said it couldn't be done, but he with a chuckle replied that it's not that he couldn't, and he wouldn't say that he wouldn't, at least until he had tried." So he buckled right in with a bit of a grin without any doubting or quitting. He started to sing as he tackled the thing. And guess what? He did it. Somebody yelled at him and said, "Oh no, I don't think what you're trying to do is possible." But he took off his coat. He took off his hat with the lift of his chin and a bit of a grin. without any doubting her quitting. He started to sing as he tackled the thing. And here we are 400 years since slavery. 163 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, 72 years since Brown verse board, 62 years since the Civil Rights Act, 50 years since the establishment of Black History Month, and 100 years since the establishment of Black History Week. So the word for this day, February 3rd, as we move forward in Black History Month, is that there are thousands will tell you it cannot be done. There are thousands who have sat back and tried to prophesy your failure. So the next time you set out to embark on a journey that

to some is unimaginable, to some is unthinkable, and to some is unspeakable, remember to take off your coat, take off your hat with the lift of your chin and a bit of a grin without any doubting or quitting. Start to sing as you tackle the thing. And because we stand on the shoulders of giants, all is possible. Black history is American history. And while we have come a mighty long way, we still have a long road ahead. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Um Annie

Annie Cronin, Human Rights Commission. Who here knew that Black History Month was a West Virginia baby? I did not. My daughter was a lady of the golden horseshoe. I told her about it tonight. What? She had not heard that. Um, Carter Woodson was born in Virginia cuz his mom was out of town visiting Royal Lithers at the time. However, they were residents of West Virginia at the time. 10 years after the Civil War ended, that is daddy gone and fought in as a free man and showed where all of these slave bolders were holding their goodies and helping a lot with Civil War effort doing that. Um they moved to West Virginia to become farmers and they were dirt poor. Mom could read because she'd been a ladies maid. So she taught her kids to read and he had a brother who was going to Frederick Douglas High School in Huntington. I think the building is still there but it was closed down a few times and reopened and then rebuilt and probably not a thing anymore. But Frederick Douglas was a hero for the obvious reasons and also because his name was high school and he felt pretty loyal to it. But he couldn't afford to stay in high school. So he went to work in the coal mines near New River. And then he got in, you know, more offers, better deals. He got be able to go teach in Favville. Being a school teacher for a black man in 1918 was not really a thing. And yet he did it. He was 17 years old. or maybe his 19 when he taught but right around that time I think he was 17. Um then he went to university in Chicago got a degree there went to Bura College first in western Kentucky all out of order here. Uh but then when he went to Harvard the only person was a black

individual at Talithal who had gotten a PhD from Harvard was web Dwis. He was number two and he remains the only person who was a child of freed slaves to earn a PhD at Harvard. Kind of a big deal one would think. He went back and forth between Harvard and West Virginia. He was the principal at his former high school and then he [clears throat] went on to be the academic dean at West Virginia State which was at the time the West Virginia Institute for Colored People I believe. And the verbiage changes throughout the proclamation because the names changed. In 1926 was Nico History Week and then because of Black Panther movement against state, they made their proclamation black history week. Thank you very much. And then President Ford recognized it. You couldn't make a proclamation because Congress had not authorized it. Uh Reagan was the first one to formally proclaim what I believe. Could be wrong. Um, but since then it has been on president's proclamation. So I looked to see what this year's proclamation was and I wish I had not. It was in fact proclaimed by President Trump and I'll not read it to you because you probably all eaten dinner. But it does go on to say that the far left has been trying to divide us by class and race and observing these sort of things uh helps is part of it and more beyond that but it is nationally recognized still uh I believe the state of West Virginia is still recognizing it because of congressional legislative directive um and his important part denying people their history deprivives them of humanity it's true if you cannot read about your people. You don't see any models who are like you in your books or on TV in our case. Then how are you supposed to model

yourself? How are you supposed to know that you can succeed? And that was his purpose in doing this was letting others know that they too can succeed and do well in this world. And just in a closing note, Carter Godwin Wilson Woodson, great as he was, and West Virginia, who we should all be proud of and we should all own this day as a West Virginia day. This month is West Virginia month, is no relation to Charles Woodson, the quarterback from Michigan, the only person who's a defensive player ever to win the Heisman Trophy. [laughter] Thank you. Is there anyone else wishing to speak? [snorts]

Just state your name and address for the record.

Hello, my name is Mark King and I am the president of the Morgantown Kingwood NAACP. I am also a small business owner here in Morgantown. Today I extend my gratitude to the Morgantown City Council for issuing this proclamation. As the president of the Morgantown Kingwood NAACP, I stand before you on behalf of our branch to celebrate and acknowledge the rich diversity that defines our community. Currently, our community grapples with a pervasive sense of fear and anxiety, particularly regarding the expression of one's identity without political affiliation. It's imperative that we as members of this community continue to champion and highlight the diversity that makes our community unique. During Black History Month, it's also important that we recognize the profound impact of our community and the transformative power of healing. I believe that in community there is healing and there is strength. And so, as we do things like this today, I want us as moving forward to know that this is not where it stops. We have a long ways to go. And I hope as members of the city council that you're willing to show up, stand up, and be members in solidarity with our community and those who feel the fear and the oppression and the anxiety. Thank you very much. Happy Black History Month.

Thank you. Is there anyone else wishing to speak this evening?

Seeing none, we will close the public portion. We have no special committee reports. Brings us to our consent agenda this evening. There are three items on the consent agenda. I will read through each of the items. If there's any member of council wishing to pull any item from the consent agenda, they may do so. Otherwise, we will make motions and approve together with no deliberation. Item A, consideration of approval of second reading of an ordinance authorizing a lease agreement within Tune Counseling LLC for office space at the Morgantown Municipal Airport. First reading, January 20th, 2026. Item B, consideration of approval of second reading of an ordinance providing for annual reporting by boards and commissions. First reading, January 20th, 2026. Item C, consideration of approval of first reading of an ordinance for establishing and maintaining one-way roads and restricted turns. Is there a motion? Move to approve.

Thank you. Second. Thank you. Click wait. Yes. Joe Bugon. Yes. Jody Hollings. Yes. Luis Michael. Yes. Jenny Seline. Yes. Mark DS. Yes. Mayor Trumble.

Yes. Now I can say it passes [clears throat] 6. Uh brings us into our new business this evening. Item A of new business, consideration of approval of first reading of an ordinance of the city of Morgantown authorizing acquisition of the town of Star City water and sewer utilities and amending articles 925 and 927 of city code to establish rates for service area of the former town of Star City water and sewer utilities. Yes, mayor. Thank you. Uh this item was presented to city council on the January committee of the whole related to the acquisition of uh the Star City utilities. We we do have members of the Morgantown Utility Board here today uh to address any further questions of the council. Uh but the matter before you all would authorize the acquisition as well as establish the rates. Uh the current proposed ordinance does maintain the current rate structure in place currently by the Star City uh program as it stands. So I would turn it over Eric if you like to make any comments.

Eric Carlson, chairman of the board of the Morgantown Utility Board. I said board twice. 278 Green Bag Road, Morgantown. Happy to answer any questions you may have, but I gave presentation here a week ago. Uh and can reiterate anything, can answer any questions you have, but um happy to also stand here and in the silent [laughter]

questions for Eric. just um appreciate the care that you all took in looking over this as um as an entity that you're willing to take on. Um doesn't change very much um the still same service provider that you all have been and appreciate um the presence um of the mayor here. uh and um glad that we're moving forward with this.

Thank you so much. And and our general manager, Mike McNalty, sends his uh regards. He is in Washington this evening with the National Rural Water Association. I'd like to share the same sentiments as councelor Sleen. Um uh welcome to Star City Mayor for being here and thank you for being here. Um yeah, let's move forward on this. Thank you. Move. Is that a motion? You make it. You want to make a motion? I'd like to make a motion. Motion. I'll second.

All right. Thank you. Further discussion. I'm well aware this is going to pass, but I still have several of the same concerns that I had um last time, mostly about future of rates and the the policies concerning um minimum billing of that system versus how the rest of the system is um charged for minimum billings. Um, also still have concerns about what kind of capital improvements are going to be needed. Also concerns about um, spreading of staffing too thin. But just to go back on the record to saying those are my concerns.

Well, we're all hoping that you'll vote with us. [laughter] We shall see. Quick. Yes. Joe Bugano. Yes. Jodyie Hollings, yes. Louisey Michael, yes. Jenny Seline, yes. Mark Towns, yes. Mayor Trumble, no. Sorry to disappoint, but passes 51. Your prerogative always. My prerogative.

Brings us to item B. Consideration of approval of first reading of an ordinance authorizing institution of eminent domain proceedings as needed for acquisition of property in the Greenmont neighborhood is provided in the CDBG action plan. Thank you, mayor. Uh attorney Simonson is going to take the lead on this one.

Thank you, councel. This ordinance will authorize the city manager, if needed, to institute eminent domain procedures proceedings to acquire real estate that is a part of the city's adopted CDBG annual action plan and consolidated 5-year plan. This relates to the city's plan to create a park and open space in the lower Greenmont area as part of the uh most recent plan amendments that city council approved. There are two properties that are targeted for acquisition with these funds and the city continues to work with those property owners in an effort to negotiate uh a transfer price that is acceptable [cough] to the owners as well as to the city's funding agency. Um, this is really done as a proactive measure in the event that the city and the property owners would not be able to agree on uh on terms they're all uh that are acceptable to all parties and that the city is in a place where it needs to move forward in order to meet the timelines of the grant funding requirements. In particular, one of our upcoming spendown timelines for these CDBG funds occurs at the beginning of May. So, we need to be in a position where the city is able to expend those funds and still move forward with the project, but we continue to try to work with the property owners to make sure we've exhausted [clears throat] every avenue to acquire the property without any uh eminent domain proceedings. That we recommend council uh move this on past first reading, but I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Questions for attorney Simon. So, um, this ordinance, so not not really specific to I I guess it's application here, but, uh, are are we required? It's interesting to me that the the scope of the ordinance is limited to this specific project or this specific um uh um neighborhood and this specific action plan. Is that uh a requirement of our charter bylaws or ordinance or is it just um you know I I mean never like to see eminent domain as a tool that we have at our disposal. Want to see it used as a last resort obviously as you said. Um but um I was just curious about that.

Yeah, that's a a great question counselor. Um, you know, eminent domain is an authority of the council. Certainly, it can be delegated by ordinance and it it could be done in uh more broad terms than what's presented here. Uh, there is a requirement that the city council adopt an ordinance in order to acquire property. So, that's um why if if this will result in property acquisition, we'd want it to be approved by ordinance. But you do have options to um to craft an ordinance authorizing this kind of action in a different way if you would choose to explore that in the future. Okay. Thanks. Other questions?

Trying to figure out how to phrase this. Sometimes uh imminent domain is used in a um more kind of confrontational way with a unwilling um uh property owner. And sometimes it's used when it's just difficult to obtain clean title or there's there's issues with trying to purchase a piece of property that are beyond the control of the person who um who is trying to sell a piece of property or groups of people that are trying to sell a piece of property. So, I just wanted to keep that in mind while we're looking at something like this that that there's different reasons that we use eminent domain and and sometimes they're not um I don't know, sometimes they're not as confrontational as others, but the fact remains that in this situation, if you're going to um do something within the time um required that something like this is needed and it has been used very rarely. So, just I guess pointing that out and I don't know if you had anything else to say on that.

Uh I think that's I think it's an apt description and uh certainly municipalities across West Virginia know that um that title to real estate can be uh can be difficult with with a lot of properties. uh many of them do pass through several generations of heirs without uh without estates being administered and and so in many instances locating all of the people you might need uh in order to acquire property can be can be quite difficult.

Thank you. Any other questions for attorney Simon? Otherwise we can have a motion. Um move to approve the ordinance authorizing institution of eminent domain proceedings for the specific purpose. Second. Thank you. Further discussion click. Yes. Joe Bugan. Yes. [clears throat] Jenny Hogan. Yes. Louisey Michael. Yes. Jenny Selene. Yes. Mark DS. Yes. Mayor Trumble.

Yes. Passes 6. Item C of new business, consideration of approval of a first reading of an ordinance for municipal ID program and providing standards for municipal identification cards.

Yes, thank you, mayor. Um, as you all know, this item was presented to you all at the January committee of the whole staff presented the pilot program of the municipal ID program. Uh, this is a program that had been conceptualized over the last couple of years. Uh since that presentation, we we have received some feedback uh related to the program uh by both members of the community as well at the state as well as at the state level expressing some concerns. Um I do think it's valid to state that the proposed municipal ID program uh does not surpass or circumvent the voter registration guidelines in West Virginia. Uh voter registration is administered by the West Virginia Secretary of State's office and requires a person to be a US citizen resident of the county where they are registering and 18 years of age in order to register. Uh all of these requirements remain intact. Uh however, the the program as presented has pres pro provided some confusion on whether or not the municipal ID program would allow for additional voting rights. uh that was not the intended goal to provide that confusion and I do believe it's in the best interest for us to have some additional dialogue particularly with uh members of the secretary of state's office related to the program. Uh the municipal ID program was created with a goal of strengthening community connections and partnering with our local businesses. Uh it's also intended to provide an additional accessible form of identification that can assist with access to programs and services within the community. An example of this would be the goal to interface with the Mountain Lion and the services that they provide. Uh I am encouraged by some of the elements that have begun to come together on this program and I I'm grateful for the partnerships that have emerged as a result of that dialogue. Um and I certainly value those relationships and look forward to that conversation continuing. I do believe the program offers value to the community. Uh but maybe we do need to look to address a couple of things

further. Uh so after thoughtfully considering feedback, I do believe the program will be stronger if we table this item temporarily uh while we have some additional conversations and that we clarify the intended outcomes of the program. Um I do note that council butcher is unable to join us today, but he has asked that I express his concerns with tableabling the item. Uh he expressed that he could support the item being tabled. Uh preferably he'd like to see that tableabling occur on a second reading uh pending any guidance from the secretary of state on their view of the ID program. Uh he further expressed concerns that by deferring this item he anticipates that we could see opposition by deferring it as well. So wanted to pass along uh that perspective at his request as well. Uh but today my ultimate recommendation would be to table this item u and we will bring this back for you.

I'd like I I agree. I think we should go ahead and table it and um the intent of this program is good and we we should move forward in the future with this. Um just so there's no more confusion about it, let's just go ahead and table it and work to correct it. That is a motion. [laughter] Okay. Second. Motions to table are not debatable. It goes straight to a vote. [laughter] Correct. I wasn't going to debate. I was just going to have some discussion. Pardon? Okay. Am I incorrect in that? I believe that is correct under Robert's rules.

We motions to table are not discussed any further. [clears throat] Okay. Ready. Joe Bugan. Yes. Jody Hollings head. Go ahead. Yes. Yes. Is the table. Okay. Yes. Jenny, check. Yes. Mark DS. Yes. Mayor Trumble.

Uh, yes. Passes. Tableing passes. 6. Um, [sighs] those were our items of new business. We will move on to the city manager report. Uh, yes, Mayor. Just two brief items. Uh, I will be sending you all some dates and times as a reminder for the week of the 9th. We will be looking to have our our small uh one-on-one budget discussions as we finalize that. Uh, we are shooting for a goal to get you all uh some draft documentation tomorrow. Uh, there will be some additional documentation that follows, but uh you can look forward to that if you all will please be on the lookout for that email. Uh, only other item that I'd like to bring forward is a reminder that the offices will be closed in observance of President's Day on Monday the 16th. That concludes my report. Thank you, city clerk. Thank you, mayor. Um, I wanted to share that on January 24th, the Police Civil Service Commission held their entry level uh police officer exams and out of that uh those examinations, we have nine eligible candidates. So, we're um grateful for that and congratulations to those moving forward in the hiring process. Um this past weekend, the fire civil service commission held their agility exam [cough] and uh from that exam we have 14 eligible candidates moving forward in the hiring process. So, congratulations for those. Um I want to share also that the next uh police civil service commission entry level um exam is in April. So, if folks missed that due to our weather, we did have some weather. Uh, that's when we had our storm. Uh, f folks can go online and and apply for the April exam. And that concludes my report.

Thank you. Report from city attorney. Thank you, mayor. With council moving forward the change in the one-way streets and prohibited turns ordinance, I'll be working with the engineering department to prepare orders and forms to designate those for council in the future. similar to uh what we have done with the uh the street parking requirements are council's last ordinance change. Nothing additional to report this evening. Thank you. We'll move on to reports from council members. Councelor Dun, would you like to go first?

Uh sure. Uh the pit count uh was scheduled originally for January 28th and uh but due to weather has been moved to uh February 25th. Uh that's for those that don't know that's the point in time count uh that uh curriculums of care uh across the country uh put on to uh count uh folks that are homeless or experiencing homelessness in a community. Um uh last night was uh the development services attended the Greenmont Neighborhood Association and um conducted a vising sess session for uh lower Greenmont. Um I have [cough] gotten limited uh limited reports of how that went. Um but but uh digging in it's been a bus but it was just a busy day and unfortunately my flight was delayed and by 2 hours and I wasn't able to uh able to get there. So um let's see uh and finally we had a [clears throat] warm-up fundraising event on the 28th. It was a huge success. I just want to personally thank everyone that uh that uh turned out uh for that. Um and that'll conclude my report.

Thank you, Councelor Smith.

I'd like to congratulate those who were appointed to boards and commissions today and uh appreciation to those who came for the um [cough and clears throat] Black History Month um proclamation. I think that um those types of things of citizen participation and uh recognition of history and uh the people who made it and who are making history today uh been much much um something for us to think about. Um and uh also much appreciation to those who were taking care of all the rest of us during all the recent cold and uh storm events. And I continue to find out how difficult it is to conduct some of the tasks that are uh that happen during storms. I um was talking to the airport director today about all of the different things that were [clears throat] required um to clear a runway um when it's that cold. And uh we are used to warm weather coming right behind cold that melts whatever is still a problem. And we just haven't had that. So, uh I um I like to cross country ski, so I like some cold, but not this cold. [laughter] Um and so it's just been quite something. Um, one reminder which you could see a lot of the last couple days is people uh I know it's very difficult to clear sidewalks and um property owners are are required to clean the sidewalks in front of their house and

the plows have covered all the sidewalks um with the snow and uh it's very very difficult to do but wherever possible um it's necessary to clear the sidewalk so people can walk and get to where they need to go. So, as it warms up, things melt a little bit. Let's see what we can do to um clear the sidewalks as well as the roadways. So, go ahead. Thank you. Thank you, Council. Thank you, mayor. Just to add on to that, a reminder to folks that if they do um if they are unable for any reason to clear their sidewalks that they can

call the city and we can possibly connect them with a volunteer. So, please don't hesitate to reach out. we will figure it out with you um if you're unable to shovel your sidewalks. Um just a few things. We had um our South Park Association of Neighbors Officers Only meeting this past Sunday. Super productive. We um we just laid out our events for the year and um there's going to be near monthly opportunities to connect in South Park with your neighbors and we are excited about that. So keep your eyes and ears out for that. Um, quick little shout out to our library. A couple weeks ago, Sarah from the Morgantown Public Library system came to speak and um, in all this cold and all this wet, there's not a lot to do with a 2-year-old such as mine. And the Morgantown Library has been a wonderful place for us to go. Um, not just for books, but for the library of things that you can check things out from. Um, all of the knowledgeable people who work there. It's been a weekly visit for my 2-year-old and I, and I just wanted to express appreciation and encourage folks to go check it out on these snowy days. Um, tomorrow I'm going on a walkabout with our city ambassadors just to learn a little bit more about what their dayto-day looks like. I'm excited to report back on that. Um reminder that legislative session is still happening in West Virginia and that there is a really easy way to go online and comment positive or negative on bills that are popping up. Um so if you are afraid of calling like myself, um you can go to www.wvlegislature.gov, gov. Click on bill status. Click on bill status again. And then you can either enter Yeah, the the website's a little clunky.

It's so easy.

It's a It's a [laughter] little clunky. I have some feedback. Um and then you can either put the bill number in or search all the bills for what you're looking for or message me, email me, and I'll let you know what the bill number is. Um but it's a super easy way online to to leave your thoughts and um our legislators need our comments. they need our input, positive and negative. Um, and then I also wanted to thank the folks who came and and used their time to speak on Black History Month. Um, the poem that you recited, sir, reminded me of um my absolute favorite book that I read to my kids. Um, it's called I actually got it at Monkey Ranch downtown. Um it's called um Something Someday and it's by um presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and um it's about exactly that. They tell you it can't be done and it can together. So thank you.

Thank you. I really didn't have too much today. I do want to thank everybody that came to speak today on the proclamation. Um, I also wanted to say thank you to our uh public works department. I think they've done a wonderful job keeping up with this this weather lately and uh I just wanted to extend my thank you to them. Council,

uh, I'm just going to repeat everything everybody said. Thank you all for coming in for the proclamation. Welcome to our committees now. And uh it's so cold I've been stuck in the house, so I don't have anything to report. I'm good. Thank [sighs and gasps] you. Um [snorts] yeah, our warm-up event was held at a very opportune time. It was freezing. It was so cold on the night of our warm-up event that they canled the point in time count, which I found to be very ironic. But um good for us.

Good for us. people were more able to come. A lot of the the employees who work with um a lot of our unsheltered folks were able to be there. Um we had I don't know $125 people or something like that. We raised well over $3,000. Um still trying to tally that up, but thanks to Councelor Haulings and to councelor DS who both helped me out with that event quite a bit. It was and LJ at 123, he was uh always integral to that to the success of that event. So I [snorts] think this was our best one yet and um hopefully it really helps because they are spread very thin this year. Um the Drone Park Neighborhood Association met last night. Yeah. Uh big topics of conversation there were, you know, goings on at Paul Preserve Park, their neighborhood park. They're interested in getting a little free library and some bow park activities in their park uh for the summer. So, working with them on that. They also had a lot of feedback on um plowing and salt treatment. Um a lot of uh a lot of good feedback. a couple of concerns that I will pass along to um Damen Davis and Megan Dey, but but generally I think everyone feels that they've been doing a really great job throughout this [clears throat] weird ICE thing, whatever happened. Um, I will say I reached out to the city manager and director Davis yesterday and I don't know if this actually had anything to do with it or not, but I asked about the possibility of public works helping with some of the sidewalks downtown, which normally fall to business owners, but as you know, if you

own a sidewalk, it's been impossible to find salt to buy. I know councelor D said he had a pickaxe trying to chisel ice off of one of his sidewalks. So I did ask if there was anything public works could do and as I drove through downtown today I saw them out hard at work in several different areas. So I'm not sure if they had been planning that or not but um I was very very grateful to see that because sometimes even people with the best of intentions need a little bit of help. That was a crazy ice storm that we had. Um, looks like it's coming this week, too. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah, it's probably doing it right now. It was snowing as I got here.

Uh, I had my NLC University Communities Council meeting today. I saw your name on the survey list. So, um, they we just had an introduction for the year. They decided that our top five focus areas for communities across the country that are um home to higher education, we as a committee will be focusing on community engagement, housing development with zoning and planning, education and workforce development, economic development and transportation and infrastructure. So, you know, just a couple of small things, no big deal. [laughter] Um, and I also, uh, just to keep you all in the loop, uh, the last item I had the first official meeting of the West Virginia Works cohort through the Institute for Justice this week, last week. Um, and we had a nice overview. We shared some things that we thought were working in our towns and things that we thought could use some work in our towns. And in February, they assigned homework. I'm really reconsidering my my choice to participate, but we're supposed to have some conversations with a few city staff members that we don't normally work with and a couple of entrepreneurs who have tried to open restaurants specifically because in February, our meeting will be about um trying to streamline the starting a restaurant. curl that a lot of folks seem to get into. So, I'll certainly reach out to some staff on that and see who would like to attend the next meeting with me. But, um, yeah, other than that, I I think that's all. We do have an executive session. Is there someone willing to read us into executive session?

Who wants to I I have it up. You have it there. discussion of matters related to law enforcement procedures uh under West Virginia code 6-9A4B12 pursuant to West Virginia state code section 6-9A4B2A to discuss personnel matters and considering new appointments for boards and commissions and I move that we u move into executive session for these two purposes. Thank you. Second. Thank you. All in favor? Yes. Great. We'll take a short recess and enter executive session.